How To Heal With Mucilaginous Foods.

Mucilage is a type of edible fiber with viscous or slimy nature. Mucilaginous foods have so many health benefits. Mucilage produces slime that soothes the intestinal wall and makes stools slippery, allowing smooth movement out of the bowel. It absorbs moisture and increases stool size, softening it and making it easier for it to move through the intestine and colon.

Mucilage is used to heal internally as a demulcent and topically as an emollient because it hydrates,

soothes, softens and heals the skin and other tissues. Mucilage is also used to treat numerous skins, hair and scalp like dryness, cracks, ulcers, inflammation, etc.

Mucilage is used to:

• Lower blood cholesterol levels by preventing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine
• Lower blood sugar levels by regulating the absorption of carbohydrates and preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels
• Regulate bowel movement.
• Prevent constipation and
• Prevent and heal hemorrhoid
• Treat inflammation of the intestinal tract
• Treat inflammatory conditions of the digestive system.
• Alleviate stomach cramps.
• Regulate acidity of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Remove waste and toxins out of the colon.
• Protect inflammation of all mucous membranes.

Some of the diseases treated by mucilage are:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Acid reflux
• Gastric ulcers
• Sore throat
• Asthma
• Flu
  
  
• Cough
• Burns
• Itches
• Bites
• Kidney and bladder stones

To use mucilage, the substance is simply mixed in a liquid and taken or applied on the skin.

Some mucilaginous foods from Africa are:

1. Okra called Abelmoscus esculenta, ila, lady fingers, etc. Read here for more about the health benefits of okra.
2. African mango seeds called Irvingia gabonensis, ogbono, apon, dika. Read about ogbono here.
3. Jute leaves called Corchorus olitorius, ewedu, Jew mallow, saluyot, rama, ahihiara, etc. Read more about the health benefits of jute leaves here.
4. Water leaf called Talinum triangulare, gbure, etc. Read more about the health benefits of water leaf here.
5. Malabar spinach called Basella alba, amunututu, toromoganna, etc. Read more about the health benefits of Malabar spinach here.
6. Baobab leaves are mucilaginous and are from Adansonia digitata. It is called ose in Yoruba and kuka in Hausa. Read here about the benefits of baobab leaves.
7. Cissus polpunea produces a mucilaginous thickener from its stem bark. It is called okoho by the Idoma people of Benue State. Read here for more about the benefits of okoho.
8. Gwewia venusta/mollis is the botanical name of a plant that has mucilaginous properties. It is called ila oko or lakolako in Yoruba. The stem bark, buds and flowers are used in different parts.
9. Genger is the Tiv name for the calyx of Bombax costatum which is mucilaginous.
10. Akparata is the Igbo name of the bean seeds of African Mahogany. They are mucilaginous. They are called apa-igbo or apa in Yoruba. It is called Afzelia Africana botanically.

Africans have always loved and eaten mucilaginous foods with starchy pastes so it is easy for us to consume it. The most common one is okra. They are usually prepared into soups called draw soups in Nigeria. Most of our traditional foods are usually in their natural forms with minimal processing when consumed. This means that most of their nutrients and fiber are still present, which is the best way to eat food. Some health issues develop when we start to eat foods that have been highly processed with most of their fiber and other beneficial nutrients removed.

Other mucilaginous foods or substances that are popularly known are slippery elm, marshmallow. agar agar, flaxseeds, chia seeds, aloe vera, licorice root, etc.

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Pawpaw (Carica Papaya) Fruit Benefits

Pawpaw is also known as papaya whose fruits’ flesh or pulp can be orange, yellow or pink. It is botanically known as Carica papaya. Pawpaw fruits are very nutritious and contain many phytonutrients and nutrients which are beneficial to the body for health and well-being. They are used as food, medicine and for cosmetic application.

Pawpaw fruits contain the following nutrients:

• High fiber content
• Vitamin B complex like folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine
• Vitamin A and carotenes
• Vitamin C
• Minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and manganese
• Rich in all essential amino acids

Pawpaw fruits are low in calories and contain papain, a proteolytic enzyme with many medicinal, cosmetic and healing properties. Pawpaw fruits have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of active components such as cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, and chymopapain, another proteolytic enzyme.

Regular consumption of pawpaw fruits will do the following:

1. Promote and aid digestion
2. Prevent constipation
3. Help in building the immune system
4. Balance blood sugar levels
5. Lower blood cholesterol levels
6. Promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria
7. Prevent bloating and indigestion
8. Eliminate toxins from the body
9. Help in maintaining a healthy skin
10. Reduce inflammation

Pawpaw fruits are also used on the skin to:

• Whiten the face and skin
• Treat pimples, acne and blackheads
• Soften abscesses

Pawpaw fruits also contain arginine which boosts nitric acid production. This relaxes the muscles around blood vessels, dilating them and increasing blood flow and circulation.

