Pittosporum
Pittosporum - also known as Pittosporum viridiflorum, Cheesewood, Kaasuur, Mkhwakhwa, Sibhaha, Sibhaha-senkhangala, Umfusamvu, Umvusamvu
Pittosporum is a genus of around 200 species of flowering plants. [1] Of these, Pittosporum viridiflorum is an evergreen tree native to Africa, Arabia and India. It can grow up to 30m in height.[1]
The bark and root of Pittosporum viridiflorum have been used in African herbalism as aphrodisiacs - and are sometimes dried powdered bark is added to beer.[3] The bark is also used in traditional medicine for stomach complaints, psychosis and fevers. [4] [12]
Pittosporum - History
The pittosporum genus has been well known for many centuries. The earliest mention of Pittosporum I can find in Western literature is in the 1788 De fructibus et seminibus plantarum of Joseph Gaertner and Karl Friedrich von Gärtner (written in Latin). [5]
Is Pittosporum an Aphrodisiac?
There are over 7,000 studies mentioning Pittosporum species on Pubmed - however, these do not concern themselves with Aphrodisiac legends. There are only two scientific studies associated with Pittosporum viridiflorum on Pubmed - and neither of these investigates any aphrodisiac effects of the plant. Given the lack of general historical information, it would appear that the tribal anecdotes are the best information available.
However, I began to uncover some further interesting information. Pittosporum venulosum and Pittosporum phylliraeoides have also been suggested as aphrodisiacs [6] [7] - and the fact that these are Australian plants gives some ground for research: we have different species from the same genus, from different cultures, about which there are aphrodisiac legends.
According to [8] , the "Bruised roots [of P. venulosum] placed near the shelters of aboriginal women gave off an aromatic odour which reportedly sexually excited the women."
And furthermore, [9] gives an account of how Pittosporum eugeniodes was used by the Maori as an aphrodisiac scent.
Looking to modern times - Los Angeles Magazine of March 2002 has an interesting and unusual feature article on Pittosporum. Pittosporum species are grown as ornamental trees in Santa Monica / L.A. It turns out that the essential oil (it does not say of which species of Pittosporum) features in modern perfumery - including perfumes by Dolce and Gabbana and Gucci! Furthermore, the article states that the musk deer, the glandular secretions of which have long been considered aphrodisiac, eats Pittosporum leaves as a staple part of its diet. [10]
Summary
There may be no hard scientific evidence (yet) - but given the wealth of anecdotes surrounding Pittosporum species from different cultures and times, it would appear likely that there really is something fascinating going on here, and that this is fertile ground for further investigation.
Pittosporum is NOT listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce". [10]
Sources:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittosporum
[2] http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/pittosporumvirid.htm
[3] http://www.knra.co.za/workinggroups/medicinal-uses.htm
[4] "Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park" - Ernst Schmidt, Mervyn Lötter, Warren McCleland (2002)
[5] http://books.google.com/books?id=-cpAAAAAcAAJ
[6] http://biolinfo.org/cmkb/mediView.php?comname=cmkb_public&scid=589
[7] http://www.bushfood.net/viewtopic.php?t=84
[8] http://sgap-gladstone.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html
[9] http://www.essentiallyoils.com/Newsletters/2000/December_2000_Newsletter/december_2000_newsletter.html
[10] http://books.google.com/books?id=ZF0EAAAAMBAJ p.38
[11] "Herbs of Commerce" (AHPA) (2000 edition) - Michael McGuffin, John T. Kartesz, Albert Y Leung, Arthur O. Tucker
[12] http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/clusagelist.asp?uid=2&pg=35
Note - the information on this website is not medical advice, is not a substitute for medical consultation, has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease. Please seek advice from a medical professional if you have symptoms, are concerned about your health, or before using supplements or aphrodisiac products.
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