Prosopis africana vs Strychnos Spinosa

West African Fabaceae tree; bark used for dental hygiene and oral conditions; pods used as fermented condiment.

African thorny tree related to strychnos but primarily food-medicinal; fruit pulp used nutritively while bark is used medicinally for fever, malaria, and toothache.

flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins

loganin, strychnine (trace), tannins, flavonoids, organic acids

dental hygiene, gum disease, toothache, fever, fermented food (dawadawa)

Malaria (low-dose bark), Toothache, Fever, Nutritive fruit

oral antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic

Antimalarial potential, Nutritional support, Antioxidant properties, Antibacterial activity

Bark decoction mouth rinse; root decoction 5g for fever

Fruit pulp as food; small doses bark decoction for fever

pregnancy

Pregnancy, High doses of bark (toxic alkaloids), Children (bark)

GI upset

Bark toxic in high doses, Fruit generally safe