How to Use Kola Nut
Kola nuts are common ingredients in soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and candies. The kola nut also has numerous uses as a digestive supplement and herbal medicine and is effective at suppressing hunger, working as a diuretic, or treating depression, childhood asthma and headaches. Kola nuts are also believed to stimulate mental focus and have shown signs of being effective as an aphrodisiac. Kola nuts can be taken on their own or consumed in liquid or powder form.
Take 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp. kola nut or ground kola nut daily, according to HealthLine.com, to enjoy its medicinal benefits—the herb is frequently used as an antidepressant and energy tonic, and is used by some as a male potency enhancer, according to GhanaWeb.com 1. It is also used to treat migraine headaches and childhood asthma. These nuts are native to tropical regions in Africa, particularly West Africa, but can be found at select food markets and grocery stores in the United States.
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Drink water or another fluid with kola nut tincture (also referred to as an extract) added to it. Add approximately 20 to 40 drops of the tincture/extract to water and drink three times daily. Kola nuts are high in antioxidants and also feature various chemical compounds that can increase oxygen delivery throughout the body as well as improve energy and focus, according to GhanaWeb.com. Tinctures tend to be more easily digested than fresh or dried herbs, and they are easier to mix into teas or other fluids as opposed to chewing raw forms of the herb or taking them in capsule forms.
Boil 1 or 2 tsp. kola nut in 8 oz. water. Strain and let cool, then drink. Do this three times daily, according to HealthLine.com. This drink is a good approach to treating asthma, since kola helps to open the bronchial tubes. It can also be incorporated into your diet between meals as a weight-loss supplement, since kola is known to suppress hunger while also aiding in digestion and acting as a diuretic, according to Health24.com.
Tips
Always follow dosage recommendations according to the directions on the supplement's packaging, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Warnings
Talk to your doctor before taking kola nut if you are pregnant or nursing, diabetic, an insomniac or someone with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart conditions or other digestive disorders.
Avoid caffeinated products when taking kola nut.
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References
- GhanaWeb: The Pros and Cons of Cola Nut
- Hashim, P. Centella asiatica in food and beverage applications and its potential antioxidant and neuroprotective effect. Int Food Res J. 2011;18(4):1215-22.
- Gohil KJ, Patel JA, Gajjar AK. Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010;72(5):546–556. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.78519
- Puttarak P, Dilothornsakui P, Saokaew S, et al. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) urb. on cognitive function and mood-related outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):10646. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-09823-9
- Chong N, Aziz Z. A systematic review of the efficacy of Centella asiatica for improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:627182. doi:10.1155/2013/627182
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- Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(1):46–49. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.33378
- Nagoor Meeran MF, Goyal SN, Suchal K, Sharma C, Patil CR, Ojha SK. Pharmacological properties, molecular mechanisms, and pharmaceutical development of asiatic acid: A pentacyclic triterpenoid of therapeutic promise. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:892. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00892
- Penn State Hershey. Gotu kola. Updated 2015.
- Ong GH, Yap CK, Maziah M, Tan SG. Heavy metal accumulation in a medicinal plant Centella asiatica from Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Biological Sciences, 2011;11:146-155. doi:10.3923/jbs.2011.146.155
Tips
- Always follow dosage recommendations according to the directions on the supplement's packaging, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Writer Bio
Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.