Superfood Spotlight: Baobab

The Baobab is a beautiful rare tropical exotic tree native to Madagascar, Africa, and Australia. It has been called the Tree of Life for its almost mythical powers that some cultures attach to it. The massive trunk of the Baobab holds large amounts of water. Upon maturity the tree commonly grows thirty feet in diameter and up to ninety feet tall. During periods of drought elephants have been known to rub their hide against the tree which releases some of the water which they can then drink. Baobab trees commonly live a very long time – some up to 6000 years! Some people say the tree does not become handsome until it becomes at least 500 years old.

Baobab flowers are night-blooming and are pollinated by bats. The fruit of the tree and boasts:

• 6 x Antioxidants of Blueberries
• 6 x Vitamin C of Oranges
• 6 x Potassium of Bananas
• More Magnesium Than Coconut Water
• Twice As Much Calcium as Milk

The tree is deciduous meaning it sheds its leaves annually. Because of its relatively small leaf canopy and extremely tall and massive trunk it is also known as the “upside down tree.” Legend says because the fruit was not sweet enough that God became angry with the tree and pulled it out of the ground and put it back turning it upside down!

Here at Hippocrates Wellness we have two young Baobab specimen trees. The leaves of the tree are a succulent edible meaning they are tender and juicy. We sometimes serve the Baobab leaves on the buffet to our guests as they can be used like a leafy green when making salads. We have hundreds of varieties of rare exotic trees on our beautiful immaculately manicured fifty acre tropical oasis campus. Why not make your next vacation a healthy, happy and educational destination by visiting us here at Hippocrates Wellness?

By Brian Hetrich Greenhouse Manager at Hippocrates Wellness