Amazing Health benefits of Bitter kola: The organic product, seeds (also known as “bitter kola nuts”), and bark of the plant have all been utilized for quite some time in people medication to treat conditions ranging from the common cold to fever. According to a report compiled by the Center for International Forestry Research, the native communities and towns in Nigeria derive a significant amount of economic value from the Garcinia kola trade. It was determined, based on the results of a poll conducted on the NaijaTab Naija gist forum, that ninety percent of the members had used it to treat some kind of illness.
Cola acuminata, from which the authentic kola nut is derived, is not related to Garcinia kola because it belongs, not to the Clusiaceae family like Garcinia kola does, but to a subfamily of the Malvaceae family, which includes mallows.
Garcinia kola, also known as bitter kola, is a flowering plant that is a member of the family Clusiaceae and is of the same genus as the mangosteen variety of Garcinia (a.k.a. Guttiferae). It can be found in the countries of Benin, Cameroon, the Gambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Other countries where it can be found include Gabon and Ghana. The subtropical or tropical moist marsh woods are its natural habitat, and this is how it has always been.
Healers in African societies typically make use of garcinia kola due to the widespread belief that it possesses laxative, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial properties. The seeds can be used to treat liver conditions, bronchitis, throat infections, colic, head or chest colds, and hacking cough. A biting stick is yet another application for this item.
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Amazing Health benefits of Bitter kola
1. Treatment of Malaria
Bitter kola is thought to possess chemical properties that allow it to act as an antimalarial catalyst, which makes it useful in the treatment of malaria. According to Esiegwu and Udedibie (2009), it contains kolaviron, which is a natural phytochemical that acts as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory and also possesses high antimalarial properties.
2. Reduction of Weight
Bitter kola is known for being a natural appetite suppressant and a great thirst stimulant, and as such, it helps to reduce weight loss. This is because the body needs a reduced intake of food and a large intake of water in order to get rid of excess fat and stay healthy (Collise et al., 2011). Bitter kola can help the body get rid of excess fat and stay healthy by increasing its intake of water.
3. Treatment of Diabetes
In people who have type 2 diabetes, there is a chemical called kolaviron that can be found in bitter kola. Preliminary research suggests that this chemical may offer some protection against hypoglycemia. These preliminary findings are encouraging, despite the fact that the original research was conducted on rats and has not yet been replicated on humans. According to Hertog et al. (2007), the seeds of bitter kola are thought to have the ability to lower blood glucose, which could make it a potential treatment for diabetes miletus.
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4. Prevention from Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that causes an increase in pressure within the eyeball. This condition results in a gradual loss of vision and, if untreated, can lead to complete and permanent blindness. Bitter kola was found to be just as effective as other, more traditional treatments in a study that was published in the Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology. The research focused on patients who had recently been diagnosed with ocular hypertension. Even if you have just recently been diagnosed with the condition, it is imperative that you seek the guidance and treatment of a qualified medical professional in order to properly manage your glaucoma.
Glaucoma can be prevented by using an eye drop that is made from an extract of garcinia kola on a regular and consistent basis, according to a study that was published in 2005 by Farombi et al. (Farombi et al., 2005). This treatment has been shown to help treat glaucoma.
5. Remedy from Cold and Fever
Bitter kola provides relief for chest colds and goes on to prevent colds altogether (Okwu & Ekeke, 2003). This is because Bitter kola possesses the ability to enlarge the alveolar sac and duct. Bitter kola is a remedy for both colds and fevers.
6. Treatment of erectile dysfunction
Research has shown that garcinia kola (bitter kola), has aphrodisiac effects (causes or increases sexual desire) in male folks, and as such, it is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (Okwu & Ekeke, 2003). Bitter kola is also known as garcinia cambogia.
7. Increases the body immune system
Bitter kola contains a significant amount of antioxidants, which are defined as any chemical that neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals may be produced as a result of exposure to environmental stressors like cigarette smoke, ultraviolet rays, and air pollution; however, free radicals may also be produced as a result of many natural processes that occur within the body, including physical activity and our immune response. DNA, cell membranes, and other cellular components can all be harmed by free radicals. Therefore, antioxidants not only help the body’s important functions, but they also support the immune system. This is because antioxidants are essential. We are in a better position to ward off illness and maintain our health if we have a robust immune system.
Bitter kola has been shown to have an effect on a number of the body’s regulatory systems, including the immune system. Bitter kola not only makes it possible for the body to adjust to stress but also works as an anti-infective agent.
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8. Relief Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Bitter kola, which is well-known for its effectiveness as a disease modifier, may offer some relief for those suffering from osteoarthritis. According to a number of studies, patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis appear to benefit significantly from the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of garcinia kola. As a consequence of this, garcinia kola is regarded as a potentially effective osteoarthritis disease activity modifier that has a significant chance of producing a favorable result. Inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints are all reduced as a result of its use. It’s possible that an injury to one of your joints, excess body fat, getting older, or even genetics are at the root of your arthritis pain. According to Farombi et alresearch .’s from 2005, the consumption of this miraculous plant can help cover all of these problems and cure them from their roots.
