Bitter kola is a type of nut mostly found in several parts of Nigeria and West-Central Africa as a whole and the tree grows in the (tropical) rain forests. Its biological name is “Garcinia kola” and belongs to the family of “Guittiferal”. Bitter Kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be effective in the treatment of many diseases. The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the tropical tree have been used for centuries in traditional medicines to treat many forms of ailments.
The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever. According to a report from the Center For International Forestry Research, Garcinia kola trade is still important to the tribes and villages in Nigeria. Listed below, are the benefits of this nut...
Bitter Kola Improves Lung Functions
Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) has been used for centuries to treat chest colds in traditional medicine, but research has taken a look and found out why it is effective. A study in the 2009 issue of The Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine, performed on mice, reports that Garcinia kola improved respiratory function after 28 days of use of a Garcinia extract. Written by Simon Adekunle of the Ekiti State University in Nigeria, the study shows that Garcinia kola works by dilating the alveolar ducts and sacs in the lungs by improving the strength of the fibers in the lung tissue. Bitter kola’s beneficial lung properties are attributed to its high antioxidant content.
Bitter
Kola Health Benefit for Malaria
Considerable
experimental studies found the chemical constituents in bitter kola have
anti-malaria properties. That aside, traditional healers have for many years
prescribed bitter kola for the treatment of malaria
infections. Researchers who reported that bitter kola had anti-malaria effect
in the 2010 issue of Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, from a survey of
plants used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
attributed this to its quinones content.
Bitter
Kola Health Benefit for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is
the most common form of arthritis, characterized by pain, inflammation and
limited movement in the joints, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Causes of osteoarthritis can include joint injury, obesity and aging. Since
many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain
relievers and medications, researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria
tested the effects of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms. The results of
the study, written by Olayinka O. Adegbehingbe and published in the July 2008
issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, conclude that
Garcinia kola significantly reduced inflammation and pain and increased joint
movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms. It is believed that
Garcinia kola works well as a result of its antioxidant properties.
The side effects
reported from the Garcinia kola use in this study were “weight loss”, “increase
in sex drive” and “extended sleep” which many considered helpful to meet their
individual and marital demands.
Bitter
Kola Health Benefit for Glaucoma (Eye Pressure)
An
increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, according to a report from The
New York Times Health Guide. Researchers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital
in Nigeria tested the effectiveness of eye drops that contained 0.5 percent
extract of Garcinia kola. The results of their study, published in the January
2010 issue of Middle East African Journal of Opthamology, showed that the
opthamolic solution that contained the Garcinia significantly reduced eye
pressure when used twice a day.
Bitter
Kola Health Benefit for HIV
Bitter
kola is a potent antibiotic which could be efficacious in the treatment of HIV
and AIDS. A researcher with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency
(NNMDA), Mrs. Chinyere Nwokeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
that bitter kola could be used in treating opportunistic infections associated
with HIV. “Bitter kola is highly recommended in the treatment of HIV and AIDS
because of its antibacterial, detoxification, and cleansing properties”, she said.
Mrs
Chinyere Nwokeke also said that the chemical Saponin in bitter kola is
responsible for its cleansing effect. Saponin is mainly used as tonic for the liver;
it enhances the functions of the liver and gall bladder.
Bitter
Kola Health Benefit for Cold
Bitter
kola is often used to treat the symptoms of colds. It is suggested, in
particular, for coughs and sneezing.
Bitter
Kola Benefit for Male Fertility (Impotence)
Garcinia
kola, also called bitter kola is sometimes believed to cure impotence. Frequent
taking of bitter kola boosts man performance in bed with a woman.
Bitter
Kola Benefit for Immune System
Bitter
kola is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be
used to prevent infections and viruses, especially in relation to the immune
system.
Bitter
Kola Benefit for Food Poisoning
In
many rural areas of Nigeria (and other parts of Africa), when food is suspected
to be contaminated by bacteria or someone accidentally eats food poison,
traditional healers often recommend the mastication of bitter kola immediately
after eating. This usually prevent the development of any infection or
poisoning. Herbalists even recommend the seed and the bark of bitter kola
should be eaten together in cases where food poisoning is suspected, “it
helps to detoxify the system“.
Bitter
kola is not only anti-poison, it also
has the ability to repel evil spirits according to traditional beliefs. Though
it sound superstitious, many (myself included) believe it works and do have
spiritual benefits.
Bitter Kola Benefit for treating Ebola
#Update: It is no
surprise to me that bitter kola has been reported in Africa to be an
effective natural treatment for ebola. It should be common among
Africans to think that any immune system boosting food, fruits and nuts may be
good for alleviating and treating the symptoms of ebola.
Libido
enhancement:Impotence is
restored by increasing blood supply to the core area in men who have hardening
of the arteries. Bitter kola is the number one sexual performance medicine for
men. Few natural products can match the sexual benefits of bitter kola.
Hangover:It prevents the alcoholic induced hangover and
improving lung function.
Medical
significance: Garcinia kola is used to fight infectious diseases. It has shown to
possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
Blood
glucose lowering: The folk use
of bitter kola in the management of elevated blood sugar has been validated by
several laboratory studies. Garcinia-IHP is beneficial as a food supplement for
diabetics.
Weight
loss: Bitter kola has been shown
to be a natural hunger suppressant and also increases the urge to drink more
water.
How to use
bitter kola: It should be eaten
by removing outer brown coated skin. As the name implies it is very bitter to
eat, hence, Garcinia-IHP is encapsulated Garcinia kola, so if you
cannot handle the bitter taste of the raw seeds, you can still enjoy the
benefits that it offers to your health.
Antioxidant
property: Bitter kola contains
kolaviron, mixture of bioflavonoids, benzophenones and chromanols which
are responsible for its strong antioxidant activities. An evaluation of the
antioxidant properties of garcinoic acid (structurally similar to vitamin E)
and its congeners showed that it has a stronger antioxidant activity than
vitamin E.
Bitter
kola as an adaptogen: It is
intriguing that bioflavonoids of Garcina kola are capable of
modulating almost any physiological anomaly. The answer perhaps lies in the
role of flavonoids in the evolutionary course of human beings. Humans, over
many millennia, have adapted to a diet, which is favourable for the survival
and the flavonoid-like structures, were part of that primordialphysiological
scheme.
If you take Garcinoa-IHP
and experience diarrhea, hives, irregular heartbeat other signs of allergic
reaction, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention.
