BITTER KOLA EFFECTIVE FOR VOMITING, NAUSEA CONTROL.

Do you suffer every morning from pregnancy related nausea and vomiting? Maybe you easily get nauseated as a result of motion sickness or drug toxicity. Well, scientists have reasons to recommend bitter kola as an antidote to nausea and vomiting. Scientists found that the ethanol extract of the seed of Garcinia kola(bitter kola) and its seed skin had ability to control vomiting and nausea, thus providing for the first time the rationale for its use in African traditional medicine in the management of nausea and vomiting. Garcinia kola, generally known as bitter kola is found in moist forest and grows as medium size tree, up to 12 m high. It is cultivated and distributed throughout west and central Africa. It has been referred to as a ‘wonder plant’ because almost every part of it has been found to be of medicinal importance. It is commonly called “Agbilu” in Igbo land and “Namijin goro” in Hausa and “orogbo” in Yoruba land of Nigeria. It produces a characteristic orange-like pod with seeds covered with a skin or husk. All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes. Extracts of the plant have been traditionally used for ailments such as laryngitis, liver diseases and cough. The seeds are used to prevent or relieve colic pains, cure head or chest colds, relieve cough and have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It is also used as an antidote for venomous stings and bites, and in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. It has been reported that the seeds is good for ulcer patients, the ethanol extract from the seeds to ameliorate pain and mild kidney insufficiency induced by the anticancer drug, cisplatin. Discomfort from drug induced emesis can deter a patient from taking further chemotherapeutic agent especially with the potentially curative anti cancer treatment Bitter kola was found helpful in ameliorating the pain and swelling experienced by people with knee osteoarthritis, good for prevention of ulcer and the cold water extract of root bark with salt is used in southern Nigeria against cough and vomiting. In southern Nigeria also, the seed is chewed to prevent nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and motion sickness. For the study, the researchers induced nausea and vomiting in chicks divided into six groups of five chicks each using copper sulphate. The chicks were then given different doses of the extracts of bitter kola to ascertain their effectiveness in controlling nausea and vomiting. These were compared with the effect of a positive control antiemetic drug (Metoclopromide 2mg/kg) and a negative control (normal saline) against copper sulphate induced emesis. Researchers found that the seed extract at 50 and 150 mg/kg produced a percentage inhibition by 71.70 and 75.47 per cent respectively while the seed bark extract at 50 and 150 mg/kg produced a percentage inhibition by 47.16 and 62.27 per cent respectively. Also From the result, the seed extract protected the young chicks against emesis better than the seed skin extract. The 75 per cent inhibition produced by the seed extract especially the maximum dose of 150mg/kg administered was closer to the 81 per cent inhibition produced by metoclopramide. The researchers attributed the effectiveness of bitter kola seeds and seed skin extracts in reducing nausea and vomiting to its saponins, alkaloids or flavonoid contents. The study, which was published in 2010 edition of The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine, was entitled “Preliminary Study of the Antiemetic Effect of Garcinia Kola Seed Extract in Young Chicks”. It was carried out by C.I Nosiri and Alewu B from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in collaboration with Gambo Abba from the School of Public Health Nursing, Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi. Vomiting is one of the most commonly experienced natural reflexes. Although we may not vomit often, or on a regular basis, we have all vomited at some point of time. Vomiting in itself is not a health condition, but it is a body response or reaction to certain conditions, or a symptom of some disease or disorder. Ginger is an herb that has been a member of some medical cultures for centuries treat a variety of problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center reported that the benefits of ginger may include arthritis relief, a treatment for the common cold and assistance for those with menstrual cramps. A 2009 study from the National Cancer Institute found that taking a dietary supplement with ginger could help relieve nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. If nausea and vomiting are persistent, other home remedies that can be used include lemon juice. Mix together 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Dip your finger into the mix and lick it off so that you take it in slowly. In addition, lime juice might be helpful as an immediate nausea/vomiting stopper. Mix a cup water with 10 drops lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Then add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and drink. Peppermint can also help to ease cramping and settle the stomach. It is also reputed for quelling nausea. It is a good choice of herb for nausea accompanied by a headache, or a cold since is a good remedy for both ailments. Contact us through your comment for more on the products.