Nigeria is blessed with many natural foods and herbs, bountiful enough to feed the entire country for decades without depleting. It’s no wonder many of us always turn to herbal and natural remedies when we have any minor health issue. As much as some of these natural remedies are helpful, some of them can be harmful when ingested wrongly.
Nigeria is blessed with many natural foods and herbs, bountiful enough to feed the entire country for decades without depleting. It’s no wonder many of us always turn to herbal and natural remedies when we have any minor health issue. As much as some of these natural remedies are helpful, some of them can be harmful when ingested wrongly.
One of the many plants that can only be found in West Africa mainly in Nigeria, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ghana is the alligator pepper. This popular plant is a powerhouse for both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components. The fruit is obtained from a plant that grows mostly in the swampy areas of Nigeria. Alligator pepper got its name from the look of its skin when it is Peeled. When you break the fruit, the real magic is inside the dry alligator-looking pod- The black seed.
This alligator pepper seed is usually ground or blended with the rough pod to create a medicinal spice with tons of health benefits not many know about. If you’ve been sleeping on the many benefits of this super plant, here are some reasons why you should wake up and start incorporating alligator pepper into your daily food intake.
The seeds of alligator peppers are rich in phytonutrients like alkaloids, tannin, glucosides, and saponin. These phytonutrients work in the body to protect it from viruses, microbes, allergens, and hepatotoxins. In essence, when combined with other foods rich in vitamins it boosts your immune system.
Alligator pepper comes from the ginger plant family, so it contains a high level of gingerol. A compound that inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotriene. Both chemicals play a key role in the regulation of inflammation, causing fevers, asthma, and some allergic reactions.
The seeds are very easy to break down in the body so they aid the digestion of food and prevention of bloating after eating.
Alligator pepper is a natural aphrodisiac with the ability to improve men’s desire for sex. The stimulating abilities of alligator pepper make it a great help for boosting men's libido. Consumption of the plant by no means removes erectile dysfunction. If you have symptoms of erectile dysfunction please consult a doctor before concluding and consuming herbal remedies that haven’t been medically tried and tested.
Alligator pepper is very spicy and it definitely registers its presence when consumed. The regular use of this spice helps to stimulate the nerve endings on your skin and increases a woman's sensitivity to touch during intimate sessions like sex.
Fibroids are tumors that grow within the walls of a woman's uterus. Fibroids can cause infertility and other health issues when they are not handled early. Two hormones can be blamed for the growth of fibroids- Estrogen and Progesterone. These two hormones work to develop the uterus walls, so when there is an imbalance or overproduction of them, fibroids occur.
Because of its aphrodisiac properties, alligator pepper may help with regularizing the production of these hormones but it doesn't by any means melt away growths that are already there. If you notice any abnormal pain in the abdomen area and heavy period flow, you should see a doctor.
Although there are not many known side effects, alligator pepper has been confirmed to affect pregnant and lactating mothers. An experiment carried out in 2009, showed that continued intake of alligator pepper in pregnant rats led to the termination of their pregnancies in the first trimester. Although the immune system of rats is weaker than that of humans, this is an absolutely worthy thing to note.
Pregnant women should consume alligator pepper with caution and in little quantities. Another thing to note is that the level of prolactin secretion drops when there is a constant intake of alligator pepper in lactating mothers. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates the production of milk in nursing mothers after childbirth. Lack of prolactin can lead to a halt in the release of breast milk, which is very bad for the baby. If this happens at any time, whether because of alligator pepper or not, consult a doctor Immediately to be sure about what to do and how to treat it.
The best way to use alligator pepper is to eat it in different foods. In Nigeria especially it is used to make sweet pepper soup, porridge, and native soups. The use of Alligator pepper should not be substituted for regular medical checkups and the use of prescribed drugs. Regular consumption of this powerful plant will help promote a healthy living lifestyle. If you notice any minor things wrong with your health, the best thing to do would be to consult your doctor, and not eat pepper soup or foods with alligator pepper. Just as there are many benefits, there can also be negative effects like ulcers when the alligator pepper is consumed in its raw form.
Please Note: Herbal remedies should not substitute for a healthy medical checkup. Alligator pepper is not a cure for any medical disease or condition.
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