BAOBAB

OTHER NAME(S):

Abebrødstræ, Adansonia, Adansonia bahoba, Adansonia baobab, Adansonia digitata, Adansonia situla, Adansonia somalensis, Adansonsia sphaerocarpa, Adansonia sulcata, Adansonie d' Afrique, Affenbrotbaum, African Baobab, Afrikaanse Kremetart, Afrikanischer Baobab, Albero Bottiglia, Albero di Mille Anni, Apebroodboom, Apenbroodboom, Arbre à Palabre, Arbre Bouteille, Arbre de Mille Ans, Bao Báp Châu Phi, Baob, Baoba, Baobab Africain, Baobaba, Baobabu, Baobab Afrykanski, Baobab Agaci, Baobab del África, Baobab Africain, Baobab Africano, Baobab de Mahajanga, Baobab de Mozambique, Baobab Fruit, Baobab Milk, Baobab of Mahajanga, Baobab Prstnatý, Baobab Seed, Baobab Seed Oil, Baobab Tree, Baobab Wlasciwy, Baobab Yemisi, Baovola, Bawbab, Boab, Boaboa, Boringy, Bottle Tree, Boy, Bozobe, Calebassier du Sénégal, Cream-Tartar Tree, Dead Rat Tree, Dton Baobab, Ethiopian Sour Bread, Fruit de Baobab, Graine de Baobab, Gros Mapou, Harilik Ahvileivapuu, Hou Mian Bao Shu, Huile de Graines de Baobab, Igi Ose, Imbondeiro, Judas Fruit, Judas Fruit Trees, Kremetart, Kremetartboom, Kuka, Lait de Baobab, Maymun Ekmegi Agaci, Mboio, Mboy, Monkey Bread Tree, Noce d'Egitto, Pain de Singe, Rainiala, Reniala, Ringy, Sefo, Shagar El Bawbab, Shagar Khubz El Qurud, Sour Gourd, Upside-Down Tree, Vanoa, Vontana.

Overview

Overview Information

Baobab is a tree native to Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and the Arabian Peninsula. It is commonly used as a source of water and food. It is sometimes also used as medicine.

Baobab is consumed as a food. It is also used for malnutrition, asthma, and to repel mosquitos, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

There is not enough scientific information to know how baobab might work for any medical condition. The fruit and leaves contain many nutrients.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Asthma.
  • Constipation.
  • Diabetes.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
  • A condition caused by poor diet or the body's inability to absorb nutrients.
  • Mosquito repellant.
  • Pain.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate baobab for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Baobab is LIKELY SAFE when consumed as a food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if baobab is safe to use as a medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if baobab is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if baobab is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for BAOBAB Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of baobab depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for baobab. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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Next: Uses

View References

REFERENCES:

