Prekese is originally from West Africa. Hence the tribes and various countries around West Africa have different names for the plant. For instance, Nigerians especially the Yorubas refer to it as aridan and ubukirihu while the Igbo refer to it as oshosho or osakirisa. In Twi – Ghana, prekese is referred to as prɛkɛsɛ. The English name for the plant is Aidan fruit.

Prekese or tetrapleura tetraplera is a species of the pea family and is native to West Tropical Africa. The fruits of the plant have a strong aromatic smell. There are claims that this medicinal plant can only be found Nigeria and Ghana. Several diseases can be treated with the use of prekese such as inflammation, leprosy, rheumatoid arthritis, convulsions, etc.

The plant also contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Its bark, fruits, and leaves are also packed with medicinal agents.
Here are some Health Benefits of Prekese worth knowing:

1. Postpartum Care: The plant pod is used as a soup additive and is best served to postpartum mothers to prevent contractions. The pods are said to be packed with calcium, iron, and potassium. These three components are said to be important for postpartum women. The prekese soup is said to produce milk in lactating (breast feeding mothers) and restore lost blood.
2. Control Diabetes: According to a study conducted on rats, Prekese is beneficial for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The fruit extract of prekese is said to lower glucose levels during fasting and non-fasting hours.
3. Fever: Prekese is a great remedy when one is suffering from a cold. The best way to use the plant is to soak it in warm water. Bath using the infused water. This is said to greatly relieve fever and body temperature. You can also try this remedy when suffering from enema, constipation, and emetic.
4. Acts as Mosquito Repellent: The plant has a strong fragrance and therefore acts as a mosquito repellent. The properties present in prekese are attributed to the essential oils present.
5. Wound Healing Properties: The wet extract of the plant has wound-healing agents. According to a study done at Uyo University, the low concentration (200 mg /ml) is more effective than the higher concentration (200 mg/ml). So it is recommendable to use the lower concentration of the plant to heal wounds.
6. Has Antibacterial Properties: The plant contains antibacterial and microbial agents. Because of these properties, the extract of the plant is used for making soap. The soap can be used to heal skin diseases, inflammation and bacterial infection. Apart from that, prekese can also add foam, fragrance and harden the soap.
7. Contraceptive Properties: The stem and bark of the prekese plant contain saponin and ethanol extract. These properties release a luteinizing hormone which is said to serve as contraceptives.
8. Treats Leprosy: According to a study, the aidan plant is also used in leprosy treatment. The disease greatly affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves which leads to lumps and skin blemishes. The more serious leprosy cases can also cause mutilation and abnormalities.
9. Management of Convulsion: The stem, fruit, and leaves of the prekese are used for creating herbal concoctions in folk medicine. This can help to manage convulsion. Studies reveal that the plant aqueous extract leads to anticonvulsant activities and affects the central nervous system.
10. Anti-inflammatory Properties: The plant extracts have anti-inflammatory agents and create an impact on several human pathogens. This can lead to lowering body inflammation, arthritis, and rheumatoid pain.
11. Culinary Purposes: The dried pod has an aromatic fragrance and is often used as a spice for adding flavor to several dishes like white soup, meat pepper soup, kernel soup, and fish pepper soup. This spice can be either crushed or broken into small portions while cooking.
12. Treats Cardiovascular System: Prekese is beneficial for the cardiovascular system because of its addition of essential phytochemicals. It can also be used for treating heart-related diseases.
13. Contain Molluscicidal Properties: According to studies, the aqueous extracts of the leaves, stalk, stem, roots, and bark of the plant have molluscicidal agents. This reveals why it serves as a pesticide for treating pests. Prekese is mostly used for gardening and planting flowers to get rid of gastropod pests like slugs and snails.
14. Dermatological Care: The prekese fruit can be dried in direct sunlight and blended into a fine powder. This extract is then used as an ingredient in soaps. It serves as a dermatological care product because of the presence of antibacterial and antimicrobial agents. The dried powdered extract can be used with other ingredients like palm kernel oil and shea butter for external use. You may look for these ingredients while looking for soaps.
15. Hypertension: The stem and bark of the plant can be used for the treatment of hypertension. Studies reveal that the plant is helpful for healing high blood pressure and check oxidation levels of hypertension patients.
16. Supports Immune System: The plant is a rich source of vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. It helps in strengthening the immune system. The presence of iron in the plant help in the regeneration of lost blood, zinc provides protections against the virus that leads to respiratory tract infections, while potassium and calcium help in managing, preventing, and controlling muscle disorders and bone strengthening.
17. Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases: The plant can be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach pain due to its presence of phytochemicals.
18. Has Antibacterial Properties: Studies suggest that the water extracts and alcohol presence of the plant can lead to staphylococcus aureus. The presence of tannins and glycosides in prekese can also help in preventing bacterial growth.
19. Hair Growth and Food: Prekese contains protein and helps to strengthen the hair and prevent breakage. It can be used as a rinse out product after washing the hair, it can also be used as conditioner or moisturizers. You can use anytime when you want to moisturise the hair. You boil the prekese and let it sit out for 2 to 5 days and then pour out in a spray bottle. Note: Some of our customers on shopnaija.co.za in South Africa and the region have bought and used it for the treatment of fibroids and/or cysts. They claim it works and were referred to use it by bloggers, a friend or acquaintance.
    How to Prepare Aidan or Prekese: The prekese pods can be broken into small pieces, boiled in a pot and the fluid extracts served hot. It could also be mixed with ginger, garlic and honey and served hot or chilled. In addition, the plant can be added to food during cooking and scooped out before serving. It is essential to add this spice to the food so that it infuses well and provides a sweet aroma.
    In herbal medicines the Aidan stem, root, leaves, bark, and pods can be mixed, boiled, squeezed, soaked, crushed, extracted, and made into concoctions.
    Now that we’ve covered prekese health benefits and discussed how great this superfood can be for everyone. We would love to hear your opinion? Talk to us in the comment box below. Or you can share this article to your loved ones to also let them know the incredible wonders of Prekese/Aidan Fruit. ShopNow: https://shopnaija.co.za/product/uyayak-prekese
    Disclaimer:
    This post is for referential purposes only and should not be treated as professional treatment or diagnosis. Always consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions. They will guide and provide the right treatment.

