Tetrapleura tetraptera is a flowering plant whose fruit is
widely used in Nigeria for cooking (spice) and traditional medicine. It is
native to West Africa and is locally known as the following;
Local Name
|
Language
|
Aridan
|
Yoruba
|
Oshosho
|
Igbo
|
Imiminje
|
Etsako
|
Apapa
|
Ijaw
|
Edeminang
|
Efik
|
Ighirehimi
|
Ishan
|
Ighimiaka
|
Bini
|
Prekese
|
Twi (Ghana)
|
Aridan is useful in healing because it contains a lot of
phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. It is high in antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit, bark and beaves are the parts that are
used in medicine. Below are some of the important nutrients in aridan fruit.
- Vitamins
- Minerals; zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, manganese and sodiu.
- Antioxidants; flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, polyphenol, anthraquinones.
- Proteins, sugar and starch.
- Ability to lower blood pressure.
- Anti-inflammatory; this is why it is used to treat a lot of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatism and arthritis.
- Antimicrobial.
- Helps to regulate blood sugar.
- Promotes blood flow.
Aridan has also been used to treat a lot of diseases like
leprosy, female reproductive issues, stomach ailments,fever, malaria, convulsions, flatulence and gonorrhea. It is used by men for birth control and used in pepper soup
to aid in cleansing the womb after child birth. Ground aridan powder is tied in
a cotton cloth, heated up and used on the umblical cord of newborn babies to prevent
infections. It is also used to prepare banga soup in Nigeria because of the
aroma. The uses are so many in different cultures and even though this powerful medicinal spice is native to West Africa, most of us in cities are unaware of its healing abilities.
Cooking regularly with aridan as a spice is a good way of
enjoying its benefits. Hot Aridan infusion can also be used as a health tea or included in herbal preparation.
.
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an email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com
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Pls, can I use the fresh fruit also instead of the dried one. Thank you
ReplyDeleteFor diabetic patients it is essential to check the glycemic index (GI) as it provides a measure of how quickly blood sugar levels rise after eating a particular type of food. It is essential for diabetic patients to improve their eating habits ensuring that their blood sugar level does not peak or dip. It is recommended that patients take plenty diabetic food which has proteins, nutrients and vegetables in their diet to ensure a stable GI. is chinese food ok for diabetic
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