Sisinon Bark (Pteleopsis suberosa): What It Is, Traditional Uses & How to Prepare It
Herb guide · Yado Market Blog
Sisinon bark is the dried trunk bark of Pteleopsis suberosa, a savanna tree of West Africa. In Togo and Benin it is one of the most common barks in the herbal market, simmered into a dark, earthy drink. Here is what it is, how it is traditionally used, what researchers have found, and how to prepare it.
Quick answer: what is sisinon?
- The Tem (Togo) name for Pteleopsis suberosa bark.
- A traditional West African remedy, best known for the stomach.
- Prepared by simmering the bark pieces in water.
- Studied in the lab for anti-ulcer and antioxidant activity.
Pteleopsis
Scientific genus
Togo & Benin
Best known in
Bark
Part used
15–20 min
Simmer time
At a glance
Sisinon Bark Quick Facts
| Common name | Sisinon bark (also spelled sissinon) |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. & Diels |
| Plant family | Combretaceae (the same family as kinkeliba) |
| Other local names | Sissinan or kiznisinna (Kabiyè, Togo); bangobokourou, koukou koma or tima (Bariba, Benin) |
| Where it grows | Dry savannas from Mali to Nigeria, including Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana |
| Part used | Dried trunk (stem) bark, sold in pieces in West African markets |
| How it's prepared | Simmered in water as a decoction, then strained |
Know your herb
What Is Sisinon Bark?
Sisinon is the name used by the Tem people of central Togo for the bark of Pteleopsis suberosa, a slender savanna tree with dark grey, rough bark. Botanists describe it as common in the savannas stretching from Mali to Nigeria, and its trunk bark is one of the most widely sold plant remedies in the markets of Togo and Benin.1
If you grew up in Togo or Benin, you may know it from your grandmother's kitchen: a few woody pieces dropped into a pot, simmered slowly, and poured out as a dark, earthy drink. Outside West Africa it is very hard to find, which is why many of our customers are surprised to see it on our shelves.
Togo
Called sisinon (Tem) and sissinan or kiznisinna (Kabiyè).
Benin
Known in Bariba as bangobokourou, koukou koma or tima.
Mali
The bark decoction is a traditional stomach remedy.
Market staple
Sold as dried bark pieces in local herbal markets.
Tradition
Traditional Uses of Sisinon Bark
In Togo and Benin, the trunk bark has long been used in home remedies for the skin and for jaundice.1 In Mali, the decoction of the stem bark is a well-known traditional drink for the stomach, and a traditional improved medicine made from the bark decoction, called Calmogastryl, has been produced there.2
Stomach comfort
The most common traditional use, especially in Mali.
Skin care
Used in Togo and Benin for skin conditions.
Liver tradition
A traditional remedy for jaundice in local markets.
Family remedy
Passed down and prepared at home as a simple decoction.
What scientists found
What Does the Research Say?
Sisinon is one of the better-studied West African barks. Researchers have tested it mostly because of its traditional use for the stomach:
- A study published on PubMed tested several extracts and the traditional decoction of the bark against stomach lesions in rats and concluded that the results support the popular use of the plant.3
- Italian researchers found that a fraction of the bark reduced stomach lesions in rats and also showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.4
- A study from Guinea reported anti-ulcer activity and activity against Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium linked to many stomach ulcers, and found the bark decoction had very low toxicity in animal testing.5
- Leaves and trunk bark have also shown antifungal activity in laboratory tests.1
These are laboratory and animal studies, not human trials, but they help explain why this bark has stayed in West African homes for generations.
Step by step
How to Prepare Sisinon Bark
This is the way it is traditionally made at home. Follow the directions on the package if they differ.
1. Rinse
Rinse a small handful of bark pieces under cool water.
2. Simmer
Add to about 1 liter of water, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Strain
Let it cool a little and strain. The drink will be dark amber and earthy.
4. Reuse
The same pieces can usually be simmered a second time.
Shop sisinon
Buy Sisinon Bark
We carry sisinon bark in two sizes. Many customers buy it together with other West African herbs for their family remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sisinon bark?
Sisinon is the Tem name in Togo for the dried trunk bark of Pteleopsis suberosa, a West African savanna tree in the Combretaceae family.
What is sisinon bark used for?
Traditionally it is used for stomach comfort (especially in Mali), for the skin, and as a jaundice remedy in Togo and Benin.
How do you drink sisinon?
Simmer a small handful of bark pieces in about 1 liter of water for 15 to 20 minutes, strain and drink warm or cooled.
Is sisinon the same as kinkeliba?
No, but they are cousins. Both belong to the Combretaceae plant family. Kinkeliba is a leaf tea; sisinon is a bark.
Where can I buy sisinon bark in the USA?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Keep reading
Related Guides
Bring Home a Taste of Togo
Hard to find outside West Africa, sisinon bark is ready to ship from our Chicago store.
This guide shares traditional uses and published research for general information. It is not medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medicine or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using herbal products.
Research & references
Sources
- Comparaison de l'activité antifongique des feuilles et des écorces de tronc de Pteleopsis suberosa, Acta Botanica Gallica (1998)
- De Leo & Braca, Antiulcer activity of Calmogastryl used in Malian traditional medicine, University of Pisa (2005)
- Antiulcerogenic property of Pteleopsis suberosa bark extracts and decoction, PubMed 7564422
- Germanò et al., Anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the n-butanol fraction from Pteleopsis suberosa stem bark, University of Messina
- Pteleopsis suberosa: une plante à activité antiulcère et anti Helicobacter pylori, Guinea national research library