This article was previously published on Fashion Lady

West African alligator pepper is a West African spice that corresponds to the seeds and seed pods of Aframomum Daniell.

It is a species in the ginger family whose seeds and leaves are used for medicinal, culinary, as well as traditional purposes.

You can buy alligator pepper from Shop Naija for R25.

Below are the numerous benefits of alligator pepper.

1. Consumption Purposes

As a popular spice alligator pepper is normally snacked upon especially by elders and sometimes youths. In traditional meetings and events such as baby naming ceremonies, traditional marriages, burial ceremonies, town meetings etc, the alligator pepper is usually served together with kola nuts and peanut butter as part of the customary rites.

Both the seeds and leaves can also be used for garnishing salads and for preparing assorted dishes such as pepper soup, stews, and certain meat dishes. Its hot peppery and pungent flavour makes dishes spicy.

However, alligator pepper can be substituted with black pepper, grains of paradise, piper guineense, or black cardamom. You can ground the seeds before adding to dishes.

The beer industry normally uses the alligator pepper for strengthening and flavouring alcoholic beverages such as gin, beer, wine, and ale.

2. Anti-oxidizing Properties

Alligator pepper seeds are an excellent source of phytonutrients such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponin and phenolic compound. They scavenge for free radicals and offer protections against viruses, allergens, microbes, platelet aggregation, tumors, ulcers and hepatotoxins (chemical liver damage) in the body. This suggests why it is commonly used in folk medicine for preventing and tackling intestinal problems.

3. Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders

The seed extracts of the alligator pepper can be used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain, diarrhea, ulcer, and intestinal worms.

4. Wound Healing

The seeds can be crushed and used for preparing concoctions for treating and healing wounds. Alligator pepper contains a high amount of tannin that is distinguished by its stringent property and as such it is very effective for healing wounds, treating burns and soothing inflamed mucous membrane.

5. Antimicrobial Properties

The seed extract has antimicrobial properties due to its constituents of phenolic compounds that are normally used as disinfectants. Studies reveal that Aframomum melegueta extract is broad spectrum and as such has inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria such as Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia etc.

6. Aphrodisiac Properties

Studies reveal that the alligator pepper is aphrodisiac in nature thus can be used for stimulating sexual desires.

7. Anti-inflammatory Properties

The seed has anti-inflammatory properties due to its constituent of gingerol that inhibits the leukotriene and prostaglandins synthesis. It offers protection against inflammation of the body.

8. Analgesic Properties

The aqueous extract of the plant is analgesic in nature and as such can be used for relieving and alleviating pains such as joint pain, toothache, stomach pain, arthritic pain and rheumatoid pain.

9. Dermatological Care

Alligator pepper can be used for preparing herbal remedy for treating infectious skin diseases such as measles, chickenpox and smallpox.

10. Stimulating Properties

Due to its stimulating properties and peppery pungent taste, the alligator pepper is normally chewed as a stimulant to keep the body alert.

11. Malaria Treatment

The leaves are used for preparing herbal medicines for preventing and treating malaria.

12. Digestive Properties

The seeds aid easy digestion of food thereby preventing constipation and bloating.

Side Effects of Alligator Pepper

There are no recorded side effects of the alligator pepper, however, pregnant and lactating mothers are encouraged not to consume it.

A study was conducted on the Effect of alligator pepper on first-trimester pregnancy in Sprague Dawley rats in 2009. The study showed that Alligator pepper had an adverse effect on the first-trimester pregnancy of the rats. The study claimed that pregnant women need to avoid eating Alligator pepper, especially in their first trimester.

Sources: global food book and health guide