AFRICAN POTATO (Hypoxis hemerocallidea)
		African potato is mainly harvested in the sub tropical Kwazulu and Natal regions of southern Africa. Infusions of the potato like corms are traditionally given against dizziness, headaches, urinary disorders and similar ailments. Infusions and decoctions are used as a restorative for adults and children with wasting diseases. Research on the phytosterol glycoside activity in the 1970s led to the launch of a German patented drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP). The diglucoside hypoxosides are reportedly the chemical components responsible for the anti-cancer, anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory activity of the plant. Although more research to determine the efficacy is required, African potato is widely used to help relieve some of the AIDS symptoms. Here too, overexploitation has raised the price and reduced availability of wild African potato resulting in cultivation projects of this plant by companies like LPS. >> info download
		BAOBAB (Adansonia digitata)
		The extraordinary ten to fifteen metre high tree dominates the skyline of Africa’s Sahel zone. The seeds of its large egg shaped fruit are surrounded by a powdery white pulp or flour (cream of tartar) traditionally used for food and medicine. The bark is made into fibre, paper and an anti-malarial (general febrifuge). The leaves are cooked in soups and porridges, crushed as a poultice for skin wounds and taken against abdominal and urinary disorders. The seeds are roasted as a snack and brewed as a coffee substitute. The fruit pulp is soaked in water to make a refreshing drink rich in vitamin C and a fruit preparation is given to treat dysentery. Western companies have only recently discovered the many benefits of this multipurpose tree and have begun to formulate skin care and dietary supplements using a cold pressed oil rich in palmitic, oleic and linoleic fatty acids and baobab fruit extract. >> info download
		BIRDS EYE CHILLIES (Capsicum frutescens)
		Birds eye chillies are a variety of pungent red capsicums grown widely throughout the tropics for culinary, medicinal and colouring purposes. The primary medical applications of the plant are as an appetite stimulant, a carminative, a topical analgesic and to alleviate chronic pain such as backaches and rheumatism. Although there are more than 100 different volatile chemicals in Capsicum frutescens, the chief active ingredient is capsaicin, a colourless crystalline substance responsible for the pungency and therapeutic effect of the plant. The level of capsaicin in chillies can range from 0.1% to more than 1.0%. Ugandan birds eyes chillies like those grown by LPS have an international reputation for their pungency. >> info download
		BITTER ALOES (Aloe ferox)
		With their fleshy dull green leaves, dark brown spines and tall bright red to orange flowers the over 275 aloe species growing in southern and eastern Africa form an important part of the landscape. Used in traditional African and European medicine, Aloe ferox or bitter aloes is the commercially most important species. The bitter juice is collected by slicing or cutting the leaves near the stem, heated and allowed to cool off into crystalline lumps known as aloe gum. The main chemical constituent is barbaloin. Other active ingredients include anthraquinones, hydroxyaloin, aloinosides A,B and glucosides including aloin and iso-barbaloin. Aloe extract stimulates the digestion and acts as a potent laxative. Aloes are used as a tonic, an external stimulant and desicant and in veterinary practice. As growing overseas interest in aloe gum has caused overexploitation of the wild plant, Aloe ferox is now protected under CITES and trade controlled by permit. To ensure world supplies, companies like LPS have begun sustainable cultivation of bitter aloes in Uganda. >> info download
		INDIAN PENNYWORT (Centella asiatica)
		This perennial swamp plant is a native of the Indian sub continent, where it is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine as a sedative, analgesic, anti-depressant and disinfectant for open wounds. High quality Indian pennywort grows wild in East Africa and Madagascar and has become an important ingredient in Western cosmetics and skin care products. From the range of the active ingredients of Centella asiatica asiaticosides are used against skin irritation and blotchiness, asiatic acid as an exfoliant, madecassosides for toning and moisturising and genins – natural antiseptics – against acne and vaginal infections. Trials in France indicate that in poor connective tissue conditions Centella triterpenes can help to activate the collagen for improved tissue firmness and elasticity. Centella extract is used as a therapeutic cosmetic. >> info download
		PYGEUM (Prunus africana)
		The tropical evergreen tree with its dark red wood, glossy green leaves, fragrant white flowers and dark cherry like fruit grows in the highland forests of Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Uganda. A French scientist commercially developed pygeum, a bark extract from Prunus africana. The extract contains a mixture of fatty acids, phytosterols and phytosteryl-esters and is used to treat prostate gland hypertrophy and the more serious condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP). The longer life expectancy of men has increased the demand for drugs to treat these conditions. Rapidly growing demand for Prunus africana has meant that Africa’s wild stands have been overexploited to such degree that the tree was listed in the CITES Convention in 1995. Bark trade is now subject to certification and international monitoring. As a result a number of African companies like LPS have begun planting Prunus africana to ensure future sustainable supplies. >> info download