West African Black Pepper Medicinal Uses.

West African black pepper, known botanically as Piper guineense, is a woody vine whose seeds are berries which are known as African black pepper. They are also known as Guinea cubeb, Benin pepper and Ashanti pepper. Locally, they are called uziza, iyere, sasema, kale, masoro, etc. in different parts of West and Central Africa which they are native to.

West African black pepper seeds and leaves are widely used in West Africa for culinary and medicinal purposes because of its aromatic flavour and medicinal properties. The root is also used for medicinal preparations.

West African black pepper seeds contain piperine which is its most active component and is

responsible for its heat. They also contain alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, peptides, terpenoids and essential oils. They contain high amounts of vitamin C and beta carotene.

West African black pepper seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent, anti-bacterial, anti-virus, astringent and carminative properties. They increase the anti-cancer properties of turmeric when used together and help to increase nutrient absorption from foods.

Because of their  health promoting properties, West African black pepper seeds are used medicinally for the following;

• To cleanse the womb after birth.
• To lower blood pressure.
• To decrease cholesterol levels.
• To treat pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory issues.
• To relieve flatulence, aid digestion and increase stomach acid secretion.
• To treat arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions.
• To prevent blood clotting.
• To reduce pain.
• To stimulate metabolism.
• To boost memory.
• To repel insects.

The seeds are part of Nigerian pepper soup ingredients which are very important in Nigeria. The leaves are used to boost fertility, treat intestinal issues and juiced to clear persistent coughs. The roots are used to treat respiratory issues and venereal diseases.

African black pepper seeds are handy to have in the kitchen to include in cooking local dishes and treating ailments. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell. Comments are appreciated below.

Why Are We Killing Our Planet With So Much Junk?

If our planet could talk, it would be crying because it is ailing. Sadly, we are killing it with so many adverse practices.

We are generating too much waste. Plastics, tins and other packaging materials which are not degradable and cannot return to the soil to be used as nutrients.

Why are we creating problems that have no real solutions?

Why are we making much more than we really need? Why are we, the consumers obsessed with

buying much more than we need? By buying a lot, we encourage manufacturers to produce more to meet our demands and also create waste by discarding more. Producing more means more factory waste, more fumes into the atmosphere and other by products.

Why can’t we use reusable containers, cutlery, schoolbooks, etc.? There was a time this was the norm and nobody suffered for it?

Why can’t we learn to produce waste that can return to nature? What is wrong with baskets made from bamboo over plastic ones? Why use nylon to package when a leaf is better? We definitely need to find a way to use plant-based materials to package.

Smart countries have reduced their manufacturing sector, preferring to outsource and in the process, breathing better air, drinking better water while reducing noise and pollution.

We need to learn to listen to or world and care for it. It is definitely crying from pain and lack of care. Despite sustaining billions of living organisms, not up to a million give it a thought.

Our world needs love, attention and tender loving care. Let us learn to give back positively to it. We need to heal our world. 

Some Facts About Ogi And Eko.

Ogi and eko are made from ground fermented corn powder. The process involves fermenting corn in

water for about three days, grinding and then separating the chaff from the starchy powder. Ogi is also called corn pap or akamu and is in semi-liquid form, while eko or agidi is in solid form.

Corn on its own is a very healthy addition to a diet when it is in its whole form because all the nutrients are available for consumption. Corn contains carbohydrates, oils, fiber and other phytonutrients which promote good health.

The main problem is that when the chaff is removed during sieving, most of the fiber content is lost. Fiber is beneficial to health and healing because it slows digestion, regulates blood sugar levels and helps to reduce cholesterol levels. Also, because most of the fiber content has been removed, ogi and eko digest faster than other corn-based foods which still have their fiber content intact. Foods that digest quickly are not ideal for individuals that are dealing with diabetes.

Though ogi and eko are considered to be light foods, raw pap powder contains about 97%

carbohydrates so you should accompany it with foods which are rich in other nutrients.

Ogi and pap are easy to digest and so can be used by those recovering from illness. They boost energy levels because of their high carbohydrate content and can also be taken by athletes for energy and fluids.

Despite their low fiber content and high carbohydrate content, both ogi and eko are all-natural foods with no additives or preservatives. They also go through a fermentation process which adds benefits to their food value. Some other African foods made from corn are tuwo, kenkey, akume, sapala, egbo, pap, ugali and owowo.

Have you got something to add or ask? Please do so below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

The Many Uses Of Plantain.

Plantains are nutritious vegetables that are closely related to and look like bananas. The plantain plant is called Musa paradisiaca. They are low in sugar and starchy. Raw plantains are consumed cooked.

Plantains contain vitamins A, C and some B vitamins like pyridoxine, folates, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. They contain minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Plantains contain fiber and complex carbohydrates which make them an excellent prebiotic for beneficial intestinal bacteria. Ripe plantains are yellow and less starchy than unripe ones which are usually green.

In Nigeria, plantains are boiled, roasted, baked, grilled, fried, mashed, pounded alone or with other starchy foods.

Although the fruit is the popularly consumed or used part, other parts of plantain plant are also used for nutrition, packaging and medicine. Some of the ways the other parts are used are as follows;

• The leaves are used to package foods and to wrap food for cooking. The leaf juice or leaf extract is used in treating diabetes. The leaves are pounded or dried and powdered to treat skin rashes, burns, stings or convulsions.
• Plantain stem juice is used in traditional medicine to dissolve urinary stones, to promote sleep,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  to soothe and calm the mind and to stop diarrhea. This juice has a stimulating effect on the uterus and is not advisable for consumption by pregnant women.
• The juice from the root is used to treat diabetes, prostrate disorders and venereal diseases.
• The peel has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and can be used fresh or dried and powdered to treat skin disorders, repel insects, remove splinters, polish shoes, treat hemorrhoids and whiten teeth. The peel has almost the same uses as banana peel. Read more here about the uses of banana peel.
• The flowers of plantain plant can be eaten raw in salads or cooked.

