Louis E. Grivetti

Energy and micronutrient composition of dietary and medicinal wild plants consumed during drought. Study of rural Fulani, northeastern Nigeria.

Two rural settled Fulani villages, northeastern Nigeria, were surveyed for dietary practices and use of edible wild plants (n = 100 households). Commonly consumed species of edible wild barks, fruits, leaves, nuts, seeds, and tubers were analyzed for protein, fat, and carbohydrate and for minerals. Kuka bark (Adansonia digitata) given to infants to increase weight gain was high in fat, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc. Cediya (Ficus thonningii), dorowa (Parkia biglobosa) and zogale (Moringa oleifera) were good sources of protein and fat and excellent sources of calcium and iron or copper and zinc. Fruits, leaves, and nuts of aduwa (Balanites aegyptiaca) were widely used during the dry season and during drought. Edible wild species available during the wet season generally were inferior in energy and micronutrient mineral content compared to dry season plants. Fruits commonly eaten by children were poor sources of protein and minerals but rich in carbohydrate and fiber. Tsamiya seeds (Tamarindus indica) were good sources of zinc and used to make dawwa (porridge) commonly consumed during pregnancy. Kirya seeds (Prosopos africana) contained the highest zinc concentrations. Shiwaka leaves (Veronia colorate) consumed by pregnant women to increase breastmilk production and to expel intestinal worms, were high in fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and were adequate sources of calcium.Two rural settled Fulani villages, northeastern Nigeria, were surveyed for dietary practices and use of edible wild plants (n = 100 households). Commonly consumed species of edible wild barks, fruits, leaves, nuts, seeds, and tubers were analyzed for protein, fat, and carbohydrate and for minerals. Kuka bark (Adansonia digitata) given to infants to increase weight gain was high in fat, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc. Cediya (Ficus thonningii), dorowa (Parkia biglobosa) and zogale (Moringa oleifera) were good sources of protein and fat and excellent sources of calcium and iron or copper and zinc. Fruits, leaves, and nuts of aduwa (Balanites aegyptiaca) were widely used during the dry season and during drought. Edible wild species available during the wet season generally were inferior in energy and micronutrient mineral content compared to dry season plants. Fruits commonly eaten by children were poor sources of protein and minerals but rich in carbohydrate and fiber. Tsamiya seeds (Tamarindus indica) were good sources of zinc and used to make dawwa (porridge) commonly consumed during pregnancy. Kirya seeds (Prosopos africana) contained the highest zinc concentrations. Shiwaka leaves (Veronia colorate) to increase breastmilk production and to expel intestinal worms, were high in fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and were adequate sources of calcium.

Food of the Gods: Cure for Humanity? A Cultural History of the Medicinal and Ritual Use of Chocolate

The medicinal use of cacao, or chocolate, both as a primary remedy and as a vehicle to deliver other medicines, originated in the New World and diffused to Europe in the mid 1500s. These practices originated among the Olmec, Maya and Mexica (Aztec). The word cacao is derived from Olmec and the subsequent Mayan languages (kakaw); the chocolate-related term cacahuatl is Nahuatl (Aztec language), derived from Olmec/Mayan etymology. Early colonial era documents included instructions for the medicinal use of cacao. The Badianus Codex (1552) noted the use of cacao flowers to treat fatigue, whereas the Florentine Codex (1590) offered a prescription of cacao beans, maize and the herb tlacoxochitl (Calliandra anomala) to alleviate fever and panting of breath and to treat the faint of heart. Subsequent 16th to early 20th century manuscripts produced in Europe and New Spain revealed >100 medicinal uses for cacao/chocolate. Three consistent roles can be identified: 1) to treat emaciated patients to gain weight; 2) to stimulate nervous systems of apathetic, exhausted or feeble patients; and 3) to improve digestion and elimination where cacao/chocolate countered the effects of stagnant or weak stomachs, stimulated kidneys and improved bowel function. Additional medical complaints treated with chocolate/cacao have included anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue, poor breast milk production, consumption/tuberculosis, fever, gout, kidney stones, reduced longevity and poor sexual appetite/low virility. Chocolate paste was a medium used to administer drugs and to counter the taste of bitter pharmacological additives. In addition to cacao beans, preparations of cacao bark, oil (cacao butter), leaves and flowers have been used to treat burns, bowel dysfunction, cuts and skin irritations.

Dietary Acculturation among Latinos of Mexican Descent

The current Mexican diet, high in complex carbohydrates, is being abandoned as first and second generation Americans of Mexican descent adopt a more typical mainstream American diet. Some changes—more milk, fruit and vegetables—can be considered “healthy,” but many others may be considered potentially deletrious.

Food diversity and drought survival. The Hausa example

Two Hausa villages in the Sahel of south-eastern Niger were surveyed for food procurement practices, with special focus on dietary use of wild plants. Activities and behaviours during years of adequate rainfall were compared to practices during drought. A diversified food base was maintained through hunting, gathering, agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry. Members of households surveyed (n = 112) foraged for edible wild plants located in bushlands adjacent to villages, within household compounds, or within agricultural fields. Dominant agricultural crops were beans, millet, peanuts, and sorghum; prominent household garden species were melon, okra, and squash. At the time of the survey most households experienced marginal crop yields. Edible wild plants were prominent in local diet during both drought and during years of adequate rainfall; more than 80 species were commonly consumed. Protein values of several wild plants exceeded 20%, including Amaranthus hybridus, Cassia occidentalis, Cenchrus ...

