Health benefits of njangsa (akpi)

Discover the health benefits of njangsa seeds.

The Njangsa in Cameroon or akpi in Ivory Coast, okhuen Nigeria munguella Angola bofeko DRC kishongo Uganda wama in Ghana is an almond after the Ricinodendron e st a plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family with a single main species known as Ricinodendron heudelotii (Njangsa).

Ricinodendron heudelotii is a fast growing tree native to Africa These seeds are widely used in cooking in West and Central Africa.

Pounded or crushed, and incorporated into various preparations such as soups, fish and meat, they play the role of aroma and thickener.

A plant of great importance but still underutilized

Nutritional value

The dry seeds of Ricinodendron heudelotii contain on average per 100 g: Water 6 g, energy 2200 kJ (530 kcal), protein 21 g, fat 43 g, carbohydrate 23 g, Ca 611 mg, P 926 mg, Fe 0.4 mg, thiamine 10 μg, traces of riboflavin and niacin (Leung, Busson & Jardin, 1968).

Ricinodendron heudelotii almonds are also rich in phosphorus and potassium. Some sources indicate a fat content of up to 60%.

This fat is pale yellow and liquid, but a little viscous at room temperature.

Its fatty acid composition is as follows: palmitic acid 6–10%, stearic acid 6–7%, oleic acid 7–9%, linoleic acid 28–36%, α-eleostearic acid 30–51%.

Health Benefits of Njangsa seeds

Below are the amazing health benefits of njangsa seeds :

Laxative

The roots or bark of the njangsa tree can be mixed with salt and bush pepper, which is used as a laxative.

The laxative helps stimulate the evacuation of fecal waste from the intestines, so the latex and leaves of this tree can be used as a strong purgative.

Treatment of edema

The bark can be decocted and used to treat edema. The decoction can be applied as a lotion or used in the bath to relieve swelling in the legs and ankles.

Njangsa bark can be crushed, reheated and then used to treat elephantiasis.

Treatment of anemia

The bark can be loosened and used to treat anemia.

Anemia is a health problem characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

To control anemia, the bark of the njangsa tree can be boiled with Eremomastax.

Treatment of gonorrhea

Studies show that the bark of the njangsa tree can be decocted and used to treat gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea is a disease characterized by excessive discharge of watery mucus from the urethra or vagina.

Treating diarrhea

The bark or a combination of the root and bark of njangsa can be infused and used to treat diarrhea. This infusion can also be used to relieve or prevent dysentery.

Strengthens premature babies

Some countries use a decoction of the bark of the njangsa tree as a lotion and bath tonic to strengthen premature babies and children with rickets.

Treatment of Cough

Njangsa tree bark extracts can be used to prepare herbal medicines to treat coughs, catarrhs and colds.

Antidote Ricinodendron heudelotii tree bark extracts can be used as an antidote to neutralize poisons. The extracts contain lupeol.

Treatment of rheumatism

A decoction of the bark of the njangsa tree can be used to treat rheumatism.

Healing Properties

The stem and bark of the njangsa tree can be decocted and used to wash, treat and heal wounds.

Treatment of Infertility

Njangsa tree bark can be used in combination with herbs to treat infertility.

Treatment of sexual problems

Njangsa tree bark can be decocted and used to treat sexual problems, menstruation pain, and childbirth pain.

Destruction of worms

Its liquor bark can be used to destroy and expel worms that could prevent women from conceiving. The latex and leaves can be used for extracting guinea worm.

Stimulates Appetite

Njangsang seeds used in soups also stimulate appetite.

Treatment of gonorrhea

The bark can be used to prepare herbal medicines for the treatment of gonorrhea.

Prevents Miscarriage

An infusion of the bark of this herb can be used by pregnant women to prevent miscarriages.

Treating Baby Fever

Njangsa seeds can be crushed and combined with palm kernel oil to form a lotion that can be rubbed onto baby’s sweet spot affected by fever.

Relieves pain before childbirth

The bark can be infused and used by pregnant women to relieve pain in childbirth. The bark can be decocted and taken by new mothers to relieve an upset stomach after childbirth.

Treatment of venereal disease

The bark and root of the Ricinodendron tree can be decocted and used to treat venereal disease.

Aphrodisiac Properties

Njangsa roots are aphrodisiac in nature and therefore can be taken to stimulate sexual desire.

Uses of Njangsa

•Shade: Njangsa Tree provides shade for crops in farmland. The tree also provides shade for humans and livestock.

•Acts as natural manure: Njangsa can be used as a natural fertilizer to improve the soil because the roots are populated with mycorrhizae.

Mycorrhizae are fungi that develop in connection with the roots of a plant in a symbiotic or pathogenic manner.

The bark, leaves, stems, antlers and fruits of the njangsa tree can both be used as natural fertilizers.

•Hunting: Fallen njangsa fruit attracts animals, and hunters use the tree to guide the animals in their game.

•Building purposes: The light white wood of Ricinodendron heudelotii can be used as plywood for building and building things.

The wood can be used to make toys, cutlery, etc. Wood can also be used for electrical insulation. Wood can be carved into plates, spoons, bowls, ladles, pestles, mortars, platters and stools.

•Local Musical Instruments: Njangsa seeds can be used as rattles to generate musical sounds.

•Local game: The seeds, normally called okwe or songo, are used by villagers to play local games.

•Fermentation of palm wine: The bark of Njangsa trees can be dried and used for the fermentation of palm wine.

•Firewood Purposes: Wood can be felled, allowed to dry and then used as firewood for cooking food.

•Oil production Pods and seeds can be turned into oil.

•Soap production: Oil processed from the dried kernels and wood ash of the burnt njangsa tree is suitable for making soap.

•Salt Alternative: The wood ash of the njangsa tree can be used as cooking salt.

•Varnishing: The wood ashes of a burnt njangsa and an oil from the dried almonds can be used in the production of varnish.

Njangsa recipe

Here is the recipe for triggering ovulation in a woman who is not having children:

1) – PREPARATION

A handful of AKPI

7 African long peppers

Crush everything dry then add to 1 liter of lukewarm water! Let cool completely, and filter.

2) – DOSAGE

Cool down at the time of the purge!

1 pear each after 1 day (from the 4th day of the cycle until the day of ovulation)

Tip: leave the product in the stomach the longest, you can keep the product in a bottle in a cool place and cool down each time you want to use.

We hope the article on the health benefits of njangsa (akpi) has been of help to you.