Please share other uses of plantain plant that you may know. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

Luffa Cylindrica Is Not Just Sponge Or Weed.

Luffa cylindrica plant is a creeping plant whose fruit is a natural cellulose fiber that is popularly used as scrubbing sponge for cleaning and bathing. Luffa cylindrical is popularly called vegetable sponge, sponge gourd, vegetable gourd and loofah. It is called Kankan Ayaba in Yoruba.

Because Luffa cylindrica is an invasive plant, it is often regarded as weed due to the fact that it will thrive under almost all conditions and is often found covering abandoned buildings and land under a short period of time.

Luffa cylindrica plant contains a lot of phytonutrients which make it useful for different nutritional and medicinal purposes. The seeds, leaves, fruits and other parts of Luffa are used in medicinal preparations in different parts of the world.

Dried matured fruits of Luffa cylindrical are popularly used;

• To scrub and exfoliate the skin.
• To wash and scrub pots, utensils and other household items.
• As additions to exfoliating soap.
• To decorate and adorn in arts and craft.

Young fruits, flowers and buds are usually eaten as vegetables in some parts of the world.

The seed contains about 50% oil which is used as a healing moisturizer for the skin and a natural sunscreen. The oil has anti-microbial properties, so it is used to treat numerous skin disorders and infections like boils, eczema, acne, pimples, leprosy, etc. The seed is also used to expel worms and as anti-aging oil because of its moisturizing, healing, emollient, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are emetic and purgative as well.

The leaves have anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. The juice is used to resolve respiratory issues like sinusitis, bronchitis, removing phlegm and relieving cough. It is used as eye drop to treat conjunctivitis and taken for relieving amenorrhea. The leaves are also used in preparations for malaria and typhoid fevers. Pounded leaves are used to treat hemorrhoids.

The sap from the leaves repels insects.

Luffa sponge is excellent for removing dead skin while promoting circulation. So the next time you see a Luffa plant, think further than it being a weed or sponge, there are so many things you can use it for. 

Share below other medicinal purposes that you know Luffa is used for. Follow on Twitter @heal2well. 

The Health Benefits Of Yams.

Yams are the starchy root tubers of several vegetables that belong to the Dioscorea family. They are popular staples in the diets of West African and are rich in carbohydrates. They are grown throughout Africa, Asia and South America. There are hundreds of yam varieties.

Nutritional profile of yams.

Yams are excellent sources of energy, having complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Yams are rich in B-complex vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. Yams are rich in vitamin C and moderate levels of vitamin A. They are good sources of minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese.

Some of the health benefits of yams.

• B-complex vitamins are important for proper metabolic functions.
• Vitamins A and C are antioxidants which can reduce or prevent oxidative stress on the body.
• Yams have a low glycemic index which makes them ideal for moderate consumption by those with diabetes.
• Yams are rich in fiber which is beneficial to good health. Fiber also helps in promoting digestion, regulates blood sugar levels and lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Yams contain a phytonutrient called diosgenin which is similar to progesterone. Progesterone is one of the important female hormones. Yams are believed to have a stabilizing effect on female hormonal patterns because of this.
• Diosgenin also decreases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Yams contain allantoin, which soothes the skin, stops skin irritations and protects the skin.

Yams are perfect to add to a healthy diet, even though a lot of Africans believe that because they are high carbohydrate foods, they are to be avoided but yam has mostly complex carbohydrates and fiber, which slow digestion. Most yams are eaten boiled or processed minimal, which means that most of the other beneficial nutrients are eaten with it. Yams are not to be consumed raw because they contain some toxic substances which cooking destroys. It is best to eat yams in moderation and not too late in the day.

Yams are easy to cook and can be boiled, grilled, roasted, fried, mashed or powdered. West Africans

also pound yam into a paste called pounded yam which is consumed with vegetable soups. Yams pieces are dried and made into powder which is reconstituted in hot water to make a paste called amala in Nigeria.

Our African foods are excellent for health like most indigenous foods from all over the world. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

How Bell Apples Can Contribute To A Healthy Diet

The bell apple tree is called Syzygium samarangese and is a tree that thrives in tropical regions of the world, including Nigeria. The fruits are also called wax apples, rose apples and water apples.

Bell apples can be a wonderful addition to a healthy diet because of their good nutritional content. Below are some of the important nutrients in bell apples;

• Vitamins A, C, E and B1.
• Minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium.
• Dietary fiber.
• Low calories and high water content (93%).

Some potential benefits of consuming bell apples.

1. Bell apples contain pectin, which is a form of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels.
2. The fiber content helps in digestion.
3. They contain iron which helps in blood formation and so are beneficial to those who are anemic.
4. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants which help to reduce oxidative stress of free radicals on the body, protecting the body from chronic diseases.
5. They are used to resolve digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation.
6. They are high in water content and so, like watermelons, are useful for dehydration and heat stroke. 
7. Potassium is important in the regulation of heartbeats.

Other parts of the plant are useful for medicinal purposes. The flowers are mildly astringent and are used to stop diarrhea and reduce fevers. The bark and leaves have anti-bacterial properties and are used as a part of preparations for treating infections of the skin.

The fruits grow in Nigeria and were popularly consumed before. These days most people do not bother with it, preferring to eat apples instead. The fruits can be eaten raw, used in fruit cocktails, smoothies or juiced.

Let us know what other parts of the bell apple plant are used in your area below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.