By Olufunke
That there is a cholera outbreak in the country is no longer news. Let us educate ourselves a little about cholera. A bacterium called Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection. Contaminated water supplies are the main source of cholera infection. You need to take some safety precautions. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, drink only safe water, eat food that is completely cooked and hot, and wash uncooked foods properly. Ensure proper disposal of human waste and garbage, and avoid close contact with infected individuals.
At the beginning of the year, one of my readers in America contacted me that he needed aloe vera plants in large quantities to plant on his farm here in Nigeria. It was difficult getting it in large quantities. At some point, I remembered that my father once gave me a book that was written by one of his contemporaries who plants aloe vera.
I told my father about this and he made a promise to link me up with the man. That was not all, he told me how this man, who also doubles as a medical doctor uses herbs to treat his patients. Hearing this, I became extremely eager to meet that medical doctor who treats with herbs.
So, sometime in May, my father sent me an invite that read “valedictory lecture/ 70th birthday celebration of Prof. Oyeku Akibu Oyelami, valedictory lecture title: From Grace to Green Revolution: the Odyssey of a Medical Professor Using Herbs to Heal”. And I said to myself that at last, I was getting close to meeting the man I had been seeking.
Help me welcome Prof. Oyeku Akibu Oyelami into our midst. When I spoke with him on the phone, I said, “See me as your student, sir”. As of now, we will be tapping from his wealth of knowledge. I have a copy of his valedictory speech with me, if you are interested, please, let me know.
I wish to thank everyone who has called to ask for Noni plant seedlings to be planted in their homes. I have always wished that we all have orchards in our homes, and that wish is gradually coming to a reality.
During the week, a reader told me the price of the bottle of Noni he bought, and I almost screamed. I never knew it was this pricey. Well, the Noni juice I have been talking about is not the store-bought one but the homemade juice. While Noni itself is low in sugar, it is common for manufacturers to mix the juice with other types of fruit and add a high amount of sugar to make it taste better.
Noni leaves can be eaten cooked. They may be blanched or stir-fried. To prepare them for use, strip them from their stems. Roll them up and cut them into strips. The fruits can be dried and you can use them for making tea. To make the tea, pour boiled water and your dried and washed fruits. The same goes for the leaves.
Noni fruit seed oil is renowned for its rich antioxidant content which helps combat oxidative stress and protect the skin from premature aging. Its essential fatty acids contribute to a supple and hydrated complexion, while its vitamins A and C enhance the skin’s vitality and radiance.
To make noni juice, choose fully ripe Noni fruits (when the fruit is tender and has a translucent yellow colour, it is ripe. If your noni fruit is hard and a green or white colour, it is not ripe yet). Thoroughly wash the fruits, cut into small pieces, and place them in a blender or food processor. Sieve it. It is advisable to refrigerate leftover juice to maintain its freshness and extend its shelf life.
You can also ferment your Noni fruit. Wash your ripe fruits, dry them, and store them in a glass jar, stainless steel, or food-grade plastic. Place the jar of fruit in a sunny spot in your house such as near a window that gets direct sunlight for 4 to 12 weeks. You can start taking the juice coming out of the fruits at 4 weeks.
