Tetrapleura tetraptera mostly referred to as aridan in Yoruba local dialects is a native of west tropical Africa and belongs to the pea family.
The fruits of the plant have a pungent aromatic odor due to which it also possesses insect repellent properties. It is primarily used as spices. It is used as medicinal plant primarily in Ghana and other African countries.
Pulse.com.gh brings you 5 surprising health benefits of aridan.
1. Fever & Enema Treatment
Aridan gives fast relief from feverish conditions. It also helps people suffering from constipation, enema, and emetic. A person recovering from a medical condition is often asked to bathe with water soaked with whole fruit.
2. Antimicrobial
Aridan has microbial and antibacterial properties. Due to this ability, the plant extract is used to make soap which is used for skin inflammation and bacterial infection on the skin. Apart from its medicinal benefits, aridan also helps in foaming and soap hardening as well as adding flavor to the soap.
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3. Wound Healing Properties
Traditionally the aqueous extract from the fruit is used for healing which is proved scientifically too. To have best effects always use the fruit extract in low concentration for healing wounds.
4. Diabetes
Tetrapleura tetraptera or Uyayak is very beneficial in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research has it that aridan fruit extract was beneficial in lowering blood glucose levels in both fasting and nonfasting conditions.
5.Mosquito Repellent
The fruit has a strong smell due to which it is often used as the mosquito repellent and is effective too. This property is attributed to the presence of essential oils in it.