It is popularly known as the tree of life or fertility tree in Nigeria. Its local Nigerian names include ewe Akoko (Yoruba), Aduruku (Hausa), Ogirisi (Igbo). The use of plants to facilitate birth or to protect the young embryo appears to be a common practice among traditional healers. Newbouldia laevis is one of such plants and its leaves are used in the South-East to hasten parturition and to expel the placenta after delivery.
Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. (Family, Bignoniaceae), commonly known as tree of life, is a purple-flowering plant that is widely distributed in many parts of Africa. Different parts of the plant, including the leaves, flower, stems and roots are prevalently used in African traditional medicine for the management of many diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension, skin diseases, ulcer, tumors, pains, infectious diseases, inflammation, dysentery, sickle cell disease and impotency. This review discusses the trado-medical uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of N. laevis. Based on information generated from scientific investigations deposited in PubMed and SCOPUS, the chemical constituents of the plant include glycosides, anthraquinolones, volatile oils, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and sterols. Extracts different parts of the plant and compounds isolated from them have been reported to have several health-promoting potentials such as antioxidant, antimalarial, trypanocidal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, anti-thrombotic, cytoprotective, anti-hypertensive, central nervous system modulatory, male reproduction enhancing and oxytocic properties. These scientific investigations have led credence to the ethnobotanical uses of the plant in folkloric practice. In addition, the presence of phytochemical constituents in the plant might be responsible for the wide biological potentials.
For infertility treatment, some women use a tablespoon of dried stem and bark of newbouldia with ginger (all in powdered form) to make tea. Others simply boil the leaves and take the water. The tree, especially the bark, is widely used in traditional medicine in Africa. The bark is analgesic and stomachic. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs, diarrhoea and dysentery, while it is also given to children to treat epilepsy and convulsions. A decoction of the bark, combined with chillies is used in the treatment of chest pains. The bark is given in the form of an enema as a treatment for constipation and piles. One or two sniffs of a snuff made of the sun-dried bark ground up and combined with palm salt and the fruits of Piper guineense are taken in the treatment of headache, sinusitis, head-colds, etc. It is said to dispel the most obstinate migraine.
Applied externally, the bark is said to cure a range of skin conditions including septic wounds, abscesses and ulcers and is also used to treat snake-bite. Pulped up to a paste, it is applied to rheumatic joints, especially painful arthritis in the knee. In some cases, a plaster is applied after massage. A decoction of the leaves is used to treat ophthalmia, conjunctivitis. The leaves are cooked in palm-oil soup and taken by pregnant women to effect easy delivery and after parturition, to promote a rich milk supply. A decoction of the leaves combined with those of psidium guajava (guava leaves) is taken in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The chewed-up leaves are applied to the wound of a snake bite and then sucked to draw out the venom. A decoction of the pounded roots is used in the treatment of intestinal problems and syphilis. A macerate or decoction of the roots is taken by mouth as a vermifuge to rid the body of roundworm and is also used to treat hernia. Applied externally, it is used as a poultice to treat aching limbs. Root scrapings, combined with chilli are put into a carious tooth.
In Sierra Leone, the dried bark and young twigs are pounded up with spices (Xylopia (Annonaceae), etc and are given in decoction or infusion for such complaints as uterine colic and dysmenorrhoea. The bark is used in Ghana as an enema for constipation and piles. The bark is also said to cure septic wounds. Analgesic properties are said to reside in the bark. In Gabon, bark heated in a little boiling water is patted on the head for headache. Bark pulped up to a paste is used in casamance (Senegal) on rheumatism, especially painful arthritis in the knee. In some cases, a plaster is applied after massage and in refactory cases where walking has become impossible, various parts of Trichilia prieuriana are added to an aqeous infusion of N. laevis roots for internal and external use. The outer bark is decocted with chilis in Ghana and the liquor drunk for chest-pain. A decoction of stem and root barks was in the past used with some success in Sierra Leone for acute malaria with splenic enlargement by application of the crushed leaves with fruits of Xylopia aethiopica in poultice over the spleen, for dysentery and post-partum and other forms of passive bleeding. In Congo, the chest is rubbed with sap obtained by pounding the bark with leaves of Kalanchoe sp. for pulmonary infections. As a veterinary medicine, the bark is fed to horses in Senegal to improve their appetite. They are a familiar remedy for scrotal elephantiasis or for any form of orchitis, a decoction being drunk or the materials pounded up together and applied hot. They are also credited with aphrodisiac properties. The roots are used in Senegal and in Gambia against dysentery and for rheumatic swellings.
