Garcinia kola - MHNT
Garcinia kola (bitter kola, a name sometimes also used
for G. afzelii) is a species of flowering plant in the
Clusiaceae or Guttiferae family. It is found in Benin,
Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast,
Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland
forests.
Garcinia kola or bitter kola is a tree that grows in the rain
forests of west Africa. The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of
the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to
treat ailments from coughs to fever. According to a report
from the Center For International Forestry Research,
garcinia kola trade is still important to the tribes and
villages in Nigeria. As with any herb, never consume
garcinia kola without first discussing its use and benefits
with your physician, especially if you are currently being
treated for other medical conditions or are on any
medications.
Traditional medicine
Garcinia kola is traditionally used by African medicinemen
who believe that it has purgative, antiparasitic, and
antimicrobial properties. The seeds are used for
bronchitis, throat infections, colic, head or chest colds,
and cough. It is also used for liver disorders and as a
chewing stick.
Scientific research
Preliminary study of the plant in the 1990s showed signs
that it may benefit ebola victims by slowing down
multiplication of the virus.
In animal studies, Garcinia kola increased the activities of
the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase.
Garcinia kola has been used for centuries to treat chest
colds in traditional medicine, but research has taken a
look and found out why it is effective. A study in the 2008
issue of The Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine,
performed on mice, reports that garcinia kola improved
respiratory function after 28 days of use of a garcinia
extract.
Written by David A. Ofusori, MSc, from Igbinedion
University in Nigeria, the study shows that garcinia kola
works by dilating the alveolar ducts and sacs in the lungs
by improving the strength of the fibers in the lung tissue.
Garcinia kola's beneficial lung properties are attributed to
its high antioxidant content.

Source:-http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcinia_kola