Marula
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Sclerocarya birrea, cider, Marula Tree, maroele, umganu
Sclerocarya birrea (A Rich) Hochst (family: Anacardiaceae) is a medium-sized, single-stemmed, perennial, deciduous tree with grey-fissured bark, stout branchlets and pale foliage. The tree is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with different species distributed from Ethiopia to KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, where it is widely used by local communities as a source of food and for ethnomedical as well as cultural practices.
See also : Marula Oil
Special Precautions
observations suggest that SBE may increase blood pressure; hence it may exacerbate hypertension in vulnerable patients. Further in vivo investigations are suggested.
Health Benefits and Uses of Marula
- In South Africa, the stem bark, roots and leaves of S birrea have traditionally been used to treat human ailments such as infections (malaria, fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, schistosomiasis) and degenerative diseases (stomach disorders, headaches, toothache, high blood pressure, backache, dysmenorrhoea, body pains, diabetes mellitus, arthritis).
- The extracts from different parts showed high total phenolic compounds and radical scavenging capacities and antioxidant activities.
- Sclerocarya birrea is widely studied with regard to its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial,and antihypertenisve activities.
- Extract of bark, root and leaves of Marula had a significant effect on bacterial growth.
- The leaves, stem bark, root and fruits are used in food and traditional medicine
- The fruit has a delicious pulp high in vitamin C
- The fruit juice contains sesquiterpene hydrocarbon which are terpenes found in plants that are reported to have bacteriostatic properties.
- The fruit contains a hard brown seed. The seed encloses a soft white kernel rich in oil and protein. * The oil contains oleic, palmitic, myristic, and stearic acids; the kernel protein contains amino acids with a predominance of glutamic acid and arginine. Marula kernels and oil make an important contribution to the diet of many rural African people in Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. (See : Marula Oil)
- The bark decoctions are administered as enemas in treating malaria and diarrhoea.
- Some tribes use bark for treating fevers, stomach complaints and ulcers, and roots for sore eyes.
- Fresh leaves are chewed for indigestion
- infusions or decoctions are drunk for diabetes.
- The Zulus of South Africa have also used decoctions of S birrea stem bark and leaf aqueous extracts as enemas for diarrhoea and for prophylaxis against gangrenous rectitis, dysentery, fevers, stomach ailments, ulcers and bacterial-related diseases.
- The Vhavenda of Limpopo Province in South Africa reportedly use the stem bark of S birrea for treating fevers, stomach ailments and ulcers.
- In other rural African communities, chewing fresh leaves of S birrea and swallowing the astringent juice has been reported to help with indigestion.
