The medicinal values of cassava

Perhaps like me you don’t think much of cassava tubers. Here are some interesting facts to consider though.

Like the palm tree, cassava is fast becoming a plant whose entirety can be used for different purposes. Its roots are known to be used to make cassava flour and tapioca, its leaves are eaten in certain communities and used for medicinal purposes, and the oil from its seeds are also useful for dermatological purposes.

Cassava seed oil is known for its antimicrobial effect on skin pathogens; scientists have discovered the oil’s inhibitory effects on certain harmful microorganisms. This inhibitory growth effect helps keep pathogenic development under control, but however depends on the concentration of the oil in relation to that of the microorganism. In some parts of Nigeria, the seed oil is used for the treatment of skin rashes, inflammations and other skin infections. The unsaturation of the oil also makes it a useful ingredient in the making of hair shampoo and liquid soaps. As a result of its derma therapeutic quality it is suggested that the oil could also be used as an aroma therapeutic agent.

To get the oil, mature green capsules which contain seeds are collected, dried for four to five days after which the seeds are removed from the capsules and then ground to extract the oil with petroleum ether.

Ethnomedicinal uses of cassava include the use of the roots of the bitter kind of cassava (Manihot esculenta) to treat malaria and diarrhea, and the leaves which are used to treat hypertension, headache and pain. Cassava paste is also known amongst the Cubans to be a cure for irritable bowel syndrome, and serves as an alternative to wheat for people who suffer from celiac disease.

However overdependence on cassava as a staple food can lead to malnutrition as cassava contains about only 1-3% of protein in the roots and 30% in the leaves. It should be therefore be complemented with a protein rich food. The cyanide content in cassava when not properly processed also makes it poisonous for consumption.

The utilization of cassava for medicinal purposes is an ongoing research by researchers who continually discover the many benefits of this remarkable root crop.

My fabulous pregnant life

Sometimes I miss being pregnant. When a lady is pregnant especially in my part of the world, she is given some level of consideration. I could never be in a line for too long, especially at the bank. The cashier would quickly attend to me and even tell me to take a seat while others remained standing. At the market I would get extra foodstuff and the women would pray for me. Some would even give me the foodstuff for free! People were just extra nice; my neighbour would cook and buy whatever I wanted to eat (all I had to do was express the craving) and I had unlimited access to her fridge. I mean I could literarily open her fridge and take whatever I wanted! And the meetings I had no desire to attend? I got excused from them!
Even though the flip side of this was that I wasn't allowed to do certain things or go to certain places because they felt I was in no position to, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the attention and care I got.

How about we share the favours we enjoyed in pregnancy? Let's go down memory lane!

Imagine me pregnant!

I had always imagined how I would find out that I was pregnant. I would wake up one morning feeling sick, rush to the bathroom and throw up violently while my husband would be at my side rubbing my back comforting me. After I was through he would hold me and say “Are you okay? We need to get you to a doctor”. I would assure him that I was fine and that I just needed to rest. However, the sickness would persist and I would go to the doctor and he would tell me I had conceived. I would be excited, go home, cook a delicious dinner and wear something sexy, light some scented candles, set the atmosphere with good jazz music (no scrap that R and B) and wait for him to return home. He would come home wonder at all the preparation and the glow on my face and I would whisper it in his ears that we were going to have a baby. He would be ecstatic and we would make love... I’m sure you get the picture now.

Well now I can tell you it didn’t happen that way AT ALL. From the very first day I missed my period I knew I was pregnant, somehow he got to know too, we both went to the laboratory where I was tested and told I was pregnant so no surprise there at all. He merely smiled when I showed him the result so no twirling. And as for the lovemaking, the nausea had set in so that was totally out of the question. Regardless of all these however, I was excited about being a mom whether or not my dreams came true. 

So that’s my story of how I found out about being pregnant and how my spouse got to know. I’d like to hear yours, hopefully yours was more interesting!

Hello, welcome!

 

Welcome to my blog! I promise it’s going to be worth your while. This is my journal (if you like) where I  share my musings, questions and opinions based on my motherhood experiences; general phenomenon about motherhood; stories of hope (based on the experiences of mine and others); and information on African traditions and cultures as they relate to motherhood. That being said, I invite you to not only “read my mind” but also share your thoughts and experiences too. The ultimate aim is to create a community of African mothers who can come to this space and find answers, make relevant contributions and leave empowered with useful knowledge. So come on in, it is going to be worth your while!