About Baphia nitida G.Lodd.
Baphia nitida G.Lodd. has several common names: camwood, barwood, and African sandalwood, though it is not a true sandalwood. It is a shrubby, leguminous, hard-wooded evergreen tree native to central West Africa. It grows as a small understorey tree, is often planted in villages, and is called osun in the Yoruba language. Its wood has a very fine color, and is used in woodturning to produce knife handles and similar items. The bark and heartwood of this tree are commonly processed to create a brilliant red dye that is non-permanent and soluble in alkali. A pterocarpan called pterocarpin can be found in Baphia nitida. Camwood (osun) extract is an ingredient in some soaps and skin treatments, used primarily by the Yoruba people of West Africa. Camwood extract can be formed into a soft, soap-like material that is believed to support healthy skin.
