Characteristics of Okoubaka aubrevillei – the tree, the phytotherapeutic, the homeopathic remedy

Characteristics of Okoubaka aubrevillei – the tree, the phytotherapeutic, the homeopathic remedy

The tree:

Okoubaka is a tree of the genus of the santalaceae, the sandalwood family, native to the region of western Africa [1]. The tree can reach about 40m in height and can grow to a circumference of up to 3m [1, 2]. It is the largest known hemi-parasitic plant [3]; that is, it destroys neighboring plants that are competing for sunlight and water by attaching to their roots and slowly killing them [1].

Okoubaka Bark By H. Zell (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

Focal action radius: Digestive system, food intolerances, food poisoning; General states of poisoning and the aftermath of such

intoxication (food, medication, chemicals); adverse effects of chemotherapy [1]. It has detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, and acts as a stimulant on the immune-system [1].

Folk-medical use:

Formerly clouded in the secrecy of the magical realm of the African shamans and medicine men [3], Okoubaka is traditionally used as a phyto-therapeutic for upsets of the stomach, food poisoning and intolerances, intoxications and infections. Further ancient customary application of Okoubaka is in the treatment of conditions of the skin and bruises [1].

Much of the traditional use by the African medicine men defines its herbal use in the western world today. Alimentary intoxication, post-infectious states, and dietary changes make up the main indications for Okoubaka [2].

Homeopathic Okoubaka:

Diarrhea, sickness, and lack of hygiene in the preparation of food, remain the classic indications for Okoubaka as a homeopathic remedy [2]. Yet other main therapeutic indicators derived from its use as a homeopathic remedy, praise its value for infections and intoxications via the ingestion of foods contaminated with chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers etc. For ‘multiple chemical sensitivity’ and the detox of heavy metal pollution, as well as the restoration of dental health (amalgam removal) Okoubaka may also prove invaluable [2].

The after effects of childhood ills, tropical diseases etc., are found to be affected by the administration of Okoubaka [1]. Furthermore this remedy is strongly indicated in, and following the treatment of an infestation with worms, for hay fever, gastroenteritis, ailments of the liver and gallbladder, and the abuse of nicotine. Fluctuating diabetes levels have also been found to stabilize with Okoubaka [2].

Okoubaka has been recommended as adjunctive remedy to the administration of antibiotics. Here Okoubaka has been found to minimize side-effects, and has been dubbed ‘a homeopathic probiotic’, assisting the recovery of the gut-flora [2]. In chronic-inflammatory bowel disease, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) Okoubaka has also been found to be an effective treatment approach [2].

Albeit the somewhat controversially viewed use of homeopathic remedies for prophylaxis, that is, in the absence of disease symptomatology, Okoubaka is a remedy for which prophylactic use is strongly indicated. Where travelling to a foreign country may mean a change to the customary diet, or a visit to a restaurant may mean potential exposure to allergens, Okoubaka can prevent the outbreak of illness caused by these factors [4].

The proving symptomatology of Okoubaka places the homeopathic remedy somewhere between Nux vomica and Arsenicum album [1]. Bagot [1] calls Okoubaka the Nux vomica of the 21^st century, yet places it much closer to Arsenicum album, describing it as another plant equivalent to Arsenicum, other than Verratrum album. Bagot [1] furthermore points to the fact that its unique symptomatology makes Okoubaka a well-chosen remedy for the prevention and treatment of the after effects of chemotherapy.

Some Keynotes [1, 2]:

Mind: Irritability, weakness, helplessness, discouragement, aggression, depression.

Head: Nauseous headache, pressure in skull, migraine.

Eye: Dryness, feeling of sand in eye, eyes itching and watery during hay fever season.

Nose: Allergic rhinitis with itching. Chronic sinusitis.

Mouth: Painful aphthae, ulcers, blisters, abscesses, dryness and burning.

Stomach: Nausea after eating, improved by eating. Pressure in stomach, as if a stone was lying in the stomach. Reflux and heartburn at night. Morning sickness aggravated by brushing teeth.

Abdomen: Pain squeezing, oppressive, on right side, pulling sensation in region of gallbladder. Flatulence. Diarrhea, offensive smell.

Heart: Palpitations, Pressure and tightness in chest.

Skin: Itchy, dry, rough, warts, rash, acne.

References:

[1] Bagot, J-L. (2015) ‘Okoubaka aubrevillei: A new homeopathic medicine for the side effects of chemotherapy’, La Revue d’Homeopathie, 6, pp. e1-e6 [Online]. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.revhom.2015.03.005 (Accessed: June 2016).

[2] DAZ(2007) ‘Okoubaka aubrevillei’, Deutsche apotheker Zeitung, (25), pp. 50 ff [Online]. Available at: https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/daz-az/2007/daz-25-2007/okoubaka-aubrevillei (Accessed: June 2016).

[3] Borokini, T. (2014) ‘Okoubaka aubrevillei: A synthesis of existing knowledge for research and conservation in West and Central Africa’, Journal of Biology and Life Science, 6(1), pp. [Online]. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jbls.v6i1.6399 (Accessed: June 2016).

[4] Mittelstadt, U. (2012) ‘Must have … Okoubaka’, Clever Homeopathy, [Online]. Available at: https://cleverhomeopathy.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/must-have-okoubaka/ (Accessed: June 2016).

About the author:

I am a homeopath, an artist, a writer and a vegegan, a traveller, and adventurer. I’m a crab born in June. I am passionate about homeopathy. I have a BSc and MSc in homeopathic medicine. I love to investigate and write about my findings, and I blog at Clever Homeopathy