EGYPTIAN BALSAM
ABORAGH
SOAP MAKER
SUMP
BALANITES AEGYPTIACA
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE
The desert date tree has many local names, some examples: ABORAGH in the Tuareg language, SAVONNIER in CHAD, several names in Arabic (LALOB, HIDJIHI), desert date or Egyptian balsam in English.
It is present throughout Sahelian and semi-desert Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean as well as in southern Africa.
It is also found in more humid regions of Africa but, in these regions, it is outcompeted by faster-growing tree species (example of name in Senegal, zeguene (in Bambara), sump or soumpe (in Wolof), murtode or murtooki in Pulaar)
Balanites aegyptiaca was introduced in Asia (example: INDIA, PAKISTAN), it is generally called INGUDI or HINGOT in India.
It is a tree that is particularly resistant to drought (therefore very interesting in our era of climate change) and at the same time useful (its wood, its leaves as fodder, its edible fruits, its oleaginous almond) and considered a medicinal tree, it is also a reforestation species in dry and desertifying areas.
Balanites aegyptiaca, the desert date tree is a generally a small tree (very slow growth) with a slightly twisted trunk, the leaves are alternate, with two leaflets, leathery and green, oval in shape.
They are well protected because the branches bear many sharp thorns which contain chlorophyll and therefore also act as leaves.
The flowers are grouped in inflorescence (4 to 12 flowers), the 5 petals are green-white and the fruits are fleshy and edible but slightly bitter drupes of about 2 cm whitish or greenish with a single stone which contains a small oleaginous and edible almond. The color of the fruit varies according to the variety and its maturity, its epicarp (its skin) becomes brown or blackish-brown as it ages.
As we have seen, all parts of the tree are useful.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES
Balanites aegyptiaca, the desert date tree is mainly studied in the countries where it is present (Africa, Asia).
The chemical composition and properties of this tree and its fruits are increasingly well known, we can give a summary:
-the edible part of the fruit (the pulp) and the kernel of the seed contain edible oil,
-the pulp is rich in sweet and nutritious carbohydrates as well as dietary fiber, its energy value is about 340 kcal per 100 grams,
-fruits contain mineral salts: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium and traces of other minerals (iron, copper, cobalt, cadmium, selenium),
-the lipid (fatty) components of the fruit pulp contain oleic acid (37%), linoleic acid (27%), palmitic acid (22%), and are therefore of interest from a dietary point of view,
-the seed contains about 49% oil, protein (32%) and some carbohydrates (9%),
-the lipids (oil) of this seed contain 48% linoleic acid, 23% oleic acid, 16% palmitic acid and 12% stearic acid. It is therefore an edible oil but a little unbalanced from a dietary point of view, on the other hand interesting for protecting the skin, useful for making soap or potentially transformable into biodiesel.
-the pulp of the fruit and the kernel of the seed contain amino acids, and the residue of the crushed seed from which the oil has been extracted can be used as animal feed.
-young leaves and young shoots are edible,
-the green foliage is very popular with livestock but difficult to access because of the thorns, on the other hand the leaves that fall on the ground are consumed by all herbivores.
All parts of the tree contain bitter compounds (saponins and alkaloids) that can be removed by soaking or cooking.
The seeds also contain oxalate (beware of kidney stones), the leaves and bark contain medicinal tannins but can be constipating.
SUMMARY OF PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
ANTIDIABETIC ACTION
The desert date tree is a traditional remedy against diabetes type 2.
Several studies confirm an antidiabetic effect of the total fruit extract, including an Egyptian double-blind study with placebo, dose of 400 mg of ethanolic fruit extract for two months, in elderly diabetic and overweight patients: insulin sensitivity improves and blood lipids normalize, there are no notable adverse effects.
Another Egyptian study but on laboratory animals (artificially diabetic rats): an aqueous extract of seeds and fruits (200 mg per kg of weight for 4 weeks): an anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidic effect is noted with an increase in serum insulin levels, a decrease in insulin resistance and an anti-inflammatory effect.
In the immature fruit, the presence of TRIGONELLINE is noted, an alkaloid which has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective activities.
GASTRIC ANTIULCER ACTION
The aqueous decoction of the bark of the stems (branches) of Balanites aegyptiaca is a traditional remedy in northern Nigeria to calm gastric pain (ulcers, gastritis).
In the laboratory, studies have been carried out on rats with gastric lesions: doses of 125 mg to 500 mg per kg of weight reduce the size of gastric ulcers proportionally to the dose ingested.
