Cleistopholis patens is one of the three or four trees in the genus that is native to tropical Africa. The red juice that the tree exudes when cut resembles palm oil and tastes salty. Hence, the Ghanaians dubbed it the salt and oil tree.
Crushed peel from the ripe fruits is used in soups as a condiment by the natives of Togo. The seeds, one inch by half-an-inch or more, are hard, woody and knobby. They are commonly used in beads and rosaries. In Gambia nursing mothers drink a medicine made of the seeds to ensure a good milk supply.14
|
BACK |
TOP |
FWD |
 |
 |
 |