Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Borassus aethiopum, commonly known as the African fan palm, has been traditionally used in some African ethnomedicinal systems for a variety of health conditions, including goiter. Historical and ethnobotanical surveys indicate that certain communities in West and Central Africa have used parts of the plant, such as the roots or inflorescences, in decoctions or poultices believed to manage thyroid gland swelling associated with goiter. However, this use is primarily based on local knowledge and traditional beliefs rather than modern scientific validation.

Currently, there is a lack of robust clinical or pharmacological studies that directly examine the efficacy of Borassus aethiopum for treating goiter. The pathogenesis of goiter is often related to iodine deficiency, and there is no credible evidence to suggest that Borassus aethiopum contains significant iodine or possesses other bioactive compounds that would specifically address thyroid enlargement. As such, while the plant’s use for goiter is documented in traditional medicine, the supporting scientific evidence is minimal or anecdotal at best. Thus, its use for this purpose should be considered as tradition-based and not evidence-based.

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