AFR'OYA Pharmacope
Acacia Macrostachya
Acacia macrostachya is used for various ailments. The leaves, young shoots, bark and stems are all used.
Acacia senegal
Acacia senegal, also known as gum acacia, is a deciduous tree or a modestly sized thorny shrub. In general flowering begins just before the rainy season when the leaves release the seeds at maturity.
African Baobab
The African Baobab, or Adansonia Digitata is the most well known of eight Baobab species, and has numerous virtues for the skin. Its name is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hibab’ which means “many seeded fruit’. Each of the fruits often contain many hundreds of seeds. With its crown of irregular branches and a lack of leaves for nine months of the year, it seems to have been turned up-side down, which gives it its common name, the “upside-down tree”.
African Ebony Tree
Indigenous populations recognise many therapeutic properties from African Ebony or Diospyros Mespiliformis . This tree is considered as one of the “flagship drugs” from West Africa.
Alchornea Cordifolia
Alchornea Cordifolia is a shrub whose the leaves are used in traditional medicine to care for dermatosis and wounds.
Aloe Vera
Originally from North Africa, Aloe Vera possesses numerous virtues. It is considered to be a depolluting plant and the substances that it contains are used in cosmetics and health products. Hydrating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant... It’s reputation precedes it!
Apple of Sodom
The C a lotropis Procera or Apple of Sodom is a latex shrub. It can be found in all parts of the planet, and one of its components can be used for the majority of skin conditions.
Argan Tree
Argania, or Argania Spinosa is a tree which can live from 150 to 200 years. Its fruit contains a very hard nut, containing two or three kernels known as arganons. An oil rich in unsaturated fat is refined after dry-pressing the arganons. This well reputed oil possesses antioxidant powers and is very nourishing for the skin.
Arginine
Derived from brown rice, Arginine is one of the 20 amino acids contained in our proteins. Il has a key role in cell division, in wound repair and in the good running of our immune system. L-Arginine blocks the enzymes responsible of the creation of black pigments (Tyrosinase et Tyrp1).
Balanites Roxburghii seed oil
Balanites Roxburghii seed oil, more commonly known as Dattier du Desert oil, is a dry oil which leaves the skin feeling soft and silky. Ideal for mixed to oily skin, it protects the skin without making it too oily.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a plant where the stem and the leaves are used for different things, mainly for cosmetic products, but also for food products or construction.
Bisabolol
Made up of existing ingredients from many plants such as Chamomile and Candeia, bisabolol is a powerfully soothing and healing active ingredient. It is an excellent choice for sensitive or fragile skin.
Borassus
The ron palm or borassus ( borassus aethiopum ) is a type of large palm, with many trunks and a variety of long leaves, which can measure from two to three metres in length. The indigenous people of its region attribute it with many medicinal qualities.
Borreria Verticillata
The Borreria Verticillata is a perennial shrub which present in the form of a herb with numerous ramifications. This plant is used to facilitate the treatment of certain skin conditions.
Combretum Nigricans
The Combretum Nigricans is shrub where the bark, leaves and roots are used simultaneously to treat cataracts, conjunctivitis or even rhumatism.
Crambe Abyssinica
The Combretum Nigricans is shrub where the bark, leaves and roots are used simultaneously to treat cataracts, conjunctivitis or even rhumatism.
Crossopteryx Febrifuga
The leaves of this tree are very widespread in Africa and are traditionally used for itching.
Date Palm
The Balanites Roxburghii or Date Palm, fights against desertification by allowing other plants to grow in amongst it’s roots, thanks to the shade it gets. It’s also a nourishing plant. Its leaves are consumed as a vegetable and the fruits are enjoyed by children. The oil extracted is very softening and nourishing.
Enantia Chlorantha
Enantia chlorantha is a tree of 12 to 30m of height with a smooth, thick, yellow bark with a very bitter taste. The flowers are green and fleshy. The fruits resemble olives.
Ficus Iteophylla
Ficus Iteophylla is a popular plant which is used in traditional Africa medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses.
Garcinia Kola
The leaves, roots and the bark of Garnicia Kola are used for their numerous properties.
Glycine soja (soybean) oil
The name Glycine soja oil is the general term for Soya Oil. Extracted from Soya Beans, this oil is thus plant based. Soya oil is used in cosmetics such as skin care, emollient, moisturising and antioxidant products.
Guinea Sorrel
The Hibiscus Sabdariffa or Gu ine a Sorrel is a plant grown in the two tropics. The components of this plant are often used in exfoliants, and they are also used to treat skin problems such as eczema.
