INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF

IROKO

With the tremendous increase in human

population and the need for activities
such as construction, cultivation, rearing
of animals, and environmental
development, there has been a
tremendous rise on the loss of natural
habitats, ecosystems, wild
animals, vegetation etc. One important
tree that has suffered this sort of habitat
loss is the iroko tree. Despite its
reduction in number, researchers have
revealed that there are several incredible
benefits of iroko tree that makes it stand
out from other trees in the ecosystem.

Botanically known as Milicia excelsa and

of the family of Moraceae, the Iroko tree
is a vital timber tree across the world.
The iroko tree (Milicia excelsa) is also
known as Odum tree, Mvule or African
teak, rock elm, teca Africana, African
oak, Iroko, teck d’Afrique, moreira or teck
kambala.

The iroko tree (Milicia excelsa) is

originally from Guinea Bissau before
spreading to Benin, Ethiopia,
Mozambique, Nigeria, United States,
Angola, Tanzania, Cameroon, Kenya,
Rwanda, India, Democratic Republic of
the Congo and Zimbabwe. Although the
iroko tree is referred to as the African
teak, yet it is not related to the teak
family.

Iroko tree (African teak) is a gigantic

deciduous tree with a height of
approximately 52 metres (162 ft) high
and many short buttress roots formed at
the base. The bark of the iroko tree is
characteristically dark grey or pale in
colour with thick texture and milky or
yellowish latex if given a cut. The thick
branches of the iroko tree shoot out
horizontally thus giving an umbrella
shape. The iroko leaves are ovate in
appearance, greenish in colour with
toothed edge and measure
approximately 5 to 10 centimetres. When
the iroko leaves become older, they tend
to turn yellowish in colour while the
young leaves still remain greenish. The
iroko leaves are also characterised by
rectangular mesh of veins that are easily
conspicuous.

The iroko wood is usually yellowish in

colour initially but tends to transform to
dark brown colour as the tree matures.
Interestingly, this dioecious iroko tree
appears to be one of the highly priceless
trees in the world due to its numerous
beneficial potentials. The iroko seeds are
usually dispersed by rain water, wind or
animals such as bats. Both the male and
female iroko trees have unique
distinguishing features e.g; the female
iroko trees are characterised by greenish
prominent flower spikes that are
approximately 5 to 6 centimetres long by
2 cm wide, while the male trees are
characterised by white catkins that
measure approximately 15 to 20
centimetres extending from the twigs at
the leaves axils.

The main habitat of the iroko tree

(African teak) is the rainforest, wet
savannah, and evergreen forests. The
iroko wood has similar features with that
of Tectona grandis L.f. and it is sort of
greasy in appearance without odour
while the fruit are oblong, fleshy and
creased with the seeds encapsulated
within the pulp. The iroko wood is sort of
abrasive as a result of the presence of
hard deposits known as iroko stones
made up of calcium carbonate within the
wood. The iroko wood is characterised
by perfect gluing, nailing, mortise and
screwing properties. The iroko wood
comprises of the stilbene derivative
chlorophorin that prevents oil-based
paints from drying as well as has the
tendency to corrode metal when in
contact with the substance.

Due to the durability of the iroko wood, it

is mainly used for construction work,
domestic flooring, cabinet-work, outdoor
furniture, boats, panelling, boat-building,
instrument, frames and floors. Due to the
overexploitation of the iroko, it has been
suggested that it is replaced for certain
uses with other similar species such as
Lophira alata, difou, doussié, Morus
mesozygia Stapf, Piptadeniastrum
Africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan (dabéma),
azobé, Nauclea diderrichii, bilinga or
Afzelia spp. The iroko tree can withstand
an annual rainfall of less than 70
centimetres or six months of the dry
season but inasmuch as there is a nearby
body of water. Iroko is the dominant
timber in international trade and
Tanzania and Uganda had been the major
suppliers of iroko in the past.

BENEFITS OF IROKO

Medicinal Purposes
Researchers reveal the presence of
flavonoids, carbohydrate, proteins,
tannins, saponins and alkaloids in the
aqueous extracts from different parts of
the African teak, which make it capable
of being used to treat diabetes,
bronchitis, leprosy, tiredness, heart
problems, tumour reduction. Studies also
reveal that the iroko is characterised by
anti-pyretic, antifungal, antibacterial,
analgesic, anti-diuretic, hypoglycemic,
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties thus can be used for treating
several ailments.

The iroko leaves, bark, milky/yellowish

latex and ashes are used for preparing
herbal medicines for treating certain
ailments and diseases. The herbal
medicine can also be used to unblock the
throat from any blockages such as cough
and cold. The iroko root can be decocted
and used for treating female sexual
infertility, asthma, piles, lumbago, spleen
pain, galactagogue, oedema, scabies,
wounds, ascites, sprains,
dysmenorrhoea, gonorrhoea, venereal
diseases, sprains, loss of hair,
rheumatism and aphrodisiac.
Treatment of Stomach Problems
The milky latex and leaves from the iroko
tree can be used to produce herbal
medicines that can heal stomach
problems such as dysentery.