Pawpaw fruits contain seeds which also have numerous health benefits. Read here about the uses of pawpaw seeds. Read here about pawpaw leaves uses.

Pawpaw fruits are wonderful healing foods. Unripe pawpaw fruits, seeds and latex contain a high amount of papain. The milky latex, raw leaves, seeds and skin contain toxic components which may cause allergic reactions and skin irritations when used in high amounts.

All the parts of pawpaw tree are useful! Pawpaws abound everywhere most of the time and are cheap.

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The Health Benefits Of Dennettia Tripetala (Pepper Fruit) Plant

Dennettia tripetala is the botanical name of a plant whose fruits are called pepper fruits. It a native to West Africa including Nigeria where the fruits are called obi ata or igberi in Yoruba, mmimmi in Igbo, nkarika in Efik and Ibibio, imako in Urhobo and aki in Bini.

The fruits are the most commonly used parts of this tree because they are eaten due to their peppery taste and stimulatory effects.  The fruits are also used in cooking. The fruits are usually green but turn to pink, red or orange as they ripen more. They have a spicy, pungent and peppery taste plus aroma due to the volatile components that are present in the fruits.

Nutritionally, pepper fruits contain fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin,thiamine, vitamins A and C 

The roots, barks, leaves and fruits are the parts that are usually used medicinally because of the following medicinal properties:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Analgesic
• Hypoglycemic
• Mildly laxative
• Anthelmintic
• Stimulant
• Anti-emetic

Different parts are also used:

1. To aid uterine contraction after childbirth
2. To alleviate motion sickness and nausea
3. To treat typhoid and malaria fevers
4. To kill intestinal parasites and worms
5. To get rid of coughs and other respiratory issues
6. To treat toothache and used as a mouthwash
7. To treat stomach ailments including ulcer
8. To treat infections
9. To treat convulsions
10. To get rid of insects and pests

Pepper fruits are also used as one of the ingredients used to prepare pepper soup for women who have just given birth. This is because some pepper fruit active components with some in the other ingredients help to heal the womb after child birth. Pepper fruits are also used in cooking other soups and are also chewed raw like kolanut because of their stimulatory effect.

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The Health Benefits Of Mimosa Pudica (Touch Me Not) Plant

Mimosa pudica is the botanical of a plant that is commonly called touch me not, sensitive plant and humble plant. The most fascinating parts of this plant are the leaves which close or droop when touched or at night. This is what it is best known for and what gives it its name. It is known as padimo in Yoruba, meaning close or put your laps together.

Mimosa pudica grows in every part of the world but is native to Central and South America. It is considered a weed because of its invasive nature. Like most plants that are considered grass or weed despite their various medicinal properties and uses, Mimosa pudica is used to effectively treat many ailments traditionally because of the various active components it has. All the parts are commonly used especially the leaves and roots.

Some of the medicinal properties of Mimosa pudica are:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-viral
• Anti-fertility
• Hepatoprotective
• Hypoglycemic
• Antivenom
• Anti-parasitic
• Sedative
• Tonic
• Astringent
• Antidepressant
• Anticonvulsant
• Aphrodisiac
• Diuretic
• Analgesic

Medicinal uses of Mimosa pudica:

1. To treat diabetes
2. To lower blood pressure levels
3. To treat jaundice and liver issues
4. To promote wound healing
5. To treat chronic inflammatory issues like arthritis and osteoarthritis
6. To heal piles and hemorrhoids
7. To treat dysentery and diarrhea
8. To boost male sexual potency
9. To treat stomach issues
10. To heal ulcers
11. To treat respiratory issues like asthma, coughs, sinus, etc.
12. To kill intestinal worms
13. To treat bites from snakes, scorpion, spiders and insects (roots)
14. To treat skin issues like itches, boils, sores, etc.
15. To treat sleep disorders like sleeplessness and insomnia
16. To promote hair growth and treat hair loss
17. To reduce heavy menstrual flow
18. To set bones and heal fractures faster
19. To treat toothache and for general oral hygiene improvement
20. To treat urinary tract issues
21. To dissolve and expel kidney stones

Despite being a shy and humble plant, Mimosa pudica carries a lot of medicinal weight. There are so many plants that have great medicinal properties and nutritional values which are classified as weeds. This makes most people believe they are pests or are bad for the environment.

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