The Tree of Life: Disease and Poverty in the Midst of Abundance

Clara is a little girl who lives in the dry lands of Taita in Taita Taveta County in Kenya with only her grandmother to take care of her. During the day she plays with her friends under the baobab tree in her compound. Her grandmother told her not to eat the fruits from the tree when they fall, but instead take them to Mama Nancy at the kiosk so that they get some money in exchange for the fruits. The child, afraid of sleeping hungry, takes all the fruits (which are referred to as Mabuyu in their local language) always to the shop. By night, she eats the little food that they get from the day’s labour, after which Clara lays her weak limbs and big belly next to her dangerously thin grandmother.

The two of them are weak from not having food that is rich in the necessary nutrients vital for healthy development, yet right outside their house and unknown to them lays their source of good health.

The Baobab tree is not dubbed the tree of life for nothing; it holds fruits and leaves proven to have a lot of nutrients. Kenya Forest Research Institute centre in Kibwezi (KEFRI) researchers Bernard Mook and Linus Wekesa conducted a thorough research on the tree, and their findings state (among other things) that that the Baobab fruit pulp, which when naturally dried has a citric taste similar to orange fruit, and is even much healthier.

They affirmed what was already widely believed: that the tree has very powerful antioxidants in iron, potassium and medicinal ingredients that can combat diarrhoea and high fever. The fruit has also been proven to have Vitamin C levels six times higher than that of the orange and its calcium level twice as high as in milk. Therefore by eating the fruit pulp alone, one is ensured of strong bones and can be cured of scurvy.

The pro- biotic properties of the fruit, which basically refers to its ability to stimulate the good bacteria in the stomach, are reputed for being great in aiding digestion. The fruit also has dietary fibre and high potassium levels great for the brain, muscles and nerve function. All these nutrients would essentially enable Clara and other people with sicknesses that arise from lack of proper nutrition to be strong and even stimulate their brain capacity to the fullest.

Even though the fruits grow in seasons, Baobab leaves can be eaten like spinach or dried and added to sauces. The leaves contain Vitamin C and proteins which can combat illnesses such as Kwashiorkor and Marasmus, two diseases brought on by poor nutrition and which unfortunately Clara and many more children in the village are suffering from.

The Baobab can survive for more than 4,500 years, but KEFRI’s director David Muchiri says that, the number of Baobab trees has dropped immensely, to the extent that the institute is trying to preserve the ones that remain and plant others. He goes on further to state that that these indigenous trees are found mainly in the Rift Valley, Coast and Eastern provinces in Kenya.

The United Kingdom and the United States of America have both registered Baobab fruits and leaves as a food supplement. They have derived products from the tree, such as baobab drinks, beverages, ice cream and even weight loss programs. It is portrayed as a natural alternative and compliments synthetic preservations.

It is unfortunate that the Baobab fruits have not been registered as supplements in Kenya as confirmed by the Kenya Pharmacy and Poison board Chief Pharmacist Dr. C. Koskei. Kenya and many more African countries where the tree is found have to take the initiative to use their resources to the maximum, to not only boost the incomes of the people but most importantly so as to fight diseases like Marasmus and Kwashiorkor (diseases which do not belong in this day and age), and finally to ensure food sovereignty for all.

Simple things like sending out specially trained young health educators to the villages to train the village elders who would in turn assemble the whole village to learn about proper nutrition that can be gotten in their own backyard, working with the local people to use their traditional and indigenous knowledge on medicine as opposed to always running to modern hospitals to treat simple ailments like coughs, and finally to ensure that the people are not exploited by businessmen as they seek to empower themselves economically.

As  a matter of priority, local industries should be dedicated to ‘exploit’ the Baobab tree, but should be under the control and direction of the people; whether it’s making alternative health supplements, to selling the Mbuyu seeds which are famous throughout Kenya or making sauces for food using the leaves. Ultimately, the people must also ensure that all this is not at the expense of the eco-system; the well-being of the people themselves, the land, air and water, local flora and fauna, but that it respects the rights of the environment and that these rights are always supreme.

If Clara and her grandmother knew of the treasure outside their house then they would not need to keep visiting the hospital so often. It is said an apple a day keeps the doctor at bay, but it is even truer that Baobab fruits and leaves a day keep the doctor away!