Health Benefits of Ximenia Caffra a Medicinal Plant

Health benefits of Ximenia Caffra, an African medicinal plant.

Ximenia Caffra, a small shrub tree found in South-Eastern Africa, having known culturally as a medicinal tree for treating diseases and chemically identified as having ten polyphenol compounds, including phenolic acid and flavonoids. However, studies are necessary to establish its medicinal uses scientifically.  

Picture credit to Ximenia Caffra

Ximenia Caffra, a small shrub tree found in South-Eastern Africa, having known culturally as a medicinal tree for treating diseases and chemically identified as having ten polyphenol compounds, including phenolic acid and flavonoids.  

Ximenia Caffra, also known as Sour plum, is a small shrub, thinly branched, with an untidy, shapeless crown, native to tropical regions, in particular to South-East Africa. A related plum, known as the yellow plum, is found in the western United States. You see them growing from Tanzania to KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.  

In the wild, they are found in the woodlands, grasslands, rocky outcrops, and termite mounts.   All parts of the seeds are used for cultural remedies.

The fruit is elliptical in shape, the skin green at the start, and turns orange and red when it ripens; the flesh, when it matures, is also red and orange and has a juicy pulp. 

Uses of Ximenia Caffra.

• The fruit is eaten raw, after soaking in water and the fresh pressed out, and in porridge and jams. Oil is extracted from the seeds.  
• The seed, tree, fruits, leaves, and roots are used as a cultural remedy for medical purposes.  
• The reported medical uses are as follows.
• The roots treat abscesses, stomachache, colic, and bilharzia.  
• They are pounded, made into porridge, and eaten to prevent sterility in women.  
• The tree barks treat syphilis, hookworms, and chest and body pains. The oil extracted from the seeds is used to heal wounds and as an ointment.

Petrochemical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

• The chemical profile of the Caffra leaves was comprehensively analysed and led to the identification of 10 polyphenol compounds, including phenolic acid and flavonoids. Bio-activity investigations show that the leaves exhibit antioxidant, anti-proliferation, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Conclusion:

Ximenia Caffra, a small shrub tree found in South-Eastern Africa, having known culturally as a medicinal tree for treating diseases and chemically identified as having ten polyphenol compounds, including phenolic acid and flavonoids. However, studies are necessary to establish its medicinal uses scientifically.  

This post is for the letter X in the series of my A2Z blog posts, lasting for the entire month and is part of the A2Z Blog chatter challenge. To read earlier posts, click on these letters   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S TU V W.