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14 Health Benefits of Pepper Fruit (Dennettia tripetala)

14 Health Benefits of Pepper Fruit (Dennettia tripetala)

Pepper fruits and leaves can be combined to make traditional medications for treating typhoid, diarrhea, and fever.

They are also effective in the prevention and treatment of various illnesses such as bacterial infection, glaucoma, liver and kidney damage, prostate cancer, and many more.

Pepper Fruit (Dennettia tripetala) existence is one of the plants that make up the global green planet, Plants are viewed to be the first living organisms on the earth. Remove plants, the environment and human life on this earth cannot survive.

We grow house plants (like the umbrella plant called Magnolia tripetala) in our homes for shelter, garden plants, indoor plants, roadside plants, outdoor plants, etc. Their presence is unavoidable for clean air, food, and water in this world.

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Plants are beneficial to our well-being and our economy. People in many countries rely on plant products for their livelihood and income. Some plants contain chemical compounds vital for the metabolic performance of our body systems. One of these beneficial plants is the Dennettia tripetala, the botanical name of pepper fruit.

History of Dennettia Tripetala

Dennettia tripetala Wikipedia defines the Dennettia tripetala tree as the botanical name of a plant whose fruits are called pepper fruits. It’s native to West Africa including Nigeria where the fruits are called nkarika in Efik, obi ata or igberi in Yoruba, mmimi in Igbo, and Ibibio, Imako in Urhobo, and aki in Bini.

Dennettia tripetala tree thrives mainly in the Savannah and rainforest zones while the fruit usually ripens between April and May.

What Is Pepper Fruit?

Pepper fruits are the most commonly used parts of this tree because they are eaten due to their peppery taste and stimulation effects. The tripetala fruits are also used in cooking. The fruits are usually green but turn red, pink, or orange as they mature. They have a spicy, hot, and peppery taste due to the volatile components that are present in the fruits.

In Igbo land, pepper fruits also called mmimmi are usually plated up and served with garden egg, bitter kola, kola nuts, and palm wine during coronations, traditional marriages, naming ceremonies, cultural ceremonies, new yam festivals, and other events.

Mmimmi is mostly chewed fresh but can also be used for food preparations and for preparing herbal medicines. Both the green pepper fruits, red pepper fruits, pink pepper fruits, leaves, roots, and barks of the Dennettia tripetala tree are notable for their strong pungent, spicy, and pepper taste, and smell.

Health Benefits of Dennettia Tripetala (Pepper Fruits Benefits)

The health benefits of Nigerian pepper fruits are many and they include:

  1. Helps Treat Infantile Convulsion

The Pepper fruit oil extract holds a compound named 1-nitro-2-phenol ethane which has an anticonvulsant and hypnotic effect that can heal infant convulsions effectively.

The leaves are used for this health condition. It is squeezed and the liquid content drain for oral treatment of convulsion in infants.

  1. Serves as a Postpartum Tonic

Pepper fruits are used as one of the ingredients for preparing pepper soup for women who have just given birth. The fruit seeds are vital for preparing food for newborn mothers without delay after childbirth as the spice aids in uterus contraction.

  1. Helps In The Treatment of Typhoid

Healthy fruits and leaves can be used for making herbal medicines for treating typhoid.

  1. Cures Kidney And Liver Damage

This African fruit improves the damage in the liver and kidney, which is related to the impact of multiple exposures to carbon tetrachloride.

  1. Treats Gastro-Intestinal Diseases

The leaves, roots, and fruits can be used for producing herbal medicines for treating diarrhea, stomach upset, and vomiting, and worm infestation.

  1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The essential oil from the fruit contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. As a result, the oil can be used for reducing body inflammation and pain.

  1. Anti-Viral Properties

This African fruit is useful for fighting viruses such as colds, coughs, and fevers.

  1. Acts As an Insecticidal Property

Hexanolic extract from Dennettia tripetala fruits is latent as an insecticidal property.

  1. Controls Blood Sugar Level

It controls blood sugar levels, due to its antihyperglycemic properties.

