Garcinia Kola (bitter kola) also known as African wonder nut, is a species of flowering plants belonging to the family Guttiferae and grows in coastal rain forests in the South-Western and South-Eastern parts of Nigeria, and it also can be found in some African countries, such as Cameroon, Côte de Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Gabon, and a few others.
Bitter kola is widely known for its medicinal benefits, as the seeds, nuts, and bark have been and are still being used to treat varying degree of ailments.
Bitter kola has enormous health benefits as well as nutritive benefits that could be explored by adding it to both human’s and animals’ diets.
The bitter plant, which is believed to contain a high source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron, also carry other antioxidants.
Owing to this, research was carried out by accredited institutions to find out the possible healing attributes of the bitter plant.
The results of the research are not only amazing, they’re incredible as well.
Here are some of the incredible health benefits of bitter kola:
1. Malaria treatment: Bitter kola is believed to have chemical properties that allow it to be an antimalarial catalyst. It contains Kolaviron which is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which has high antimalarial properties.
4. Prevention from glaucoma: It has been proven by a group of researchers, that constant and consistent use of an eye drop made from an extract of garcinia kola can help treat glaucoma.
5. Cold and fever remedy: By possessing the ability to enlarge the alveolar sac and duct, Bitter kola provides relief for chest cold and goes on to prevent cold altogether.
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 is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
7. Immunity: Bitter kola influences multiple regulatory systems in the body, the immune system inclusive. It enables the body to adapt to stress and also acts as an anti-infective agent.
9. Healthy lungs: Garcinia kola contains saponin which is an antioxidant. It has detoxifying and cleansing effects. This goes on to improve the function of the lungs by expanding the alveolar ducts and sacs, and as such, strengthens the fiber in the tissue of the lungs. It has favorably high antioxidant content for a healthy body.
10. Helps Pregnancy: Bitter kola contrary to what some 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, supplies strength to the expectant mother and normalizes circulation of blood also.
OTHER USES OF BITTER KOLA
11. Traditional medicine: Bitter kola is said to be anti-parasitic, anti-microbial and purgative in nature. It is used in the treatment of bronchitis, typhoid, tuberculosis, diarrhea, and bacterial infections.
12. Anti-cancerous: Bitter kola can be used in treating breast cancer as it has an anti-cancerous effect. Nature has (Atawodi et al., 2005) a cure for something incurable as well.
13. Anti-Poison: The bark and the seed when eaten together helps in detoxification of the human body during food poisoning. Saponin found in bitter kola is used as a liver tonic, assisting in the gall bladder functions because of its cleaning properties (Atawodi et al., 2005).
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