Africa - Soaring demand from Ugandan men seeking to restore their sexual potency is driving a species of tree known as the Omuboro to extinction.
"It [the tree] is like a natural Viagra," said Hannington Oryem-Orida, a professor of botany at Makerere University. "Because of its enormous medicinal properties, the tree is being harvested faster than it can reproduce, thus threatening its long-term survival."
The "sex tree", or Citropsis articulata, is popular among Ugandans for its aphrodisiac properties, said Professor Oryem-Orida, who was part of the team that carried out a research study on medicinal plants in Mabira Forest, one of Uganda's most important natural forests. The results of the study were published by both the Uganda Journal in 2005 and the African Academy of Sciences in 2002. Researchers spent months in Mabira forest documenting medicinal plants commonly used in the treatment of various ailments. MagazineLane.com
"It [the tree] is like a natural Viagra," said Hannington Oryem-Orida, a professor of botany at Makerere University. "Because of its enormous medicinal properties, the tree is being harvested faster than it can reproduce, thus threatening its long-term survival."
The "sex tree", or Citropsis articulata, is popular among Ugandans for its aphrodisiac properties, said Professor Oryem-Orida, who was part of the team that carried out a research study on medicinal plants in Mabira Forest, one of Uganda's most important natural forests. The results of the study were published by both the Uganda Journal in 2005 and the African Academy of Sciences in 2002. Researchers spent months in Mabira forest documenting medicinal plants commonly used in the treatment of various ailments. MagazineLane.com
