This plant was discovered as a hydrocarbon source. Just after 1900. It is on the top of a long list of potential oil seeds. The flammable elements in nuts is volatile, quickly evaporating like acetone. The fruit contains 46 percent of gasoline type components. Oil comes from the fruit not from the seed.
MEDICINAL USES OF PETROLIUM NUT :
- Natives uses the nuts as a universal medicine
- Infusion of the fruit is use as remedy for intestinal and stomach pain
- The oil or resin is used as a cure for leprosy and other skin diseases
- Also used as a relief for muscular pains
- Nut decoction used for colds
- Crushed nuts mixed with coconut oil is used as a relief for myalgia
- Decoction of leaves taken orally is used for cough
- Sap used to treat tinea flava
- Petroleum gas extracted from the fruits is used for stomach ache
