Wild pepper {Piper umbellatum} is of plant family Piperacea. The roots, leaves and fruits are used to cure rheumatism; inflammatory tumours; stomach pains, ascites and anasarea. The fruits are used for diuretic and rubefacient purposes, and also against rheumatic pains. Leaves are boiled with palm kernel oil as a laxative for pregnant women. Leaf infusion is used as a remedy for stomach pains, anasarea and ascites in adults. A decoction of the root in local dry gin {alcohol} is used against inflammatory tumours and rheumatism.
Curry leaf {Murraya Koenigii} belongs to the plant family Rutaceae. The stem bark, roots and leaves are used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, fevers, herpes and bruises, post-partum pains. The stem bark and roots are taken as stimulants. The leaves are eaten against diarrhoea and dysentery. And infusion of the leaves stops vomiting. A decoction of the leaves mixed with bitter kola {Garcinia kola} treats fever. The poultice of the leaves when applied to boils and bruises brings relief.
Cayenne, African pepper, Guinea pepper, Bir pepper and Chilies {Capsicum species} are of the plant family Solanaceae. The three main species are widely in use. They are: Capsicum annuum {Red pepper or chilies}; Capsicum frutescens {Red pepper}; and Capsicum minimum {African pepper}. The fruits and seeds are used to cure cold, fever, dysentery, malaria and gonorrhoea. The fruits and seeds of pepper are highly pungent. They are used as stimulants and enhancing the circulation of blood, especially in cold conditions. They also serve as carminatives and rubefacients. Preparations of the fruits are taken against fever and dysentery. Powdered chilies are mixed with palm oil in treating cuts, wounds and dog bites.
For the treatment of malaria, the unripe fruits of C. frutescens together with the roots of Securidaca longipedunculata {violet tree}, whole plant of Allium ascalonicum seeds of Aniphyllea species; old leaves of Carica papaya {pawpaw}, roots of Citrullus vulgaris {cucumber}, roots of Elais guineensis {oil palm} are powdered, then mixed with hot pap of Zea mays and taken orally for 3-4 days. For the treatment of gonorrhoea, a mixture of hot pap and powdered mixture of unripe fruits of C. frutescens, whole plant of Allium ascalonicum, leaves of Glyphaea lateriflora and tuber of Manihot esculenta are taken in the mornings for at least seven days.
Grains of paradise, Guinea grains or Alligator pepper {Aframomum melegueta} is of the plant family Zingiberaceae. The leaves, fruits and seeds are used to cure worms, small pox, chicken pox, catarrh, congested chest, fractures, hypertension and cholera.
The fruits and seeds are commonly used as an ingredient of many local herbal preparations. They are usually used as stimulants, carminatives and in vermifuge. The powdered rhizome with table salt is specially given as vermifuge for round worms. The decoction of the leaves together with the leaves of Momordica charantia and Sorghum arundinaceum cereal in dry gin {alcohol} is recommended to be taken one dose daily against cholera. The decoction of the leaves is used for small pox and chicken pox. When the decoction of the leaves is mixed with leaves of lime, lemon grass and mango it is used as remedy for catarrh while the steam from the decoction is inhaled for congested chest.
Ginger {Zingiber officinale}. The rhizome is used to toothache, congested nostrils, cough, colds, influenza and flu, asthma, stomach problems, rheumatism, piles, hepatitis and liver problems.
The raw ginger is often masticated as a stimulant, stomach tonic, relief of congested nostrils and toothaches. Decoction of the rhizome is used as stimulant, carminative, expectorant and rubefacient. It is also used against problems of the digestive systems. The paste made from the rhizome is used in treating infective hepatitis and related liver problems. Ginger tea is commonly taken against coughs, colds and flu.
Ponnac Unanka
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