Do you know that locust beans is a food species whose importance
is recognized both regionally and internationally? In some societies on the
African continent it is not an ordinary food item but a therapeutic food and a
source of income.
Locust
bean, commonly referred to as iru by Yorubas, ‘ogiri’, ‘dawa dawa’ by Igbos, is
a local seasoning or condiment used in soups and stews. A very popular soup
ingredient, globally, it is referred to as African locust bean with the
botanical name as Parkia biglobosa. It is not easy to look at, and the smell is
unpleasant – at best. These aside, Locust Bean is the single, most significant
ingredient guaranteed to take your soups, stews or mixed vegetables from just
okay to great.
It
can be found in a wide range of environments in Africa and is primarily grown
for its pods that contain both a sweet pulp and valuable seeds. The most
valuable parts of the locust bean are high in lipid (29%), protein (35%),
carbohydrate (16%), and is a good source of fat and calcium for rural dwellers.
Locust bean product should be converted into powdery form and packaged into
various sizes in plastics for easy distribution.
Local
research has shown that locust bean helps to promote good sight and drives away
hypertension and diseases conditions like stroke and diabetes. It also contains
tannins, astringent substances found in many plants. Foods rich in tannins are
often recommended for treatment of diarrhoea. The portion of carob that is made
into locust bean gum contains soluble fibre in the galactomannan family. Like
other forms of soluble fibre, it has shown potential benefit for enhancing
weight loss and controlling blood sugar levels.
The
African locust bean tree has also been found to possess wonders. For instance,
the pulverised bark of the tree is employed in wound healing and serves as one
of the ingredients used in treating leprosy. The decoction of the bark is also
used as bath for fever and as a hot mouth wash to steam and relieve toothache
in Cote d’Ivoire.
In
another result published in Science Journal based in Dakar, Senegal,
researchers tried out locust beans on rats to find out whether it actually has
any impact on controlling blood pressure and the result obtained showed that
adequate doses of locust beans helped to decrease arterial blood pressure.
The
findings showed that the diastolic blood pressure measurement enjoyed more
reduction than even the systolic blood pressure. It also revealed the many
wonders of African locust bean tree. The pulverized bark of African locust bean
tree, for instance, is employed in wound healing and serves as one of the
ingredients that are used in treating leprosy.
Locust
beans is added to everything – not only because it tastes good and can serve as
a tastier alternative to other spices cubes, but also due to its health
benefits among which are vision improvement, digestion aid and much more.
Refernce:
Guardian.ng
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