The Local Names Of Some Spices In Nigeria.

In Nigeria, spices have different local names because many languages are spoken. Spices are used for culinary, medicinal and other purposes. Below are the English, botanical and local names of some spices  that are commonly used in Nigeria. If you know other local names that are not included in this post, please add with a comment below. there are so many languages in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and the world.

English	Botanical	Yoruba	Igbo	Hausa	Urhobo	Ibibio/Efik	Other
African black pepper	Piper guineense	Iyere	Uziza	Masoro	Uririe	Etinkene Odusa	Ebe
Ethiopian or Guinea pepper	Xylopia aethiopia	Eeru	Uda		Urheri	Atta	Unien Eche
Prekese	Tetrapleura tetraptera	Aridan	Oshosho		Ufuo-Oyibo	Edeminang	Esewon, Imiminje Ighirehimi Ighimiakia Apapa
Alligator pepper	Aframomum melegueta	Atare, Ataire	Ese oji Akwa ose	Citta, Chilla	Erhie		Ehin-ado Ehin-edo Wisa
Cloves	Syzigium aromaticum	Kanafuru	Kanonfiri
African/Calabash nutmeg	Monodora myristica	Ariwo	Ehuru ofia	Gudiya dan  miya
Ginger	Ziginber officinale	Ata-ile	Jinja
Garlic	Allium sativum	Ayu
Turmeric	Curcuma longa	Ata-ile pupa	Ohu boboch, nwadumo	Kurkur, gangamau, magina, turi			kurkum
Basil	Ocimum gratissimum	Efinrin	Nchanwu

Garlic bulbs 

Cloves

African black pepper seeds

Ginger root

Basil leaves

Alligator pepper

African/Calabash nutmeg

Prekese

Turmeric roots and powder

Ethiopian or Guinea  pepper

Gbafilo

Flaxseed Or Linseeds Can Be Used For Many Purposes.

Flaxseeds are the seeds from flax and they are also called linseeds. They are known botanically as Linum usitatissimum.  Flax produces oil that is called linseed oil and is used as a nutritional supplement while flax fibers are used in making linen. Flax grows in cooler regions of the world. The seeds are either brown or light brown.

Flaxseeds are dense in nutrients, including;

• Vitamins B6, B9, C, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin
• Minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc
• Soluble and insoluble fiber
• Rich source of an essential omega-3 fatty acid called alphalinolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acids
• High protein content

Flaxseeds contain lignans which are fiber-related polyphenols with antioxidant properties.  Lignans also act as phytoestrogens. Flaxseeds are a very good source of lignans which are believed to have anti-carcinogenic properties by not allowing tumours to form new blood vessels. Flaxseeds also possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Some health benefits of flaxseeds:

• To lower blood cholesterol levels
• To treat female hormonal issues
• To reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, and prostrate

Flaxseeds have to be ground before consumption because whole seeds cannot be digested by the body. Ground flaxseeds have to be used quickly or kept in an airtight and dark container because they quickly go rancid upon exposure to air and light.

It is easy to add or incorporate flaxseeds into your diet since they are food. They can be used in many recipes or simply sprinkled on your food.

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The Health Benefits Of Baobab Fruits.

Baobab trees are mighty trees that grow in Africa, Magadascar, Australia and parts of Asia. The baobab tree is a very important tree in the areas where it grows because of its numerous benefits and uses. It is also called the Tree of Life because all of its parts are useful for food, medicine, shelter, water and other uses. There are different species of Baobab tree (about 8), but the African baobab is called Adansonia digitata. It is also called Monkey bread tree, upside down tree and bottle tree.

