By Obiabin Onukwugha
Aidan tree, scientifically known as Tetrapleura tetraptera, is a deciduous tree native to West Africa, commonly growing in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. It thrives in tropical forests but can also be found in savanna woodlands and African plains.
It is known among many different names, such as Aridan in Yoruba, Osakrisa in Igbo, Uyayak in Ibibio, Dawo in Hausa, and Prekese in the Twi, Ghana, amongst others.
The combination of Aidan tree bark, leaf and fruit is great for healing of different ailments.
The fruit has a long history of use in African culture because of its delicious taste, medical properties, preserving qualities, and spiritual significance.
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Nutritionally rich and tasty, it has mighty antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its anti-microbial properties, it is often used as a food preservative. It is even considered to have the power to drive away evil spirits in some cultures.
Aiden fruit adds flavour to local delicacies and can be used to prepare pepper soups or mixed with other herbs to treat different sicknesses.
It also contains key minerals and vitamins such as magnesium l, zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, that help build tyhr body immune system.
The biting smell of aidan fruit functions as an insect repellant. In traditional medicine, aidan tree is used for the cleansing of the digestive system, weight loss, treatment of back pain, subside pains during child labour, as a childbirth laxative to quicken up childbirth and the treatment of sterility.
Specifically, Aidan fruit is said to treat many sicknesses such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, fibroids, epilepsy, convulsions, leprosy, hypertension and serves as immune booster.
The greatest health benefit of the Aidan fruit according to Nutritionists, is its ability to aid quick recovery for new-born mothers. Using it to prepare pepper soups, yam or plantain porridge, help prevent postpartum contractions and makes the mother look healthy and fresh.