  • Agency response letter GRAS notice No. GRN 000273. US Food and Drug Administration, July 25, 2009. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafe GRAS/GRASListings/ucm174945.htm (Accessed 29 July 2011).
  • Anani K, Hudson JB, de Souza C, et al. Investigation of medicinal plants of Togo for antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Pharm Biol 2000;38:40-5. View abstract.
  • Chadare FJ, Linnemann AR, Hounhouigan JD, et al. Baobab food products: a review on their composition and nutritional value. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2009;49:254-74. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. A biomechanical perspective on the role of large stem volume and high water content in baobab trees (Adansonia spp.; Bombacaceae). Am J Bot 2006;93:1251-64. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. Baobab trees (Adansonia) in Madagascar use stored water to flush new leaves but not to support stomatal opening before the rainy season. New Phytol 2006;169:549-59. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. Water relations of baobab trees (Adansonia spp. L.) during the rainy season: does stem water buffer daily water deficits? Plant Cell Environ 2006;29:1021-32. View abstract.
  • Hudson JB, Anani K, Lee MK, et al. Further investigations on the antiviral activities of medicinal plants of Togo. Pharm Biol 2000;38:46-50. View abstract.
  • Krishnappa K, Elumalai K, Dhanasekaran S, Gokulakrishnan J. Larvicidal and repellent properties of Adansonia digitata against medically important human malarial vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae). J Vector Borne Dis 2012;49:86-90. View abstract.
  • Mulaudzi RB, Ndhlala AR, Kulkarni MG, et al. Antimicrobial properties and phenolic contents of medicinal plants used by the Venda people for conditions related to venereal diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 2011;135:330-7. View abstract.
  • Osman MA. Chemical and nutrient analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and seed protein solubility. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 2004;59:29-33. View abstract.
  • Prentice A, Laskey MA, Shaw J, et al. The calcium and phosphorus intakes of rural Gambian women during pregnancy and lactation. Br J Nutr 1993;69:885-96. View abstract.
  • Sena LP, Vanderjagt DJ, Rivera C, et al. Analysis of nutritional components of eight famine foods of the Republic of Niger. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 1998;52:17-30. View abstract.
  • Agency response letter GRAS notice No. GRN 000273. US Food and Drug Administration, July 25, 2009. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafe GRAS/GRASListings/ucm174945.htm (Accessed 29 July 2011).
  • Anani K, Hudson JB, de Souza C, et al. Investigation of medicinal plants of Togo for antiviral and antimicrobial activities. Pharm Biol 2000;38:40-5. View abstract.
  • Chadare FJ, Linnemann AR, Hounhouigan JD, et al. Baobab food products: a review on their composition and nutritional value. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2009;49:254-74. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. A biomechanical perspective on the role of large stem volume and high water content in baobab trees (Adansonia spp.; Bombacaceae). Am J Bot 2006;93:1251-64. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. Baobab trees (Adansonia) in Madagascar use stored water to flush new leaves but not to support stomatal opening before the rainy season. New Phytol 2006;169:549-59. View abstract.
  • Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. Water relations of baobab trees (Adansonia spp. L.) during the rainy season: does stem water buffer daily water deficits? Plant Cell Environ 2006;29:1021-32. View abstract.
  • Ebaid H, Bashandy SAE, Alhazza IM, Hassan I, Al-Tamimi J. Efficacy of a methanolic extract of Adansonia digitata leaf in alleviating hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress of diabetic rats. Biomed Res Int 2019;2019:2835152. doi: 10.1155/2019/2835152. eCollection 2019. View abstract.
  • Hudson JB, Anani K, Lee MK, et al. Further investigations on the antiviral activities of medicinal plants of Togo. Pharm Biol 2000;38:46-50. View abstract.
  • Krishnappa K, Elumalai K, Dhanasekaran S, Gokulakrishnan J. Larvicidal and repellent properties of Adansonia digitata against medically important human malarial vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae). J Vector Borne Dis 2012;49:86-90. View abstract.
  • Martini M, Mistrello G, Amato S, et al. Anaphylaxis to baobab fruit: the paradox of "natural healthy food". Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2019;51(6):282-4. doi: 10.23822/EurAnnACI.1764-1489.91. View abstract.
  • Mulaudzi RB, Ndhlala AR, Kulkarni MG, et al. Antimicrobial properties and phenolic contents of medicinal plants used by the Venda people for conditions related to venereal diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 2011;135:330-7. View abstract.
  • Osman MA. Chemical and nutrient analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and seed protein solubility. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 2004;59:29-33. View abstract.
  • Owoyele BV, Bakare AO. Analgesic properties of aqueous bark extract of Adansonia digitata in Wistar rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2018;97:209-12. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.079. View abstract.
  • Prentice A, Laskey MA, Shaw J, et al. The calcium and phosphorus intakes of rural Gambian women during pregnancy and lactation. Br J Nutr 1993;69:885-96. View abstract.
  • Sena LP, Vanderjagt DJ, Rivera C, et al. Analysis of nutritional components of eight famine foods of the Republic of Niger. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 1998;52:17-30. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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