The baobab tree, adansonia digitata, called "tree of life", "pharmacist tree" in Africa, is considered as one of the most useful trees in Africa, which has traditionally earned it the protection and reverence of the populations. It is considered as a sacred tree, a "tree to do everything", "with a thousand virtues". It can live up to 2000 years.

From the Bombacaceae family, which includes about 250 species divided into 30 genera including the genus Adansonia, specific to baobabs, this tree is useful for food, cosmetics as well as for health care, the manufacture of useful objects such as ropes and hats, made from its bark.

 

Very massive, it can reach 25 meters high and its soft wooden trunk, measures more than 12 meters in circumference. But above all, it seems planted "upside down", because its branches are like roots in their arrangement. This tree has the special ability to store more than 100,000 liters of water in its trunk, which allows many sedentary and nomadic communities to survive, even when they are far from any water point.

 

Its very nutritious leaves are used for the composition of traditional African dishes.

 

The fruits of this tree are often called "monkey buns". They are between 10 and 45 cm long and are very variable, often ovoid but sometimes spherical, spindle-shaped, very elongated or club-shaped. Their average weight is around 250 grams. They contain a dry white pulp, consumed by local people as a refreshing and energizing drink or as treatement.

 

Particularly rich in nutrients, monkey bread contains six times more vitamins C than an orange, twice as much calcium as milk and a significant amount of phosphorus, iron and beta-carotene with antioxidant properties.

It is an ideal food to avoid malnutrition of the elderly, for pregnant women and convalescents, or simply to stay healthy, naturally. In case of intestinal problems, baobab fruit pulp is a very good prediction to regulate intestinal health. The pulp is also a good antidiarrheal and an excellent rehydrating agent. These virtues have been recognized by the WHO.

Indicated in cases of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the pulp of Baobab is not acidifying and can be of great use also in case of inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis, joint pain, due to its anti-inflammatory action.

 

The seeds of this fruit contain a precious oil, the baobab oil, used for cooking and cosmetic care (skin and hair).

 

Rich in oleic acids (omegas 9) and linoleic acids (omegas 6), this wonderful oil with a penetrating touch for the skin and hair, has nourishing, softening, emollient properties. It is very useful in dry and very dry climates, against dryness of the skin and hair.

It improves the elasticity of the skin, prevents and treats chapped skin and crevices and intervenes in preventive and treatments against stretch marks. It is one of the precious oils considered to be a real treasure for the skin and hair in difficult weather conditions.

 

WARNING: the properties of plants are communicated for informational purposes based on information from reference books and websites and should not be considered as therapeutic prescriptions.