Newbouldia laevis
Tree of Life, Boundary Tree or African Tulip Tree
Newbouldia laevis is a fast-growing evergreen small tree native to Tropical Africa. It only reaches a height of 3 – 8 metres in the west, but can attain a height of up to 20 metres in the east.
The tree has a range of local medicinal uses, for which it is gathered from the wild. It is often grown as a living hedge to mark boundaries, and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it is valued for its flowers.
BENEFITS OF NEWBOULDIA LAEVIS
Uterine Stimulant
Newbouldia laevis is categorized as an oxytocics which explains why it is effective for inducing labor. Moreover, the research by Bafor and Sanni in 2009 shows that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Newbouldia laevis can stimulate the uterine contraction of non-pregnant rats. This suggests why some traditionalists in the African countries use this leaf to initiate labor, facilitate birth or to protect the young embryo. Newbouldia laevis can also be used to remove the placenta after delivery. Ghanaians believe that when pregnant women take Newbouldia laevis stem, leaves and bark cooked in palmoil soup will help to ease delivery and promote rich milk supply after delivery.
Fertility Newbouldia in low doses is taken as a decoction, the leaf is a natural tea taken by women to treat fertility problems.
Dysmenorrhoea Treatment
Newbouldia laevis can be prepared as an infusion or decoction for treating dysmenorrhoea and uterine colic.
Treatment for Arthritis & Rheumatism
Newbouldia laevis bark and leaves can be used for treating arthritis and rheumatism. It acts as a painkiller.
Gastrointestinal Treatment
Newbouldia laevis can be used for treating patients suffering from diarrhea and dysentery.
Laxative
Newbouldia laevis can serve as a laxative.
Constipation Treatment
The bark of Newbouldia laevis tree can be used for treating stomachic, piles and constipation.
Anti-bactericidal Properties
Newbouldia laevis is antibactericidal in nature thus it can be used as an antibiotic. Phytochemical screening of the stem bark by Akerele et al. in 2011 revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloid. The study revealed that the stem bark of Newbouldia laevis has antibacterial activities.
Oedema
Newbouldia laevis bark and roots can be used for treating swellings, and oedema arising through dietary deficiency.
Anticancerous
Newbouldia laevis contains anti-cancerous properties hence it can be used for treating tumors and cancers.
Eye Treatment
The leaf extract can be used for both eye and ear treatments.
Antidote
Newbouldia laevis serves as an antidote for treating venomous stings and bites.
Epilepsy Treatment
Some traditionalists use the bark, root and leaves of Newbouldia laevis for treating patients suffering from epilepsy, paralysis, convulsions and spasm.
The leaves and bark can be prepared as a decoction for treating children suffering from epilepsy and convulsions especially in Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Analgesic Properties
Newbouldia laevis contains analgesic properties thus when the dried bark is ground together with Piper guineense fruits and palm salt (K2CO3), can be used for treating headache, sinusitis and migraine. The bark can also be boiled and patted on the head with soft cloth for treating headache. The bark can be decocted with chilis for treating chest-pain. The Newbouldia laevis extracts can be gargled for treating toothache.
Antimalarial
Newbouldia laevis can be used for treating patients suffering malaria.
Cough Syrup
The Newbouldia laevis bark can be boiled in palm-wine or water and used for treating cough.