Butyrospermum paradoxum

butyrospermum-paradoxum2.jpg

NAME:  Butyrospermum paradoxum

FAMILY: Sapotaceae

COMMON NAMES: Shea butter tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, karate, Kadanya, lulu

LOCAL NAMES: Emi-emi, emi,Osisi,Ka'danya

USEFUL PART(s): Seeds

GENERAL USES:

  • It is used for cosmetics as emollient

  • It serves as food and used in cooking

  • The oil is used in making soap and candle and used for chocolate cream

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION\

  • Burkina Faso

  • Ghana

  • Nigeria

  • Sudan

  • Senegal

  • Uganda

 

WHY IS IT GREEN?

Butyrospermum paradoxum medicinal values include

  • Nasal decongestion and cattarhal condition

  • anthelmintic

  • hypertension

  • diuretic

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

FUN FACT

  • Butyrospermum paradoxum is a small deciduous tree usually about 7-15 m tall, but may reach 25 m and a bole diameter up to 2 m.

  • The bark is suberose, leaves are oblong and fruits are ellipsoidal

FURTHER READINGS

Ajayi, I. A., Raji, A. A., & Ogunkunle, E. O. (2015). Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from seed extracts of Cyperus esculentus and Butyrospermum paradoxum. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences Ver. I, 10(4), 2319–7676. https://doi.org/10.9790/3008-10417690

Tapondjou, L. A., Nyaa, L. B. T., Tane, P., Ricciutelli, M., Quassinti, L., Bramucci, M., … Barboni, L. (2011). Cytotoxic and antioxidant triterpene saponins from Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae). Carbohydrate Research, 346(17), 2699–2704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2011.09.014