The Health Benefits Of Hog Plum.

Hog plum is a tree that bears orange coloured  fruits which are called iyeye in Yoruba, ngulungu in Igbo, isada in Hausa and Spondias mombin  botanically.  The trees are rarely cultivated. The fruits are no longer popularly  offered for sale by fruit sellers in Nigeria and most people would only hear about this fruit from a Yoruba song which describes the leaves as numerous. ‘Ewe iyeye igba ni o’. The trees bear small fruits which can be numerous. The fruits have a sweet and sour taste.

The fruit juice, leaves, bark, roots and flowers  are used in traditional medicine in some parts of the world where the trees can be found. This tree has many health benefits for curing and alleviating diseases because it has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Hog plum plant contains polyphenols, sterols, flavonoids, uinones, tannins and saponins. The fruits are high in fiber and low in calories.  They are high in vitamin C, vitamin B1, iron and some calcium. Below are some of the uses of parts of the tree.

Hog plum crushed leaves or infusion are used to;

• Reduce or relieve pain.
• Sedate or calm. 
• Treat coughs.
• Reduce fevers and stop convulsions.
• Aid digestion.
• Stimulate the womb.
• Kill parasites.
• Treat mouth sores and infections.
• Treat inflammation.

The bark can be prepared into a decoction and used to;

• Treat diarrhea and dysentery.
• Relieve pain.
• Treat hemorrhoids.
• Stop bleeding.
• Treat skin disorders like eczema, dermatitis, boils, rashes, itches, leprosy etc.
• Kill parasites.
• Induce labour and abortion.
• Avoid pregnancy (contraceptive).

The root is made into decoctions and used to treat;

• Vaginal infections, gonorrhea and other venereal diseases.
• Diarrhea.

Hog plum fruits are eaten raw or squeezed to make delicious juices. Infusions of the flower are used to treat eye infections. The leaves are also used to shrink tumours.

Even though it is difficult to get the fruits because they only are only in season around December to January, we can make use of other parts of this tree for effective remedies.

Let us know the local name and remedies of hog plum in your area below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell for update.