Health Benefits of Xylopia Aethiopica | Complete List

By: Joseph Benson
Time to read: 5 min.

Health benefits of xylopia aethiopica, the health advantages of xylopia aethiopica are many. The Annonaceae family includes Xylopia aethiopica. It is a tree that may be found across much of Africa, from the moist tropical forest to the savannah vegetation zone.

The tree may grow to be 30 meters tall or more, with lanceolate leaves that are glossy on the top surfaces and dull-greyish on the bottom surfaces, placed alternately on the secondary branches.

The scaffold branches, which are spirally arranged on the main bole, give rise to these branches. On solitary flowers, the fruit is arranged as ‘fingers.’ These blooms bloom on the secondary branch’s older wood, on fruit spurs.

Health benefits of Xylopia Aethiopica

The essential oil that gives this plant’s fruit its spicy characteristics comes from the fruit’s wall. Chimba in Hausa, Eeru alamo in Yoruba (because the fruit opens to release the seeds when mature), and Uda in Igbo are all names for Xylopia aethiopica, commonly known as Negro and Ethiopian pepper.

The fruit was used as a ‘pepper’ in Europe throughout the middle Ages. It’s utilized in traditional African cooking and medicinal. It can be added whole or crushed to a variety of food dishes, including soups, yam porridge, pepper soup, stews, sauces, meat and fish, and so on.

It may be used alone or in herbal teas when combined with garlic or ginger. It can be used as a preservative as well. Xylopia aethiopica has high nutritional and therapeutic value, and all portions may be used to treat various ailments.

Copper, zinc, protein, alkaloids, Diterpenic, Limonene, Folic acid, Flavanoid, Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E are all present. The plant is claimed to contain anonaceine which is an alkaloid similar morphine in effect.

A volatile aromatic oil, a fixed oil, and rutin are all found in the fruit. For the treatment of various aches and pains, it can be taken as a decoction, concoction, or even chewed and swallowed.

Cough, malaria, constipation, uterine fibroid, and amenorrhea are some of the diseases that Xylopia aethiopica is used to treat. Body creams may be made from the powdered fruits and shea butter.

According to an article titled ‘Essential oil of Xylopia aethiopica from Cameroon: A Review’ published in the Journal of King Saud University – Science Volume 30, Issue 4, October 2018,

According to Alphonse Sokamte Teganga et al’s study “Chemical composition, antiradical, and in vitro antifungal activity against some mycotoxigenic fungi,” the essential oil of X. aethiopica has good antifungal activity and could be used to effectively control fungal growth.

Infusions of the plant’s bark or fruit have been used to treat bronchitis and dysentery, as well as a mouthwash for toothaches.

The bark is used to treat asthma, stomachaches, and rheumatism when steeped in palm wine. The plant’s fruit is used in the preparation of local soups in the eastern part of Nigeria to aid new mothers in breastfeeding.

As a spice and flavoring for food and medicine, it is still a popular commodity in local commerce across Africa. For purifying reasons, the fruit is occasionally placed in jars of water.

Externally, the powdered root is used as a sore dressing, to apply on gums in the treatment of pyorrhoea, and to treat cancer locally. An infusion of the leaves and roots is used to cure fevers and debility as a general tonic.

A decoction of the leaves is used as an emetic and to treat rheumatism (medicine that can control or stimulate vomiting.) When epileptic episodes occur, the leaf sap is combined with kola nut (Cola spp.). The fruit is also used to season the patient’s food.

The fruits are often used in enemas and for external applications, where their revulsive characteristics may be used to treat any sore location. They are also used in the treatment of boils and skin eruptions.

Separate from the fruits, the seeds are emetic (causes vomiting) galactagogue is a term used to describe a gathering of people (promotes lactation) rubefacient (a rubefacient is a topical substance that causes skin redness, such as benzoyl peroxide).

Stimulant and vermifuge (by producing capillary dilatation and increased blood circulation) (used to destroy or expel worms)

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The advantages

Because of its anti-malaria properties, it is useful in the battle against malaria.
To counteract microbial invasion, it possesses antibacterial effects.
New moms must consume Negro pepper to prevent blood clots in the womb after birth.
Negro pepper may help with respiratory problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma.
Cancer cells are prevented and destroyed by the antioxidant qualities of Negro pepper.
Effective against syphilis-causing bacteria or germs.
Because Negro pepper contains analgesic properties, it is beneficial for reducing general pain.
As a result of its anti-inflammatory characteristics, Negro pepper may be used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and other inflammatory disorders.
Consumption of Negro pepper on a regular basis is beneficial in the treatment of stomach ulcers.
Cough, flu, and cold symptoms can be treated with this tea.
Negro pepper’s antibacterial properties aid in the killing of bacteria that cause dysentery in the stomach and intestine.
It’s a kind of natural contraception.
Helps you lose weight.
When applied directly to the skin, crushed seeds are effective in the treatment of boils, itches, and skin eruptions.
Insecticides are made from the extract of Negro pepper plants.
A preservative is Negro pepper.
In folk medicine, dried Negro peppers are used to increase menstrual blood flow. Amenorrhea can also be treated with it.
Despite how delicious this spice is, there is evidence that it suppresses fertility! Many women use it as a form of natural contraception.
As a result, a woman attempting to conceive should avoid it. It is also an abortifacient, thus pregnant women should avoid it.

In an article published in the International Journal of Scientific Research 2(6) in January 2011, Uyovwiesevwa et al. reported on the effect of Xylopia aethiopica on the semen quality of Sprague Dawley rats.

In Xylopia aethiopica for a period of 7 to 42 days, after which the animals were sacrificed and semen analysis was performed.

When compared to control rats, Xylopia aethiopica lowered sperm count and motility over time when administered on a regular basis.

The sperm count had decreased from 56 x 106 /ml to about 6 x 106 /ml on the 42nd day of Xylopia aethiopica administration, and motility had decreased from 82 percent to about 35 percent.

The study found that long-term consumption of Xylopia aethiopica reduces sperm count and motility, potentially leading to secondary infertility.

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