Amgaggag (Thespesia): A Natural Treasure Sudan Endowed With

Amgaggag (Thespesia):  A Natural Treasure Sudan Endowed With

By: Rogia al-Shafee

KHARTOUM (Sudanow) - Amgaggag is a fruit of a wild tree of the Darfur region of Western Sudan.

The amgaggag fruit (otherwise known as thespesia, silky kola or azanza garckeana) looks very much like ficus in both size and color. It is very much adored in Darfur for its bright yellow color and its sweet taste.

Amgaggag ripens after the rainy season when the locals collect it from the trees and take it to the markets.

The fruit (also known by the name goron lula in Hausa) is recognized for its many medicinal benefits, including stomach troubles and other ailments.

For that, Darfur citizens boast that “our gaggag is better than the apples of Lebanon;” an inherited adage from the local population’s forefathers.

Botanist, Dr. Mohammad Adam Suleiman is telling Sudanow that amgaggag (or aljagoag) is a term used by the natives of Darfur to identify a wild tree of immense nutritional, medicinal and economic value. “It is one of the natural treasures Sudan is endowed with,” asserts Dr. Suleiman.

It is a fruit consumed by youngsters and elders in the Mount Merra region of Darfur where it had originated.

It also grows in the territories of Southern and Western Kordofan, Eastwards from Darfur.

The fruit is very rich in iron, phosphorus and vitamins.

Despite the meager information about this fruit in Sudan, yet it is of great economic value in all of West Africa and also in South Africa. It is sold at very high prices on international malls.

For Sudan, the amgaggag is a promising fruit that could benefit the economy, thanks to its abundance in the Western states of Darfur and Kordofan, maintains Dr. Suleiman.

He says trials are also made to grow the tree bearing this fruit in other Sudanese territories, Khartoum in particular.

According to a Nigerian scientific report entitled “All Health Benefits Of Goron Tula”, this fruit is a miracle fruit that is sometimes referred to as African chewing gum.

The fruit is a genus of 13 flowering shrubs in the hibiscus family.

This miracle fruit is composed of the following nutrients:

Protein, carbs, lipids, fiber calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium manganese.Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 and B2, Vitamin E.

Amgaggag is rich in many nutrients, most especially the fruit and the leaves. It is known to contain about 17 different types of amino acids including the 7 out of the 8 essential amino acids, good raw materials for medicinal purposes.

The seeds are rich in chemicals and nutrients, according to the Nigerian research report. Lipids, phenols, saponins and tannins have been isolated from Azanza garckeana.

According to a research by Alfred Maroyi published on Science Alert, Goron Tula (Azanza Garckeana) is traditionally used to treat or manage at least 22 human diseases and ailments.

Azanza garckeana, indicate that the species has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperglycemic, antimalarial, antioxidant and iron absorption.

According to the research, the seeds are used as herbal medicine for diseases and ailments.

Here are some of the fruit’s health benefits:

1.       Boosts Libido

People experiencing lowered libido, as a result of stress or other health conditions, can try this great fruit.

2.       It helps In Vagina Cleansing, Lubrication And Tightening

3.       Addresses chest pains

4.        Treats coughs

5.  IT Boosts Fertility:

Most importantly, the antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperglycemic, antimalarial, antioxidant and iron absorption properties in the fruit have made it widely recommended for people who are waiting to conceive.

Because goron tula performs this function, its fruit could be used as a fertility enhancer

One of the areas in Nigeria where this fruit is highly consumed is the North. This is one of the reasons you can rarely find couples who do not have children in the area, one of the farmers told ‘Health Nigeria.’

6.        Tackles liver problems

This miracle fruit contains antioxidants one of which is carotenoids and this helps in detoxifying the body system. This boosts the liver and helps it clean your system.

7.       Addresses menstruation problems

8.       Addresses sexually transmitted infections

9.       Prevents cancer

This is also possible because of the antioxidants in the fruit. They help fight anti-bodies that may damage cells in your body.

10.     Lowers blood sugar (for diabetics)

11.     Prevents high blood pressure

12.     helps modulate immune responses.
.
13.     Although not captured, this miracle fruit also plays a role in helping your eyesight...

14.     One of the components of this fruit is saponins. This compound exhibits antimicrobial properties that guard your body against fungi, bacteria and viruses.

15. Also, they improve immune function by stimulating the production of T-cells.

16. They act as16. antioxidants and scavenge oxidative stress.

17.   It assists in improving bowel movement and ease digestion..


How To Use Goron Tula(Umjigjig)?

The researchers say goron tula is safe for consumption across all ages.

You can chew the flesh of the fruit raw, after extracting the seed.

Also, you can soak the fruits in a small amount of water to make jelly. When it is soft, it is easier to chew.

Similarly, the miracle fruit could be boiled and used as relish or made into porridge.

 
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