Bitter Kola

Bitter kola is an african wonder nuts, botanically known Garcinia kola plant found in Western Africa, Ghana, South-Western and South-Eastern parts of Nigeria. It can also be found in some African countries, such as Côte de Ivoire, senegal, Gambia, Liberia, Gabon, Cameroon etc.

In various African traditions, bitter kola is revered for its spiritual and medicinal properties. It is believed to offer numerous benefits, including protection from evil spirits and negative energy, spiritual cleansing, attracting wealth and prosperity, repelling snakes, and supporting spiritual healing rituals. Bitter kola is incorporated into diverse practices aimed at promoting good health, enhancing luck, repelling enemies, and improving business success.

SPIRITUAL AND TRADITIONAL USES OF BITTER KOLA in African Culture

Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.
Jeremiah 33:6

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Spiritual Uses

Protection:
Bitter kola is considered a sacred item in certain African traditions. It is used in rituals to ward off negative energy, evil spirits, and curses.

Cleansing and Purification:
It plays a significant role in spiritual cleansing rites and is commonly used to purify spaces believed to be affected by negative energies.

Attracting Good Fortune:
Bitter kola is believed to attract positive energy, enhance business performance, and bring abundance and prosperity.

Countering Bad Luck and Spells:
It is frequently used in spiritual work, such as “back to sender” rituals, to reverse bad luck and neutralize harmful spiritual influences.

Protection from Animals:
Bitter kola is thought to repel snakes and other dangerous animals, and it is often regarded as an effective anti-poison agent in traditional beliefs.

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Methods of Use

Incorporation into Rituals:
Bitter kola plays a central role in various spiritual rituals and ceremonies across African cultures.

Daily Practices:
Carrying a piece of bitter kola in one’s pocket is believed to provide ongoing spiritual protection throughout the day.

Business Use:
Sprinkling bitter kola around business premises is thought to attract customers, draw in positive energy, and ward off negative forces.

In Cleansing Mixtures:
It is also used in herbal mixtures for both spiritual and physical purification purposes.

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Traditional Benefits

1. Used in spiritual cleansing rituals and rites.

2. Acts as a tonic and stimulant with astringent, decongestant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipolytic properties.

3. Believed to prevent snakes from entering the environment.

4. Functions as a traditional anti-poison, especially when sprinkled around the home.

5. Known for neutralizing the effects of poison.

6. Employed in protection rituals to deter enemies.

7. Traditionally used by elders and believed to promote longevity.

8. Carried in the pocket to ward off evil or negative spirits.

9. Thought to enhance business performance and attract customers.

10. Believed to bring positive energy to businesses and repel negative influences.

11. Used in spiritual remedies addressing infertility.

12. Believed to help with impotence.

13. Utilized to neutralize spiritual spells.

14. Thought to prevent or curb bad dreams.

15. Stops spiritual attacks 

Health Benefits and Traditional Uses of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola)

1. Wound Treatment
Bitter kola can be used on wounds due to its antibiotic properties. It functions similarly to conventional antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate, aiding in the prevention of infection and promoting healing.

2. Energy Booster
Bitter kola naturally stimulates the central nervous system, potentially increasing alertness and boosting energy levels.

3. Weight Loss Aid
Bitter kola is known to act as a natural appetite suppressant and a thirst stimulant. This helps to reduce food intake while increasing water consumption, which may support weight loss by aiding in the elimination of excess fat and promoting overall health.

4. Anti-Poison Properties
When the bark and the nut are consumed together, they assist in detoxifying the body in cases of food poisoning. Saponin, a compound found in bitter kola, serves as a liver tonic and supports gallbladder function due to its cleansing properties.

5. Antibacterial Effects
Extracts from bitter kola may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, making it a potential natural antibacterial agent.

6. Diabetes Management
Bitter kola has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, making it a potential therapeutic option for managing type 2 diabetes. A compound called kolaviron, found in bitter kola, may offer protection against hypoglycemia.

7. Digestive Aid
Bitter kola nut powder and extract may support digestion by promoting the production of gastric acid, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.

8. Snake Repellent
Bitter kola is traditionally used as a snake repellent around homes and compounds.

9. Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) has aphrodisiac properties that may enhance sexual desire in males. It is traditionally used in combination with alligator pepper for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

10. Malaria Relief
Bitter kola is believed to possess antimalarial properties. It contains kolaviron, a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known for its potential effectiveness against malaria.

11. Anti-Cancer Potential
Bitter kola has been studied for its anti-cancer properties, particularly in relation to breast cancer, due to its phytochemical composition.

12. Osteoarthritis Management
Garcinia kola is considered a potential disease-modifying agent for osteoarthritis. Research suggests it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, offering relief from pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness. It may be beneficial for individuals with osteoarthritis caused by joint injury, aging, obesity, or genetic factors.

13. Traditional Medicine Applications
Bitter kola is widely used in traditional medicine due to its anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, and purgative properties. It is used in the treatment of various conditions such as bronchitis, typhoid, tuberculosis, diarrhea, bacterial infections, fibroid cysts, eye defects, and as a deworming agent.

14. Eye Treatment with Bitter Kola Water Solution
Bitter kola water is traditionally believed to treat a wide range of eye problems and is claimed to be 99% effective.
Preparation Instructions:

Take an empty eye drop bottle and wash it thoroughly with clean, preferably warm, water. Alternatively, use a small clean container with a lid.

Boil half a cup of water and allow it to cool completely.

Pour the cooled boiled water into the clean bottle or container.

Cut three bitter kola nuts into small pieces and place them into the bottle with the water.

Seal the container and keep it at room temperature for three days.

After three days, shake the mixture well before use.

Use the solution as an eye drop two to three times daily.

Note:
Initial use may cause redness or a mild itching sensation in the eyes. These symptoms are expected to subside after a few days.