Adansonia digitata

Adansonia digitata Linn. or kalpavriksha is one of the important deciduous tree of angiosperm group that is a native to arid central Africa. Ethnobotanically and pharmacologically it is an important plant because its leaves, bark, fruits and seeds are rich store house of various types of phytochemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, flavonol, quercetin and minerals. Every part of baobab is useful in curing many diseases like fever, malaria, sickle cell anaemia inflammation and microbial diseases. The alkaloid “adansonin” is found in the bark and it is used for the treatment of malaria and other fevers as a substitute of quinine. The aim of the present review is to compile all the informations related to ethnic uses, phytochemicals and their pharmacological activity to highlight the possibilities of A. digitata as medicinal and non-medicinal potential for the benefit of human population.