Negro pepper is a spice that is typically found in Africa and South America’s savannah vegetation zone. Its botanical name is Xylopia aethiopica, and it belongs to the Annonaceae family. It is known as Uda seed in Igbo, Eeru Alamo in Yoruba, and Chimba in Hausa.
This page highlights uda seed’s nutritional content as well as its health benefits.
Nutrition
Copper, zinc, protein, camphene, manganese, alkaloids, Diter penic, Limonene, Folic acid, Flavanoid, Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E are all present in Negro Pepper (Uda Seed). The plant is claimed to contain anonaceine, an alkaloid that acts similarly to morphine. The fruit possesses rutin, a volatile aromatic oil, and a fixed oil.
10 Health Benefits
1. It contains anti-inflammatory properties
Uda seed is useful for treating inflammation, such as swelling, blisters, and discomfort. This spice includes beta-caryophyllene, which is anti-inflammatory and beneficial to people suffering from rheumatism and related ailments. Uda seed aids wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
2. It contains antioxidants
Uda seed includes a high concentration of antioxidants, which work together to help eliminate free radicals and oxidative agents in the body. This simply indicates that this spice can be utilized to successfully lower the risk/effect of malignant tumors.
Flavonoids, phenolics, limonoids, and polysaccharides are among the powerful antioxidants found in uda seed. More importantly, the aqueous extract of uda fruit has a substantial amount of phenolic compounds, which contribute to the elimination of free radicals in the body on its own.
3. It treats skin problems
Uda seeds have been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of skin disorders, including boils, itches, and skin eruptions, to mention a few. Do you have any of the aforementioned dermatological issues? Uda seed could be just what you’re looking for.
4. Relieve for respiratory diseases
According to research, the bark of the uda tree includes several powerful components that are quite beneficial in treating respiratory system ailments such as the common cold, bacterial pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.
5. Preventing and treatment of malaria
Malaria is one of the world’s most dangerous diseases, caused primarily by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitos. According to the report, more than 200 million cases of malaria are registered each year, with over 500,000 people dying as a result. Malaria symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, sweating, and coughing, to name a few.
Uda seed contains some significant antimalarial characteristics, which means it can be utilized to make a local cure to reduce the risk/effect of malaria in humans.
6. It relieves Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal disorders are diseases that affect the digestive tract [oesophagus, stomach, rectum, small and large intestine]. This includes stomach pains, IBS, dysentery, gastric ulcers, indigestion, flatulence, and other symptoms. The leaves of uda are aseptic in nature, which means they can relieve the aforementioned interior ailments.
7. Helps with weight loss
Uda seed can be quite beneficial to people who want to lose weight. This is due to the fact that this spice promotes weight loss by increasing metabolism.
8. Rheumatic disorders treatment
Rheumatic disorders, refers to conditions that cause chronic pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles, or connective tissue. If you are suffering from this condition, you will be relieved to know that the bark of the uda tree contains anti-arthritic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory characteristics that can be used to treat a variety of rheumatic conditions, including arthritic pain.
9. Abortion
Some people claim that Negro pepper has the power to induce fetal abortion in pregnant women. An aqueous extract of the Negro pepper was found to dramatically lower haemoglobin concentration, increase bleeding and clotting time, and decrease white blood cell count and mean corpuscular haemoglobin in rats in a 2015 study. This is not to say that uda seed can cause abortion.
However, the impact of Negro Pepper on pregnant women may be similar to that of alligator pepper, another abortifacient. Although there is no definite medical evidence that negro please can cause abortion.
One study, however, identified negro pepper as one of the traditional male contraceptives used in south-west Nigeria.
10. It treats Menstrual Problems
Negro pepper can be used to treat menstruation problems such as amenorrhea and PMS condition. Uda black pepper pod is used in traditional medicine to improve blood flow during menstruation.
Side Effects
- Abortion has been reported to be induced by Uda seed. However, there is no scientific evidence linking uda seed to miscarriage.
- If you are taking any drugs, consult with your doctor before consuming uda seeds.
- If you suffer nausea or dizziness after swallowing uda seed, it is advised to avoid taking it again to avoid complications.