KHARTOUM (Sudanow) - Western Sudan in general, and East Darfur in particular, have a vast wealth of rare seasonal plants and medical herbs which are used in the traditional medication of many health disorders. Of this is the carob tree that grows in those areas and also elsewhere in Sudan.
The carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a flowering evergreen tree or shrub in the legume family: Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible pods, and as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes. Generally, the carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.
In Sudan the carob grows wild and is nearly similar in terms of its leaves, pods and its evergreen nature to its Mediterranean counterparts, according to forest vegetation expert, Dr. Suleiman Adam. But the pod pulp of the Sudanese variety is different; less sweet than that of the temperate zones.
The carob pod is of three components: the outer skin, the pulp and the seeds.
In the Darfur and Kordofan carob trees, the pod pulp is very light. Its sweetness is also less, contrary to that of the Mediterranean where the pulp is thick and very sweet.
In Sudan the carob is called Kharroum and its sour leaves are eaten as do the leaves of tamarind.
The leaves are also used as animal feed.
In South Kordofan the carob tree is known as alkadawdaw and its leaves and sweet pods are also eaten. The pods have also tended to be used as a refresher juice. Here they are dried, powdered and then mixed with water, sweetened and taken as a cold drink. This juice is now in wide consumption in Khartoum, in particular in the markets of the outlying districts of Haj Yousif, Mayo, Karoar and Umbadda.
Carob is of high nutritional value.
Its pod pulp and seeds contain a lot of useful substances. For one, the carob gum helps stop diarrhea in children. Here a spoonful of this gum is added to the children milk.
Conversely, this gum can prevent constipation due to its ability to hold water in the bowls.
The gum also balances the bowl acidity and alkalinity and absorbs poisons.
It also reduces bacteria buildup. It is also used to soothe the severity of coughs because it wets and widens the bronchi, causing what is known as bronchitis.
Lactating mothers are advised to eat carob or drink its juice to produce more milk and cement the milk immunity.
Patients with more water in their bodies are advised to take it because of its diuretic capacity.
It also helps cut on blood sugar, cholesterol and fats and reduce high blood pressure.
Carob also invigorates the blood circulation and is used in the treatment of mouth inflammation and as a teeth whitener.
It drives out stomach gasses and guards against cancer, osteoporosis and colitis.
The carob tree bark is used to stop bleeding and for the treatment of stomach ulcer.
The carob gum reduces the activity of bacteria and creates a layer on the ulcer to shield it against stomach acids and enzymes, thus allowing the ulcer to heal.
The carob pod pulp contains a lot of nutritional substances, the most important of which are sugar, high quality protein, fats, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and D; in addition to important mineral elements like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, barium, copper and nickel.
The usually pleasant carob dry and fresh pods are chewed and while doing so the gum is activated, the teeth are brightened and the mouth acquires a pleasant smell.
Adds Dr. Adam: Carob is useful for other purposes.
The leaves are eaten in harsh famine conditions and when there is food shortage it sustains the poor.
The timber is used as fuel and in the manufacturing of home furniture, namely traditional beds and stools.
Dr. Adam concluded that East Darfur's wealth of rare plants and medical herbs requires more research and more expansion of their cultivation for more income for the citizens.
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