  1. Treats Glaucoma

Pepper fruit seed can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) considerably up to 25% in people suffering from glaucoma. It can be used in managing and preventing glaucoma.

  1. Treats and Prevent Prostate Cancer

Mmimmi extract benefits; hinder the growth of prostate cancer cell. The juice was found to possess growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic effects on the prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.

  1. Rich in Antioxidants

These medicinal fruits contain important antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and flavonoids.  These antioxidants fight against free radicals that tend to cause sicknesses in the body system.

The anti-oxidant property applies to the unripe green pepper fruit since it was revealed that the antioxidants in the fruits decrease as they are ripe while the phenolic content increases.

Phenolic compounds, also have some properties, as they exhibit antioxidants, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic properties in the body.

This helps in the prevention of cancer because of its ability to prevent oxidation and inflammation.

  1. Anti-Ulcer Properties

Pepper fruit seed has an ethanol extract that contains anti-ulcer properties owing to the presence of flavonoids in the fruit and this ethanol extract from the seed helps in terminating stomach ulcers.

  1. Medicinal Effects

The leaves, fruits, and roots of pepper trees are medicinal. They can be used to treat stomach upset, stubborn worms, and other gastrointestinal issues.

In some parts of Nigeria and other local areas where this amazing fruit is grown, it has served many medicinal purposes.

Although not yet scientifically proven it has been used by locals to relieve many health conditions such as the ones mentioned above and more.

Summing up, pepper fruit’s importance is many. Dennettia tripetala contains fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamins A and C.

The leaves, roots, barks, and fruits are the parts that are usually used medicinally because of the following medicinal properties:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
  • Hypoglycemic
  • Mildly laxative
  • Anthelmintic
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-fungal
  • Antiviral
  • Antioxidant
  • Stimulant
  • Anti-emetic
Different Dennettia tripetala parts are also used to:
  • Assist uterine contraction after childbirth
  • Lessen motion sickness and nausea
  • Treat typhoid and malaria fevers
  • Eradicate intestinal parasites and worms
  • As a remedy for coughs and other respiratory issues
  • Heal toothache and used as a mouthwash
  • Nurse stomach ailments including ulcer
  • Treat infections
  • Cure convulsions
  • Get rid of insects and pests

In conclusion, Dennettia tripetala might be neglected by many since it is not as sweet as other fruits but It has lots of nutritional and health benefits. Henceforth, it is better to be taken in moderation to gain all that it offers.

Please Note:

This write-up is for awareness purposes. Please always consult your healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

Pepper Fruit
Pepper Fruit
14 health benefits of pepper fruit in pregnancy

Moderate pepper use during pregnancy is typically regarded as safe. Pepper is a spice that is used as a seasoning and flavoring element in cuisine.

The health benefits of pepper consumption during pregnancy include improved digestion, cancer prevention, acne treatment, and relief from cough and cold symptoms.

Disadvantages of pepper fruit ~ what is the side effect of pepper fruit?

Side effect

When pregnant, limit your intake of pepper fruits and only do so under the supervision of your doctor.

Because its effect on uterine contraction is beneficial to nursing mothers, it can lead to other unhealthy conditions, including forced or premature labor in pregnant women.

Pepper fruit tree

Dennettia tripetala (Fam: Annonaceae) is the botanical name for a plant with pepper fruits.

The fruits are native to West Africa, particularly Nigeria, where they are known as nkarika in Efik, obi ata or igberi in Yoruba, Mimi in Igbo, Imako in Urhobo, and aki in Bini.

Health benefits of pepper fruit in pregnancy

The health benefits of pepper consumption during pregnancy include improved digestion, cancer prevention, acne treatment, and cough and cold alleviation. Pepper is also a natural antidepressant, contains folate, strengthens the immune system, and helps to manage blood pressure.

Uses of pepper fruit ~ what are the uses of pepper fruit?

The nutrient-dense fruit is abundant in protein, carbs, and antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E. Phytochemicals in the plant have been proven to have antibacterial, insecticidal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

People also ask

What are the health benefits of pepper fruit?”

