Herbalist, Chinwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, proffers cure to meningitis

It is no more news that meningitis sometimes defined as an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord caused mostly when the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges become infected, is currently causing havoc in the country.

According to Chinwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis across 15 states of the federation has killed more than 300 people, prompting the federal government to apply for more vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to curb the scourge.

However, speaking to Orient Daily, the founder and Chief-Executive-Officer, Centre for Psychic and Healing Administration (CPHA), Awka, Chief Dr Mrs Nkemakonam Ilonzo, while proffering herbal solutions to the endemic, urged the government and the governed to pay attention to plants rather than seek attention elsewhere.

According to Ilonzo, the plant which has its botanical name as Aridan and its English name as Tetrapleura Tetraptera in combination with the spinal cord of Banana are very potent medicinal herbs used by our forefathers to contain the spread of meningitis during their own time.

She lamented that though people no longer bother to rear or conserve Aridan, the plant is among the over 375 species of medicinal plants in her Centre’s Herbal garden as she encouraged members of the public to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the Herbal garden.

“Get one piece of Aridan, a finger measure of banana Spinal stem to the flower or more and 1 piece of the flower and boil them together with 2litters of water. Then, take it with 1 tea cup in the morning and 1 in the night or make fish pepper soup with it without oil and take it. The Botanical name for Aridan is Tetrapleura Tetraptera, while its Igbo name is oshosho or osakirisa. The Yorubas call it aidan, aiden, ubukirihu, while the people of Efik address it as edeminang. The Ibibios call it Uyayak as the Hausas call it dawo, and taub.

“It is an excellent source of potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, flavonoids, phosphorous, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and phenolic compounds. The parts to be used for this disease are; stem, bark, root, leaves and pods can be infused, boiled, soaked, squeezed, extracted and crushed.

“Moreover, the stem, leaves and fruits of this plant are useable for producing herbal medicine for Meningitis, Convulsion and Epilepsy because the aqueous extract of this plant exhibits anticonvulsant activities. This confirms it's inhibitory effects on the central nervous system or
case of Meningitis.

“It reduces inflammation of the body, heat from the spinal cord to the brain, arthritic pains and rheumatoid pains. This plant has aromatic and flavorful fragrance and as such used as a spice for flavouring assorted dishes such as meat pepper soup, palm kernel soup (banga soup or ofe akwu), nsala (white soup), fish pepper, soup etc. To use this spice, you can either crush it before adding to food or break into smaller portions before adding in the food while cooking.

“Also, it is effective for preventing high Blood pressure and for improving the oxidative position in salt model of hypertension patients. The stem and bark is very effective for treating diabetes. It is an excellent source of key vitamins such as potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, which helps to strengthen our immune system. Iron helps to regenerate lost blood, zinc offers protection against viruses especially those that can cause respiratory tract infections while calcium and potassium helps to manage, prevent and control bones and muscles disorders that affects our spinal cord.

“The plant is an excellent source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. Antioxidants help to protect our body from oxidative damage by scavenging for free radicals thereby preventing peroxidation. It is important to note that free radicals and reactive oxygen species formed during oxidation process contribute immensely to diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes as well as ageing.

“The fruit can be used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. It is also very good for Meningitis and other spinal diseases. The Symptoms are severe headache, uncomfortable in bright lights, stiff neck, rash (this will not fade when a tumbler is pressed against the spots), fever & nausea, drowsiness, fever & vomiting, cold hands & feet, rapid breathing, stomach and or muscle pain” she concluded.

By Okechukwu Onuegbu