This bark decoction therefore has a protective action on the gastric mucosa, which is useful for calming gastric pain linked to the presence of an ulcer or inflammation of the mucosa (gastritis).
DIGESTIVE ANTISPASMODIC ACTION
A methanolic extract of the whole fruits of balanites has an antidiarrheal and antispasmodic action in animals undergoing diarrhoea induced by castor oil.
This antidiarrheal action is felt at doses of 200 mg of extract per kg of body weight orally.
But this action is slightly lower than that of loperamide used as a control drug.
ACTION ON BRAIN FUNCTIONING
Disorders related to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or age-related cognitive decline are a concern in our aging populations.
We are therefore looking for simple ways to alleviate these disorders of brain function.
The administration of B. aegyptiaca fruit pulp extract, whose neuroprotective action is associated with the
antioxidant and anticholinergic potential of its biocomponents, could justify its use in traditional medicine as an alternative therapy for cognitive disorders.
DESERT DATE OIL
Desert date oil is an old remedy (1968) to kill the vectors of bilharzia, some more recent studies confirm the sensitivity of the mollusc Biomphalaria pfeifferi to this oil, but fish are also sensitive to it (hemolytic action by hyperosmolarity) which limits the use of the oil in the fight against bilharzia.
USES
THE DESERT DATE TREE FOOD PLANT
Balanites aegyptiaca, is first and foremost a food plant through its fruits, the almonds of the fruits and its leaves.
The FRUIT is eaten raw, the slightly sweet pulp is a little bitter, it is a nourishing food due to its sugar, fat and protein content, it can be macerated in water and fermented to obtain a slightly alcoholic drink containing B vitamins.
The SEED contains an oleaginous almond that is bitter due to its saponin content but edible after soaking and cooking.
An oil is extracted by pressing that can be used in cooking, as a cosmetic oil (skin and hair) and also to make soap using a base (soda for example).
The LEAVES are edible when they are « young », after they become too tough and bitter, once dry they can be pulverized and added in various dishes, taking into account that this powder brings bitterness to the dish.
THE DESERT DATE TREE MEDICINAL PLANT
TYPE 2 DIABETES
The treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications is the main use of the desert date tree.
It is the content of phenolic substances (tannins, flavonoids) that helps stabilize diabetes and slow its progression.
– You can eat the fruits or make a prolonged decoction, for example: a handful of fruits in a liter of water, boil for 15 minutes, a glass of this decoction 3 or 4 times a day outside of meals, stop in case of secondary constipation.
– A decoction of young leaves is also possible: a handful of young leaves in a liter of boiling water, cook for 5 minutes then let infuse while cooling, a glass of this decoction infusion (bitter) 3 to 4 times a day outside of meals.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
The treatment described for diabetes is also suitable for high blood pressure (which is often associated with diabetes and complicates it).
SKIN INFECTIONS
Desert Date oil contains mildly antibiotic substances, it can be used on chronic skin infections, especially infections that develop around the nails.
It can also be tried on superinfected eczema.
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
We have seen above the traditional use in Nigeria of an aqueous maceration of bark of small branches to calm gastric pain (ulcer or inflammatory gastritis).
The tannin and phenolic substance content of infusion-decoction of bark, leaves, fruits can calm a banal diarrhea with cramps but not an infectious dysentery which requires specific antibiotic therapy.
Functional disorders of the colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can also benefit from this treatment knowing that it must be suspended in the event of obstinate secondary constipation.
THE DESERT DATE TREE USEFUL PLANT
The leaves of the desert date tree are very popular with grazing animals, in general the leaves that have fallen on the ground are used, it is good fodder.
The wood of the desert date tree is sought after as firewood for cooking (hence the disappearance of trees in populated areas), it can also be made into objects, it is easy to work and resistant.
It is a very useful tree to delay the desertification of arid areas, it supports pruning and can also regenerate from the stump.
CULTIVATION OF THE DESERT DATE TREE BALANITES AEGYPTIACA
The propagation of this tree is encouraged in the arid zones of Africa and Asia.
It grows slowly but tolerates conditions of extreme aridity thanks to a very developed root system both under the surface and in depth.
The propagation is done from seeds, germination is sometimes difficult to obtain;
It can be induced by chemical or physical means:
-soaking for 10 to 20 minutes in 98% sulfuric acid followed by prolonged rinsing with water,
-soaking in very hot water (75°) for 10 to 20 minutes then cooling for 12 hours,
-soaking in normal temperature water for 12 to 24 hours
-light abrasion of the seed with sandpaper.
Copyright 2025: Dr Jean-Michel Hurtel
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