The Local Names Of Some Spices In Nigeria.

In Nigeria, spices have different local names because many languages are spoken. Spices are used for culinary, medicinal and other purposes. Below are the English, botanical and local names of some spices  that are commonly used in Nigeria. If you know other local names that are not included in this post, please add with a comment below. there are so many languages in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and the world.

English	Botanical	Yoruba	Igbo	Hausa	Urhobo	Ibibio/Efik	Other
African black pepper	Piper guineense	Iyere	Uziza	Masoro	Uririe	Etinkene Odusa	Ebe
Ethiopian or Guinea pepper	Xylopia aethiopia	Eeru	Uda		Urheri	Atta	Unien Eche
Prekese	Tetrapleura tetraptera	Aridan	Oshosho		Ufuo-Oyibo	Edeminang	Esewon, Imiminje Ighirehimi Ighimiakia Apapa
Alligator pepper	Aframomum melegueta	Atare, Ataire	Ese oji Akwa ose	Citta, Chilla	Erhie		Ehin-ado Ehin-edo Wisa
Cloves	Syzigium aromaticum	Kanafuru	Kanonfiri
African/Calabash nutmeg	Monodora myristica	Ariwo	Ehuru ofia	Gudiya dan  miya
Ginger	Ziginber officinale	Ata-ile	Jinja
Garlic	Allium sativum	Ayu
Turmeric	Curcuma longa	Ata-ile pupa	Ohu boboch, nwadumo	Kurkur, gangamau, magina, turi			kurkum
Basil	Ocimum gratissimum	Efinrin	Nchanwu

Garlic bulbs 

Cloves

African black pepper seeds

Ginger root

Basil leaves

Alligator pepper

African/Calabash nutmeg

Prekese

Turmeric roots and powder

Ethiopian or Guinea  pepper

Gbafilo

Flaxseed Or Linseeds Can Be Used For Many Purposes.

Flaxseeds are the seeds from flax and they are also called linseeds. They are known botanically as Linum usitatissimum.  Flax produces oil that is called linseed oil and is used as a nutritional supplement while flax fibers are used in making linen. Flax grows in cooler regions of the world. The seeds are either brown or light brown.

Flaxseeds are dense in nutrients, including;

• Vitamins B6, B9, C, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin
• Minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc
• Soluble and insoluble fiber
• Rich source of an essential omega-3 fatty acid called alphalinolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acids
• High protein content

Flaxseeds contain lignans which are fiber-related polyphenols with antioxidant properties.  Lignans also act as phytoestrogens. Flaxseeds are a very good source of lignans which are believed to have anti-carcinogenic properties by not allowing tumours to form new blood vessels. Flaxseeds also possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Some health benefits of flaxseeds:

• To lower blood cholesterol levels
• To treat female hormonal issues
• To reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, and prostrate

Flaxseeds have to be ground before consumption because whole seeds cannot be digested by the body. Ground flaxseeds have to be used quickly or kept in an airtight and dark container because they quickly go rancid upon exposure to air and light.

It is easy to add or incorporate flaxseeds into your diet since they are food. They can be used in many recipes or simply sprinkled on your food.

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The Health Benefits Of Baobab Fruits.

Baobab trees are mighty trees that grow in Africa, Magadascar, Australia and parts of Asia. The baobab tree is a very important tree in the areas where it grows because of its numerous benefits and uses. It is also called the Tree of Life because all of its parts are useful for food, medicine, shelter, water and other uses. There are different species of Baobab tree (about 8), but the African baobab is called Adansonia digitata. It is also called Monkey bread tree, upside down tree and bottle tree.

Baobab fruits are about 7-10 inches long, weighing about 2-3 pounds. The pulp is delicious, having a sweet tangy taste and a citrusy flavour.  They are highly nutritious and contain important nutrients like the following:

• Vitamins C and B complex
• Citric and tartaric acids
• Minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and calcium
• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Soluble and insoluble fiber

The fruits dry on the tree, allowing the pulp to become a powder. This powder is used in making powders, as thickening agents, fruit juice. The fruit powder has the following properties:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Prebiotic

They boost health because of their nutritional health benefits and have been used traditionally to:

1. Aid digestion
2. Relieve body pain
3. Treat digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation and dysentery
4. Boost immunity
5. Treat scurvy and Vitamin C deficiency
6. Boost energy level because of the potassium, magnesium and calcium content
7. Help in regulating blood sugar levels
8. Treat anaemia because of the high iron content

Baobab fruit is an example of using food as medicine with no side effects. Unfortunately in my own part of the world (South West Nigeria), the tree is revered spiritually and so, most people do not eat the fruits or leaves but rather use them for medicinal purposes. In some other parts of Nigeria and world, it is widely used for many purposes. In Burkina Faso, the fruits are made into a drink called bisab together with hibiscus calyxes.

Share below what you know about baobab fruits. Also leave your comment and questions. Follow on Twitter for updates @heal2bwell.