Mineral values of selected plant foods common to southern Burkina Faso and to Niamey, Niger, West Africa

Wild and cultivated fruits, leaves, nuts, seeds, spices and vegetables from southern Burkina Faso and Niamey, Niger, were analysed for their copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc concentrations and compared to imported, exotic reference foods found within the study area. The species analysed covered a broad spectrum of local diet; 33 were wild and 16 were cultivated. The edible wild plants were often the highest in mineral concentrations. Five species analysed, exhibited consistently high mineral values, specifically, Adansonia digitata, Boerhavia diffusa, Cerathoteca sesamoides, Sclerocarya birrea and Xylopia sp. The latter was particularly high in zinc, an observation which suggests that there may be a solid rationale for local traditions which recommended its consumption during pregnancy and lactation. Respondents indicated that during times of drought, wild plants were not consumed in the volume they once were, due to changes of infrastructure and in famine relief programmes.

Legacy of the chameleon: Edible wild plants in the kingdom of Swaziland, Southern Africa. A cultural, ecological, nutritional study. Part IV ‐ nutritional analysis and conclusions

This paper presents proximate analysis, protein and mineral values for 29 important wild plant species consumed in Swaziland. Leaf protein ranged from 1.30–7.50 %; the highest values were from the genera Grewia, Momordica and Pouzolzia. High calcium sources were Corchorus spp., Grewia spp. and Pouzolzia parasitica. Plants with a high iron concentration included Corchorus spp., Ipomoea sp. and Zantedeschia sp. Wild leaves were the main dietary accompaniment to maize porridge in 39 % of 133 meals analyzed. The traditional Swazi method for preparing leaf side‐dishes with cooking ash may remove vitamins of the B‐complex and ascorbic acid. Wild plants play an essential role in Swazi diet; more than 220 species are commonly consumed. Many plants are restricted ecologically to narrow ranges. The Highveld exhibited the greatest abundance of edible leaves; while the Lowveld had the greatest diversity of edible fruits. So‐called edible “weeds‐of‐agriculture” were most prominent in the Middleveld. Swazi schoolchildr...

Hmong gardens: Botanical diversity in an urban setting

Since the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Laotian Hmong have immigrated to the United States, many ultimately resettling in the Central Valley of California. In the innercity environment of Sacramento, the Hmong continue their agrarian traditions by creating urban gardens where they grow traditional plants. In this study, we document 59 Hmong garden species grown at a site in South Sacramento. Most of these species are documented in the Southeast Asian botanical literature as either food or medicinal plants. Uses of the plants are discussed as is the importance of urban gardens in maintaining Hmong cultural identity and practices.

Legacy of the chameleon: Edible wild plants in the Kindom of Swaziland, Southern Africa. A cultural, ecological, nutritional study. Part II ‐ demographics, species availability and dietary use, analysis by ecological zone

This paper, the second of four, presents demographic characteristics for 211 adults and 140 school children surveyed in four ecological zones in the Kingdom of Swaziland. It identifies edible species recognized and consumed, and concludes with an analysis of edible plant use by ecological zone. Swaziland is culturally homogeneous: 90 % of persons interviewed were ethnic Swazi; 46 % had no formal education; 60 % of adults were born or had lived for more than 13 years at their present homestead in a specific ecological zone. All respondents consumed wild plants; 11 % never purchased food. More older respondents occupied the Highveld; more younger Swazi Middleveld and Lowveld. Most land was cultivated at Middleveld sites. Food production varied significantly by ecological zone; most maize was produced in the Highveld. Adults reported a range of edible species (9–90) in each of four ecological zones; adults ate, on average, ten more species than school children. Most prominently consumed edible leaves were fr...

Legacy of the chameleon: Edible wild plants in the kingdom of Swaziland, Southern Africa. A cultural, ecological, nutritional study. Part I ‐ Introduction, objectives, methods, Swazi culture, landscape and diet

This paper presents objectives; methods; an introduction to the people, culture and diet of Swaziland, site for a cultural‐ecological study of edible wild plants. Swaziland is ethnically homogeneous, but environmentally diverse. Four distinct botanical zones are recognized: Highveld, Middleveld, Lowveld and Lubombo. Study objectives were to identify maintenance or abandonment of edible plant consumption by both Swazi adults and school children in each of the four ecological zones. Swazi diet is based on white maize. Relishes or side‐dishes are composed of meats, legumes or vegetables, but typically edible wild leaves. Most common legume is Voandzeia subterranea (bambara groundnut). Use of commercial fats is recent. Recently introduced foods include wheat bread, canned fish, carbonated beverages and tea. Prestige meat is beef. Nutritional value of traditional beer has declined because use of commercial beer powders has increased. Traditional Swazi meal patterns comprise two formal meals per day with extens...

Nontraditional ethnic food choices among first generation Chinese in California

Summary Nontraditional “ethnic foods,” items widely accepted by an ethnic group but not characteristic of that society, should be considered by nutrition educators when designing programs of dietary improvement. Data are presented on the use of 77 foods, both traditional and nontraditional, consumed by Chinese immigrants before and after arrival in the United States.