This study shows the "ECONOMIC VALUE OF PIPER GUINEENSE" and more.
The importance of herbal plants cannot be over-emphasized, as they play some roles in our day-to-day activities. There are too many leaves that cure and which are used as vegetables we can use in our daily cooking or diet making. The first among the leaves to be introduced is ‘uziza’ which is the native name with the botanical name as Piper guineense (Amusan and Okorie, 2002).
The use of Piper guineense is very rampant although little is known little is known of its important in our daily cure sickness and prevention in allergy and running nose. Most doctors donate, accept or suggest to patients the use of traditional medicines because it will not give them the opportunity to make many from insurance companies. The ‘uziza’ leaves keep the body warm and prevent cold (Dada et al., 2013).
When one who knows the medical applications of uziza leaves or seeds embarks on the business of selling or distribution of the leaves and seeds; or oven produced biopharmaceuticals from the plants and sells, he earns income and thus reducing the rate of unemployment in our country Nigeria. Generally, majority of herbal plants are safe and economical. Plant extracts have no problem of drug resistance (Ekanem and Obiekezie, 2000).
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2.4 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PIPER GUINEENSE
Tiny fruits, nuts, herbs spices and leaves/vegetables were characterized for determination of their chemical components. The leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds were not only used as food but also as medicine in minor ailments by the natives. Result of the chemical analysis of the Piper guineense sold in Southern Nigeria is as follows:
Moisture (% fresh): 78.58
Ash (% dry): 15.56
Oil (%): 9.30
Protein (%): 18.54
Sodium (ppm): 35
Potassium (ppm): 320
Calcium (ppm): 7.11
Magnesium (ppm): 147.00
Iron (ppm): 6.12
Zinc (ppm): 2.05 (Okolo 1987; Okafor et al., 1996).
The chemical analysis was carried out to effectively known diseases to cure or prevent with uziza leafs. For instance, from the phytochemical analysis above, uziza leaf can be used to treat the case of dehydration as it has upto75.58% moisture content (Fleming et al., 2000).
2.5 GENERAL USES OF PIPER GUINEENSE
The uziza leaves and seeds are of various medicinal uses as they are used to prevent or cure some diseases. These uses are seen in the following areas;
• Uziza leaves and seeds are used as spices in different parts of the world especially West African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. They are added to stews, soups, porridge yam and so on for flavour and aroma (Amusan and Okorie, 2002).
• Piper guineense leaves are aseptic in nature, helping to relieve flatulence.
• They (the seeds and leaves of uziza) are also used for treating intestinal diseases, coughs, bronchitis and rheumatism (Ngono et al., 2003).
• It was found that Piper guineense is suitable for treating infertility in women and low sperm count in men (Nwachukwu et al., 2010). The infertility problem can be solved by boiling leaves of Piper guineense together with Xylopia spp (uda), lime juice, honey, Gongronema latifolium (utazi) and Capsium spp pepper in one litre of water and then take one glass cup on daily basis only during menstruation. Also the problem of low sperm count in men can be solved by taking half bottle of lime juice mixed with one bottle of honey and taking one shot twice on daily basis (Nwachukwu et al., 2010).
• Conversely, uziza seeds are taken after childbirth for uterine contraction for the release of the placenta and other remains from the womb (Udoh et al., 1999).
• It is also used in West Africa where it imparts ‘heat’ (piquantness) and spicy, pungent aroma to foods (Nwachukwu et al., 2010).
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