Similarly, Chidi Ikechukwu, a secondary school teacher, said his mum was buying bitter kola for them all through the pandemic to boost their immune system and since then, he has continued taking it.
“I had a serious cough then and was scared it was Covid. But as soon as I started taking bitter kola, the cough stopped within three days. I saw how effective it was and prompted me to continue consuming it,” he said.
“I also told my friends and several of them are taking bitter kola now. It is highly medicinal,” he noted.
Bitter kola, scientifically called ‘Garcinia Kola’ – is a species of flowering plant in the Clusiaceae family. It is widely known for its medicinal benefits, as the seeds, nuts, and bark are used in treating various ailments.
In Nigeria, it is an important cultural symbol for many ethnic groups. Ceremonial breaking of the kola nut is relevant for making people feel welcome in gatherings and is usually given to guests at weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies among others.
The low demand over the years has led to the near collapse of the cash-crop. But the narrative is changing as farmers growing bitter kola are now reaping gains for their hard work owing to the recent demand surge.
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