| The kola nuts belong to the family of trees | | | | |
| referred to as Malvaceae made up of about 125 | | | | Some species of kola nuts are used as spices |
| species. They grow abundantly in the Tropical | | | | to enhance the taste of food. Kola nuts are |
| Rainforests in Africa. The trees can grow as | | | | also chewed as an appetizer before meals. It |
| high as 65 feet . They are evergreen. | | | | is also claimed that kola nuts have been used |
| Malvaceae also grow in the humid, tropical | | | | to purify drinking and cooking water. |
| parts of the world. Furthermore, some species | | | | |
| are cultivated in Brazil, Indonesia, and | | | | Medical Use: |
| Jamaica. | | | | |
| | | | In Africa, the pods of the kola nuts have |
| Kola nuts have a bitter taste which | | | | been used for centuries to ease labor pain. |
| necessitates getting used to. The biochemical | | | | Kola nuts are used to relieve |
| contents are many. The highest content is | | | | hangover,diarrhea, and nausea. The bark of |
| caffeine. Small amounts of starch, and many | | | | the tree and the seeds are dried, powdered |
| other chemicals are also present. Kola nuts | | | | separately, and springled on open wounds to |
| are reputed to possess fat burning property. | | | | enhance healing. The roots are chewed to |
| Hence their use in some weight reduction | | | | clean the teeth and discourage bad breath. |
| pills. | | | | Kola nuts induce gastric juice secretion, |
| | | | hence they are chewed as appetizers before |
| The Uses of Kola nuts: | | | | meals. Kola nuts have been used to treat |
| | | | asthma and hooping cough. |
| Chewing: | | | | |
| | | | Adverse Effects: |
| Kola nuts are chewed by individuals or in | | | | |
| group setting for socialization. They are | | | | Chewing kola nuts have been known to raise |
| chewed mainly for their stimulating and | | | | body temperature, increase respiratory rate, |
| euphoric properties. They are also chewed as | | | | and increase blood pressure. Frequent chewing |
| an aphrodisiac. However, it is not uncommon | | | | of certain species of kola nuts causes the |
| for young, educated urban city dwellers to | | | | teeth to stain red. Moreover, frequent kola |
| frown and look down on chewing kola nuts. | | | | chewing is linked to oral cancer. Kola nut |
| They regard chewing kola nuts as a filthy | | | | chewing also causes sleeplessness. |
| habit since some species cause the teeth to | | | | |
| stain red. Furthermore, chewers tend to spit | | | | Social Issues: |
| excessively. | | | | |
| | | | In West Africa, it is traditional to offer |
| Industrial Uses: | | | | kola nuts to visitors and guests at parties |
| | | | as a form of good will. Kola nuts are also |
| The stems of the trees are used in the | | | | included in the package of dowry payment from |
| building industry for houses, for building | | | | the family of the groom to the family of the |
| canoes which are used for fishing, for | | | | bride. |
| carving, and making furniture. | | | | |
| | | | Divination: |
| Soft Drinks and Wine Industry: | | | | |
| | | | In West and East Africa, West Indies, |
| In Brazil, Indonesia, Jamaica, and West | | | | particularly Jamaica, some South American |
| Africa, kola nuts are important component of | | | | countries, particularly Brazil, and Miami, |
| some soft drinks and wine. In the early days | | | | Florida in the U.S. of America kola nuts are |
| of Coca Kola in the U.S. of America, cola | | | | used in spiritual ceremonies. They are also |
| nuts were important ingredients in the soft | | | | used for divination and invocation of sprits. |
| drink. Currently, cola nuts have been | | | | |
| replaced by artifical tasting substances. | | | | Kola nuts provide good economy for the |
| | | | countries in which they are grown and |
| Culinary Use: | | | | cultivated. |