Baobab leaves: treating anaemia and asthma attacks

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Extract from the article: The fruit of the baobab is eaten more than the leaves. As for the leaves, they are consumed as condiments in sauces. Apart from this dietary intake, baobab leaves are used in the treatment of certain diseases, including asthma and anaemia.

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The fruit of the baobab is eaten more than the leaves. As for the leaves, they are consumed as condiments in sauces. Apart from this dietary intake, baobab leaves are used in the treatment of certain diseases, including asthma and anaemia.

Baobab leaves are an important source of calcium and iron. Rich in antioxidants, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, provitamin A and vitamin C, they are an excellent natural food supplement.

Relieving an asthma attack

In a study « Nutritional Quality and Functional Properties of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Pulp from Tanzania » published in "Journal of Food Research" in 2016, conducted by Tanzanian scientist Aluko A. and his peers, baobab is clearly an anti-asthmatic. The effectiveness in the treatment of asthma is also proven.  The leaves are an excellent source of vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and phosphorus, and are often used to relieve asthma attacks in several countries, notably Senegal.

Recipe for relieving asthma attacks: Take 1 teaspoon of dry leaf powder directly into the mouth at the onset of the attack; swallow with a little water. Take a second dose half an hour later.

A natural anti-anemic

Thanks to their content of organic acids, mainly citric and tartaric acids, baobab leaves can be used in the treatment of anaemia. Rich in proteins, iron and minerals, baobab leaves contain catechic tannins and vitamin C. They are dried to be reduced to a powder. This powder is incorporated into cereals or into sauces for the preparation of couscous. The resulting sauce is especially recommended for people suffering from anaemia. Antioxidants neutralise the effects of free radicals in the body. Vitamins A, B6, E, zinc, or alpha-lipoic acid are all antioxidants that are contained in baobab leaves. This has been reported in the scientific manual « Les plantes médicinales malgaches. Catalogue de nos connaissances chimiques et pharmaceutiques », published in 1957. 

Raymond DZAKPATA