Alligator pepper may be a popular spice made up of the seeds and seed pods of Aframomum danielli which is native to the West African region. Known botanically as grains of paradise, the plants of the alligator pepper may be a member of the Zingiberaceae.

Alligator pepper is also referred to as hepper pepper, mbongo spice, Afrika kakulesi, melegueta pepper, ginny pepper, Guinea pepper or atare in Yoruba land.

The skin of the fruit features a close similarity with the rear of an alligator, hence the origin of its name. It contains many small brownish seeds with sharp peppery, bitter, pungent, and aromatic flavor.

Alligator pepper may be a highly valuable spice as results of its high medicinal and nutritive values. Alligator pepper may be a good source of varied minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Aside from medicinal purposes, alligator pepper may be a welcome addition for culinary purposes and is usually used as a pepper soup ingredient.

In the Yoruba and Igbo culture of Nigeria, alligator pepper may be a common a part of ceremonies and social events e.g. naming ceremonies.

Below are health benefits of Alligator pepper:

1. Rich in antioxidants

Alligator pepper is rich in antioxidants, which are available the shape of flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, that helps fight free radicals within the body and offer protection against viruses, allergens, microbes, platelet aggregation, tumors, ulcers and hepato-toxins (can cause chemical liver damage) within the body.

2. Shrinks fibroids

Alligator pepper is claimed to be effective in eliminating fibroids.
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Prof. Dayo Oyekole, a Nigerian professor said a special blend of purgative plant (Ricinus communis), alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta), coconut (Cocos nucifera), and West African black pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) has been validated by researchers to shrink and eliminate fibroids.

3. Treats wounds

Alligator pepper seeds contain a high amount of tannin that's distinguished by its stringent property and intrinsically it's very effective for healing wounds and treating burns.

4. Lowers blood glucose

Alligator pepper helps people with diabetes make sure the regulation of their blood glucose, thus protecting them from complications of the disease like blindness and limb amputation.

5. Antimicrobial properties

Studies have shown that alligator pepper seed extract contain microbial properties which will affect the expansion of bacteria like Salmonella, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus Aureus thanks to its constituents of phenolic compounds that are normally used as disinfectants.

6. Boosts libido

In addition to its medicinal properties, it's a robust natural aphrodisiac that stimulates sexual desires and maintains high stamina. An aphrodisiac may be a food or drug that arouses sexual instinct and boosts libido. For women, it works on their libido and makes them more sensitive to the touch during sexual activity because the nerve endings are stimulated more.

7. Treats gastrointestinal and digestive issues

The seed extract of the alligator pepper are often used for treating gastrointestinal disorders like bloating, indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colon polyps, ulcer, and intestinal worms. Alligator pepper has been confirmed to help improve the health of the gut and intestines.
8. Remedy for skin diseases

Alligator pepper is often used for preparing herbal remedies for treating infectious skin diseases like measles, chickenpox and smallpox.

9. Pain reliever

Alligator pepper is analgesic in nature and intrinsically are often used for relieving and alleviating pains like joint pain, toothache, stomach pain, arthritic pain, and rheumatoid pain.

10. Malaria Treatment

Alligator pepper leaves are very potent in the treatment of all kinds of malaria, typhoid fever etc. The leaves are commonly used by the Yorubas and some other tribes in Africa to prepare herbal remedies for treating and preventing malaria.

SOURCE: https://kenotips.com.ng/health-benefits-of-alligator-pepper-you-never-knew/

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