Peppersoup Is More Than Food

"Peppersoup" is a term that refers to a Nigerian delicacy that is made by cooking a mixture of  meat, fish, chicken, poultry etc., water or stock, ground spices, hot peppers and fresh herbs. Peppersoup is

widely consumed in Nigeria for many reasons but most consumers are not aware of most of its important medicinal benefits. This is because peppersoup ingredients are spices, peppers and herbs which have a lot of the following disease-fighting and healing properties;

Antioxidants.                                                              
Anti-inflammatory
Vitamins                                                                               
Astrigent.
Antibacterial.
Antifungal.

Most of the herbs and spices have been proven to improve health, relieve the effects of some diseases like arthritis, rheumatism, stomach pains, inflammatory conditions and boost fertility.  In South East Nigeria, it is common practice for women who have just given birth to drink peppersoup to cleanse and contract the womb.

Below is a list of some of the spices and herbs commonly used in peppersoup preparation with some of their known names;

Alligator Pepper, Aframomum melegueta, atare, ose oji, erhie, atariko, grains of paradise.
African Black Pepper, Piper guineesis, iyere, uziza, masoro.
Ethiopian Pepper, Xylopia aethiopica, eeru, uda, ulima, unien, atta, enge
Cloves, kananfuru..
Calabash Nutmeg, ariwo, ehuru
Hot Peppers, scotch, bonnet, rodo.
Clove Basil, Ocimum species, effirin, nchawu.
Tetrapleura tetraptera, aridan, yanghanyanghan, uyayak, apapa, oshosho.
Gbafilo, Parinari excelsa.

I will be writing about spices and herbs to provide more information about them later. The next time that a bowl of peppersoup is placed in front of you, enjoy it with the knowledge that it will do you a lot of good.

Leave a comment below or contact me on yvonnebosede06@gmail.com if you have anything to add, share or ask.