Bitter Cola Nuts -½kg

Bitter kola is the common name for Garcinia kola, a medium-sized, evergreen tree native to West and Central Africa. Its seeds have a distinctive sharp, bitter taste that evolves to a slight sweetness, and are consumed raw as a stimulant or used in traditional remedies for a wide range of ailments, including digestive issues, throat infections, and malaria. The plant is also valued for its medicinal properties, with various parts like the stem, leaves, and wood used in traditional African medicine and for other applications such as tanning and making chew sticks.
 

Plant Characteristics 

• Habitat: Found in the lowland tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, preferring humid conditions.
• Tree: It's an evergreen tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall and is often grown around villages.
• Flowers: Bears male and female flowers at different times of the year.
• Fruit: Produces large, orange fruits containing the bitter kola seeds.

The Seed

Appearance:

The nuts are white, round, and smaller than other types of kola nuts, and are embedded in an orange pulp. 

Taste:

The initial taste is sharp and bitter, but it becomes sweeter as the seeds are chewed. 

Use:

Eaten raw as a stimulant and for its potential health benefits, or processed into powders for use in traditional remedies. 

Traditional Uses

Medicinal:

Used to treat various conditions, including dysentery, liver ailments, throat infections, fever, and as an aphrodisiac. 

Social:

The seeds are often chewed during social ceremonies and offered as a sign of friendship and respect to guests. 

Other:

The wood is used to make chew sticks, and the bark's resinous gum has water-proofing properties. 

Chemical Composition & Benefits

Antioxidants:

The seeds contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other compounds with antioxidant properties that help prevent cell damage. 

Stimulant:

Contains caffeine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant, improving alertness and mood. 

Pharmacological Potential:

Research suggests it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and liver-protective properties, though more clinical studies are needed.