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Bird Plum; Berchemia discolor (Klotzsch) Hemsl.: A Review of Its Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

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Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World - Africa Volume 3

Part of the book series: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World ((MAPW,volume 3))

Abstract

Bird plum (Berchemia discolor) is a shrub or tree distributed in the Arabian Peninsula and Africa characterized by edible fruits and its wood makes charcoal, building material, beehives, furniture and crafts. Berchemia discolor is also used as a dye, fodder, ornamental tree and as herbal medicine to treat several human and animal diseases and ailments. The objective of this study was to collate the fragmented information on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the Bird plum throughout its geographical range in the African continent so as to highlight research gaps and provide a foundation for further investigations on the plant species. The utilization of Berchemia discolor as a food plant, for various other uses including its medicinal applications forms the basis of the current demand for the plant species in Africa. Research on Berchemia discolor over the past decade on its health promoting properties have greatly contributed to the increased consumption of the species as a food plant and herbal medicine. Therefore, further studies are required to improve our knowledge about its phytochemistry, mechanisms of action, efficacy, toxicity and clinical relevance of the plant species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Technology Division, Multidisciplinary Research Centre (MRC), University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia

    Ahmad Cheikhyoussef

  2. Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Alfred Maroyi

Authors
  1. Ahmad Cheikhyoussef
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  2. Alfred Maroyi
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Correspondence to Ahmad Cheikhyoussef .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arid Zone Research Institute, Médenine, Tunisia

    Mohamed Neffati

  2. Min of Agriculture, Range Ecology Laboratory, Arid Zone Research Institute, Médenine, Tunisia

    Hanen Najjaa

  3. Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of West Hungary, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary

    Ákos Máthé

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Cheikhyoussef, A., Maroyi, A. (2017). Bird Plum; Berchemia discolor (Klotzsch) Hemsl.: A Review of Its Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. In: Neffati, M., Najjaa, H., Máthé, Á. (eds) Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World - Africa Volume 3. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1120-1_7

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