Botanical name

Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman

Family

Rosaceae

Common name

African plum tree, African cherry, Pygeum, Red stinkwood, Iron wood

Information about the plant

The African plum tree grows in African mountainous woodlands, in altitudes between 1500 and 2000 m. Thus, it can be found in tropical East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), in the Northeast (Ethiopia, Sudan), in tropical South Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe), and in western tropical Africa (Ghana, Cameroon, Zaire), while also being found in non-tropical South Africa. It is a tree that can grow up to 30 m in height, in which case has a trunk diameter of 1 m. The leaves are shiny, tapered and, often with reddish petioles, oppositely arranged. The flowers are white greenish, clustered in the leaf axils, and the fruit that emerges is bitter. The heartwood and bark smell strongly of bitter almonds, which has earned it the name “Red stinkwood”.

Medicinally used parts of plants (herbal drug)

The whole or cut dried bark of the trunks and branches is used (African plum tree bark; Pruni africanae cortex).
The countries that supply the drug are Cameroon, Madagascar, Kenya, Equatorial Africa, and DR Congo.

Constituents of the herbal drug

African plum tree bark contains phytosterols, triterpenes, saturated, and unsaturated fatty acids and lignans.

Quality of the drug

The quality of African plum tree bark (Prunae africanae cortex) is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Medical applications

Recognised medical use

The HMPC has classified African plum tree bark as a traditional herbal medicinal product (see Traditional Use).

Traditional use

African plum tree bark in the form of thick extracts (DEV 114-122:1, solvent: chloroform) has been classified by the HMPC as a traditional herbal medicinal product (§ 39a AMG). Based on many years of experience, African plum tree bark can be used for the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms associated to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), after other serious conditions have been excluded by a medical doctor.

ESCOP: For the symptomatic treatment of micturition disorders (dysuria, pollakiuria, nocturia, urine retention) in stages I and II BPH as defined by Aiken, or stages II and III BPH as defined by Vahlensieck.

Dosage

Finished medicinal product: see package leaflet

Preparation of a tea

Not applicable

Notes

Since African plum tree bark only improves the symptoms of an enlarged prostate but does not prevent the enlargement of the prostate as such (symptomatic treatment), a doctor must be consulted regularly for control.
In children and adolescents, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is not a relevant clinical condition, which is why its use is not intended for these age groups.

Side effects

When taking African plum tree bark, stomach discomforts can occasionally occur.

Interactions

None known

References

Herbal drug monographs

HMPC (2017), ESCOP (2020), WHO vol. 2, PharmEur 10.0.1886

Further literature

Rimlinger et al. Shifting perceptions, preferences and practices in the African fruit trade: the case of African plum (Dacryodes edulis) in different cultural and urbanization contexts in Cameroon. J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine 2021,17:65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-021-00488-3