Bitter Kola (Scientific Name:
Garcinia kola) is a species of flowering plant belonging to the
Mangosteen genus Garcinia of the family Clusiaceae (a.k.a.
Guttiferae). It is highly produced in Nigeria
The fruit, seeds (bitter kola nuts),
and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine
to treat ailments from coughs to fever. According to a report from
the Center For International Forestry Research, the Garcinia kola
trade is still important to the indigenous communities and villages
in Nigeria.
Cola acuminata, the source of the
true kola nut, is not related to Garcinia kola belonging not to
Clusiaceae but a subfamily of the mallow family Malvaceae. Garcinia
kola is traditionally used by African folk healers who believe that
it has purgative, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial properties. The
seeds are used for liver disorders, bronchitis, throat infections,
colic, head or chest colds, and cough. It is also used as a chewing
stick. Bitter Kolas benefits are it helps with health problems like
infections, inflammations, and diabetes.
The study same study also found that
bitter kola had high levels of Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Iron,
and Caffeine.
