Medicinal properties of groundnuts

Groundnut grains are very nutritious and used in evey form.

Groundnuts, also known as Peanut, Monkeynut; and ground pea depending on where you find yourself in the world is very nutritive.

Groundnut in various forms is in family meals and snacks of all sorts because of its nutritional value. Groundnuts are consumed in many ways and various forms. They may be eaten raw, boiled, steamed or roasted. They are taken in the form of nut chocolates, candies and sandwiches.

Food and mineral Values of Groundnut

Groundnut is valued for its protein contents, which is of high biological value. Groundnuts contain more protein than meat-about two and a half times more than eggs, and far more than any other vegetable food except soya beans and yeast. The proteins in groundnut are well balanced, except for slight deficiency in some of the essential amino acids. These amino acids are abundant in milk which can be combined with groundnut products for better results.

For proper digestion, groundnut requires thorough mastication. Experiments made with groundnut show that it is quite indigestible unless chewed to a smooth paste; this difficulty is reduced by roasting the groundnuts. The baked raw starch increases its digestibility. As an alternative to chewing, it can be ground into a paste.

Groundnut is one of the most nutritive foods in Cameroon and can be ground in almost all the regions of the country. Researchers in the USA have proven that groundnuts have five important nutrients such as food energy, protein, phosphorus, thiamin and niacin. Apart from their nutritional value, groundnuts have considerable medicinal values. They contain a good deal of oil which is very easily digested and for this reason they are useful consumptives. The oil is regarded as an excellent aperient or a mild laxative and emollient which soften the skin. Eating fresh roasted groundnuts and milk is a very nutritious food for growing children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. It builds a resistance against all infections, particularly tuberculosis and hepatitis.

Some remedial uses of groundnuts

Diabetes

Groundnuts are valuable in diabetes. Eating a handful of groundnuts daily by diabetics prevent malnutrition, particularly the deficiency of niacin and also checks the development of vascular complications.

Diarrhea

Groundnuts are also useful in diarrhea, especially chronic diarrhea. The patients can benefit greatly by drinking (cow, goat) milk mixed with squeezed lemon juice and a handful of fresh roasted groundnuts. This works well with diarrhea caused by the deficiency of nicotinic acid. Groundnuts have the required quantity of niacin that is valuable in stopping this diarrhea.

Teeth Disorders

Chewing fresh groundnuts with a pinch of salt strengthens the gum, cures stomatitis, kills harmful bacteria and safeguards the enamel of the teeth. The mouth should, however, be washed with water after eating groundnuts.

Beauty Aid

Groundnut oil can serve as a beauty aid. A teaspoon of refined groundnut oil, mixed with equal quantity of lime juice, may be applied daily on the face once before going to bed. It keeps the face fresh. Its regular use nourishes the skin and prevents acne, a skin condition with red pimples.

Excessive Bleeding

Several groups of researchers in England have reported using groundnuts or groundnut products in the treatment of haemophilia, an inherited blood disease which causes haemorrhage. Beneficial results have also been reported from the use of groundnuts in severe cases of nose bleeding and in cases of excessive bleeding during menstruation in women.

Obesity

Groundnuts are considered beneficial in the treatment of obesity. Experiments have shown that weight can be reduced by eating a handful of roasted groundnuts with tea or coffee without sugar an hour before lunch time. It reduces appetite and thus reduces the weight gradually.

Caution: Excessive use of groundnuts causes high acidity in the body, spermetorrhoea and premature ejaculation. Some persons are allergic to roasted groundnuts. Asthmatics in particular should abstain from eating groundnuts in excess. Groundnuts that are boiled in salted water are less harmful for such persons. Liberal use of groundnuts should also be avoided by persons with gastritis and jaundice as their excessive use causes hyperacidity of the stomach, indigestion and heart burn.

NB : This information does not replace medical advice and treatment; always consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.