Evidence supporting the use of: Lophira lanceolata
For the health condition: Dysmenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lophira lanceolata, commonly known as "false shea" or "meni oil tree," has a history of use in traditional African medicine, particularly in West and Central Africa. The bark, leaves, and seeds are used by traditional healers to address a variety of ailments, including dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). The ethnobotanical literature documents the use of Lophira lanceolata for menstrual problems and abdominal pain among several ethnic groups. This use is primarily based on empirical traditional knowledge rather than rigorous scientific validation.

Phytochemical studies have shown that Lophira lanceolata contains flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and other compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential, which could theoretically justify its use in alleviating menstrual pain. However, there are no high-quality clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies directly evaluating its efficacy for dysmenorrhea in humans. Most evidence comes from in vitro or animal studies focused on other indications, or from surveys of traditional healers.

In summary, while traditional use for dysmenorrhea is well-documented, scientific validation is limited to plausible but indirect evidence from phytochemical and general pharmacological studies. Its use for this purpose is therefore justified mainly by tradition, with only modest supporting evidence from modern science.

More about Lophira lanceolata
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