7 Benefit Of Locust Bean (Dawadawa) - The Magic Bean

Locust bean when boiled and fermented is known as dawadawa in Hausa language ,Kolgo in Frafra Gurune language in Ghana. A black strong smelling tasty seasoning, rich in lipid 29 per cent, protein 35 percent, carbohydrate 16 per cent, good source of protein, fat and calciumfor rural dweller. African locust bean popularly used in seasoning traditional soups has shown promise in boosting cellular immunity in immune-compromised persons, as well as, in management of diarhhoea, diabetes, and heart attack. It could also serve as antidote to snake bites.

They are used for local seasoning of soups, from dried powdered okro soup, Alefu soup, bitter-leaf soup (Onugbu in Ibo) to palm nut soup. They come with sometimes, offensive odour, but make delicious meals. Indeed, the fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa and Parkia bicolor are used in mostly all parts of northern Ghana and the West Coast of Africa for seasoning traditional soups. They belong to the plant family Mimosaceae of the order Leguminisae.

Parkia biglobosa popularly known as the African locust bean tree is known in Yoruba as Igba, or Irugba, in Kasem as Choo, and in lbo as Ogili.

“The bark is used as a mouthwash, vapour inhalant for toothache, or for ear

complaints. It is macerated in baths for leprosy and used for bronchitis, pneumonia, skin infections, sores, ulcers, washes for fever, malaria, diarrhoea, and sterility. Roots are used in a lotion for sore eyes. ”

According to The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa by H. M. Burkill, “the

pulverised bark of P. bicolor is employed in wound healing. P. biglobosa is known to provide an ingredient that is used in treating leprosy, and for treating

hypertension. “In Gambia, the leaves and roots are used in preparing a lotion for sore eyes. A decoction of the bark of P. biglobosa is also used as a bath for fever, as a hot mouthwash to steam and relieve toothache. The pulped bark is used along with lemon for wound and ulcers. ”. Ghana is blessed as a nation to have dawadawa trees growing wildly.With this numerous benefits, it will be good government and individual food processors begin to invest in its cultivation and using it for herbal medicines and most of our food seasonings.I will conclude with this .

We have always known the medicinal and nutritional benefits of our natural foods. My generation and those before, grew up strong and healthy and remain so till tomorrow. We now have a society that is using foreign harmful chemicals as food,like monosodium glutamate, thru maggi cubes,accent,saccharin death merchandise.

1. The fermented locust bean seed is used in controlling diabetes and cholesterol level.

1. It helps to promote good sight and aids digestion.

1. It is used for treating stroke and hypertension.

1. The water and alcoholic extracts of fermented locust bean is used to reduce blood sugar.

1. It is used in the management of bacterial infections.

1. The locust bean contains tannins, which is often recommended for the treatment of diarrhoea.

1. It is a potential benefit for enhancing weight loss. The crushed bark of the locust bean tree has also been revealed to help in wound healing and serves as one of the ingredients used in treating leprosy. The decoction of the bark is also used as bath for fever and as a hot mouth wash to steam and relieve toothache in Cote d’Ivoire.