Nutritional, medicinal and phytochemical properties of Hyphaene petersiana Klotzsch ex Mart. (Arecaceae family): A narrative review

Abstract

Hyphaene petersiana is one of the most famous palms in tropical Africa, playing a prominent role as a multipurpose plant species in the region. This study explores the nutritional, medicinal and phytochemical properties of H. petersiana. This study is based on literature from scientific databases such as SpringerLink, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and SciELO, as well as pre-electronic sources such as books, book chapters, and other scientific publications from the university library. This research showed that the fruit flesh of H. petersiana is a good source of energy, classic nutrients, and minerals. The crude extracts of H. petersiana are used for charm and for ritual purposes, and as traditional medicine against toothache, cough, gastrointestinal problems, and sexually transmitted infections. Hyphaene petersiana is an important plant species in tropical Africa, providing food resources, construction materials, manufacture of utensils, crafts, fodder, income, ecosystem goods and services. Beyond food provision and health, H. petersiana is also an important component of Indigenous cultures in tropical Africa, playing a key role in the transmission of Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge and traditions associated with provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Results of the current study add valuable literature on the importance of H. petersiana to local livelihood needs and social-ecological resilience.