6 amazing health benefits of Iru (African locust bean)
Both the fruits, seeds, leaves, nuts, pods, and essential oils of the African locust beans are highly valuable.
African locust bean popularly known as iru is of great importance in Nigeria as people rely on it as a source of food, traditional medicine, and remedy for several ailments.
Both the fruits, seeds, leaves, nuts, pods, and essential oils of the African locust beans are highly valuable. The seeds, which are enclosed in the yellow pulp are the most important and the most widely used part of this plant.
These seeds are usually converted into an aromatic spice known as iru, ogiri, or dawadawa.
1. Anti-oxidant Properties
Iru has a free radical-reducing ability and is an antioxidant for detoxifying the body because the fruit has a remarkable amount of polyphenols that account greatly for its anti-oxidizing properties. The anti-oxidizing properties of the fruit extracts of iru are very similar to that of ascorbic acid.
2. Wound Healing Properties
The bark of the African locust beans can be crushed, ground, soaked, and boiled to prepare herbal tea for treating and healing wounds.
3. Treatment of Hypertension and Boosts the Immune System
Yoruba’s claim that fruits are normally used for treating hypertension and are useful for boosting the immune system, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
4. Dermatological Properties
The root, bark, and leaves of the African locust beans can be infused, soaked, and used for bathing by individuals suffering from skin infections.
It can also be applied to the skin to soothe burns.
5. Treatment of Respiratory Infections
It can be infused or soaked in liquid for treating respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, cold, cough, and fever.
The patient has to drink and gargle on the concoction.
6. Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Iru is also a rich source of tannins and as such both the seeds, roots, stems, barks, fruits, flowers, and leaves can be used for treating gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea and ulcers.
