Jama Market
Shadspice Dried Okazie Leaf (Wild Spinach)
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The Okazi has the characteristics of thick papery-like leaves which are usually hard to cut. Due to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties of Gnetum Africanum, the leaf can be used as a remedy for certain ailments and diseases. While the Western world refers to Okazi leaf as wild spinach or wild vegetable, different African countries have different names for Okazi leaf examples; Congo calls it fumbua, KoKo; Nigerians call it afang, okazi, ukazi; Cameroonians call it okok, m’fumbua, or fumbua, eru.
The edible leaves are usually cut into small strips that are used by different countries for different cuisines and recipes ranging from stew and soups for example; the Nigerians use the leaf for preparing vegetables or edikang ikong soup, egusi soup, oha soup etc. The afang plant is not usually planted but normally grows as a forest vine and the leaves are gathered as forest vegetables for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ukazi leaf is an excellent source of aspartic acid, dietary fiber, cysteine, protein, vitamins, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, potassium, copper, glutamic acid, leucine, and essential amino acids that are required by the body. The relatively high protein content of G. Africanum suggests why this plant contains a high amount of essential acids that can act as an alternative energy source especially when the carbohydrate metabolism is damaged due to glucogenesis.
~ The Gnetum Africanum leaves can be used for treating sore throats, boils, warts, or nausea.
~ Gnetum Africanum stem can be eaten raw for reducing childbirth pain as well as menstrual pain.
~ Tisane of a cut stem of Gnetum Africanum can be used for reducing pain during childbirth.
~ Apart from the leaves, the okazi tuber and seeds can be cooked and eaten as food.
~ Both the seeds and the leaves of Gnetum Africanum have been proven medically efficient for treating enlarged spleen.
~ The pedicles can be cut, crushed, and mixed with soap, which is used for washing the hair in other to stimulate hair growth.
~ Researchers claim that the okazi vine contains a high level of iodine.
~ The seeds can be chewed raw for controlling excessive urination.
~ It serves as an antidote for poisons.
~ Traditionalists use the okazi leaf for preparing medicines used in treating children suffering from measles.
~ The seeds of the Gnetum africanum can be used as fungicide for dressing wounds.
~ The G. africanum bark can be used for producing fishing nets and rope.
DISCLAIMER
This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your health care provider before making any health-related decisions or for counseling, guidance, and treatment about a specific medical condition.
