Medicinal Plants & Herbs are powerful plants that have both nutritional and health benefits. They have phytochemicals with amazing health benefits, and nutritional value
Amaranth seed or grain is regarded as a gluten-free pseudo cereal, and has similarities to other cereals. The amaranth, a dicotyledon, is from the Amaranthaceae family. Amaranth seeds and leaves has important nutritional and health benefits. The amaranth leaves are utilized in cooking and dishes, and has high protein, minerals (potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium) … Read more
Amaranth green, also called Pigweed/African Spinach, is a plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. The leafy vegetable is a rich source of calcium, iron, vitamins (A, B, C). It is also a source of high-protein grain (amaranth grain). Amaranth greens which is called green in Nigeria, has other names in Nigeria such as Efo Tete … Read more
Syzygium guineense, also called ‘water berry, woodland waterberry, waterpear, waterpeer, umdoni (isiNdebele), is a large, evergreen flowering plant from the genus Syzygium, and family, Myrtaceae. The small tree produces edible fruit. It is widely distributed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Central Africa. The tree is a medium-sized to large evergreen tree with a smooth … Read more
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