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