Bitter Kola Health Benefit for Glaucoma

Bitter Kola Health Benefit for Glaucoma (Eye Pressure)

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

Bitter Kola Health Benefit for HIV

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 told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that bitter 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 antibacterial, detoxification, and cleansing properties”, she said.

Mrs Chinyere Nwokeke 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.

Bitter Kola Health Benefit for Cold

Bitter kola is often used to treat the symptoms of colds. It is suggested, in particular, for coughs and sneezing.

Bitter Kola Benefit for Male Fertility (Impotence) 

Garcinia kola, also called bitter kola is sometimes believed to cure impotence. Frequent taking of bitter kola boosts man performance in bed with a woman.

Bitter Kola Benefit for Immune System

Bitter kola is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be used to prevent infections and viruses, especially in relation to the immune system.

Bitter Kola Benefit for Food Poisoning

In many rural areas of Nigeria (and other parts of Africa), when food is suspected to be contaminated by bacteria or someone accidentally eats food poison, traditional healers often recommend the mastication of bitter kola immediately after eating. This usually prevent the development of any infection or poisoning. Herbalists even recommend 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”.

Bitter kola is not only anti-poison, it also has the ability to repel evil spirits according to traditional beliefs. Though it sound superstitious, many (including I) believe it works and have spiritual benefits.

In conclusion, bitter kola (garcinia kola)  have for centuries been used in African culture for both traditional and medicinal purposes. Garcinia kola contains saponin, kolaviron (a natural biflavonoid), dimeric flavonoid, and lipase inhibitor all of which is believed to have many healing properties. Further more, it has shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties for treatment of several ailments.

In Nigeria (West Africa), bitter kola is known as Agbilu or Aki ilu in Igboland, Orogbo in Yorubaland, and Namijin goro in Hausaland. What do you call bitter kola in your native language or country? And do you know of any other health benefits of bitter kola (garcinia kola)?

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