|
Properties |
Qualities |
Known Products/Uses |
Baobab Flower |
– n/a |
– n/a |
– Glue products (mixed with water) |
Baobab fruit |
– Composed of outer shell, seed (see below) & pulp (see below) |
– High levels of tartaric acid (potential as a natural preservative) |
– Craft product- Animal feed |
Baobab Leaves |
– High Vitamin C content- High Iron content (compared to other wild foods)- Contain 5 of the 8 essential amino acids- Calcium, potassium tartrate, and catechins- Uronic acids, rhamnose (and other sugars), tannins |
– Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory – Anti-asthmatic, Anti-dysenteric, Anti-rachitic, Anti-febrile, Anti-diaphoretic – Significant antioxidant activity |
– Food source (dried/crushed or freshly cooked) – Animal fodder (fresh)- Treatment for guinea worm- Anti-inflammatory gel (leaves soaked in water)- Micronised leaves used in beauty masks, herbal tea, powdered air freshners, soaps (solid & liquid), emollient, aftershave, shower products & aftersun- Glycolic extract used for shower products, skincare, solid & liquid soaps and anti-inflammatory products |
Baobab Seed |
– Can be pressed for oil- Good source of energy, fat and protein |
– Food source |
– – -Thickening agent in soup – Roasted, dried or eaten fresh as a food source- Powdered as a tobacco substitute |
Baobab Bark |
– – High moisture content- – Fibrous |
– – Used to control malaria- – Fever treatment (cortex cael cedra)- – Source of red and green dye |
– – Mats, ropes, fishing nets, sacks, clothing- – Food flavouring- – Paper (not commercial, water removal makes this too costly) |