Bitter kola, also known as Garcinia kola or bitter kola, is a common plant which can be found across Central and Western Africa.

It is found in Benin, Cameroon, The Gambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Mali, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Bitter kola has been used in traditional African medicine for centuries, and is considered to have many beneficial properties, including being able to help fight bacterial and viral infections.

In terms of taste, the plant is well named! The edible seeds have a notably bitter taste, while there is also a slight sweetness to them. When consumed, bitter kola offers many nutrients, and studies have shown that the plant is high in carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamin c, calcium, potassium, iron and caffeine.

There are many documented health benefits of taking bitter kola.

1. Antioxidant: The flavonoid content of bitter kola are natural antioxidants, protecting the central nervous system from oxidative stress. They help to eliminate free radicals from the body by converting them to harmless waste. Additionally, they help to strengthen the immune system.

2. GIT disorders: Tannins in the bitter kola is a good astringent. It is helpful in treating diarrhoea and dysentery.

3. Aphrodisiac: Chewing the seed is believed to increase libido, and sexual performance in men.

4. Antimicrobial activity: Benzophenone in bitter kola such as kolanone, and flavonones have shown good inhibitory activity against both gram positive and gram negative microorganisms e.g. Bacillus, Clostridium, Salmonella, Escherichia, Klebsiella,

Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus etc.

5. Respiratory infection: The seed is used in herbal formulation to treat cough, asthma and other chest discomfort.