10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEANS
African
locust beans
is the popular name to many people around the world, it belongs to the plant
family Mimosaceae of the Leguminosae, it is often called “Neatehtu” among the
Wollof tribe in The Gambia and Senegal, “Dawa- Dawa” by the Hausa, and “Ogiri”
by the Igbos of Nigeria. African locust beans have been used as a seasoning and
adding flavor in cooking soups and stews. It is boiled and fermented through a
process that requires continues boiling until is ready for fermentation.
It is a
very popular ingredient in traditional African cuisines, it grows in long
slender pods when premature, it is green and dark brown when mature. It
contains a sweet pulp and seeds, the yellow pulp which contains the seeds that
are used later to prepare the African locust beans after been cooked and
fermented before you can consume it or used in our daily soups and stews.
African locust bean is a black strong smelling seasoning which is rich in
lipid, protein, and carbohydrates. African locust beans help in boosting your
immune system, relieve diseases like diarrhea, diabetes and reduce the chance
of heart attack. It is also used as a remedy to counteract the effects of
poison like snake bites and scorpion stings.
African
locust beans is a multipurpose tree, the bark of the African locust bean tree
is also used as a vapor inhalant to relieve toothache and ear issues. It is
also used as a remedy for leprosy, bronchitis, skin disorders, sores, ulcers,
malaria, hypertension, and many sicknesses. The bark is also combined with
lemon heal wound and ulcer. African is a blessed continent to have such a tree
of great importance because of the herbal and food benefits is associated with
the African locust bean tree and by-product. It is a good source of income for
rural dwellers in Africa as everything within the African locust bean tree is
of great importance.
African
locust bean has
been put on research and tested on rats to find the impacts and it is shown
that it can control blood pressure because it helps in reducing arterial blood
pressure when you eat the right quantity. It is also a good substitute to spicy
or seasoning cubes and contains tannin and astringents substances found in many
plants.
1. Good vision
Due to
the natural ingredients and nutrients found in African locust bean, therefore,
consuming it will help to have a better vision especially people with eye
issues like cataract, minus eyes and myopia.
2. It can treat stroke
Stroke
is when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted which is fatal.
Research shows that consuming a good amount of African locust bean will
definitely help you against such sickness.
3. Reduce cholesterol
Cholesterol
which can cause some blockage within the blood vessels can lead to heart
issues. Eating locust beans can help your body control the amount of
cholesterol found in our bodies.
4. Treat Diarrhea
Because
of the amount of tannin found in African locust bean, it will heal diarrhea,
which is a gastrointestinal disorder with the symptoms of frequent watery bowel
movements. Consuming African locust beans will help you relive diarrhea.
5. Treat hypertension
Hypertension
also referred to as high blood pressure occurs when is a long-term medical
condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently
increasing above the normal level. Therefore consuming a good amount will
help people with hypertension.
6. Helps control blood sugar level
The
human body requires sugar to produce enough energy but it should be stable
otherwise if unstable of high will cause diabetes. Therefore consuming African
locust bean will help you control blood sugar level.
7. Improve digestion
Eating
a good amount of African locust beans can improve digestion. Good digestion
will give you a healthy body as the excretion process in the body will be
facilitated which will prevent constipation.
8. Healthy weight
Underweight
is not healthy and vice-versa which is sometimes not easy to be normal weight
or just gain weight for underweight. Eating African locust bean will help you
gain weight in a natural way.
9. Heal Wounds
As
mentioned above it can be used to treat ulcer wounds internally by eating the
beans as well as external wounds. The leaves when pounded can be applied on
wounds and the bean can be paste on the wound to heal the wounds.
10. Reduce Fever
Consuming
a good amount of African locust bean can reduce fever. It was traditionally
used to reduce high fever which is still practiced in some rural African
communities and also send away evil spirits because of its unpleasant smell.
African
locust beans consist of many vital nutrients which are cherished by the body.
Therefore consuming healthy African locust beans will give you good health.
Locust Beans Stew Recipe – Obe Ata Iru
Locust Beans Stew also known as Obe Ata Iru is one of my
favorite Yoruba Style Fred Stew recipes. It’s very versatile and can be eaten
with pretty much anything, well, excluding “Swallow”. I particularly love it
with Boiled Yam. Now, some people add tomatoes to their Locust Beans stew, I
don’t. I’m just not a fan of tomatoes in Palm Oil based stews. Feel free to add
Tomatoes if you must.
Ingredients:
4 Big Bell Peppers (Tatashe)
2-3 Scotch Bonnet Peppers (Ata
Rodo)
1.5 Onions
1 Cup Palm Oil
Assorted Meats (Boiled and Fried)
1 Cooking Spoon Locust Beans (Iru)
Smoked Fish (Shredded)
Stock fish (Shredded)
1 Cooking Spoon Crayfish Powder
Boiled Eggs
2 Knorr Chicken Cubes
Salt to taste
Method:
Blend the Bell Peppers, Scotch
Bonner and 1 Onion coarsely, then set aside.
Pour the Palm oil into a saucepan,
then place on medium heat. When the Oil heats up, add 1/2 chopped onions. Fry
for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, add the Locust
Beans. Fry for a further 2 minutes.
Then add the Blended Pepper.
Also add the Crayfish, Stock
Cubes and Salt to taste.
Fry for 20 minutes, making sure you stir from
time to time to prevent burning..
After 20 minutes, the Oil would have
settled well on the top of the Stew.
Now, add the Shredded Fish,
stir.
Then add the fried meats,
combine thoroughly.
Also add the Boiled
eggs(Optional).
Turn the heat down to LOW, then leave to fry
for an hour.
Yes, you
can fry for up to an hour. As long as you’ve got enough Palm oil and the heat
is on low, you’ll be fine, just remember to stir occasionally…
Your Locust Beans Stew is ready.
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