WHAT IS THE BAOBAB?

There are many species of baobab belonging to the genus Adansonia, native to Africa (Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe) and Australia. However, in herbal medicine, the term baobab generally refers to the African baobab, which is also called Adansonia digitata and which belongs to the Bombacaceae family.

The baobab, also nicknamed “bottle tree” or “magic tree”, can reach 25 or even 30 meters in height and 20 meters in circumference. This incredible tree can live up to 2000 years. You should know that all parts of this tree are used for therapeutic and nutritional purposes: leaves, fruits, seeds, pulp, roots, bark.

Baobab fruits on a white background. The fruits are long and yellow-brown in color. The baobab tree produces large, brownish or greenish, oval, hard-shelled fruits called monkey bread. These contain edible seeds but also pulp, very rich in nutrients which gives the baobab its nutritional and medical properties. It is the fruit that is generally used to produce baobab powder.

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF BAOBAB

The baobab is a tree that arouses scientific interest because of the high nutritional value of its leaves, its seeds and particularly the pulp of its fruit. As such, the main nutritional compounds of baobab are

Fibers (some fruits can contain up to 70 to 80% of their dry mass);
Vitamins: in particular vitamin C present in large quantities in the pulp of monkey bread. Indeed, the consumption of 40 g covers almost 100% of the daily needs of pregnant women. The baobab also contains vitamin B1 and B2;
Minerals: including calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium;
Amino acids: including lysine, tryptophan, glutamic acid and aspartic acid;
Fatty acids: including oleic and linoleic acid;
Polyphenols: in particular procyanidins known for their antioxidant properties;
Lipids; proteins; Flavonoids; Glycosides; Saponins.

BENEFITS, EFFECTS AND VIRTUES OF BAOBAB

Baobab fruit seeds. We see a fruit open in two rich in pulp and seeds. Thanks to its nutritional richness, in particular in vitamins, minerals and fibers, the baobab is a tree widely used as food but also as a remedy in traditional African medicine for its digestive, anti-inflammatory properties. -inflammatory and antioxidant. The baobab and its products are attracting more and more interest from the scientific community because of their richness in nutrients beneficial to health.

DETAIL OF BENEFITS

Promotes digestion
Intestines drawn black on white. The baobab and in particular the powder of the fruit pulp promotes digestion and has a beneficial prebiotic effect. Indeed, according to various studies, baobab pulp improves the intestinal flora and increases the population of lactic acid bacteria

On the other hand, thanks to its high fiber content, this plant is an excellent food for promoting better transit, treating diarrhea and reducing the feeling of hunger .

Takes care of the skin

Plate of baobab pulp used for the skin in cosmeticsBaobab has benefits on the skin. This is confirmed by a recent study carried out to determine whether baobab seed oil has any virtues on the skin.

Indeed, thanks to the main acids present, namely linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, baobab seeds have moisturizing and occlusive properties, which effectively slows down the evaporation of water. for more hydrated skin

Supports the immune system

Baobab, thanks to its active compounds, seems to possess an effect that supports the immune system. Indeed, the pulp of the fruit is traditionally used to stimulate and counteract immune responses thanks to its antiviral and cytokine-modulating properties .

Terpenoids and particularly saponins are among the main active compounds of baobab. Saponins possess effects that modulate the cell-mediated immune system and enhance antibody production .

Has antioxidant action

Baobab is rich in antioxidant compounds: vitamin C, procyanidins and flavonoids, particularly in the pulp of its fruit. These compounds allow baobab products to fight free radicals and prevent cell damage.

As such, the procyanidins that baobab pulp is rich in fight against oxidative stress and prevent cell damage . Similarly, vitamin C, gallic acid (a polyphenol) and epicatechin (a flavonoid) have the same antioxidant properties .

Fight against type 2 diabetes

Diabetes: a person pricks his finger with a device to measure his glycemiaThis tree has an antidiabetic action. Indeed, thanks to its active compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, baobab leaf extract seems to be effective for the management of type 2 diabetes. Flavonoids and phenolic acids have an inhibiting power on the activities of the α-amylase, α-glucosidase and aldose reductase .

On the other hand, a study has demonstrated that baobab fruits are promising sources of antioxidants and hypoglycemic agents particularly under conditions of acute glucose load .

Has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic action
This plant has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic action. Indeed, one study suggested that baobab leaf extract inhibited the expression of the induced form of the NOS enzyme, which is associated with inflammation.

On the other hand, baobab bark extract has strong analgesic potential, which supports the traditional use of this tree in the treatment of pain . However, this property requires further studies to be confirmed.

Promotes fertility

A little baby smiling looking at the camera. He is lying without clothes on a white blanket. The baobab, thanks to its terpenoid compounds present in particular in the roots, has an action that promotes fertility. Indeed, terpenoids are precursors that help in the synthesis of steroid hormones such as testosterone . This suggests the benefit of using baobab roots to correct testosterone levels to improve fertility.

Many of these trees – imposing figures over 30 meters tall that stand out in the African landscape – had already existed for two or three centuries when Jesus was born. His future, however, is threatened.
Baobabs are dying in several countries in southern Africa and scientists don’t know why.

The alarm was sounded this week when a group of researchers published the results of their decade-long study of these African trees in the journal Nature Plants.
The international team coordinated by Adrian Patrut, from the Romanian University of Babes-Bolyai, wanted to understand some little-known aspects of the biology and physiology of this tree, namely its hollow internal architecture (which allows it to store water), and also to determine precisely the age of the oldest specimens – in baobabs, this dating has to be done by radiocarbon, since their hollow trunks do not have growth rings.

To carry out the study that began in 2005 and lasted until last year, the biologists selected the 60 largest trees in several African countries and it was during the work that they came across the mysterious mortality that affects the oldest specimens of the species, all located in the the southernmost region of the continent, covering Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
The study’s data show that eight of the 13 oldest baobab trees, aged between 1,100 and 2,500 years, are either dead or partially dead.

When you buy baobab in the form of a food supplement, it is recommended to choose it from organic farming. You will thus consume a healthy product, without pesticides or unhealthy excipients.

Baobab powder from Amoseeds. We can see a sachet with organic baobab powder on the side and leaves of the tree in the background. Moreover, the most consumed form is generally baobab powder because it allows you to dose the product as you wish and to enjoy its light tangy taste.

The product we recommend is 100% pure, vegan, without added sugar, without additives, without preservatives, without GMOs, without pesticides, without artificial coloring, without lactose, without soy and without gluten. This is organic baobab powder, each batch of which is tested by third parties to ensure their quality and purity: see the product.

For us it is the best option on the market, the best quality / price ratio. We have all

Many of these trees – imposing figures over 30 meters tall that stand out in the African landscape – had already existed for two or three centuries when Jesus was born. His future, however, is threatened.
Baobabs are dying in several countries in southern Africa and scientists don’t know why.

The alarm was sounded this week when a group of researchers published the results of their decade-long study of these African trees in the journal Nature Plants.

The international team coordinated by Adrian Patrut, from the Romanian University of Babes-Bolyai, wanted to understand some little-known aspects of the biology and physiology of this tree, namely its hollow internal architecture (which allows it to store water), and also to determine precisely the age of the oldest specimens – in baobabs, this dating has to be done by radiocarbon, since their hollow trunks do not have growth rings.

To carry out the study that began in 2005 and lasted until last year, the biologists selected the 60 largest trees in several African countries and it was during the work that they came across the mysterious mortality that affects the oldest specimens of the species, all located in the the southernmost region of the continent, covering Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
The study’s data show that eight of the 13 oldest baobab trees, aged between 1,100 and 2,500 years, are either dead or partially dead.