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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