Zanthoxylum chalybeum explained

Zanthoxylum chalybeum is an aromatic deciduous shrub or tree within the family Rutaceae. It is also known as the lemon scented knobwood.[1]

Description

A shrub or tree that can grow up to 12 m in height with a large crown; the trunk is furrowed, has woody knobs and often with recurved prickles, while the bark is pale grey in color.[2] Leaves arepinnately compound with 3-5 pairs of leaflets, glabrous or pubescent, they can reach up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide, and are elliptic to lanceolate in outline. Inflorescence, anxillary racemes or branched panicles, flowers are yellow-green in color.[3] Fuit is ellipsoid in shape with black seeds.

Distribution

Commonly found in East Africa from Ethiopia southwards to Mozambique.

Uses

In parts of Kenya, Uganda and Somalia, a leaf decoction is used for the treatment of diarrhea, throat, stomach and chest pain.[4] The leaves are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable or brewed and drunk as tea. Stem bark and root extracts are used in decoctions to treat malaria.

Notes and References

  1. Schultz . Fabien . Ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants traditionally used in the Greater Mpigi region, Uganda . 2021 . PhD . Technischen Universität Berlin .
  2. Mwangi . Gladys . Antivenin activity of herbs commonly used in Kenya against dendroaspis polylepis (black mamba) snake bite . 2023 . PhD . Kenyatta University.
  3. Book: Beentje, Henk . Kenya Trees, Shrubs, and Lianas . 1994 . National Museums of Kenya . 978-9966-9861-0-8 . 372 . en.
  4. India . Jacqueline . Efficacy of some medicinal plants used in various parts of Kenya in treating selected bacterial and fungal pathogens . 2015 . PhD . Kenyatta University.