Local uses of kapok (Ceiba pentandra Gaertn.) Tree from the Northern Part of Cameroon

An investigation was carried out in the Adamawa, North and Far-North Regions, in order to gather information about the actual uses of Ceiba pentandra Gaertn. a fruit tree widely domesticated by the population in this part of Cameroon. Data were collected from a sample of 300 persons from different localities of these regions. The results showed that almost all parts of Ceiba are used in curing many diseases such as sexually transmitted illnesses (syphilis, gonococci), fever and skin or eyes infections. Men use these trees as antibiotic or aphrodisiac. Generally, leaves (55%), roots and bark (28%) are the most used part of the tree. Oil was extracted from the seeds. The fact that the local population masters the know-how of the methods of extracting traditional oil needs to be exploited. These results are important data for the valorization of this tree in Cameroon.