Opilia celtidifolia Endl. [OPILIACEAE]

Local name: Korogow

This is a woody climber, spreading, heavily-branched shrub or tree up to 10 m high, which grows in fringing forest and savannah, often on anthills. It is widespread from Senegal to Nigeria and dispersed over the drier parts of tropical Africa. A decoction of the leaves is used against fever in Ivory Coast. In Senegal a decoction is used as a gargle for dental abscesses, to treat oedema and as a general stimulant. The plant has internal and external use; against leprosy, acting as a purgative, and leaves reduced to ash are used against headache. The plant is said to have a violent action on the digestion system, and the stem and root are anthelmintic. Pectins isolated from this plant shows are highly potent an a various bioassays. Currently this plant is beeing investigated further in our lab.

By Tom Erik Grønhaug
Published Feb. 11, 2011 10:19 AM