History

Kola nuts have been used since ancient origins as tea leaf or coffee berries. West African cultures use it to chew for the restoration of vitality in a social setting or individually.

These nuts have become a crucial part of the traditional practice of religion and culture in Nigeria, Niger, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. In the capital of Niger during 1970, “Goro City” highlights the importance of Kola nuts by Manu Dibango. It was used as a religious objector as an offering during ancestor veneration, prayers, funerals, weddings, and naming ceremonies.

In West Africa, the people groups such as Bambara and Malinke of Senegal and Mali use it as a form of currency. It is also being used during present times as a form of respect, negotiation over bride prices.

A pharmacist named John Pemberton of Georgia in the 1800s combined the extracts of kola with cocoa, sugar, carbonated water, and other ingredients which resulted in the invention of the first cola soft drink. He named it Coca-Cola. After 1904, cocaine was prohibited in the U.S. for making soft drinks and since then Coca-Cola does not use coca or kola in the original recipe but manufactured synthetic chemicals the provide a similar flavor of Kola nut.

Plant

This evergreen tree grows up to the height of 12 to 20 meters (39 to 66 ft), has glossy leaves, cream flowers, and star-shaped fruit. The trunk measures about 1.5 m (4 ft 11.1 in) in diameter. It has a thick as well as fibrous bark which is brownish to grey in color. The alternate leaves are oblong in shape, tough, leathery, and have untoothed wavy margins which measure 33 cm (13 in). The male flowers have a cup-shaped calyx having a diameter of about 2 cm (0.8 in) and are deeply lobed having two whorls of stamens. The female flowers have five carpels and are about 5 cm (2.0 in) diameters. Each fruit contains 10 seeds. The ripened seeds might be mottled white, reddish to grey, or brown that tastes bitter while fresh and becomes aromatic as they ages.

Health Benefits of Kola Nut

Kola nuts possess two percent of caffeine along with theobromine and kaolin which act as a stimulant. Theobromine helps to promote cerebral circulation in the body. It is also present in chocolate that provides a feeling of alertness. This nut promotes the level of oxygen in the blood and also enhances concentration power by clearing the mind. It also assists in countering bacterial? infections. Let’s discover some other health benefits that could be obtained with the use of Kola nuts:

1. Treatment for Type 2 insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?

The seed of Kola nuts possesses antioxidant properties and restricts the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The antioxidant properties and enzyme prevention are the possible mechanisms for which Kola nuts are used for managing type 2 insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes? in folklore. The contribution of epicatechin, naringenin, apigenin, and catechin being phenolic constituents attributes to these characteristics. (1)

2. Treats various diseases

Phragmanthera can be found in Kolanut and Cocoa trees helps to prevent the urge of lipid peroxidation in the tissues of tat. Yet, the antioxidant activities being part of mechanisms of the Phragmanthera can extract assist in the protection of organs. The leaves of Kola nut trees also provide antioxidant properties. The use of Phragmanthera incana leaves as nutraceuticals help to manage the oxidative stress that is related to insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes? and other conditions. It could effectively treat the health ailments such as infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, hypertension?, diabetes, cancer, insomnia, etc. Due to this reason, it is known to be an “all healer plant”. (2)

3. Works as a metabolism enhancer

Caffeine content found in Kola nut helps to increase the heart rate and triggers the body. But the people with current heart problems should not use it as it might prove to be harmful to them because it boosts metabolism for those having gradual metabolism. If used in moderate amounts, it could stimulate health and upgrade heart health. Enhancement of metabolism in the body assists in positive physiological and enzymatic effects.

4. Supports circulation

Kola nuts promote circulation in the body and optimize heart rate which supports oxygenation to extremities, skin, brain and organs. Enough presence of oxygen in the brain boosts cognition as well as concentration power. In simple words, it clears the overall mind which speeds up the healing process of wounds and repairs cells.

5. Digestive health

Kola nuts are used for thousands of years in Africa for treating upset digestive health. The presence of active ingredients in this nut supports the uptake of nutrients and supports digestion that lowers the chances of bloating, constipation?, gastrointestinal issues, and cramping.

6. Destroys prostate cancer cells

Kola nuts contain phytoestrogens and phytoestrogens that vitalize apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

7. Enhance immunity?

The bacterial? infections that occur in the human body could be prevented with the use of leaves, stems, and roots of the Kola tree. Bacterial infections are the cause of various respiratory illnesses such as meningitis, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. The extracts of Kola nuts could be found in health stores. It has not been shown that the nut itself is associated with this medicinal benefit.

8. Suppress appetite

Caffeine supports in suppressing appetite, so the extracts of Kola nuts helps to burn increasing fat in the body due to its positive effect on metabolism. It is great for those who wants to lose weight by improving the quality of diet.

Traditional uses

• Kola nut possesses thymoleptic, stimulant, diuretic, antidepressant, antidiarrhoeal and cardioactive properties.
• It is used to treat melancholy, depressive state, exhaustion, atony, anorexia, atonic diarrhea?, dysentery, and muscular weakness?.
• It helps to prevent hunger pangs, lower fatigue?, reduce the need for sleep, and increase mental activity.
• The powder form of seeds could be used internally for treating diarrhea?.
• The dried kernels are used to add flavor to ice cream, carbonated drinks, baked goods, and candies.
• The seeds provide a stimulant effect on the heart.
• Take powder seeds internally for treating poor appetite, low energy, and exhaustion.
• It is a cure for dysentery and prevents high fever? as well as vomiting?.
• It is useful for migraines and headaches.
• Boil crushed nuts and leaves of Morinda Lucida. Intake this liquid as a cure for piles.
• To cure stomach ulcers, take the infusion of bark combining it with little pepper and ginger.
• In Western and Central Africa, it is used for suppressing thirst and hunger for thousands of years.
• In Africa, the bark of the Kola nut is used as a cure for swellings, wounds.
• The pod bark is combined with other ingredients for lowering labor pains.

Precautions    

• It might cause side effects such as anxiety, sleeplessness, over-excitability, palpitations, gastric irritations, tremors, and withdrawal headaches.
• Kola nut should be restricted by pregnant women as it is associated with birth defects.
• Lactating mothers should avoid excessive use.
• Not to be used by people having stomach ulcers due to the presence of tannin content and caffeine in it as it may irritate the stomach.

How to Eat         

• As the seeds have caffeine, it is used for manufacturing soft drinks.
• It is used as an ingredient for chocolate.
• Seeds are dried, fermented, and powdered.
• In Bolivia and Peru, the leaves of Coca are chewed.

Other Facts        

• It has pinkish to white sapwood and dull yellow heartwood.
• The wood from Kola nut is suitable for making houses, furniture, boat, plates, coachwork, joinery, gun stocks, domestic utensils, and carvings.
• Wood is also considered a great fuel source.

References