Soil Enhancement Purposes

The iroko leaves, bark and ashes can
serve as manure and mulch, which is
used for farming produce. Mulch is a set
of material used to cover the surface of a
vegetation of the soil in order to improve
the fertility, conserve moisture and boost
the well-being of the soil.

Treatment of Gallstones
Iroko leaves can be decocted and taken
for treating gallstones.
Ornamental Purposes
The iroko serves as a shade and a
decorative tree.
Construction Purposes
The iroko is a high-quality timber with
international recognition. It can be used
for constructing roads, garden furniture,
framework, boat, doors, draining boards,
houses, furniture, flooring, building,
marine carpentry, gates, trucks, stairs,
charcoal, firewood, utensils, frames,
cabinet work, musical instruments, toys,
panelling and for any long-lasting
building purposes that require wood.
This is due to its resistance to external
damages and insect attacks such as
termites.

Erosion Control
Due to the thickness and durability of the
iroko tree, it can be used for controlling
erosion.
Dyeing Purposes
The iroko bark is used for producing dyes
that can be used for dyeing clothes and
leather.

Landmark Purposes
Some people plant the iroko tree as a
landmark and to show boundaries
between lands, towns, farms and
villages.
Dermatological Purposes
The milky latex can be used for treating
skin burns, eczema, wounds, sores and
other skin problems.
Treatment of Mental Disorders
Some people believe that eating iroko
leaves is capable of treating mental
disorders.
DISCLAIMER
This post is for enlightenment
purposes only and should not be used
as a replacement for professional
diagnostic and treatments. Remember
to always consult your healthcare
provider before making any health-
related decisions or for counselling,
guidance and treatment about a
specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
1] Arung, E.T, Yoshikawa, K., Shimizu, K.
and Kondo, R., (2005), The effect of
chlorophorin and its derivative on
melanin biosynthesis. Holzforschung 59
(5), pp. 514–516.

2] Babalola, F. D., Borokini, T. I. and

Onefeli, A. O. (2013), Socio-Economic
Benefits of Iroko Trees (Milicia excelsa
Welw C.C. Berg) in Ibadan Metropolis,
Oyo State, Nigeria, International Journal
of African and Asian Studies - An Open
Access International Journal Vol.1, pp.
11-13.
3] Bizoux, J.P., Daïnou, K., Bourland, N.,
Hardy, O.J., Heuertz, M., Mahy, G.,
Doucet, J.L., (2009), Spatial genetic
structure in Milicia excelsa (Moraceae)
indicates extensive gene dispersal in a
low-density wind-pollinated tropical
tree. Molecular Ecology 18(21),
pp.4398-4400.
4] Cobbinah, J. R. and Appiah-Kwarteng,
J. (1996), The impact of Phytolyma lata
injury on growth and biomass
accumulation of Iroko (Milicia excelsa),
Proceedings XX International Congress
of Entomology, Firenze, Italy.
5] Nichols, J. D., Wagner, M. R.,
Agyeman, V. K, Bonsu, P. and Cobbinah,
J. R. (1998), Influence of artificial gaps in
tropical forest on survival, growth, and
Phytolyma lata attack on Milicia excelsa.
Forest Ecology and Management 110:
353-358.
6] Nichols, J. D., Wagner, M. R.,
Agyeman, V. K. and Cobbinah, J. R.
(2000), Patterns of occurrence of Milicia
species in natural forest and its
relationship to Phytolyma lata. Research
advances in restoration of iroko as a
commercial species in West Africa,” in
Proceedings of the Research Advances in
Restoration of Iroko as a Commercial
Species in West Africa.
7] Ouete, J. L. N., Sandjo, L. P., Kapche,
D. W. F. G. and Yeboah, S. O., Mapitse, R.,
Abegaz, B. M., Opatz, T. and Ngadjui, B.
T. (2014), Excelsoside: A New Benzylic
Diglycoside from the Leaves of Milicia
excelsa, Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung
Section C-A Journal of Biosciences, vol.
69, no. 7-8, pp. 271–273.
8] Ouinsavi, C. and Sokpon, N. (2010),
Morphological Variation and Ecological
Structure of Iroko (Milicia excelsa Welw.
C.C. Berg) Populations across Different
Biogeographical Zones in Benin,
International Journal of Forestry
Research, vol. 2010, pp. 1-5.
9] Ouinsavi, C., Sokpon, N. and Bada, O.,
(2005), Utilization and traditional
strategies of in situ conservation of iroko
(Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg) in
Benin. Forest Ecology and Management
207(3): 341–346.

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