Henna
More commonly known as henna, Lawsonia Inermis is a tree where growth is very widespread in warm subtropical regions. Henna powder is used a lot for its capillary properties.
Kalanchoe Pinnata
The Bryophylum pinnatum is a herbaceous plant which is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat injurie, whether in India, China or Africa.
Kigelia
Despite having an uncommon name, Kigelia Africana or Kigelia, has properties which are not to be ignored. Its fruit tones and firms the skin, as well as offering anti-ageing and antioxidant effects. The fruits of the Kigelia are very characteristically shaped in the form of a sausage.
Lannea Microcarpa
Numerous properties of this tree are recognised. A dressing for wounds, used to treat aphta, sore throats...
Leptactina Senegambica
Leptactina Senegambica is a shrub which is well appreciated in cosmetics for its unique scent, which is impossible to reproduce artificially.
Maobi
With its 20 to 40 metres of height, the Baillonella Toxisperma is one of the giants of the Cameroonian and Gabonese forests. Extremely exploited in the equatorial forest, it is now endangered. In fact, it takes 50 to 70 years for it to begin to flower and regular production of fruit doesn't occur until it is 90 to 100 years old. The oil of Baillonella Toxisperma , sharing numerous similarities with shea butter, is known for its nourishing virtues.
Marula
The distribution of Marula, or Sclerocarya Birrea on the African continent has followed the migration of the Bantu people, since they have made up an important part of their food source since time immemorial. These fruits are rich in vitamin C, around 8 times as much as an orange.
Mitracarpus Scaber
Often part of the Mitracarpus Scaber is used to care for skin conditions, such as dermatosis, eczema or mycosis.
Moringa oleifera seed oil
Moringa oleifera is a 4 to 5m high shrub with upright branches before they fall, with a brownish bark covered in lenticels. In Francophone Africa, the more common name is "nébéday” which is more or less equivalent to the English expression “never die”, because the tree never dies.
Pentaclethra Macrophylla
The leaves, bark, stems and seeds of Pentaclethra Macrophylla are all used for their anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties.
Piliostigma Reticulatum / Piliostigma Thonningii
These two trees (which can also be found in shrub form) have very characteristic leaves with different properties. Both the bark and leaves of these trees are used for their healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant ceramids
Derived from Sunflower oil ( Helianthus Annus Seed Oil ) or in some aquatic plants, ceramids are part of the essential skin lipidic elements. They form a protective barrier on th e skin and help fighting dehydration.
Psorospermum Guineense
Psorospermum Guineense is a widely used shrub to treat all types of dermatosis.
Red Gum
Acacia Nilotica or Red Gum is a species of tree originating in west Africa. The stems and branches of Acacia Nilotica are generally black and produce an edible reddish resin, used in making sweets. It has been used since Ancient Egyptian times to treat skin problems.
Red Kapok
The Bombax Costatum is a small tree with flowers where the calyx is used in lots of West African cooking, mainly in thick sauces. The bark is used for its healing power for certain types of dermatosis, as well as its oil, which is used in numerous cosmetic products.
Sesame Oil
Found in Africa, Sesamum Indicum (sesame) Seed Oil or Sesame Oil contains high levels in vitamin E with strong anti-UV benefits. Thanks to its rege nera ti ve properties, it is frequently used to heal dry, sca ly or ec zema tous skin.
Shea
Previously known as Butyrospermum Parkii or Shea is known for the butter obtained from its seeds. These fruits contain a very oily kernel. It’s this fatty substance from the kernel that makes up shea butter, which possesses nourishing, hydrating and restorative properties.
Sterculia Setigera
Very commercialised in Africa, Sterculia Setigera gum has calming and emollient properties.
Tamarind
Tamarind or Tamarindus Indica is a tree where mainly the bark is used. It is reputed for its healing benefits. It is used to treat different skin problems such as wounds, infections or infected dermatoses.
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch or tapioca powder is used in many African meals. Extracted from the cassava root, it is both used for its taste and for its properties on skin.
Triticum aestivum extract
Triticum aestivum extract, more commonly called bran extract, belongs to the grass family. Amongst all the species of wheat which are grown, triticum aestivum is part of the most important. The leaves, whilst of average height, are flat and the inflorescence is a dense terminal which flowers perfectly.
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
Enriched in vitamin A, D, B, E and F, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil or Wheat Germ oil is known for its use in eczema and psoriasis treatments. With a great vitamin E content, it is a first class ingredient for dry and sensitive skin. Highly nourrishing, it brings skin elasticity and a soft touch.
Vitex Doniana
Vitex Doniana is an extremely common tree in Tropical Africa. Its wood is largely used to make fences whereas its leaves, bark and roots are used for medical purposes.
