Tetrapleura tetraptera, known as aridan in Yoruba. The plant, very abundant in Ghana, is called prekese (soup perfume) in the Twi language, in Efik it is called Uyayak, in Igbo it is called Oshosho or Osakirisa.
It is a big tree of forest locations. The leaves are bipinnately-compound; the inflorescences are axillary racemes stocked with small, creamy pentamerous (in parts of five) flowers bearing 10 free stamens and one superior ovary. The fruit is four-winged and about 30 cm long; two of the wings are fleshy, the other two are woody. The usefulness of this plant is attested to by the assault on its members: fruits, bark and roots on stands maintained under cultivation or domestication!
Its fruit is used to spice dishes such as banga soup and its bark is used for medicinal purposes. Women cook the fruit and take the tea to shrink their fibroids. It is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, zinc, flavonoids, phosphorous, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and phenolic compounds.
An article in the Journal of Biological Sciences: Volume 7 (8) of 2007 by A.O. Aderibigbe et al. confirms the anticonvulsant, analgesic and hypothermic (temperature- lowering) effects of aridanin a glycoside isolated from tetrapleura tetraptera fruit in mice. This result validates the popular use of the fruit for the treatment of convulsion. In an article in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology titled, “Anti-inflammatory and Hypoglycaemic Effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera Fruit Aqueous Extract in Rats,’’ by John A.O. Ojewole et al., the results indicate that T. tetraptera fruit aqueous extract possesses anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties. These findings lend pharmacological credence to the suggested folkloric uses of the plant’s fruit in the management and/or control of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions as well as in adult-onset of type-2 diabetes mellitus in some Yoruba-speaking communities of South-Western Nigeria.
Aridan pods can be crushed, ground, grated or broken into tiny pieces before adding to food or using for medicinal purposes. Alternatively, the pod can be broken into two or added whole to food during preparation. But in this case, remember to scoop it out from the food before serving. It is important to add this spice a lot earlier in the food preparation while cooking so that it can infuse properly for more flavourful and aromatic smell.
For herbal medicines, the stem, bark, root, leaves and pods of aridan can be infused, boiled, soaked, squeezed, extracted, crushed or transformed into concoctions. You can place warm water in a bowl with a lid. Soak the bruised/broken up prekese in warm water and cover the bowl with the lid. Let the prekese soak overnight. The longer it is allowed to soak, the more it releases all the juice and flavour from its pods.
The health benefits
Management of convulsion: In folk medicine, the stem, leaves and fruit are used for producing herbal concoction for managing convulsion. Studies reveal that the aqueous extract of this plant exhibits anticonvulsant activities.
Management of leprosy: Studies reveal that aridan can be used for treating leprosy.
Anti-inflammatory properties: The extract of this plant is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, it can be used for reducing inflammation of the body.
Culinary purposes: It is known for its distinguished aromatic and fragrance and, as such, it is used as a spice for flavouring assorted dishes such as meat, pepper soup, palm kernel soup (banga soup or ofe akwu), nsala (white soup), fish pepper soup etc.
Molluscicidal properties: Studies reveal that the aqueous extracts from the stalk, leaves, stem, bark and roots of the aridan plant contain molluscicidal properties. This suggests why this plant acts as a pesticide for fighting against molluscs and pests. Aridan is normally used in gardening, planting and agriculture for offering protection and control against gastropod pests especially snails and slugs that feed on and damage crops and other valuable plants in the farmland and also in plant nurseries.
Dermatological care: The fruit can be dried and blended into powdered form for producing dermatological products such as soap. It is worthy to note that the aridan plant helps to promote soap foaming as well as its hardness.
Treatment of hypertension: In folk medicine, the stem and bark extracts can be used for preventing and treating hypertension.
Treatment of diabetes: The stem and bark extracts can be used for preparing herbal medicines for treating diabetes.
Supports the immune system: Being an excellent source of key vitamins such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc, aridan helps to strengthen the immune system.
Post-partum care: Aridan pod is traditionally used for preparing special soups for new mothers immediately they put to bed to avoid post-partum contraction.
Wound healing properties: Aridan pods contain essential chemical compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoid glycoside (aridanin) and phenols, which have been reported to be effective for healing wounds.
Anti-oxidising properties: Taub is an excellent source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. Antioxidants help to protect our body from oxidative damage by scavenging for free radicals. It is important to note that free radicals and reactive oxygen species formed during oxidation process contribute immensely to ill-health in humans.
Treatment of asthma: Traditionally, this plant can be used for treating asthma.
Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders: The fruit can be used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting.
Antibacterial ability: Researchers reveal that water extracts and alcoholic mixture of the aridan fruit can inhibit the growth of staphylococcus aureus. The presence of glycosides and tannins in ethanolic and water extracts of aridan has been proven effective for inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
The greatest challenge is how to source for fresh and healthy pods; most of those sold in the market are already eaten by worms, while others are rotten and infested by insects. When the fruit is bruised or broken, the inner part becomes oily, if it does not, then it means the fruit is no longer fresh.
However, it should be noted that this spice must be taken in moderation. The results of a study in the Research Journal of Medicinal Plants titled, “Haematological Effects of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera in Male Dutch White Rabbits,’’ by S. O. Odesanmi indicate that the ethanolic extract of T. tetraptera at concentrations of 50 mg per 1kg of body weight possess haemolytic properties and caused a reduction in the population of red and white blood cells. What this means is that the fruit can reduce red and white blood cell count.
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