Medicinal Plants & Herbs are powerful plants that have both nutritional and health benefits. They have phytochemicals with amazing health benefits, and nutritional value
African Mahogany seeds are called Akparata seed in Igbo language, Apa in Yoruba, Kawo in Hausa, Akpari, Akpasi in Edo part of Nigeria. The plant which grows well in the semi-dry forest belongs to the Leguminosae family. Other common names include African oak, African mahogany, Apa, pod mahogany, counter wood. It belongs to the Leguminosae … Read more
Irvingia gabonensis, is a tropical plant belonging to the Irvingiaceae family. It is also called Bush mango, dika nut, dika nut tree, African mango, rainy season bush mango, sweet bush mango, wild mango (English), ‘manguier sauvage’, ‘chocolatier’, Ogbono (Igbo), Oro, Oyin (Yoruba), Ogwe, Ohere (Edo). Though the fruit is similar to the mango fruit (Mangifera … Read more
The mahogany seed is produced by the species of the Trichilia genus, Trichilia dregeana (forest mahogany) while the Trichilia emetica (Natal mahogany) produces a similar seed called Natal Mahogany seed ‘‘Musikili’’. The Trichilia species belong to the Meliaceae family. These plants grow in Africa, America, and Asia. The plant, Trichilia dregeana is a large tree that grows in … Read more
Brachystegia eurycoma (achi seed) is a tropical plant from the Leguminosae family and subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This tree bears pods that contain flat seeds (achi seeds) used as a culinary ingredient, a thickening agent used to increase the viscosity of soups. The seed flour contains high quantity of water-soluble polysaccharides, and fiber. Brachystegia eurycoma is a … Read more
Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata, also called Eupatorium odoratum, Eupatorium conyzoides, Osmia odorata) is a tropical weed belonging to the largest family of flowering plant (Asteraceae). Other names include Jack in the Bush, devil weed, triffid weed, Christmas bush, Elizabeth weed, baby tea, Assam lata, iam-Kraut, agonoi, Obirakara, Olorohuru, independent weed, bitter bush, akintola-ta-ku (Yoruba, Western … Read more
Pterocarpus osun, or African padauk is a plant belonging to the Dalbergieae tribe of Papilionaceae subfamily. It is also called camwood, black camwood, bloodwood, Akwara in Igbo, Osun dudu, Gbingbin in Yoruba, Ukme in Edo, Lagos camwood. However, it should not be confused with the true camwood (Baphia nitida) Pterocarpus osun is an evergreen or … Read more
Gnetum africanum, or Okazi, Eru, African jointfir is a climbing vine with highly nutritious leaves that are utilized as edible vegetable. The plant is native to tropical rainforest of West and Central Africa, found in mostly southeast Nigeria, West Cameroon, Gabon, Central Africa, and Angola. There are many Gnetum spp, but the most important species … Read more
West African black pepper or uziza (Piper guineense) is both a culinary spice and a medicinal herb. Piper guineense is a plant from the Piper genus, and Piperaceae (or Sapotaceae) family. The leaves, stems and the seeds are utilized in cooking, and they add “heat” and a spicy pungent aroma to food. The fruit is the … Read more
Grains of Selim are the seeds of an African shrubby tree, Xylopia aethiopica. Xylopia aethiopica seeds also called Uda by the Igbos of Nigeria, Hwentia or Etso in Ghana, Erunje or Erinje in Yoruba language, Kimba in the Hausa language, diarr in the Wolof language. Other names include Ethiopian Pepper, Negro pepper, Senegal pepper, Kani … Read more
Pterocarpus santalinoides is an evergreen small plant from the Papilionaceae family (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae, Fabaceae). The young, tender leaf of the vegetable is edible, and are used for cooking soup. Roasted seeds are also edible, and taste slightly like groundnut. However, the raw seed is toxic. Pterocarpus santalinoides is called mutititi, Nturukpa in Igbo, Gbengbe … Read more