Ugoro - Akuilu - Bitter Kola

Posted by Felix Okoli on Saturday February 11, 2012 13:22:59:

Ugoro is an Igbo name for Bitter Kola in Nigeria. It is also called Aku ilu meaning bitter fruit because of the fact that is bitter when you eat it. It is one of the medicinal fruits which grow up in south eastern Nigeria and has a lot of uses. The scientific name is Garcinia Cola.

Bitter Kola is something popular across Nigeria and is normally sold in markets and roads by petty traders. The trees from which they come are normally huge tall trees which can keep bearing fruit for a longer part of their lifespan and they do live long.

One striking thing about Ugoro is that it helps in fighting bacteria and that's probably why a lot of village people especially the older generation tend to eat it daily or as often as they can for good health. It has been found out to have anti-bacterial nutrients that helps the body in warding off diseases. If you are the kind of person that wants to maintain a healthy life, you could try eating one Ugoro/Bitter Kola a day or once a week. There is still a lot of research that is on-going about the fruit and who knows, it may be nature;s cure or remedy for HIV which is still a battle for scientists. It is already being used by Traditional healers in the treatment of HIV victims. It is also reported to have anti-cancer ability so women with likelihood of breast cancer can eat it from time to time as it's nature's gift.

One thing I'm sure of Ugoro is that it can help one to live a longer and healthier life. In keeping with a green world, we should plant more Bitter Kola trees.