Plum tree african

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 06.12.2022

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

African cherry; African skunkwood; Prunus africana; Pygeum africanum

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The African plum tree, also called Pygeum africanum, African cherry or African stinkwood, is a widespread plant species in African mountain forests. There it occurs at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 metres. The tree grows up to 30 m high, the trunk reaches a diameter of 1 meter. The flowers are whitish-greenish, the resulting fruits have a bitter taste. The heartwood and the bark smell of bitter almond. For this reason the wood is also called "African stinkwood". However, this smell dissipates as the bark subsequently dries.

Prunus africana is the parent plant of Pruni africani cortex, the whole or cut dried bark of the stems and branches of the plant.

In cosmetics, extracts from the bark of the tree are used under the INCI designation"Prunus africana extract". The extract has a skin-protecting effect.

Phytotherapeutically, the dried bark and twigs are used: (African plum tree bark - Pruni africanae cortex).

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

Authors

Last updated on: 06.12.2022