Gnali, (Daniellia oliveri)

Descrizione

Scientific name: Daniellia oliveri

Family: Cesalpinaceae (Fabace)

Harvest origin: South Senegal

Tradicional name:
Gbessi (Sierra Leone); Oziya (Nigeria); pau incenso (Guinea-Bissau); Sandan (Guinea); Shedua (Ghana); Faro (Côte d`Ivoire); Sanan (Burkina Faso); Sana (Burkina Faso); Ogea (United Kingdom); Daniellia (Germany); Bolengu (Zaire); Lonlaviol (Gabon); N’su (Equatorial Guinea); Sinfa N’dola (Congo); Yono; Tschalo; Tieve; Tiene; Thievi; Tachale; Senya; Sanya; Santang; Sandan; Sameim; Sambam; Sa; Pau-insenso; Pau incenso; Oziya ato; Oziya; Ozia; Ozabwa; Ozaba; Owagie; Oulenyi; Osia; Osanyan; Osanya; Nyuo; Nenyao; Masa; Maje; Lipiti; Linge; Kunyang; Kunyan; Kinya; Karallahi; Kaharlahi; Kadaura; Iya; Ilorin balsam; Ilorin; Ila evin; Igi-iya; Engya; Dunchi; Dsati; Dnahi; Daniellia; Danchi; Copaivi balsam; Chihar; Chahar; Bu; Bitoke; Bito; Balsam tree; Auwolo; Ahgara; Agba; African copaiba; African balsam; Abwe

Distribution – Habitat:
North-West Africa, in the sub-Saharan savannahs, Central Africa.

Description;
Medium to large tree
Daniellia was named in 1854 for W. F. Daniell who collected the specimen of Daniellia thurifera in Sierra Leone.
The collection of the resin is done by a group of women who live in the Casamance region in southern Senegal, therefore this resin is under strict control until there is exploitation of both peoples and environmental disfigurement.
Almost all the resins that can be found for combustion or for other uses, about 80% are part of the Burseraceae family that reign mainly in Africa and the Americas, another 15% are conifers, therefore of the Gymnosperms Family, this resin is part of a very small part of the percentage belonging to the Caesalpinaceae family, very close to the Fabace and often confused. The family includes many genera, among the best known are the Acace, of which some produce resins but of no use or unknown except the very famous Arabica gum (Acacia senegalensis) and the Catecú (Acacia catechu)

Aroma:
Balsamic, spicy, vaguely reminiscent of the Clove.
It harmonizes well with the Canarium, Boswellia, Stryrax benzoin, Salvia apiana leaves, conifers leaves and resin.
Essential oils; citrus, conifers, cedar, patchouli, vetiver.

Resin characteristics:
During combustion it tends to carbonize as it also consists of small bark incursions, so it is better to grind it before it releases unpleasant odors.

Ethnobotanical research:
The young leaves are cooked and consumed in lean periods. They are increasingly used as a substitute for Vitex doniana leaves, which have become more difficult to obtain due to overuse.
A root decoction is used in the treatment of gonorrhea and skin diseases.
The gummy resin, obtained from wood, is used in medicine.
The leaves are used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.