Side Effects of Locust Beans (Iru/Ogiri/Dawadawa)

Side Effects, Health Benefits Of Locust Beans And Its Effect On Pregnant Women

Let’s quickly look at the health benefits of locust beans (Iru) before checking out their possible side effects.

Things have really changed over time as mothers have preferred chemically based ingredients to our native ingredients that have stood the test of time and provided adequate nutrition to the body.

The General Overview of Locust Beans (Iru)

Locust beans or Africa locust beans is the popular name to many people around the world, it belongs to the plant family Mimosaceae of the Leguminosae, it is often called “Neatehtu” among the Wollof tribe in The Gambia and Senegal, “Dawa- Dawa” by the Hausa, Iru by the Yoruba’s and “Ogiri” by the Igbos of Nigeria.

Locust beans have been used as a seasoning and adding flavor in cooking soups and stews. It is boiled and fermented through a process that requires continuous boiling until is ready for fermentation.

It is a very popular ingredient in traditional African cuisines, it grows in long slender pods when premature, it is green and dark brown when mature.

It contains sweet pulp and seeds, the yellow pulp which contains the seeds that are used later to prepare the African locust beans after been cooked and fermented before you can consume it or used in our daily soups and stews.

Locust bean is a black strong-smelling seasoning that is rich in lipid, protein, and carbohydrates. African locust beans help in boosting your immune system, relieve diseases like diarrhea, diabetes and reduce the chance of heart attack.

It is also used as a remedy to counteract the effects of poison like snake bites and scorpion stings.

Locust bean is a multipurpose tree, the bark of the African locust bean tree is also used as a vapor inhalant to relieve toothache and ear issues. It is also used as a remedy for leprosy, bronchitis, skin disorders, sores, ulcers, malaria, hypertension, and many sicknesses.

The bark is also combined with lemon to heal wounds and ulcers. African is a blessed continent to have such a tree of great importance because of the herbal and food benefits is associated with the African locust bean tree and by-product.

It is a good source of income for rural dwellers in Africa as everything within the African locust bean tree is of great importance.

Locust bean has been put on research and tested on rats to find the impacts and it is shown that it can control blood pressure because it helps in reducing arterial blood pressure when you eat the right quantity.

It is also a good substitute for spicy or seasoning cubes and contains tannin and astringents substances found in many plants.

Health Benefits of Locust Beans (Iru/Ogiri/Dawadawa)

Side Effects of Locust Beans (Iru/Ogiri/Dawadawa) — Health Benefits of Iru

Good vision

Due to the natural ingredients and nutrients found in locust beans, therefore, consuming it will help to have a better vision especially for people with eye issues like cataracts, minus eyes, and myopia.

It can treat stroke

A stroke is when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted which is fatal. Research shows that consuming a good amount of locust beans will definitely help you against such sickness.

Reduce cholesterol

Cholesterol which can cause some blockage within the blood vessels can lead to heart issues. Eating locust beans can help your body control the amount of cholesterol found in your body.

Treat Diarrhea

Because of the amount of tannin found in locust beans, it will heal diarrhea, which is a gastrointestinal disorder with the symptoms of frequent watery bowel movements. Consuming African locust beans will help you relieve diarrhea.

Treat hypertension

Hypertension also referred to as high blood pressure occurs when is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently increasing above the normal level. Therefore consuming a good amount will help people with hypertension.

Helps control blood sugar level

The human body requires sugar to produce enough energy but it should be stable otherwise if unstable of high will cause diabetes. Therefore consuming African locust beans will help you control blood sugar levels.

Improve digestion

Eating a good amount of locust beans can improve digestion. Good digestion will give you a healthy body as the excretion process in the body will be facilitated which will prevent constipation.

Healthy weight

Underweight is not healthy and vice-versa which is sometimes not easy to be normal weight or just gain weight for underweight. Eating locust beans will help you gain weight in a natural way.

Heal Wounds

As mentioned above it can be used to treat ulcer wounds internally by eating the beans as well as external wounds. The leaves when pounded can be applied to wounds and the bean can be paste on the wound to heal the wounds.

Reduce Fever

Consuming a good amount of locust beans can reduce fever. It was traditionally used to reduce high fever which is still practiced in some rural African communities and also sends away evil spirits because of its unpleasant smell.

Locust beans consist of many vital nutrients which are cherished by the body. Therefore consuming healthy African locust beans will give you good health.

Read Also: The Negative Effects of Zobo Drink on Female Fertility

Is Locust Beans Good for Pregnancy?

Yes, it is very good. It contains a lot of nutrients that are considered very important for pregnancy and will help the child to grow better.

Here are some of the reasons why locust beans are good for pregnancy

Prevents anemic conditions

Locust beans have a lot of vitamins that helps in the absorption of iron which is important in the formation of red blood cells

Vitamin C is a good vitamin for the absorption of iron, and locust bean pulp happens to be abundant in this nutrient. It helps to increase the amounts of red blood cells in the mother and the child.

Boost Immunity

It contains an important nutrient that helps to improve immunity. An example of such a nutrient is vitamin C which is capable of ridding the cells of oxidative waste and leaving them more energized than they would be with the waste in them.

This helps the mother and child to fight against infections better.

Bone and Teeth development

Locust beans have a high amount of calcium and when consumed by a pregnant woman, the child has a higher chance of developing stronger bones and teeth when the time comes.

Side Effects of Locust Beans (Iru/Ogiri/Dawadawa)

No side effects have been reported on the use of locust beans. It is a healthy food that should be added to all meals. There is nothing to worry about.

However, it is advisable you eat it in moderation.

Also, when you add it to your meals, try to monitor the quantity of salt you will be adding to the food because some amounts of salt had already been added to some locust beans (Iru) to preserve it.

Source: afrizar.com

Side Effects of Locust Beans (Iru/Ogiri/Dawadawa)