By Gloria Agugua
Chewing bitter kola relieves coughs, hoarseness, bronchial and throat troubles.
In Nigeria, we are really blessed with fruits and Vegetables. Enormous quantities of fruits and vegetables are produced and staggering figures are sometimes given as estimated annual production.
Fruits and vegetables play a very important role in the nutrition and health especially as they contain substances which regulate or stimulate digestion. Fruits and vegetables also contribute to the income of both the rural and urban dweller.
The industrial potential of many fruits and vegetables available in Nigeria is enormous.
Fruits and vegetable production in Nigeria is a serious business because it provides a means of livelihood for some people and also play an important role in the improvement of the health of Nigerians.
One of the many important produces from Nigeria is Bitter Kola.
Bitter kola is a type of nut mostly found in several parts of Nigeria and West-Central Africa as a whole and the tree grows in the (tropical) rain forests. Its biological name is “Garcinia kola” and belongs to the family of “Guittiferal”.
It is known as Orogabo in Yoruba land, Namijin-goro in Hausa land and Akuilu amongst the Igbos.
Bitter Kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be effective in the treatment of many diseases. The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the tropical tree have been used for centuries in traditional medicines to treat many forms of ailments.
Chewing bitter kola relieves coughs, hoarseness, bronchial and throat troubles. Several studies discovered bitter kola to be a remedy for dysentery, osteoarthritis, antidote against poisoning and considered an aphrodisiac.
I will continue to appreciate herbal medicines with little to no side effects compared to pharmaceutical drugs with gazillion known side effects. Nigeria is one country that mother nature has blessed with lots of Organic and herbal products.
We should learn to eat and buy Nigerian to promote good health and grow the Naira.
