By Obiabin Onukwugha
Xylopia aethiopica, also known as negro plant or grains of selim is an evergreen, aromatic tree, of the Annonaceae family.
This plant, with many uses can grow up to 20m high. It is native to the lowland rainforest and moist fringe forests in the savanna zones of Africa.
The plant’s bark is used to make doors and partitions, while the wood is known to be resistant to termite attack and is used in hut construction: posts, scantlings, roof-ridges and joists.
The wood is also used for boat construction: masts, oars, paddles and spars.
In Togo and Gabon, Xylopia aethiopica wood was traditionally used to make bows and crossbows for hunters and warriors.
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Known as Erunje or Erinje in Yoruba, Uda in Igbo and Kimba in the Hausa languages, an infusion of the plant’s bark or fruit has been useful in the treatment of bronchitis and dysenteric conditions, or as a mouthwash to treat toothaches. It has also been used as a medicine for biliousness and febrile pains.
The bark, when steeped in palm wine, is also used to treat asthma, stomach-aches and rheumatism.
In Senegal, the negro seed is used to flavor café Touba, a coffee drink that is the country’s spiritual beverage and the traditional drink of the Mouride brotherhood.
In Nigeria, negro seed is an essential ingredient in preparation of local soups to aid new mothers in breastfeeding.
It remains an important item of local trade throughout Africa as a spice, and flavouring for food and for medicine. The fruit is sometimes put into jars of water for purification purposes.
Uda seeds is also said to have potency for treatment of rheumatic disorders, including arthritic pain and other joint related problems.
In the Middle Ages, negro pepper was exported to Europe as a ‘pepper.
