Eight nutritional benefits of guinea pepper or selim pepper
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
- Author, Isidore Kouwonou
- Role, BBC Afrique
- Read am in 4 mins
Dem dey call am Guilé for Pular or Peuhl (Guinea), kpédjélékoun for Fon (Benin), ésso or atakou for Mina (Togo), aarun for Yoruba or Nago (Nigeria), jar for Wolof (Senegal), guinea pepper, selim pepper or African pepper get many names depending on di region.
In English, e dey known as African pepper.
As well as being known for di nutritional value and exceptional benefits for di human body, according to Togolese dietary-phytotherapist Dr Mathieu Tobossi, dis plant also dey known for di spiritual virtues, wey some African traditional therapists dey hail.
Dis na eight essential qualities of guinea pepper or selim pepper.
Benefits of Guinea pepper or Selim pepper
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
Guinea pepper get many medicinal virtues and culinary qualities wey make am a valuable and versatile spice according to sabi pipo.
With di scientific name Xylopia aethiopica, e dey made up of both seeds wey dey inside a long, thin, blackish, bumpy pod 3 to 5 cm long wey resemble a bean, as di nutritionist describe am.
E add say e get a woody smell and ogbonge flavour, and di seeds and pods dey inseparable. Dis na some of di benefits of dis spice.
- Na source of antioxidants: For guinea pepper, dis antioxidants, according to di nutritionist, na essential compounds wey dey help to prevent premature cell ageing and reduce di risk of chronic diseases.
- E dey also act as an immune system booster: Dr Tobossi indicate say di nutritious composition of essential vitamins and minerals dey strengthen di immune system, and e dey help to prevent infections and maintain optimum health. In times of flu or colds, e advise say adding dis spice into di diet fit offer extra protection.
- E also act as a mental relaxant: di compounds inside Guinea pepper fit also help to reduce stress and anxiety and so e get a positive effect on psychological well-being, according to di doctor. “E dey promote a state of relaxation and calm. Guinea pepper fit improve your mood and your overall mental health", na so di dietary therapist tok.
- Na friend of di digestive system: dis spice dey stimulate di production of gastric juices and digestive enzymes, wey go make you get more appetite and relieve digestive problems such as bloating, flatulence and indigestion.
- E get anti-inflammatory properties: Selim pepper or guinea pepper contain compounds with powerful natural anti-inflammatory effects and dem dey use am to relieve joint and muscle pain.
- With di stimulating and 'waking-up' effect, guinea pepper dey recommended for general toning up, and e sometimes dey used as aphrodisiac.
- Anoda metabolism booster: as well as improving digestion, guinea pepper fit stimulate di metabolism. Di active compounds dey increase thermogenesis, wey dey help di body to burn more calories, and e make am particularly beneficial to maintain a healthy weight.
- Guinea pepper also dey used for respiratory problems: e be spice wey dey relieve respiratory ailments such as coughs, colds or bronchitis, depending on di doctor. E fit dey prepared as a decoction or dem fit inhale am.
Reproduction in women
Wia dis foto come from, Dr Mathieu Tobossi
Guinea pepper or selim pepper dey play a very important role in female reproduction. Dr Mathieu Tobossi point out say, especially for Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon, dem dey combine am with Akpi seeds or djanssang and di 4-sided fruit to boost ovulation in women.
End of Di one wey oda users dey read well well
Mixing dis three spices in a drink dey help women wey get difficulty conceiving to increase dia chances of having a child.
"Personally, I dey use clove to help unblock women fallopian tubes and also to deal with problems such as ovarian cysts, cervical mucus and certain intimate odours," na so Dr Tobossi, a hygienist and nutritionist tok.
A note of caution from doctor
E get some precautions wey suppose dey taken wen using guinea pepper. Dis na becos say na spice wey pesin go take in moderation, becos di taste dey strong and spicy, according to di nutritionist.
Pesin also need to be careful not to use am in large doses on pregnant or breast-feeding women without di advice of a doctor or specialist.
Dr Mathieu Tobossi also point out say guinea pepper fit interact with certain treatments (notably anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant drugs).
"Weda na for di antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive, fertilising, metabolic, immune or mental properties, dis African spice deserve a place of honour in your cooking", na so di doctor conclude.
But di warning dey to use am wit caution and advise of doctor or specialist.
Dis tori no be substitute for medical examination specialist. Please always consult a doctor or specialist for advise on health issues .
