By Mazi Damian Okafor
African cherry – the fruit popularly known as agbalumo among the Yoruba and udara to the Igbo – has the botanical name called Chrysophyllum albidum, African cherry or white star apple, and belongs to the Sapotaceae family.
The name Udara holds significant meaning as it symbolizes a unique phenomenon - if it falls, you lick. Udara, a female deity, embodies both fertility and protection. She is revered as the mother of Akwari Omumu, a powerful figure in Igbo culture. The Udara tree, a strong and sacred entity, serves as a dwelling place for the spirits of ancestors and unborn children.
In certain Igbo communities, it is strictly prohibited to pluck Udara seeds. This tree possesses the ability to ward off untimely death and the curse of barrenness wherever it thrives. It is considered an offense to plant or cut down this tree without proper consultation and appeasement.
Defecating beneath an Udara tree is also regarded as an abomination due to the fear instilled by its association with the spirit realm. The majority of people avoid visiting Udara trees at night. In some Igbo communities, Udara is considered ownerless, and it is forbidden to harvest the seeds for sale, viewed as the unethical act of selling children.
The lifespan of an Udara tree can extend up to 1,000 years, and its bark and leaves possess medicinal properties, offering relief from fever and minor ailments.
Health Benefits of Udara
1. It helps you lose weight
Udara is a low-calorie fruit as each fruit only contains about 67 calories. This means that you can eat more of it and not worry about excess calories. It also has a fibre content of 3g, which helps you feel fuller for longer. It can help reduce your food intake and subsequently aid weight loss.
2. Reduces menstrual cramps
Udara is a great source of calcium which gives strength to your bones and teeth. It can also lessen the pains of menstruation like cramps and abdominal bloating.
3. It prevents vomiting and spitting in pregnant women
African cherry has a sour-like taste that hits the palate of the mouth and stops one from throwing up or spitting excessively. It is arguably the reason why some pregnant women crave it.
4. Udara can help prevent heart disease
Udara contains antioxidants. These are substances that protect your cells against the effects of free radicals molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when exposed to smoke and radiation. This means that frequent consumption of cherry can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol thereby preventing or managing heart diseases. Doctors recommend that it is great for patients with heart problems.
5. It helps contain diabetic conditions
Researchers have indicated that the leaves of this fruit may reduce glucose levels in diabetic patients, which is basically the same function that insulin serves.
6. Source of Vitamins
According to research, the fleshy pulp of the African cherry that is especially eaten as snack has been found to have higher contents of ascorbic acid than oranges and guava. The fruit itself is reported to be an excellent source of vitamins, irons and flavours. Hence, the fruit adds to the balanced diet of an individual.
7. It is used to treat disease as well as natural remedy
A study by researchers at the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ogun State in Nigeria showed that the African cherry can be used in treating various diseases. “The bark is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf is used as an emollient and for the treatment of skin eruption, stomach ache and diarrhoea. The cotyledons from the seeds of Chrysophyllum albidum are also used as ointments in the treatment of vaginal and dermatological infections in Western Nigeria,” the research suggests. It is a natural remedy for toothache, constipation, and sore throat.
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