5 Herbs/Plants Nigerians Believe Can Cure Anything

News flash, guys! We (millennials, that is) are steadily approaching that age where it feels like everything has too much sugar. Have you noticed that whenever you ‘mistakenly’ take a lot of sweets or sugary things, you subconsciously try to take something bitter to ‘neutralize’ the sugar.?

We’re slowly getting to the age where we tell someone who offers us soda that we’d rather have water because the sugar in soda is too much. (Aproko doctor would be so proud.) 

Guys, we’ll soon be at the age where we take herbs because we were told it has some health benefit or the other. This is something that our parents would force us to take with cane in hand and a frowning face when we were still kids. I remember how I would cry like my life was about to end because it was so bitter.  Do you remember the face you made after swallowing those bitter herbs? 😂

Let’s highlight 5 of those Nigerian herbs/plants our parents swore could cure all maladies. Read on!

Dogoyaro

What do you call a tall person in Hausa? Dogo!🤭 Short people will not laugh because they can’t relate.

Dogoyaro, also known as Neem is said to have benefits which include controlling blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, treating skin conditions like eczema, treating wounds and infections.

The leaves, barks and seeds of the dogoyaro tree are rich in nutrients and active compounds, which may account for its health benefits. 

It is widely found in northern Nigeria with millions of trees planted across Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger and Nasarawa states to control desertification.

Bitter Kola (An international Nigerian herb)

The Bitter Kola is the bitter leaf juice’s first cousin. My question is, does the criteria for a herb or plant to have a healing effect have to include bitterness? Because why does something that’s supposed to cure you taste like something that can kill? I rest my case.

Some of the health benefits of bitter kola include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, boosting the immune system, reducing fever and other symptoms of malaria, treating stomach ulcers and digestive problems (remember when Meek Mill confirmed this?) lowering blood sugar levels, treating coughs and colds.

No wonder there is a high demand for it in many countries. It has a very high export rate in Nigeria.

Did you know that Coca-Cola got its name from the bitter kola tree? The bitter kola plant featured in some of the first recipes for Coca-Cola.

Gbogbonise (The ultimate Nigerian herb)

Gbogbonise is the Alpha and Omega of Nigerian herbs believed to cure everything and anything. In fact, gbogbonise is the starter pack to becoming an Alagbo!

The Gbogbonise remedy contains a variety of plant and animal ingredients. They can be boiled with water or soaked with alcohol (dry gin). They are typically sold in small bottles. Some even require you to mix them with pap before consuming. 

This Nigerian herb is treats ailments such as stomach ache, headache, rheumatism, sores, cuts, snake bites, scorpion bites, cough, piles, chest pain, convulsion etc.

Can it cure our failing economy too? Asking for a friend.

Hospital Too Far

The nickname of this Nigerian herb should be ‘standing on business’. Talking about going to the hospital? Nah, miss me with that, says this plant. This popular Nigerian herb is who it thinks it is. It is also known as ugu oyibo, efo iyana ipaja, Catholic vegetable, Chaya leaf and tree spinach.

It can prevent varicose veins, haemorrhoids, osteoporosis, headaches, anaemia, and other serious diseases. This Nigerian herb also serves as an immune system boosting agent. It enhances vision, prevents cancer, diabetes and heart diseases amongst other benefits.

Could it cure COVID as well? WHO, that’s your cue. Please do the needful.

Other than being used as a herbal remedy, it could be added as a vegetable when cooking soups. You can also use it as an ornamental plant. 

Bitter Leaf Juice

Don’t be deceived. The word ‘juice’ in it’s name doesn’t mean it is sweet. Far from it! The bad memories of my childhood include drinking this atrocity under duress. I believe that if bitterness was a person, even they would refuse to drink Bitter Leaf juice. 

Experts claim that bitter leaf juice serves as a tonic to treat a variety of ailments and maladies. These include emesis, nausea, diabetes, anorexia, diarrhea, dysentery and other gastrointestinal tract issues.

You could easily make bitter leaf juice at home. Simply blend or squeeze fresh Bitter leaf like smoothies and drink the juice. You can also boil it and drink as tea. Or pound the fresh leaves in a mortar and squeeze out the juice.

Some of you already have most of these Nigerian herb in your homes and even take them regularly. You know yourselves. All that is left now is to draw their colorful makeup on your face and gbam, Sisi Alagbos in the making! 

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