Mahogany is not a plant or tree that people assume has any health benefits. This is because it is majorly used in furniture making. Mahogany wood can be very strong, which makes it good for constructing durable furniture and also used for carving. But mahogany offers more uses than for constructing furniture. The tree has health benefits and has been used for centuries to prepare herbs in parts of the world, like West Africa, where it is native.
Several parts of the tree are used, including the roots, leaves, and bark. These are parts that contain the medicinal properties the plant is commonly associated with. In today’s post, we would be focusing on the bark of the tree.
Mahogany Bark
The bark of the tree is the outermost part of the tree that covers the stem. The bark of certain trees, including mahogany, is often prepared as herbs. To do that, the bark is boiled, sometimes with other herbs to prepare a concoction. The tree is rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. It is also rich in other nutrients like vitamins and minerals. All of this means that it has some health effects on the body, some of which we would be looking at today. Here are potential health benefits of mahogany bark.
1. May Boost Fertility
Parts of the mahogany tree, including the bark, has been used as local treatment of fertility in men and women. In men, it has been said to cure impotence or erectile dysfunction as it improves erection. In women, it increases the chances of getting pregnant. However, there is still very little scientific evidence to support this claim.
2. Cures Fever and Malaria
Mahogany bark has also been used as a local cure for fever and malaria. Just boil the bark in water and drink it while still hot or warm. One study stated that mahogany had potential antimalarial properties.
3. Might Control Blood Sugar
Drinking the extract from mahogany bark is also effective in controlling blood sugar levels. This is due to the presence of saponin, which is a natural anti-diabetic remedy. A 2010 study investigated they hypoglycemic effect of Mahogany bark extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The study reported that mahogany bark extract showed significant hypoglycemic activity might be used in the future for the development of phytomedicines for diabetes mellitus.
4. Improves Heart Health
Mahogany bark also has a positive effect on the heart. The flavonoid content in the bark reduces the risk of heart diseases and also reduces the buildup of bad cholesterol and fats in the blood. Flavonoids also improve blood circulation and generally improve the cardiovascular system.
5. Reduces The Risks Of Hypertension
Drinking mahogany bark extract reduces the risk of coming down with hypertension by helping to reduce blood pressure levels.
6. Boosts The Immune System
Flavonoids are also regarded as antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause harm by contaminating cells. This causes cancer in some cases. Antioxidants also boost the immune system and make it easy for the body to fight infections and diseases.
7. Increases Appetite
Drinking mahogany bark extract might also help to increase appetite. This can be great for those who are recovering from fever or malaria. So, using mahogany bark would not only fight off the illness but would also bring back one’s appetite.
8. Antioxidant Properties
One medical review was done to determine the phytochemical components and antioxidant properties of Stem bark of African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis). The review showed that saponin, tannin, alkaloid, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, phlobatannin are some of the phytochemicals of mahogany bark and could be responsible for its medicinal properties. The bark, therefore, can be said to have antioxidant properties and hence, might be used in managing oxidative stress. One medical report even stated that mahogany bark could be used to treat colon cancer.
9. Wound-Healing Abilities
Another one of the many health benefits of mahogany bark are its wound-healing abilities. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research attested to this. The study also stated that the bark had antibacterial properties.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
