Cleistopholis patens, the 'salt and oil tree,' is an aromatic West African forest tree whose bark and root are used for fevers, respiratory complaints, infections, and as an antimalarial and women's medicine.
As an aromatic respiratory and antimicrobial tree, Cleistopholis broadens the diaspora pharmacopeia's catalog of West African chest-and-infection medicine, the same body of knowledge that became Black Southern fever cures and chest rubs.
Cleistopholis patens bark and root yield aromatic essential oils and azafluorene/oxoaporphine alkaloids (including cleistopholine) with documented antimalarial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity. Its fragrant bark underlies traditional use for chest complaints, coughs, and fevers, while the antimicrobial action supports use on wounds and infections. It is one of the many Annonaceae-family trees that West African herbalism deploys against the fever-and-infection burden of the tropics.
Bark and root are decocted for fever, malaria, and respiratory complaints; the aromatic bark is also used in steam inhalations and washes. Bark fibers have traditional non-medicinal uses (cordage) as well.
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