People in industrialized countries are living longer. A fact that has both pros and cons. One of the cons is that the number of men suffering from the very painful and debilitating condition of enlarged prostate gland is on the increase.

For some time now, prostate sufferers have found relief in a natural remedy extracted from the bark of an African tree found in the wild, Prunus africana. But so great has been the demand that the tree is fast disappearing from the forest. However, help is on the way.

Researcher at the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and partners in Africa and Europe are working to domesticate this valuable medicinal trees to encourage small farmers to plant it on theirs land. The tree will thus be saved from extinction and as a cash crop, will provide extra income for the poor farming families.

Prunus africana is found and much of the African continent, from Ethiopia to South Africa and from Nigeria to Madagascar. About 3500 tonnes of Prunus bark 2000 from Cameron alone-are harvested annually, and the medicinal extract converted into capsules for an over-the-counter trade has been estimated at US$220 million.

At one time, the bark was harvested in a sustainable fashion. Only Small pieces were taken from individual trees, thus allowing the regeneration of the removed portion. However, to satisfy the increased demand for this natural remedy, many of the harvesters have resorted to cutting down entire trees. Such is the concern for it survival that Prunus africana has been added to Appendix 11 of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that trade in both wild and artificially propagated specimens is allowed but subject to licensing.

Now ICRAF and its partners are encouraging farmers to cultivate the trees on their land. They provide farmers with seeds and seedling and show them how to care for the trees-long-term sustainable practice to ensure that the endangered tree will be around to help future generations of prostate sufferers.

Story contributed by

Debra Lodoen, ICRAF