Entada phaseoloides vs Vitellaria Paradoxa

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Entada phaseoloides

Skin and Topical

Vitellaria paradoxa

Skin and Topical

Entada phaseoloides

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Vitellaria Paradoxa

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Tropical coastal legume with huge seed pods; bark used as soap substitute and in folk medicine for hair and wounds.

West African tree whose seeds produce shea butter, used widely in traditional medicine for skin conditions, anti-inflammatory applications, and food.

Active Compounds

saponins, entadamide, flavonoids, tannins

triterpene alcohols, allantoin, cinnamic acid esters, stearic acid, oleic acid

Traditional Uses

hair conditioning, wound healing, fever, snakebite (folk)

skin conditions, wound healing, inflammation, muscle pain, sun protection

Modern Uses

topical hair care, wound healing, anti-inflammatory

skin moisturizing, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, UV protection

Adult Dosage

Bark lather topically for hair; poultice for wounds

Shea butter applied topically as needed

Contraindications

internal use (saponins), pregnancy

allergy to shea

Side Effects

skin sensitization

rare allergic contact dermatitis

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E