Several species of Balanites are of economic importance in Africa. A major use is that of the fruit of several species, especially the ‘desert date’ (B. aegyptiaca) which is edible and yields a valuable oil as well as the pharmaceutically important steroid, diosgenin, and a saponin-glucoside toxic to cold-blooded animals that are hosts to guinea-worm and stages of bilharzia. The leaves and inflorescences have several uses including as vegetables. The wood of most species has many uses such as furniture making and turnery, and bark and roots especially are variously used in traditional medicine. All aerial parts are browsed by livestock.