While many people believe that there exist spiritual benefits of bitter kola, others do not. But is there any thing like spiritual benefits of bitter kola? We hope to unravel that question in this article. First, what is bitter kola and why should we be interested in the health and spiritual benefits?
Bitter kola, or popularly known as Garcinia Kola, is a plant found in Central, Eastern and Western part of Africa that has long been known for its medicinal properties. The seeds of the cola plant are mostly eaten in most parts of Africa, eventhough in Traditional African countries, all parts of the Bitter Kola plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Kola nuts arises from the evergreen kola tree, which is found in the rainforests of Africa. Inside the tree’s star-shaped are the white shell fruits, that contain the seeds or kola nuts.
Kola nut is an important cultural symbols for many ethnic groups especially in Nigeria. You can give kola-nuts to guests at traditional weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies etc, as well as in medicine. Ceremonial breaking of the kola nut is important for making people feel wlcome in a village or gathering or some set of setting in a society.
Kola seeds have a bitter flavor that eases into a slight sweetness as you chew it, and the seeds are typically eaten raw after peeling off the brown skin. Coca-kola made their first recipe using an extract from bitter kola plant. Kola nut is very good for treating infections from simple cold, sore throat to hepatitis.
It is also used for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis. It contains an essential compound known as kolaviron which is used in the treatment hypoglycemia for people suffering from diabetes type-2
In African’s culture and tradition, there’s this believe that bitter kola nut possesses some divinity and spiritual powers. The peelings of this Kola fruit is used spiritually to search for information. Some culture use it in some divination system usually known as obi divination
SPIRITUAL BENEFITS OF BITTER KOLA GLOBALLY
Longevity
Bitter kola possesses some spiritual powers of prolonging live, and that is why it is usually consumed by the elderly people
A particular statistics on this shows that elderly people who consume bitter kola have live span of between 90 to 120 years.
Curing of some chronic disease
Elderly people consume bitter kola a lot especially in the interior villages and rural areas of African continent and some Caribbean countries including Brazil , Chile and Argentina.
Studies show that the elderly between the ages of 70 to 120years who consume bitter kola have good vision. This is because bitter kola has spiritual powers of curing eye defect like long sightedness, short sightedness and astigmatism.
Bitter kola as earlier said contains Kolaviron, a major ingredient that is used for the treatment of type-2 diabetes and anthritis still because of its spiritual powers.
Antidote for food poisoning
Poisoning has been a global practice though it is prevalent especially in African continent.
The commonest type of the possioning is food poissoing where harmful or toxic material is added to food substance for the purpose of hibiting body metabolism which eventually lead to death.
Over the years, bitter kola has demonstrated its spiritual powers by serving as an antidote to food poisonning and other toxic substance.
When bitter kola is taken immediately after food poisoning, it has the ability to stop the poison from inhibiting the metabolic process thereby setting the victim free.
Bitter kola has antibacterial Ability
A study published in the Science journal of Microbiology has shown that both the bitter kola seeds and leafs have antibacterial properties.
Bitter kola was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli, and the plant was able to inhibit these microorganisms.
The antibacterial activity was found to be due to the presence of bioactive components in the extract such as tannin, and saponins.
Bitter Kola improves immune system:
Bitter kola has spiritual benefits due to its high concentration of antioxidants, which is a term for any compound that counteracts free radicals.
Some environmental contaminants such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet rays and air pollution enhances the production of free radicals, which is detrimental for body health and good immune system.
Free radicals damage DNA, cell membranes, and other parts of cells. So, as well as being essential assistance for important functions in the body, antioxidants produced from the consumption of bitter kola helps in building and supporting the immune system.
This strong immune system is responsible for the healthy living of the elderly who consummed bitter kola especially in the rural areas, enabling them in carrying out rigorous routine, activities and responsibilities including farming, fishing, trading and many more.
Bitter Kola helps to cure glaucoma
The research carried out by Adebukunola and co-authors withe topic :”Efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5% Aqueous Eye Drops in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension” shows that a special type of bitter kola called Garcinia kola can be use to treat patients with open -angle Glaucoma otherwise known as ocular hypertension.
Garcinia kola Heckel of the family Guttiferaceae is an indigenous herb in Nigeria colloquially referred to as “bitter kola”, “false kola” or “male kola.” Garcinia kola (G. kola) has anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
A recent study reported a reduction in subchondral pressure and pain in knee osteoarthritis due to G. kola. G. kola has also proven safe in human eyes and its systemic blood pressure lowering effects.
The study showed that bitter kola is useful for reducing the pressure in the eye for newly diagnosed patients, and was as effective as more conventional treatments. It is important to note that you must follow professional medical advice and treatment if you have glaucoma, even if the condition is newly diagnosed.
Nutrients present in Bitter Kola
Bitter kola contains carbohydrates, fat protein with some essential mineral such as Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron and caffeine.
Adverse effects of Bitter Kola
Aside the spiritual benefits of bitter kola, It is important to take any supplement or traditional medicinal product in moderation. Bitter kola has a number of known side effects, therefore one should take bitter-kola with precaution because of the side effect to which it can cause to the body.
1. It can cause an increase blood pressure
Hypertensive patients and individuals should , avoid bitter kola, because as reported by Medical News Today, the nut contains a stimulant with properties that increase the blood pressure.
2. Excess Consumption of Bitter kola causes insomnia
Due to the presence of caffeine in kola nut, one may find it difficult to sleep after consumption therefore leading to the process of insomnia because of the presence of caffine. Caffeine increases alertness, which may make falling asleep more difficult for some people.
3. It can cause tremors otherwise known as involuntary movements
Medical News Today also reports that bitter kola nut can have a negative impact on the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, which can lead to shakiness, anxiousness, and quivering.
Preparation and Cautions for Bitter Kola
Now that you are aware of the many potential health benefits of bitter kola, you’ll want to know how best to prepare it. In traditional medicine, all parts of the bitter kola plant may be consumed, but it is more common for the nuts to be eaten on their own and raw.
While the many health benefits of bitter kola may have you heading straight to the store to buy a supply, please always be careful when taking any dietary supplements.
Always consult your doctor, and remember to continue to follow their advice on how to treat any condition you may have. Bitter kola does have properties that can support the treatment of many illnesses and the prevention of others, while no dietary supplement is a substitute for professional medical advice.
In conclusion, it may interest you to know that there are spiritual benefits of bitter kola and we have summarized them in this article.