False Kinkeliba seed

Fake Kinkeliba or Black Coffee :

Cassia occidentalis is a plant species of the subtropical and tropical regions, including the desert, belonging to the family caesalpiniaceae. It is also a drought resistant plant. There are several different species of Cassia, at least 40 species, which are of great food and medicinal importance in African communities. Known by different names, such as : mbéntémaré in Wolof, ala nao or suma kala in Bambara, Tasbati or aldana in Peuhl, kasalo or sene in another Mandinka language, kikéliba in Moré, raydoré in Hausa or ganhi to glé in Fon or Goun. However, the most common name used is false kinkeliba otherwise stinky break due to the leaves giving off an unpleasant smell when crumpled, or bastard coffee This is because the seeds are roasted to make infused drinks. Cassia occidentalis is a tropical shrub with bipinnate compound leaves and yellow flowers with pointed pods. The plant reproduces from brown seeds. Very common in dry places, along roadsides, around fences, cassia occidentalis also grows around villages and as hedges in the fields.

Women become quite fragile during pregnancy. In Mali, in addition to modern medicine, some use medicinal plants during pregnancy. JSTM presents the false kinkeliba, a plant that fights against parasitic worms in pregnant women.

Headache with high fever, aches and pains, general fatigue, muscle pain and sometimes skin rashes. Pregnancy is a difficult time for some women whose weakened bodies easily contract parasites. Cassia occidentalis is a plant that is most often found near fields. In Mali, it is known as from "blambala or djenè " in Bambara. This plant is known for its benefits in traditional medicine, specifically in the fight against parasitic worms during pregnancy. Blambala grows almost everywhere in the country. It is used to combat toxoplasmosis, a parasite that women often contract during pregnancy.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite "toxoplastima gondi ". This disease is caught through direct contact with animals, most commonly cats. It is often one of the most common parasites encountered during pregnancy. If left untreated, it slows down the pregnancy, says Dr Ousmane Diarra, a herbalist.

To use it, simply take a few leaves from the fake KinkelibaBoil them in three litres of water and drink them with a glass of tea in the morning and evening for up to six months, recommends Diarra. However, says Diarra, consumption should be done in moderation.

 Toxic seeds

The seeds of the plant Cassia occidentalis are considered toxic because they are not naturally consumed by livestock and it is also recommended to keep animals away from these seeds because of the toxalbumin enzyme that causes poisoning. However, it loses this toxicity through heat which explains the easy ingestion for humans when the seeds are roasted like coffee beans. The phytochemical profile of this plant shows compounds of: alkaloids, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanins, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, quinones, saponins and other phenolic compounds (Andrianarison et al, 2015). The great variability of the phytochemical profile thus explains the interest of African traditions on the usefulness of the parts of this plant.

This annual or perennial plant, depending on the location, is valued by birth attendants to prepare women for childbirth traditionally in many communities. Its leaves, stems and roots are all exploited. For example, the leaves are used in decoction or macerate for their activity antipyretic, depurative, hepatoprotective, febrifuge, sudorific, antihelminthic and antifungal. These leaves are also known to help with the evacuation of bile if required. Alternatively, for external use the leaves are applied to help relieve rheumatism patients. Cassia occidentalis is also used to treat infectious skin diseases, found in several liver teas and even various treatments for jaundice or malaria.

The seeds are used as a tonic when roasted with coffee. Otherwise they are used to treat asthma or other respiratory diseases such as bronchial diseases. The roots are used to help treat infertility but they are also a good diuretic, antibiotic with a more laxative effect than the leaves themselves. In addition, a handful of freshly harvested leaves and flowers are beneficial on certain fungal skin conditions (Fortin et al., 2000). Preferably on non-open, non-oozing skin conditions. Cassia occidentalis is often used for its laxative effect but the benefits of Cassia occidentalis are innumerable

Caution, Cassia occidentalis is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women (except under the supervision of midwives) and breastfeeding women because of the gastric cramps and diarrhoea it causes.