Food Profile: Indigenous Nigerian herbs and spices

Hello Blog fam!
Hope y'all are doing great. Did you know that some of the very expensive IMPORTED green herbal teas we buy is non-other than leaves of the moringa trees we use to fence and beautify our houses or even feed our goats with???
Or that the curry powder we know is a blend of different spices??? The most confusing which I’m still unsure of is that Basil leaves which we mostly get from supermarkets is actually dried Scent leaves a.k.a Nchuawun / Efinrin!!! :s

Scent Leaves a.k.a Nchuawun or Ahimu (Igbo), Efinrin (Yoruba) 

I don’t know how true that is but a lot of people seem to agree with that. I've come to a conclusion that we've got most herbs, spices and plants in Nigeria but since they go by different names due to the diverse tribes and ethnic groups, they've been lost in translation. Please share any Herbs, spices, or plants whose local and foreign names you know. If you know their uses please share also. We’d love to be enlightened.

PAGE UNDER RECONSTRUCTION (UPDATING!!!)

P.S: Please if you know some of the names of the spices listed below or more, don't fail to share. Thank you

Spices:::

1. Local Name: Cameroon Pepper
    English Name:
    Botanical Name:

2. Local Names: Mpuru uziza (Igbo), (Ashanti pepper) (ghana), Benin pepper, false cubeb      English Name: West African pepper
    Botanical Name: Piper guineese

West African pepper seeds are from the popular uziza plant. Just like the leaves, the seeds are even hotter, more peppery and very spicy therefore they are used sparingly. They contain very large amounts of beta-caryophyllene, which is an anti-inflammatory agent. They also contain significant proportions of myristicin, elemicin, safrole and dillapiol (wiki). It also adds a very nice aroma and flavor to whatever it's cooked with. According to research, Uziza seeds have preservative and anti-oxidant properties. It's used in some spice mixtures as well as meals like Ofe Nsala, ........

3. Local Name: Kanafuru (Hausa)
    English Name: Cloves
    Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum

Clove are one of a kind. They are flower buds of a tree in the Myrtaceae family. In several places around the world, such as Asia, Africa, they are used in spices to add flavor to meats, curries, and marinades. In Nigeria, It's usually added to stews, spices and drinks like Zoboroto, Kunun Zaki (millet type)....

4. Local Names: "Ehu"/ "Ehuru"(Igbo) , "Ariwo"(Yoruba) , "Iwo" "Erhe (itshekiri)")
    English Name: Calabash Nutmeg
    Botanical Name: Monodora myristica

This is a local type of nutmeg. Although it has a totally unique flavor compared to the general nutmeg sold. In other regions, it's also known as Jamaican nutmeg, muscadier de Calabash, nutmeg, awerewa, ehiri, airama, African orchid nutmeg and lubushi. It's usually roasted to improve its flavor and used in the preparation of cuisines like; Isi ewu, Ofe nsala, Nkwobi, Abacha and a host of others. 

5. Local Name: "Umilo" itshekiri)
    English Name: Nutmeg
    Botanical Name: Myristica fragrans

Nutmeg is a common spice used to flavor most pastries and baked goods. Usually, the seeds are dried gradually in the sun over a period of six to eight weeks when harvested. After then, the shell is then broken and the nutmegs are picked out. It has a nice fragrance and is usually added to meats, bread, buns, pies, sausages and even beverages. 

6. Local Name:
    English Name: Ginger
    Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale

Ginger root is widely used as a spice which is also valued for it's medicinal benefits. It's used in beverages such as Zoboroto, Ginger beer/ale, Kunu and also used to flavor meats, fish, stews and sometimes soups. In folk medicine, it's used to treat cold, cough, catarrh or sore throat. 

7. Local Name:
    English Name: Garlic
    Botanical Name: Allium sativum

This plant which is part of the onion family has been used for several years in flavoring food as well as traditional medicine for different ailments due to its medicinal components such as allicin, a sulfur compound contained within. The entire "head" is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a clove. There could be about 10-20 cloves in a single bulb of garlic. Its used to combat common cold, reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, detoxify heavy metals in the body, add nice flavor to food and lots more. 

8. Local Name: Uda Uwentia, Uda or Enge
    English Name: Negro pepper
    Botanical Name: xylopia aethiopica

This is a regular feature in peppersoups especially the type usually prepared for pregnant women. The uda pods are sometimes smoked and crushed then added whole to soups or stews to add flavor, then removed before serving the food. Smoked pods can be ground before being used as a spice rub for fish or meat. Other names include: kimba pepper, African pepper, Moor pepper, Kani pepper, Kili pepper, Sénégal pepper, Ethiopian pepper, Hwentea and Guinea pepper.

9. Local Name:        Gbafilo
    English Name:
    Botanical Name: Uapaca guineesis

This is a regular spice used in preparing some Niger delta dishes such as Banga soup

10. Local Name: Ataiko
      English Name:
      Botanical Name:

This is a regular spice used in preparing some Niger delta dishes such as Banga soup

11. Local Name: Irugege
      English Name:
      Botanical Name: 

This is a regular spice used in preparing some Niger delta dishes such as Banga soup

12. Local Name: Oburunbebe Stick
      English Name:
      Botanical Name:

This is a regular spice used in preparing some Niger delta dishes such as Banga soup

13. Local Name: Uyayak, (prekese)
      English Name: Aiden
      Botanical Name: tetrapleura tetraptera

14. Local Name:
      English Name: Tumeric
      Botanical Name:

15. Local Name:
      English Name: Alligator pepper
      Botanical Name:

Condiments:::

1. Local Name: Okpei (Igbo)
    English Name: Locust Beans (fermented)
    Botanical Name:

2. Local Name: Iru (Yoruba)
    English Name: Locust Beans (fermented)
    Botanical Name:

3. Local Name: Dawadawa (Hausa type)
    English Name: Locust Beans (fermented)
    Botanical Name:

3. Local Name: Ogiri (Igbo) - Click to read more
    English Name: 

    Botanical Name:

4. Local Name: Akaun (Igbo), Kanwa(Hausa)
    English Name: Potash
    Botanical Name:

5. Local Name: Okporo (Igbo)
    English Name: Dry crayfish
    Botanical Name:

6. Local Name: Achi
    English Name:
    Botanical Name:

Herbs:::

- Bay leaves 

- Scent Leaves a.k.a Nchuawun or Ahimu (Igbo), Efinrin (Yoruba)

- Curry leaves  (See - Indigenous Nigerian leafy vegetables and Herbs in Nigeria )

- Moringa leaves(See  - Indigenous Nigerian leafy vegetables and Herbs in Nigeria )

- Dried Beletientien leaves (Also called atama leaf in Efik) - Crushed

Combined Spices:::

- Banga Seasoning

- Yaji Seasoning

- Pepper soup Seasoning

- Curry Seasoning

- Jerk Seasoning

- Peri Peri Seasoning (peri peri spice blend)

Related Posts

- Indigenous Nigerian leafy vegetables and Herbs in Nigeria 

- Where to get foreign fruits and vegetables in nigeria