It is also traditionally used to treat coughs, fevers, toothaches, diabetes, and nausea.

The extremely healthy fruit is packed in protein, carbs, as well as the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E

What is pepper fruit in the Igbo language?

Traditional medicinal portions include leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, and stems.

It is known as ‘pepper fruit’ in English, mmimi in Igbo, nkaika in Ibibio, imako in Urhobo, ako in Edo, opipi in Idoma, and igberi in Yoruba.

What are the benefits of pepper fruit during pregnancy?

The health benefits of pepper consumption during pregnancy include improved digestion, cancer prevention, acne treatment, and cough and cold alleviation.

Pepper is also a natural antidepressant, contains folate, strengthens the immune system, and helps to manage blood pressure.

Can pepper fruit be consumed raw?

Raw peppers can be eaten by slicing them and removing the stalk, white center sections, and seeds.

Raw peppers can be great in dishes with dips or salads.

What is the English name for the Mmimi fruit?

Dennettia tripetala tree, often known as pepper fruits tree in English and belonging to the Annonaceae family is a well-known Nigerian spicy medicinal plant. The Igbos name it “Mmimi

Goron Tula fruit in English? Which Igbo fruit is called Mmimi?

Dennettia tripetala (pepper fruit) is well known among the Igbo people of Nigeria as mmimmi, Ata Igebere or igberi among the Yorubas, Imako among the Niger Deltas and Urhobo, ako among the Bini, and Nkarika among the Efik and Ibibio.

Is pepper fruit good for ulcers?

Fruits and vegetables have been discovered to have a strong anti-ulcer impact, and as a result, pepper fruits are an excellent substitute for usage in the prevention/treatment of peptic ulcers and other related health concerns such as stomach illnesses.

What happens if you consume an excessive amount of raw pepper?

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract: Eating too many hot peppers can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, according to National Capitol Poison Control. As you consume more peppers, you may experience a worsening burning sensation in your mouth and throat.

What does the Yoruba word for pepper fruit mean?

Piper guineense is also known as West African Black Pepper (Uziza in Igbo and Ata iyere in Yoruba).

Is pepper good for fertility? Are peppers good for female fertility?

Is pepper good for fertility?

Bell peppers

Bell peppers – both red and green peppers are high in folic acid and zinc.

Both of these factors play an important role in increasing male fertility.

Consumption of bell peppers promotes sperm cell division and so improves sperm output.

What are the side effects of long pepper fruit?

Side Effects:

Excessive consumption can exacerbate the Kapha and Pitta doshas, resulting in indigestion, stomach pain, and allergic symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling.

It is also recommended that you visit an Ayurvedic doctor before using this herb during pregnancy or nursing.

Which pepper offers the most advantages?

Is it true that pepper fruit burns fat?

Piperine, a chemical found in black pepper, aids in metabolic function and reduces fat formation in the body.

The spice boosts the concentration of beneficial cholesterol as well. This spherical spice is a thermogenic food, which aids in the metabolic process and the burning of calories.

What is the benefit of Berry Apple?

This little fruit is high in antioxidants such as vitamins A and C.

By regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, these nutrients combat harmful toxins, prevent oxidative stress, and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation.

What are the benefits of star apple fruit?

African star apples are high in antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamins E, C, and A.

They protect cells from oxidative damage and support heart health. According to research, the African star apple contains glycosides.

They are antioxidants that aid in the prevention of heart disease.

What is the benefit of green apple berries?

The green apples contain a fiber source called pectin, which acts as a prebiotic to support the growth of good bacteria in your stomach.

Green apples contain pectin, which can aid in the breakdown of meals. Green apples’ high fiber content may have further effects on your digestive health.

What is the English name of fruits?

List of Fruit Names

Apple Banana Apricot
Nectarine Nance Quince
Olive Oranges Ramphal
Papaya Peach Rose apple/Water apple
Pomegranate Pineapple Rambutan

 

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