Products
Okoubaka is included in alternative medicines in homeopathic potentiation (e.g., Okoubasan). The medicinal drug is not commonly traded in many countries and is not available from Hänseler and Dixa, for example.
Stem plant
Okoubaka, (Santalaceae), is a West African jungle tree native primarily to the Ivory Coast and Ghana. West Africans attribute magical powers to this tree. They believe that Okoubaka does not tolerate other trees and plants near it and kills any plant that comes too close. This also explains the origin of the name “okou baka”, which means the tree of death.
Medicinal drug
Medicines are made from the powdered bark of the okoubaka tree (okoubaka aubrevillei e cortice).
Ingredients
Okoubaka bark contains tannins, amino acids, sterols, catechin compounds, and phenolic carboxylic acids such as gallic acid and protocatechic acid.
Effects
Okoubaka is believed to have detoxifying, defense-increasing, mildly bacteriostatic, anti-allergic as well as blood sugar regulating effects. It has its site of action in the intestine and is able to bind waste products including toxins and excrete them through the intestine. The effects are controversial and based only on clinical patient observations and reports. In a large number of cases, patients report definite improvements with widespread freedom from symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks.
Indications for use
Okoubaka is mainly used in alternative medicine against poisoning of various causes:
- Food poisoning, residual toxic conditions after infections.
- Nicotine abuse with gastrointestinal effects.
- Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach flu, traveler’s diarrhea, cramps.
- Chemotherapy-induced vomiting
It is further used for food allergies, hay fever and other allergic reactions, and cradle cap in children.
Dosage
According to the package leaflet.
Contraindications
Okoubaka is contraindicated in hypersensitivity. For complete precautions, see the patient information leaflet.
Adverse effects
Homeopathics: none known to date.
