Prunus africana bark (pygeum)

The tropical evergreen tree with its dark red wood, glossy green leaves, fragrant white flowers and dark cherry like fruit grows  generally in the forests of R.D. Congo.

Scientists has found 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. 

Rapidy growing demand for Prunus africana has meant that Africa’s wild stand have been overexploited to such a degree that the tree was listed in the CITES convention in 1995.  Bark trade is now completely since 2008 subject to certification and international monitoring.