STAYING HEALTHY THE NATURAL WAY: GARCINIA COLA

STAYING HEALTHY THE NATURAL WAY: GARCINIA Cola, popularly called bitter kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be efficacious in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Bitter kola is found in the tropical rain region and given different names in Nigeria. It is known as Orogbo in Yorubland, Namijin-goro among Hausa, Akuilu in Igboland.A researcher with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Mrs. Chinyere Nwokeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the kola could be used in treating opportunistic infections associated with HIV.Bitter kola "is highly recommended in the treatment of HIV and AIDS because of its anti-bacterial, detoxification and cleansing properties," she said.She 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."It is also very effective in the treatment of cough, diarrhoea, tuberculosis and other bacterial infections."When food is suspected to be contaminated by bacteria, chew bitter kola immediately after, it will forestall the development of any infection or poisoning," she added.Nwokeke said that in the past, the kola was eaten mostly by the elderly because of their belief that it could prolong life."Actually 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. "Bitter kola is anti- poison too, it has the ability to repel evil men and spirits, it could sound superstitious but it works, she said.The naturalist 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.""It can also be used to repel snakes for those who live in areas that are prone to snakes," she said.She also said that bitter kola could be used in the treatment of breast cancer as it has anti-cancerous effect.For children, when ground and mixed with honey, bitter kola could be used in the treatment of measles and mumps, it should be taken orally and also applied externally in the case of mumps," she said.Nwokeke also revealed the efficacy of the bitter kola in vomiting for both children and adults."It can be used to clear coarse voice, it clears the voice by stimulating the production of mucus along the lining of the vocal tube which softens the dry throat," she added.She also revealed that the body craves for bitter foods from time to time. "Nature advocates a balance in everything, when sweet foods are eaten in excess, the body tends to be more acidic, in order to balance this, bitter foods should be eaten occasionally.""The body is at its optimum health when it is slightly alkaline