Common Names: Prekese
Akan Name: “Duadua” / “Nim”
Other Names: Aidan Fruit, Aridan, Ubukirihu (Igbo), Oshosho (Yoruba)
scientific Name: Tetrapleura tetraptera
🌱 DESCRIPTION:
Prekese is a tropical plant native to West Africa. It produces long, woody, ribbed pods that are dark brown when mature. The pods have a sweet, aromatic fragrance that intensifies when boiled. In Ghana, it is commonly used as a spice in soups and stews, especially after childbirth, for its restorative properties.
🌿 PART USED:
Fruits (pods – most common in Ghana), Seeds (inside the pod), 0Bark
🩺MEDICINAL USES:
Postpartum care: Essential in “light soup” given to new mothers to restore strength and cleanse the womb.
Hypertension: Lowers blood pressure naturally.
Diabetes: Helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Respiratory issues: Treats cough, asthma, and chest pain.
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and joint pain.
Fever reduction: Decoction of pods used as a tea.
🔮 SPIRITUAL USES:
Love & unity: Symbol of attraction and bonding; often used in rituals for marriage, love, and peace in homes.
Blessings: Added to spiritual baths to attract favor and open doors.
Purification: Burned or soaked in water with other herbs to remove negative energy.
Protection: Believed to repel evil spirits when kept in homes.
Symbol of togetherness: Pods are often hung in shrines or homes to represent unity.
⚠️ SIDE EFFECTS:
– May lower blood sugar excessively in diabetic patients if overused.
– High doses may cause hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure).
– Pregnant women should consult herbalists before use.
🕊️ Cultural Notes (Ghanaian Context)
In Akan culture, Prekese soup is a must for women after childbirth. Among the Ewe, prekese water is sprinkled around homes as spiritual protection. In northern Ghana, prekese is sometimes tied with red cloth in protective charms. In churches (especially prophetic/charismatic), prekese water is used for “favor baths.”
