Have you seen a Sausage tree (Kigelia africana) before?
June 06, 20231 min read
I remember first coming across this tree during my time in Africa. The reddish-purple flowers and the sausage shaped fruits who weigh up to eight kilograms are quiet impressive.
The tree is cultivated in West Bengal and southern India. It is also popular in Africa, Australia and many parts of southeast Asia.
In Hindi, it is called Balam Kheera as cucumber in Hindi is known as Kheera.
For medicinal uses the root, bark, leaves, seeds and fruits are used. Be aware the raw fruit is considered poisonous but once dried, roasted or fermented it is used in herbal medicine.
The main indications are:
Anti- microbial - the powdered form of the fruit is used to dress ulcers, abscesses and wounds.