It grows in ecological zones of between 800-2,400 metres above sea level and annual rainfalls of 1,000 to 1,500mm.
Warburgia is one of the most important trees in African traditional medicine. Its medicinal value is ranked second after Prunus Africana.
Rubbing the powdered bark to the temple of the head treats headaches and applying it to cavities treats toothaches.
Scientific studies show that the tree is rich in chemical compounds that have antimicrobial, antimalarial, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Warburgia ugandensis, also known as Ugandan greenheart, is native to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi and some parts of western Africa.
In Kenya, the tree is known as Muthiga (Kikuyu), Moissit (Kipsigis), Olsugunoi (Maasai) and Kumusikhu (Bukusu). It is from the plural, Kimisikhu, that Misikhu trading centre in Bungoma County got its name, as the tree was once dominant there.