9. Contributes to Healthy Lungs
Garcinia kola contains the antioxidant saponin, which contributes to having healthy lungs. It is capable of purifying and detoxifying the body. This leads to an improvement in the function of the lungs by increasing the size of the alveolar ducts and sacs, and as a result, the fiber in the lung tissue becomes stronger. According to Farombi et al. (2005), it has a high antioxidant content, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy body.
10. Helps Pregnancy
Bitter kola, contrary to what some people may believe, actually has been said to be helpful and useful in and for pregnant women, as it helps in combating nausea and vomiting, making the uterus healthier, supplying strength to the expectant mother, and normalizing circulation of the blood, among other benefits.
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OTHER USES OF BITTER KOLA
1. Traditional medicine
It is believed that the bitter kola plant has purgative, anti-microbial, and anti-parasitic properties. According to Atawodi et al. (2005), it is employed medically in the treatment of bronchitis, typhoid, tuberculosis, diarrhea, and bacterial infections.
Bitter kola has been shown to have an anti-cancerous effect, making it a potential treatment option for breast cancer patients. Nature also (Atawodi et al., 2005) possesses a treatment for a condition that cannot be cured medically. (Atawodi et al., 2005)
2. Anti-Poison
Consuming both the bark and the seed together facilitates the body’s natural detoxification processes in the event of food poisoning. According to Atawodi et al. (2005), the cleansing properties of the saponin found in bitter kola make it useful as a liver tonic. It also contributes to the proper functioning of the gall bladder.
3. Extending One’s Life Span
According to Emmanuel and Gabriel (2011), some African cultures and scientific studies believe that bitter kola reduces the amount of glycogen in the liver, which in turn results in a longer lifespan.
Repellant for snakes: In areas where there is a high risk of snake encounters, bitter kola can be used as a snake deterrent (Nair, 2000)
4. Evil Spirits
To delve a little bit into the realm of spirituality, the indigenous peoples and tribes of the past believed that the plant had the power to ward off evil men and spirits (Farombi et al., 2005). This belief may not be shared by those who do not believe in the afterlife or in the existence of spirits. Even in today’s modern world, some people continue to hold such beliefs.
Nutrients per Serving
The FDA considers bitter kola generally safe to eat, but classifies it similarly to essential oils. That means there’s not much information available about serving sizes or nutritional data. However, a 2013 study found that bitter kola was high in the following nutrients:
- Carbohydrates
- Fat
- Protein
The study same study also found that bitter kola had high levels of:
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Caffeine
The Methods for Making Bitter Kola
Like many other nuts, bitter kola can be consumed raw on its own as a standalone food item. Bear in mind, however, that there is a reason why it is referred to as “bitter.” A taste for bitter kola may take some time to develop.
Bitter kola can sometimes be found as an ingredient in, or a flavoring for, beverages sold in African markets and online shops. These beverages could be a good option for you if you want to incorporate bitter kola into your diet but don’t particularly care for the flavor.
The unpleasant side effects of bitter kola
It is essential to adhere to the principle of moderation when ingesting any dietary supplement or conventional medicine. Bitter kola is associated with a variety of adverse effects.
1. It has the potential to raise blood pressure.
Bitter kola should be avoided by people who have hypertension because, as stated in an article published by Medical News Today, the nut of the plant contains a stimulant that is associated with properties that raise blood pressure.
2. Bitter kola can cause insomnia
Following consumption of kola nut, you may have trouble falling or staying asleep due to the presence of caffeine in the nut. As a result of its ability to heighten alertness, caffeine may make it more difficult for some people to fall or stay asleep.
3. It is capable of causing tremors (involuntary movements)
According to another article published by Medical News Today, bitter kola nut may have a detrimental effect on both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. This may result in symptoms such as trembling, anxiety, and quivering.
Caution on Bitter kola
Bitter kola has many health benefits, and they may convince you to run out and buy a supply of it right away. However, it is imperative that you exercise extreme caution whenever you take any kind of dietary supplement, including bitter kola. Always consult your physician, and make sure not to deviate from the recommendations they give you regarding how to treat any condition you might have. Bitter kola does have properties that can support the treatment of many illnesses as well as the prevention of others; however, no dietary supplement can replace the advice of a qualified medical professional.
CONCLUSION
Bitter kola has enormous health benefits in addition to nutritive benefits that could be explored by adding it to the diets of both humans and animals. These benefits include the potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.
The historical beliefs associated with this plant, such as its ability to ward off evil spirits, along with its other potential applications in medicine, have been used to interpret the plant’s traditional applications (eg treating cough, relieving stomach cramps, etc).
Based on the information that has been gathered about bitter kola, one can draw the conclusion that it is a plant that is not only healthy but also profitable and native to the area. Additionally, it is a plant that is highly underutilized and ought to be used for the medicinal values that it possesses in order to alleviate this illness.
