ECONOMICS AND MEDICINAL BENEFIT OF TETRAPLEURA TETRAPTERA/PREKESE/ ARIDAN FRUITS

ECONOMICS AND MEDICINAL BENEFIT OF TETRAPLEURA TETRAPTERA/PREKESE/ ARIDAN FRUITS

From the creation of things plants have been useful for mankind. In the ancient era most of the people solemnly depends on plants as important source of treatment for chronic and acute diseases.

In our era majority depends on chemical(orthodox) medicine in curing disease that has lot of side effect. As people begin to research for what our forefathers used in curing disease there has been growing demand on medicinal plant. It’s cares to know that almost all the people are now resorting to plants for their daily activities. Today our focus will be on TETRAPLEURA TETRAPTERA (PREKESE/ ARIDAN/AIDAN FRUIT) popular known in Ghana as Prekese. It is believed that only three countries grow this plant. i.e. Ghana, Nigeria and Israel but this is myth which is yet to be proven true.

Our article will be focused on three main section

• Description of TETRAPLEURA TETRAPTERA

• Economic benefit of Tetrapleura Tetraptera

• Medicinal Benefit of using Prekese/Aridan fruit.

PREKESE /ARIDAN FRUIT/ TETRAPLEAURA TETRAPTERA

Prekese is an indigenous plant that belongs to Pea Family (Fabaceae). It’s a single-steam, perennial tree with dark green leaves. It’s a thick, woody base and spreading branches. Prekese has a wide natural distribution over a large part of tropical Africa during winter. The fruit of the plant have a fragrant smell, which has been attributed to its insect repellent properties. It grows in pairs, that’s the flower grow on shot steam at the end of the branches. the fruits are green when tender but when fully matured turns to dark red-brown. The pod remains closed even when fully matured. Prekese has about 20 to 28 cm long, with 4-5 cm pd wide. It has 4 longitudinal wings that are slightly curved. Aridan fruit bears flowers that are yellowish and pink in color, the fruit has dark brown pod on maturity. It’s generally found in the low land forest area. The fruits hang on stout stalks at the edges of the branches and look brownish in color. The pod contains tiny hard seeds that measure around 9 mm long.

Prekese as it’s popularly called in West Africa is highly demanded after due to its medicinal and aromatic values. Research reveals that it has anti-inflammatory, neuromuscular, anti-ulcerative, hypotensive, molluscicidal, cardiovascular and anti-microbial properties. It is used fir various purposes from healing, therapeutic, cosmetology and culinary. Prekese is highly reach in calcium, iron, potassium, alkaloids, saponins, zinc, phosphorus, and flavonoids.

ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF USING PREKESE /ARIDAN FRUIT/ TETRAPLEAURA TETRAPTERA

• Create Employment: since the demand for it is now high lot of the people are selling it thereby reducing the unemployment rate in the country.

• Increase per capita Income: As demand worldwide for Aridan increase the country GDP growth also increase. This will help the government to use the proceed to develop the country.

• Reduce dependency rate: since a lot of people are now employed either by self or company, they have the capabilities to provide their own financial needs therefore reduce the stress and financial pressure from them. It makes them dependent in providing for themselves.

• Production of charcoal: the wood is used in producing charcoal which is used by most of the people in cooking food. A hard charcoal of high calorific value is obtaining from Prekese wood.

MEDICINAL BENEFIT OF USING PREKESE /ARIDAN FRUIT/ TETRAPLEAURA TETRAPTERA

• Treatment of Hypertension: one of the silent killer disease is hypertension. It’s normally known by ordinary person as high blood pressure. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers believes that the stem and bark of the plant can be used for the treatment of hypertension. It has however been revealed that the plant is helpful for healing high blood pressure. This is because it improves the oxidative position in salt model of hypertension patients.

• Treatment of Diabetes: Another silent killer that has taken the life of important personality. Diabetes is a disorder where the body does not produce insulin or does not use it efficiently. It’s a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into the cells to be used for energy. Tetrapleura Tetraptera/Prekese is good for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus according to a study conducted on rats. The fruits extraction lowers the glucose levels.

• Supports Immune System: Tetrapleura Tetraptera is used in strengthening the immune system when is boiled and drink as tea every early morning and evening before bed. This is because is reached in vitamins, minerals, calcium and zinc. Zinc provides protection against virus that leads to respiratory.

• Fever and Enema: Tetrapleura Tetraptera is used in treating fever. The person is asked to bath with water soaked with fruit. It gives fast relief from feverish conditions. People suffering from constipation after taking tea extract relief a person from it.

• Treating / management of Convulsion: Convulsion is a sudden movement of the muscles and your body that can not control. The stem, leaves and fruits of Tetrapleura Tetraptera are used for producing herbal concoction medicine. Researchers reveals that the plant aqueous extract leads to anticonvulsant activities and affects the central nervous system.

Disclaimer : Always consult your health care provider/ doctor before taking any health related decision. This article will guide you and provide the right treatment

by: Frederick Abankwa (PhD Management Science and Engineering)