Afzelia africana (‘Akparata Seed’, Mahogany Seed): Nutritional and Health Benefits

Afzelia africana (Akparata Seed, Mahogany Seed) Nutritional and Health Benefits

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

African Bush Mango, Dika nut, Ogbono (Irvingia gabonensis): Nutrition, Health Benefits

African Bush Mango, Dika nut, ogbono (Irvingia gabonensis) Nutrition, Health Benefits

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

Mahogany seeds (Trichilia dregeana, Trichilia Emetica) Nutrition, Health Benefits

Mahogany seeds (Trichilia dregeana, Trichilia Emetica) Nutrition, Health Benefits

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

Sweet Detar (Detarium microcarpum): Exciting Nutritional and Health Benefits

Sweet Detar, tallow tree (Detarium microcarpum) Exciting Nutritional and Health Benefits

Detarium microcarpum, also called sweet detar, small detar, tallow tree, is a tropical plant that belongs to the leguminosae family, Caesalpiniaceae. Sweet detar fruit has an edible pulp and seed. The pulp is a rich source of minerals, sugar, and vitamin C. The seed contains many nutritional compositions, and hydrocolloids which impacts a good binding … Read more

Achi seed (Brachystegia eurycoma): Important Nutritional and Health Benefits

Achi seed (Brachystegia eurycoma) Important Nutritional and Health Benefits

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): Important Medicinal Benefits

Siam Weed, Chromolaena odorata Medicinal Benefits

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

Dietary Fiber: Health Benefits, Types of Dietary Fiber, Sources, Side Effects

Dietary Fiber Health Benefits, Types of Dietary Fiber, Sources, Side Effects

Dietary fiber is the indigestible compound or part of plants, mainly carbohydrates, that pass through our stomach and intestine and remain unchanged. Unlike most carbohydrates that are broken down into sugar molecules called glucose, fiber is not digested as it pass through the system. Dietary fiber is found mostly in fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes, … Read more

Pterocarpus osun (African padauk): Important Medicinal Benefits

Pterocarpus osun (African padauk) Medicinal Benefits

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

Eru, Okazi or Afang Leaf (Gnetum africanum): Health and Nutritional Benefits

Eru, Okazi or Afang Leaf (Gnetum africanum) Health and Nutritional Benefits

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

Piper guineense: Uziza or West African Black Pepper, Ashanti Pepper Health Benefits

Piper guineense Uziza or West African Black Pepper, Ashanti Pepper Health Benefits

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