History

Bitter Kola also known as Garcinia kola is a tropical flowering plant found in western and central Africa and it produces brown, nut-like seeds. The nut which is about 3-5 cm in length has an ellipsoid shape. A brown to deep brown peel covers it. This peel is removed before it is eaten. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when it is eaten. It is this bitterness that its name is derived. It has been used in African culture for centuries for both traditional and medicinal purposes. It contains dimeric flavonoid, lipase inhibitor which is believed to have many healing benefit. bitter kola contains the high source of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, fiber, calcium, potassium and iron.

Health benefits of bitter kola

Bitter Kola was eaten mostly by the elderly people because of their belief that it could prolong life. But the truth is that researches in modern science have revealed that bitter kola contains chemical compounds that will help the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and has other medicinal uses which account for its longevity property in man.  The naturalist even said that 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”. Indeed, it really works!

#1 Male Enhancement

Garcinia kola, also called bitter kola can cure impotence. Frequent taking of bitter kola boosts a man’s performance in bed with a woman. Impotence is a malfunction in male genitals caused by a failure in maintaining an erection during a sexual intercourse. By increasing the blood flow to the genital area, bitter kola can be used as an effective remedy for ED or erectile dysfunction. For people with a low libido, bitter kola can be your savior. Bitter kola increases sex drive and improves the sexual performance of men who consume them. For increased effect, take two capsules at least 2 minutes before intercourse.

#2 Prevents and treats (Glaucoma)

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 Ophthalmology, showed that the ophthalmic solution that contained the Garcinia significantly reduced eye pressure when used twice a day.

#3 Relieves and treats Arthritis

In July 2008 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, it is revealed that Garcinia kola reduces joint inflammation and pain caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, normally caused by aging, obesity, or a joint injury. It is characterized by swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints, causing reduced movement. The antioxidant properties of bitter kola provide a significant analgesic or anti-inflammatory effects which significantly counters the effect of 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.

#4 Bitter kola and 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.

#5 Cold Remedy

Bitter kola also can be used in alleviating sore throat and as a remedy for cold symptoms. Healers in Africa has been using it to treat people coughing and sneezes for hundreds of years effectively. It also helps to relieve the sore throat effects that may come as one of the symptoms of cold.

#6 Antibiotic

Bitter Kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be effective in the treatment of many diseases.

#7 Weight Loss Treatment

Consuming bitter kola could suppress the hungry feeling and makes your body wants to drink more water. In this case, it can be used to prevent any bad eating habit such as late night snacking, binge eating, etc. and by keeping your body hydrated, improved your digestive system as well. Bitter kola is also known to reduce glucose level in your blood.

#8 No Side Effects

This might be the best feature from bitter kola plethora of benefits. Many medical experts around the world confirmed that consuming bitter kola has no side effects at all to the human body, which is amazing considering most drugs possess a negative side effect in the long run when consumed periodically. This shows that bitter kola can be used as a natural, alternative remedy to the generic drugs that are chemically manufactured.

#9 Bitter Kola and HIV/AIDS

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 said that bitter kola could be used in treating opportunistic infections associated with HIV.

She said: “Bitter kola is highly recommended in the treatment of HIV and AIDS because of its antibacterial, detoxification, and cleansing properties”. She 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.

Another importance of bitter kola is that its repels snakes. It can be used to chase snakes away. For snake prevention, spread it around the building.

It would be recalled that Nigeria’s world-renowned Professor, Maurice during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) said bitter kola could be used to prevent EVD.