Spices, cooking condiments : How they ensure good health

By Sade Oguntola - updated: Thursday 02-07-2009

Ginger & GarlicSpices and condiments are products of plants, which are mostly used for seasoning, flavouring and thus enhancing the taste of foods, beverages and drugs. In the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, many of the spices and condiments are collected from the wild. These spices and their herbs are used generally to prepare “pepper soups” which may be taken hot or cold, especially during the cold and rainy seasons. In many communities, these spices are particularly very important in the diets of women that have just delivered babies as an aid to the contraction of the womb.

Records on how these spices and condiments are used to ensure healthy living in many parts of Nigeria are very scanty. However, an effort at documenting their uses was given a boost by scientists from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt. These were Dr. B. C Ndukwu and Dr. N.B. Ben-Nwadibia in a study entitled, “Ethnomedicinal aspects of Plants used as spices and condiments in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria”.

The studies, which involved field trips and surveys in different parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, which constitute the central axis of the Niger Delta area, revealed that a total of 23 plant species are used as spices and condiments.

From questionnaire administered to local herbalists, older household heads and women, the researchers found that a pepper fruit that is called ako in Benin; nmimi in Igbo and igberi in Yoruba was used in the treatment of cough, fever and to improve appetite.

Its leaves and fruits are chewed for cough and to enhance appetite. Decoction of the fresh leaves is mixed with those of mango leaves to treat fever. The stem bark, fruits, seeds and roots of African or guinea pepper referred to as atta in Igbo; and eeru in Yoruba, the study found was used in the treatment of stomach aches, dysentery, ulcers, fever, cancer, bronchitis, weakness, fever and rheumatism.

Fruit extract or decoction of the bark of African pepper is taken for the treatment of bronchitis and dysenteric conditions; and also as a medicine for febrile pains. The powdered root is used as a dressing for sores and in the local treatment of cancer. Powdered bark is dusted onto wounds to enhance healing. The decoction of the leaves and roots is often mixed with salt to cure constipation. The fruit extract is also used to aid conception and as a treatment for round worm infestation.

The relished basil plant leaves is used in preparing pepper soup that many nursing mothers found useful in preventing children from convulsing. Basil plant, also referred to as Esewon in Edo land, nchanwu in Igbo and Efinrin-wewe in Yoruba, is used to cure cough, catarrh, cold, fever, chest pains, expel worms and diarrhea. Others are earache, ringworm, nose bleeding and relief of pains of the colon.

Leaves are chopped up and eaten to reduce high body temperature. A paste of the leaves is applied topically against ringworm and skin diseases. Seed infusion is prepared to treat gonorrhea, urinary infections, diarrhoea and dysentery.

The leaves and fruits of thyme, the survey found were used as worm expellers, cough treatment, ensure sound sleep and good urine production (diuretic).

The stem bark and fruit pod of Tetrapleura tetraptera referred to as Ighimiakia in Bini; Oshosho in Igbo and aridan in Yoruba, helps with health problems such as flatulence, fever, convulsions, bone fractures, rheumatism, and gonorrhea.

Similarly, onion is used in treating asthma. Its leaves was said to be used for convulsion, ulcers, cough, cold and skin infections. Onion bulb serves as a stimulant and expectorant. Generally, it is usually crushed and its juice used against skin infections and insect bites. The roasted onion or its compress is used as poultice for tumours, ulcers, earaches and piles. Juice of onion is mixed with honey in the treatment of asthma, cough and hypotension.

Prescription in the community for such medical conditions such as fevers, cough, constipation, asthma, hypertension, ulcers and skin diseases as well as worm problem included the use of garlic , that in referred to in Igbo as ayuu and ayu in Yoruba.

The juice of the bulb is given as eardrops against earaches. A cold infusion serves as a body wash for infants as protection against chills. The bulb also serves as effective remedy for hypertension, muscular pain and sore eyes. Its powdered form is applied as a dressing on wounds and skin infections such as rashes.

The seeds of nutmeg, the survey found, are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and rheumatic pains. The fruits and leaves of Piper guineensis, which is commonly referred to as climbing black pepper or Benin pepper was commonly used for cases of vomiting, worm infestation, tonsillitis, rheumatism and stomach aches. Black pepper is called ozeza in Igbo and ata-iyere in Yoruba.

Another variety of black pepper called scientifically Piper nigrum was used in the treatment of diarrhoea, cholera, piles, urinary problems, indigestion, boils, toothaches, headaches and rheumatism.

Different parts of the Curry leaf were said to be used for diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, fevers, herpes and bruises, pains from child delivery. The leaves are eaten against diarrhoea and dysentery while infusion of the leaves stops vomiting. A decoction of the leaves mixed with bitter kola treats fever. The poultice of the leaves when applied to boils and bruises brings relief. The Benin people in particular use the soup made from its leaves, some other local spices and crayfish against herpes infections and relieving pains after childbirth.

Alligator pepper, which in Igbo is referred to as Ose oji or as atare in Yoruba has many uses — worm expeller, chicken pox, catarrh, congested chest, fractures, hypertension and cholera. The powdered rhizome with table salt is specially given for round worms. The decoction of the leaves is used for chicken pox. When the decoction of the leaves is mixed with leaves of lime, lemon grass and mango, it is used as remedy for catarrh while the steam from the decoction is inhaled for congested chest.

Ginger, that is commonly called jinja in Igbo and atale in Yoruba, many use in conditions such as toothache, blocked nose, cough, colds, influenza and flu, asthma, stomach problems, rheumatism, piles, hepatitis and liver problems.

Raw ginger is often chewed as a stimulant, relief of congested or blocked nostrils and toothaches. Decoction of the rhizome is used as a cough mixture. Ginger tea is commonly taken against coughs, colds and flu.

There is ample evidence that increasing numbers of people across various parts of the world depend on traditional herbal remedies for their health care. The local uses of plants and plant products in health care are even much higher in those areas with little or no access to modern health services.

With the studies further supporting the use of spices and condiments in the treatment and management of many diseases, the scientists said it was obvious that the indigenous people value them more for their medicinal uses than for spicing foods. For instance, ginger is more valued for its treatment of coughs, asthma, colds and hypertension than as a condiment. The use of preparations of African pepper, Benin pepper, black pepper and curry leaf in taking care of women, as a restorative soup after childbirth, is certainly of more value than as a mere seasoning or flavouring agent.