African Herbs 🌿 story: Part 1 Common herbs in our midst of high value

Ginger Source Pixabay

The first herb we are going to be talking about is called Ginger (Zingiber officinale). This is a wonderful plant commonly used a spice that originated from the Indian subcontinent and southern Asia. Ginger is usually consume by lots of Asians, Europe and lastly Africans. This particular herb became popular because of its characteristic taste and effect. Its fragrance and flavor is as a result of the presence of volatile oils that are present.
Medicinal uses of Ginger includes the following

1. Reduces constipation and indigestion
2. Nausea and morning sickness
3. It reduces joints pains and stiffness because of its anti-inflammatory potentials, it reduces the symptoms of osteoarthritis
4. Reduces menstrual pains in women, especially the powder
5. It helps in improving brain functions thus reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
   You may to make a juice out of ginger by making a ginger tea, its such a lovely drink in

Garlic also known as Allium sativum is a close relative of onion in shape and looks but this wonder plant has been known to ancient Egyptians for thousand of years as food flavoring and also for its medicinal effect. Although garlic is originally a native of central Asia, it’s use is found at a global level. Egypt in Africa is Garlic fourth producing countries in the world while China and India are first and second respectively.

Garlic Source

Garlic is a strong anticancer agent, specifically stomach cancer. This is a well proven study as well as it’s ability to reduce prostrate cancer. Apart from anticancer effect, it is also a very strong antimicrobial agent that fights against germs and other infectious diseases. Due this effect garlic can be use as fish and meat preservatives.
One bad thing about garlic that makes people to run away from it is because it gives serious bad breathe and some people suffer allergies to garlic hence it’s use has not been favoured by many.

Our third feature for today is called Fluted pumpkin

Telfairia occidentalis Source

FLUTED PUMPKIN Telfairia occidentalis It is a typical plant that is grown in many countries in West Africa but it is specifically grown in the eastern part of Nigeria where it is normally called Ugu
Ugu is a widely accepted leaf vegetable with an inedible fruit. Another name for ugu is called fluted gourd. Apart from it's highly nutritive values, ugu is used

1. Traditionally for protection in cardiovascular disease,
2. It's juice used for treatment against malaria
3. Immune booster
4. For treating anaemia (by drinking its juice)
5. To treat sudden attack of convulsion

Pregnant women are usually advise to take this plant juice because of its medicinal values. If you really want to feel the effect of ugu as a vegetable leaf, you might want to travel to Nigeria and visit the local market ad ask for ugu or simple visit a local resturant and have a plate of Semo and ugu stew

Thank you till I come your way again, we will be talking about other herbs around us in the next series

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