I've come to realize, there are lots of plants that have been well researched in Nigeria but due to the fact that most people do not know the local/foreign names, most of the information has been lost in translation. As they say, knowledge is power and since we learn every day I’ve decided to throw this post open to everyone out there. Please do shed more light on any herb/plant whose local and English names you know of. If you also know the uses, please add. This is for research purposes and with your help the indigenous nutritional / health benefits and uses would also be known. Below are some of the indigenous names of plants and some of their uses.
1. English Name: Fluted Pumpkin Leaves
Local Name: Ugu (Igbo)
Botanical Name: Telfairia Occidentalis
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2. English Name: Jute leaves, saluyot leaves
Local Name: Ewedu (Yoruba),Rama Ayoyo (Hausa/Fulbe)
Botanical Name: Corchorus
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2. English Name: Jute leaves, saluyot leaves
Local Name: Ewedu (Yoruba),
Botanical Name: Corchorus
3. English Name: Bitter Leaf
Local Name: Onugbu (Igbo), Efo Ewuro (Yoruba),
Botanical Name: Vernonia Amygdalina
As
the name implies, the plant is actually bitter and is used in preparing
the popular Nigerian bitter leaf soup. Most times, its sold already
pre-washed in the Nigerian market.There are several species of bitter
leaf-some large, leafy and deep green leaves, while some have
comparatively smaller broader leaves. The bitterness is usually removed
by boiling before the leaves are cooked as soups or added to soups made
with other vegetables or eaten as spinach. it is rich in vitamins and
minerals.
In traditional
nigerian medicine it is used to treat Fever, malaria, hepatitis,
diarrhea, dysentery, and cough. The leaves are also used as medicine for
Stomach ache, Head ache, Scabies, Gastro intestinal disorders.Bitter leaf also reduces the sugar level of the body drastically and repairs the pancreas and kidneys which makes it great for diabetic patients.
4. English Name: Eru "wild spinach" or African Jointfir
Local Name: Afang leaves (Ibibio), Okazi/Ukazi (Igbo)
Botanical Name: Gnetum Africanum
Okazi for example is a climbing plant like Ugu and Uziza. It's got a tough (hard) papery glossy texture and is somehow tasteless without any distinctive smell. it is used in the preparation of Afang soup and okazi soup. Some people also add it to egusi soup. locally, it's used as a remedy for sorethroats, nausea , reduction of pain during childbirth or as a dressing for warts. it's a rich source of protein and is strong in essential and non-essential amino acids. it also has an anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. It contains iron and iodine.
Local Name: Uziza leaves/ Ashanti pepper leaves/ Benin pepper leaves/ Guinea cubeb leaves
Botanical Name: Piper guineense
In the local
Nigerian market, it is known as hot leaves. it's peppery and is usually
used in small quantity to add flavor and a very nice aroma to soups like
Ofe nsala, Vegetable soups and sometimes Egusi soup. It is rich in anti-oxidants and has preservative properties.
6. English Name: Bush buck
Local Name: Utazi (Igbo), ‘arokeke’(Yoruba)
Botanical Name: Gongronema latifolium
6. English Name: Bush buck
Local Name: Utazi (Igbo), ‘arokeke’(Yoruba)
Botanical Name: Gongronema latifolium
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7. English Name: Clove Basil
Local Name: Nchuawun(Igbo), Efirin(Yoruba), Daidoya (Hausa), Ntong(efik), Aramogbo (Edo)
Botanical Name: Ocimum gratissimum
8. English Name: Curry leaf "sweet neem leaves"
Local Name: Efirin Oso(Yoruba), Marugbo sanyan(Yoruba)
Botanical Name: Murraya koenigii
9. English Name: Water leaf
Local Name: Gbure (Yoruba)
Botanical Name:Talinum Triangulare
10. English Name: Lagos Spinach, plumed cockscomb, quail grass, silver cock’s comb (En); célosie, célosie argentée, crête de coq (Fr); borlón, cresta de gallo
Local Name: Shoko yokoto
Botanical Name: Celosia Argentia
Shoko yokoto
is a leafy vegetable mainly popular in the western part of nigeria. it
is also the main leaf used in the preparation of efo riro, a popular vegetable soup.
Sometimes, the leaves are crested with Purplish/Red discolorations in
the middle. It is rich in Beta- Carotene, Folic Acid, Ascorbic acid,
Calcium, Iron, Protein.
11. English Name: African spinach, "Green"
Local Name: Efo Tete (Yoruba), tete eleegun(yoruba),
Botanical Name: Amaranthus Hybridus
Botanical Name: Amaranthus Hybridus
Known as
"Green" in the local market due to its colour, this leafy vegetable is
the second most popular leafy vegetable after Ugu. it's used in the
preparation of various Nigerian dishes.
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12. English Name: African eggplant leaf (Garden egg leaf), Gboma
Local Name: Efo Igbo(Yoruba)
Botanical Name: Solanium marcrocarpon
Local Name: Efo Igbo(Yoruba)
Botanical Name: Solanium marcrocarpon
Garden Egg
leaves are used in the preparation of vegetable stews and yam dishes by
some people.The leaves have a very bitter taste.
Update: Aside from the fruit, every other part of S. macrocarpon has been reported to cause heart failure, digestive problems, and lethargy in dogs. Because S. macrocarpon is part of the Solanaceae family, it contains alkaloids, giving the plant and fruit its bitter taste. Consuming the plant in large frequencies may potentially be poisonous.S. macrocarponcontains glycoalkaloids and the levels found in the fruit were 5-10 times higher than what is considered safe, and may not be safe for humans to eat. Source
13. English Name: Moringa leaves
Local Name: Igbo: "Odudu oyibo","Okwe oyibo", "Okwe olu", "Uhe", "Oku-ghara-ite"
Yoruba: ("igi iyanu","malero", "Ewele", "Ewé ilé", "Ewe igbálé", Idagbo monoyé )
Hausa: Zogale
Botanical name: Moringa olefera
Update: Aside from the fruit, every other part of S. macrocarpon has been reported to cause heart failure, digestive problems, and lethargy in dogs. Because S. macrocarpon is part of the Solanaceae family, it contains alkaloids, giving the plant and fruit its bitter taste. Consuming the plant in large frequencies may potentially be poisonous.S. macrocarponcontains glycoalkaloids and the levels found in the fruit were 5-10 times higher than what is considered safe, and may not be safe for humans to eat. Source
13. English Name: Moringa leaves
Local Name: Igbo: "Odudu oyibo","Okwe oyibo", "Okwe olu", "Uhe", "Oku-ghara-ite"
Yoruba: ("igi iyanu","malero", "Ewele", "Ewé ilé", "Ewe igbálé", Idagbo monoyé )
Hausa: Zogale
Botanical name: Moringa olefera
More on moringa Here..............................
14. English Name: ???
Local Name: Oha / Ora leavesBotanical name: ???
15. English Name: Mint leaves Scientifically known as Mentha
Local Name: Na'a Naa (arabic)
Mint leaf is an aromatic herb which is mostly used as to make things like breath fresheners i.e peppermint. It's NOT the same as scent leaf (Efinrin/nchuawun). In the local market especially with the hausa vendors, mint is known as " Na'a naa ".
16. English Name: Spring onions, Scallion
Local Name: ???
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17. English Name: Unknown plant name
Local Name: ???
who has an idea what this plant is called????????? Still pending |
Local Name: Atama leaves / Beletientien
This is an annual Herb cultivated in the delta areas. It smells and taste like tarragon; usually used fresh or dried in the preparation of Banga soup.