Baobab fruits are about 7-10 inches long, weighing about 2-3 pounds. The pulp is delicious, having a sweet tangy taste and a citrusy flavour.  They are highly nutritious and contain important nutrients like the following:

• Vitamins C and B complex
• Citric and tartaric acids
• Minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and calcium
• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Soluble and insoluble fiber

The fruits dry on the tree, allowing the pulp to become a powder. This powder is used in making powders, as thickening agents, fruit juice. The fruit powder has the following properties:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Prebiotic

They boost health because of their nutritional health benefits and have been used traditionally to:

1. Aid digestion
2. Relieve body pain
3. Treat digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation and dysentery
4. Boost immunity
5. Treat scurvy and Vitamin C deficiency
6. Boost energy level because of the potassium, magnesium and calcium content
7. Help in regulating blood sugar levels
8. Treat anaemia because of the high iron content

Baobab fruit is an example of using food as medicine with no side effects. Unfortunately in my own part of the world (South West Nigeria), the tree is revered spiritually and so, most people do not eat the fruits or leaves but rather use them for medicinal purposes. In some other parts of Nigeria and world, it is widely used for many purposes. In Burkina Faso, the fruits are made into a drink called bisab together with hibiscus calyxes.

Share below what you know about baobab fruits. Also leave your comment and questions. Follow on Twitter for updates @heal2bwell.

How To Treat Ochronosis Caused By Hydroquinone At Home.

Exogenous ochronosis is a disfiguring condition of the skin that is characterized by blue-black discolouration of the skin in certain areas such as ear cartilage, nose and cheeks. Exogenous ochronosis can occur due prolonged topical application or exposure to phenolic substances such as hydroquinone which causes accumulation of homogenistic acid in connective tissues of the skin.

In simple language, it occurs mostly due to prolonged use of skin lightening creams, lotions and ingredients.

Exogenous ochronosis is very difficult to treat or heal so learning to prevent it is the best option. It is best to stop using the causative agent for a while to allow the skin to heal. The problem will become worse if you continue to use the causative agent in a bid to clear the macules which characterize it.

The treatment options are few but below are home remedies for ochronosis;

• Moisturize the affected area regularly with shea butter, coconut oil or good moisturizing lotions.
• Avoid exfoliating the area.
• Protect your face from direct exposure to the sun.
• Use sunblock during the day if you are going to be exposed to the sun.
• Use oral antioxidants.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals.

Although the above remedies sound simple, they help towards getting your skin back. Ochronosis is avoidable and takes a long time to reverse once it develops. A common mistake that those who have it make is that they continue with the causative agent thinking it will help to clear it. It will not because it is no longer hyper-pigmentation. Patience and perseverance are definitely required to regain the health of your skin back.

Let us know what other remedies you know for treating ochronosis below. Also leave your question, feedback and comments below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

The Medicinal Benefits of Eating Charcoal.

Natural charcoal is the carbon residue that is obtained from heating plant, animal or other organic matter until moisture and impurities have burned off in the absence of air, leaving mostly carbon and ash.

Most of us are familiar with charcoal and have used it mainly for cooking purposes. Though it is more commonly used as a cooing fuel, charcoal is used medicinally for detoxification purposes because it has a high surface area and works by adsorption which allows it to;

• Adsorb toxins and poisons.
• Bind with environmental chemicals and pollutants.
• Detoxify the body.
• Treat digestive and gastric issues like gas and bloating.
• Improve digestion.
• Counter some effects of the aging process.
• Treat food poisoning and infections.
• Remove impurities from water.

Different animals have always eaten charcoal for the purpose of detoxification and improving digestion. Some animals that are well known to eat charcoal are monkeys, elephants, deer, horses, camels and even bees.

Medically, charcoal is used in the form of activated charcoal which is a fluffy black powder

that is mainly used to treat poisoning, trap toxins and adsorb chemicals in the body. It is made when ordinary charcoal is heated in the presence of an activating agent or gas with the aim of causing the charcoal to produce pores, increase its surface area and allow it to adsorb more chemicals.

Charcoal will adsorb thousands of times its own weight in poisons, heavy metals, chemicals, gases and pollutants while making them ineffective. Adsorption is a process in which the molecules of a substance bind to the surface of another material (the adsorbent) while absorption is the process where the molecules are assimilated into the body.

Charcoal is also used;

• In water filtration and purification
• As a catalyst.
• For cleansing spaces of mold.
• For insect bites and stings.
• To reduce itchiness.
• To lower blood cholesterol levels.

Organic matter charcoal has no taste or odour. It is harmless and has no carcinogenic properties when ingested, inhaled or used on the skin. The known side effects of charcoal are black stools, diarrhea and constipation.

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