Bitter kola also is known as Garcinia kola, is a multipurpose tree found mostly in the tropical rain forest region of central and west Africa.
This highly sourced species is called “wonder plant” because every part of it such as the seeds, stem, and leaves has been used for medicinal purposes over decades.
One study found that Garcinia kola acts as anti-bacteria, anti-virus, and provides protection against cancer among other diseases.
The most valued product of the tree is the seeds, which are commonly chewed by rural and urban populations of the African region to avoid and treat gastric problems.
Garcinia kola has several health benefits including curing a good number of sicknesses.
What sickness does bitter kola cure?
There is vast evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as an alternative medicine to treat and cure severe diseases or ailments such as…
1. Diabetes
The effect of garcinia kola on diabetes is quite astounding. Findings have it that bitter kola can regulate blood sugar levels in the blood by reducing and normalizing it.
Consuming bitter kola seed significantly ameliorates hyperglycemia-mediated damage by decreasing the blood glucose level, enhancing the antioxidant system, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and improving complications of diabetes mellitus.
2. Malaria
Over the years, traditional healers have been recommending bitter kola to their patients as a treatment to some ailments of which malaria is inclusive.
Experimental studies backed up this fact in their finding that the chemical constituents in bitter kola have anti-malaria properties and can do wonders if two or three(with some water) of the seeds are chewed when signs arise.
3. Weak immune system
Bitter kola has a high amount of antioxidants. This high amount of antioxidants found in bitter kola does not only help fight bacteria and other illnesses, but it also helps the body to increase its immunity levels.
Also, when the immunity level of the body is increased, it becomes strong enough to fight against any foreign contaminant.
4. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, causing a gradual loss of sight. Glaucoma could result in permanent blindness if left untreated.
However, garcinia kola has been found to be an amazing remedy for this ailment. Study recommends eating Bitter kola at least twice a day to ease eye pressure.
5. Osteoarthritis
It has been observed that many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain relievers and medications.
Studies where made and the researchers found that there is a positive effect of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms. It significantly reduced inflammation and pain while increasing joint movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms.
6. Helps to keep snakes away
Snakes could pose a serious health concern especially when they are creeping around the house and compound when you have children around.
One effective method is using grinded bitter kola and maize to eradicate snakes from around the neighborhood. It doesn’t matter the species, kind or size of the snake, just grind the bitter kola and mix it up with grinded maize and spread it around the house
7. Food poison
Bitter kola is anti-poisonous in nature, being that it helps in the prevention of bacterial infection caused as a result of food poisoning. The bark and seed of Garcinia kola when eaten together helps in the detoxification of the human system especially in the cases of food poisoning.
It is recommendable to chew bitter kola immediately after eating contaminated food or suspected contaminated food.
8. Sore throat
Bitter kola seeds can be chewed to clear a sore throat and throat hoarseness. Bitter kola clears the throat by boosting mucus production along the vocal tube lining, which helps to soften the dry throat.