11 Health Benefits of Akoko/Ogirisi (Newbouldia laevis) Leaves:
Do you know how to benefit from this sacred and liturgical leaf of our religion?
Akoko/Ogirisi (botanical name: Newbouldia laevis) is a plant that is native to Africa but can be found in other parts of the world. The name ‘Ogirisi’ is a name of the Igbo people. The Yoruba call it “Ewe Akoko” while it is called “Aduruku” in Hausa. The plant has dark glossy leaves with purple flowers, and the plant can grow up to 20m tall. It is an ornamental plant, grown for its purple flowers, and is often used to mark boundaries or territory on land, particularly in rural areas.
People use ogirisi for different things, which is why it is popularly called the “tree of life”. Some people use it for health reasons, while others use it as part of their religious regimen.
In this article, I will cover some of the health benefits of Akoko/Ogirisi leaves.
1. Pain relief
Akoko/Ogirisi is used to treat and relieve pain, especially the kind associated with rheumatism and arthritis. Boiling the leaves and bark, and drinking it can help reduce pain and make it easier to treat these conditions. The leaves also have anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Wound Treatment
The bark of the Akoko/Ogirisi plant can be applied to wounds and injuries to stop bleeding and make it heal properly. It would also help to disinfect the wound and prevent germs from getting into it. It has been used for many years for such medical treatment.
3. Treatment of Epilepsy
The leaves and bark of the Akoko/Ogirisi plant are used to treat epilepsy and spasms. The bark and leaves are boiled in water to extract the juice which is then drunk. This can be used to effectively subdue a spasm or epileptic episode.
4. Toothache treatment
Akoko/Ogirisi leaf extract can be gargled in the mouth to reduce the pain of toothache. Just boil the leaves in water to gain the extract and let it cool a bit before putting it in your mouth.
5. Dermatological Properties
Akoko/Ogirisi leaves contain antifungal properties, which makes them very effective against skin conditions like eczema, acne, and so on.
6. Treats stomach disorders
Akoko/Ogirisi leaves can be used to treat various types of stomach upset. This includes constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, pile and more. Simply drinking an ogirisi decoction would help settle the stomach.
7. Uterine stimulant
Akoko/Ogirisi leaves are used as a uterine stimulant for pregnant women. This is to help with the birthing process by facilitating uterine contraction and making labor easier for the woman. A study on rats confirmed that ogirisi leaves help in uterine contractions.
8. Cough treatment
Akoko/Ogirisi leaves can also be boiled in water or palm wine to treat cough and related chest pain.
9. Increases fertility
Perhaps the most popular use of Akoko/Ogirisi leaves is to increase a woman’s chances of giving birth and dealing with other fertility issues. This is because it helps to induce ovulation, making it easier for a woman to conceive. The leaves also help correct ovulation disorders so that a woman can get pregnant without stress.
10. Malaria treatment
Akoko/Ogirisi is effective in the treatment of malaria. Just boil the leaves and drink the water morning and night to treat malaria.
11. Antidiabetic Properties
Another possible health benefit of Akoko/Ogirisi leaves is their anti-diabetic abilities. A 2011 study was done to determine the effect of Newboulda Laevis leaf extract on the blood sugar levels of diabetic rats. The study showed that Newboulda Laevis leaves have antihypelic abilities, which can help with blood sugar regulation.