AMAZING HEALTH/MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF AFRICAN CHERRY (Agbalumo, Udara)

The African cherry, popular­ly called Udara (Udala) by the Ibos, and Agbalumo by the Yorubas, is a seasonal fruit that dominates the streets at the onset of harmattan in Nigeria.

Cherry has a chewable-edible skin that is green when unripe and orange-red colour when ripe. Its taste is sweet and sour at the same time with three to five big seeds inside.

Cherries are healthy for all. Like many other fruits and vegetables, they have anthocyanins in the skin. But the one in cherry is sci­entifically proven to act like anti- inflammatory drugs on enzymes and offers potential health effect on painful muscles and sports in­juries. This makes it a powerful an­ti-oxidants.

It is also a good source of copper, with small amount of zinc, iron, manganese, and potas­sium that are important for body fluids and regulating blood pres­sure.

Cherries provide us with 5% of our daily required Vitamin A and C. It has calcium that strengthens the bones and teeth. Its ascorbic acid is higher than that in orange and guava. It has melatonin that helps to ease the brain, calm nerv­ous irritability, relieves insomnia and even headaches.

It also serves as natural source of anti-oxidant booster that fights free radicals in the body. It reduces premenstrual cramps, eases hun­ger pain and stomach bloating. Re­search also has it that the anti-oxi­dant in cherries helps fight cancer, ageing, neurological diseases and even pre-diabetes condition.

It contains low fat and is high in fib­er that aids digestion which makes it ideal for weight watchers.

The tree is an excellent tree be­cause of its medicinal use. Research has it that the leaves help in reduc­ing glucose level in diabetics, there­by, serving the same function as in­sulin. It can also be used to treat tooth abscess, hypertension and intes­tinal issues. The seeds may also be used to reduce fever and diarrhea. Instead of being discarded, it is used for lo­cal games.

Cherries are, as well, ener­gy boosters when eaten between meals because it has 15g of carbo­hydrate.
Fresh ripe cherries can be eaten as a whole, in­cluding the skin to get the maxi­mum benefit.

NOTE: contact us for directions on how to use the leaves and seeds for medicine.