Uda seed, also known as negro pepper (Xylopia aethiopica), is an aromatic spice commonly found in the savannah vegetation zone of Africa and South America.
Often used in pepper soup and native dishes for its unique flavor. It has a smoky aroma, and the shape is about 5mm in length. This seed is usually the main ingredient for making spicy black pepper sauce. In Nigeria, pepper soup isn’t complete without using Uda seed as a spice. It is also used in stews and tea.
Uda seed possesses great nutritional and medicinal properties that contain high essential phytochemical compounds like copper, zinc, protein, camphene, manganese, alkaloids, diterpenes, limonene, folic acid, flavonoids, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E.
Here are some of its many health benefits.
1. It contains antioxidants that fight infections
Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to injuries, infections, wounds, and any tissue damage.
Uda seed contains an abundant amount of highly anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant agents that help to fight any free radical effects in the body.
2. It treats malaria
Uda seed is packed with some potent antimalarial properties and can be used for preparing a local remedy for reducing the risk/effect of malaria in humans.
3. It treats skin problems
Do you struggle with skin problems? Uda seed has been proven to be a great remedy for treating skin conditions like boils, itches, and skin eruptions, to mention a few.
4. It treats menstrual problems
Negro pepper can be taken to treat menstrual issues like amenorrhea or PMS syndrome. In traditional medicine, the Uda black pepper pod is given to increase blood flow during menstruation.
5. It relieves gastrointestinal problems
Gastrointestinal disorders are health conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract [esophagus, stomach, rectum, small and large intestines]. This includes stomach ache, irritable bowel syndrome, dysentery, gastric ulcers, indigestion, flatulence, etc. The leaves of Uda are found to be aseptic in nature, meaning that they are capable of relieving the aforementioned internal disorders.
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6. It treats rheumatism
The bark of the uda tree has anti-arthritic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used in treating a myriad of rheumatic disorders, including arthritic pain.
7. It relieves the respiratory system
Studies reveal that the bark of uda tree contains some potent properties, which are very effective in treating respiratory system diseases, including the common cold, bacterial pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.