Wanting to boost your body immunity? Try Kolanut

Kolanut occupies a unique place amongst West Africans where it is widely consumed by them and it is of particular importance in their social life and religious customs. People in the tropics of West Africa highly esteem it as a channel of blessing.

Over 125 species of kolanut tree are native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. Of these species, the most common in Nigeria are Cola nitida (Gbanja) which is of the white and red varieties; Cola acuminata (Abata) and Garcina cola (Orogbo) and Buchholzia coriacea popularly known as wonderful kola.

Kola is an important economic cash crop to a significant proportion of Nigerian population who are involved in kola farming, trading and industrial utilisation. It is highly valued for its perceived medicinal attributes which makes it a highly desired product.

In a new study, which analysed the problem and prospect of Kolanut trees, the survey documented the medicinal uses of different parts of the kolanut trees.

This review which was meant to show the attributes of Kolanut trees on how they can improve farmers’ livelihood as source of food, medicine and income was carried out by Adebayo S.A and Oladele O.I and documented in the 2012 edition of the Life Science Journal.  It was entitled: “Medicinal Values of Kolanut in Nigeria: Implication for Extension Service Delivery.”

Various parts of the trees have been used in treating many ailments, such as skin disease, black-coated tongue (Chrysophylum albidum), cough and fibroid (Garcina kola).

Kolanuts contain large amounts of caffeine and threobromine and are therefore used as a stimulant. They produce a strong state of euphoria and well being, enhance alertness and physical energy, elevate mood, increase tactile sensitivity, suppress appetite and hunger and are used as an aphrodisiac.

The caffeine in the nuts also acts as a bronchodilator, expanding the bronchial air passages, hence kolanuts are often used to treat whooping cough and asthma.

Unlike other kolanuts however, bitter kola is believed to clean the digestive system, without side effects such as abdominal problems, even when a lot of nuts are eaten.

Furthermore, scientific studies indicates that kolanut extracts are potentially useful as therapeutic agents in the control of trichomoniasis, boost immunity, elevates mood, suppresses appetite and hunger, clean digestive system and a remedy against poison.

Conversely, the survey indicates that a combined therapy of Garcinia kola (bitter kola), Vernonia amygdalina(bitter leaves) and honey is used for the treatment of fresh wounds, including wounds resulting from male circumcision and chronic ulcers.