Kigelia (sausage tree). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Kigelia (sausage tree). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

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Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Kigelia (sausage tree), Kigelia. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Kigelia (sausage tree)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Kigelia

Family: Kigelia (Bignoniaceae)

Origin: Africa

Area: Kigelia grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, from Zambia to South Africa.

Chemical composition: Kigelia contains phytoestrogens, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phytosterols.

Economic value: Kigelia is used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, including boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and reducing joint pain. In addition, Kigelia extract is used in cosmetics to strengthen the skin and hair, as well as in perfumery to add flavor.

Myths, legends, symbolism: One of the legends is connected with the unique shape of the fruit. It is said that in ancient times, the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite, was so struck by the unusual shape of the kigelia fruit that she immediately turned them into an instrument of seduction and happiness. According to this legend, in ancient Greece and Rome, women used the fruits of kigelia to increase their attractiveness in front of men. Kigelia is also used in local cultures to treat various ailments. In some African tribes, kigelia wood is used to make traditional musical instruments, and locals tie bears to the tree branches to scare away evil spirits and protect their home. In addition, kigelia has a symbolic meaning. In local culture, she is considered a symbol of courage and strength, and her flowers are a symbol of femininity and beauty. Kigelia is also associated with growth and prosperity, and images of her are often seen on traditional jewelry and fabrics.

Kigelia (sausage tree), Kigelia. Description, illustrations of the plant

Kigelia (sausage tree), Kigelia. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Kigelia (sausage tree)

Monotypic genus of plants of the Bignoniaceae family in tropical Africa. The only species is African Kigelia (Kigelia africana).

Kigelia is a tree with a dense crown that falls during a drought. It blooms with large red flowers, which are pollinated by nectaries. The sausage tree got its name for the fruits, similar to sausages, up to 60 cm long, hanging from the branches.

Kigelia fruits contain the protein kigelin, which promotes the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid by the skin; steroid compounds (stigmasterol, sitosterol and estrone) that act like hormones; antioxidants, in particular, the bioflavonoid quercetin, as well as other flavonoids that have a vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory effect.

Flowers (and later fruits) hang from the branches on long flexible stems (2-6 m long). These stems or flower stalks can reach 7,5 m in length. Flowers are produced in panicles; they are bell-shaped (similar to those of the African tulip tree, but wider, much darker and more waxy), orange to maroon or purplish green in color, and about 10 cm wide. The individual flowers are not drooping, but are oriented horizontally.

The fruit is a woody berry 30 to 99 cm long and up to 18 cm in diameter, but 20 cm has been reported. It usually weighs 5 to 10 kg, but sometimes reaches 12 kg, and hangs from long rope-like stems. The flesh of the fruit is fibrous and contains many seeds.

Fresh fruits are poisonous to humans and have a strong laxative effect; fruits are prepared for consumption by drying, roasting or fermentation. In Botswana, wood is used for makoro, yokes and oars.

Extracts from the bark, flowers, and fruits of Kigelia Africana are increasingly being used in skin care products due to their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

The hard shell (skin) of the fruit can be hollowed out, peeled and turned into useful durable containers of various sizes.

The tree is widely grown as an ornamental tree in tropical regions for its ornamental flowers and unusual fruits. Planting sites should be chosen carefully, as falling fruits can cause serious injury to people and damage vehicles parked under the trees.

Kigelia (sausage tree)

In the vicinity of Mount Kenya, especially among the Kikuyu, Embu and Akamba, dried fruits are used to make alcoholic beverages (muratin in Kikuyu, aembu and kaluvu in kamba), which are a major component of cultural events in central Kenya. The fruits are harvested, divided into two parts along the fibers, and then dried in the sun. The dried fruit is then placed in a fermentation vessel with the old murata used for activation and inoculation of new yeast. The more cultures are used, the more they convert sugar from sugarcane juice and honey into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The alcoholic beverage is usually reserved for special occasions such as weddings, dowries and funeral ceremonies.

Africans treat rheumatism, snake bites, syphilis with fruits, exorcise evil spirits and stop tornadoes. From the fruits make a low-alcohol drink. Fresh fruits are poisonous and have a strong laxative effect. For consumption, the fruits are dried, fried or fermented.

In modern cosmetology, kigelia is used in preparations for breast skin care, preparations for the care of problem skin, aging skin and hair care products.

Kigelia (sausage tree), Kigelia. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

Treatment of skin diseases: topical application of kigelia extract helps reduce inflammation and itching in skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Treatment of gynecological diseases: Kigelia tincture is used to treat various gynecological diseases such as uterine fibroids, adnexitis and inflammation of the ovaries.
Cold treatment: Kigelia tincture can help reduce cold symptoms such as cough and runny nose.
Treatment of liver diseases: kigelia is used to treat liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Treatment of diseases of the urinary tract: kigelia helps reduce inflammation and pain in urinary tract diseases such as cystitis and pyelonephritis.

Cosmetology:

Cream for skin elasticity: add kigelia extract to your face or body cream to improve skin firmness and make it more elastic.
Facial Serum: Mix kigelia extract with other active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to create a facial serum to help improve skin texture and tone.
Mask for the face: add kigelia extract to a clay facial mask to enhance skin cleansing and improve the appearance of the skin.
Body massage oil: add kigelia extract to body massage oil to improve blood circulation and help skin look healthier.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Kigelia (sausage tree), Kigelia. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Kigelia (Kigelia) is a tree originating from the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. It is grown for its large, long, sausage-like flowers.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing kigelia:

Cultivation:

Soil: Kigelia grow best in fertile soil that is well drained.
Lighting: Kigelia need bright but diluted sunlight. Plants can survive in the shade, but in this case they will be less flowering.
Planting: Kigelia should be planted in spring or autumn to a depth equal to the depth of the container in which they were grown. The distance between plants should be about 3 meters.
Planting Depth: Plants should be planted at a depth equal to the depth of the container they were grown in.
Watering: Kigelias need moderate watering throughout the growing season, but will not tolerate flooding.
Pruning: Kigelia should be pruned only to maintain the desired shape of the crown, for example, to remove damaged branches.
Fertilizer: Kigelia can be fed with an all-purpose plant fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during active growth.
Pest Control: Kigelia can be attacked by insects and diseases, so insecticides and fungicides should be applied if a problem occurs.

Preparation and storage:

Harvesting: To harvest Kigelia flowers, they should be cut when they are in full bloom.
Drying: collected Kigelia flowers should be dried in the shade for 1-2 weeks.
Storage: Dried Kigelia flowers should be stored in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

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