Aframomum melegueta is the botanical name for this plant. Hepper pepper, mbongo spice, Afrika kakulesi, melegueta pepper, ginny pepper, Guinea pepper, “Atari” for the Yorubas, and “Ntuen Ibok” for the ibibios are some of the other names for it. Many little brownish seeds with a harsh peppery, bitter, pungent, and aromatic flavor are found in the fruit.

ALLIGATOR PEPPER BENEFITS 

 1. Consumption Purposes

Alligator pepper is a popular spice that is often consumed by the elderly and occasionally youths. The alligator pepper is generally offered with kola nuts and peanut butter (ósè j) as part of the customary rites during traditional meetings and events such as infant naming ceremonies, traditional marriages, burial ceremonies, town meetings, and so on.

Both the seeds and the leaves can be used to garnish salads and to make a variety of recipes such as pepper soup, stews, chicken and lamb dishes, and so on. It’s fiery peppery, pungent flavor complements and spices up foods. Alligator pepper can be replaced with black pepper, Piper guineense, or black cardamom during cooking. Because the seeds are a touch firm, they are frequently ground before adding them to meals. Furthermore, the alligator pepper is commonly used in the brewing industry to enhance and flavor alcoholic beverages such as gin, beer, wine, and ale.

2. Antioxidant Capabilities 

 Phytonutrients such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponin, and phenolic compounds are abundant in alligator pepper seeds. They defend the body from viruses, allergies, bacteria, platelet aggregation, cancers, ulcers, and hepatotoxins (chemical liver injury) by scavenging free radicals. This could explain why it’s often used in traditional medicine to prevent and treat digestive issues.

3. Gastrointestinal Disorders Treatment

Alligator pepper seeds extracts can be used to treat gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, ulcers, and intestinal worms.

4. Healing of Wounds.

The seeds can be crushed and used to make mixtures for wound healing and treatment. Alligator pepper includes a lot of tannins, which is known for their rigorous properties, and it’s great for mending wounds, curing burns, and calming inflamed mucous membranes.

5. Antimicrobial Activity.

The antibacterial effects of the seed extract are attributed to the presence of phenolic chemicals, which are commonly employed as disinfectants. According to research, Aframomum melegueta extract has a broad spectrum inhibitory impact on bacteria including Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. 

6. Aphrodisiac Efficacy.

 According to studies, alligator pepper is aphrodisiac and can thus be used to stimulate sexual impulses.

7. Anti-Inflammatory Action

Because gingerol suppresses the formation of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, the seed possesses anti-inflammatory qualities. It helps to keep the body from becoming inflamed.

8. Analgesic Effects

Because the plant’s aqueous extract is analgesic, it can be used to relieve and alleviate aches such as joint pain, toothache, stomach discomfort, arthritic pain, and rheumatoid pain.

9. Dermatological Treatments

Alligator pepper can be used to make herbal remedies for contagious skin illnesses like measles, chickenpox, and smallpox.

10. Invigorating Qualities

The alligator pepper is commonly chewed as a stimulant to keep the body alert due to its stimulating effects and peppery spicy taste.

11. Treatment for Malaria 

The leaves are used to make herbal remedies for malaria prevention and treatment.

12. Digestive Functions

Food digestion is aided by the seeds, which prevent constipation and bloating. 

Alligator Pepper Side Effects

The alligator pepper has no known negative effects, but it is recommended that pregnant and lactating women avoid it for the following reasons: Inegbenebor et al., (2009) found that giving pregnant rats a high dose of alligator pepper resulted in the termination of their pregnancies in the first trimester. According to this study, pregnant women in their first trimester should avoid consuming alligator pepper to avoid miscarriages.