Hello Blog fam!
Hope y’all are doing great. Did you know that some of the very expensive IMPORTED green herbal teas we buy is non-other than leaves of the moringa trees we use to fence and beautify our houses or even feed our goats with???
Or that the curry powder we know is a blend of different spices??? The most confusing which I’m still unsure of is that Basil leaves which we mostly get from supermarkets is actually dried Scent leaves a.k.a Nchuawun / Efinrin!!! :s
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| Scent Leaves a.k.a Nchuawun or Ahimu (Igbo), Efinrin (Yoruba) |
I don’t know how true that is but a lot of people seem to agree with that. I’ve come to a conclusion that we’ve got most herbs, spices and plants in Nigeria but since they go by different names due to the diverse tribes and ethnic groups, they’ve been lost in translation. Please share any Herbs, spices, or plants whose local and foreign names you know. If you know their uses please share also. We’d love to be enlightened.
Spices:::
1. Local Names: Mpuru uziza (Igbo), (Ashanti pepper) (ghana), Benin pepper, false cubeb
English Name: West African pepper
Scientific Name: Piper guineese
Click Here to Continue…….
Ingredients & Condiments:::
1. Local Name: Okpei (Igbo)
English Name: Locust Beans (fermented)
194 comments
Dobby, Cameroon pepper is not an indigenous nigerian spice.
Basil leaf is quite different cos nchawu is African Wild Basil, it can be a substitute for basil tho.
Nice blog btw, i'm always here but 1st time to comment.
Bunny.
Please what do Nigerians call Turmeric?
Green tea is actually green tea unless the "green herbal tea" is mixed with several herbs including green tea leaves companies labeling Moringa as green herbal tea are misleading people. Green tea is made from the same leaves as black tea only the process is different which allows the leaves to remain green hence the term green tea which is great if you are trying to get rid of belly fat.
Could Scent leaves be "mint leaves aka peppermint leaves" Coz basil doesn't exactly have a strong scent but mint does
Hi Anon! Cameroon pepper is definitely not native to nigeria though people usually mistake it for dried yellow scotch bonnet (yellow pepper).
I've forgotten but I know yoruba sellers have it. The powdered turmeric is as sharp as curry while the raw one looks like ginger. Might ask my customer morrow and reply again
Thanks for the much needed clarification bunny :). I'm glad u dropped a comment this time 😀
Scent leaves (efinrin/ nchuawun mostly used in peppersoups and stir-frys) is not mint leaves (peppermint leaves mostly used as tea). They are two different leaves entirely.
Thanks for the insight Anon :). Most products here could be quite misleading. Hopefully, there'd be ways to differentiate btw them soon.
Very nice blog Dobby, i discovered it a few weeks back and have already introduced my friends. keep up the good work
Yes, green tea is not moringa. Kanafuru is cloves
Great site! Great for inspiration and spice advice!
Awww!!!! Thanks Anon! i really do appreciate 🙂
Chilli pepper is the same ata gigun in the market…
Thank you for this post. please where can we find cinnamon in Nigeria and does it have a name?
cinnamon is everywhr o! Do u knw supreme spices??? It's common and u can find it in d market, shops and supermarkets. Jst go to d spices section and u'll see cinnamon powder-its 300naira. Supreme spices ve diff variants frm d norm thyme, curry to cinnamon, tumeric, meat tenderizer, garlic, ginger, mixed spice…dey com in diff colours in medium sized bottled containers. I hope dis helps
I am on this with you Dobby, I have been searching for local names of some spices and herbs. For now I buy from shop rite, park n shop and interestingly you can get a wide range of spices from this stores.
Hi Dobby,
I incidentally stumbled into your blog while searching for bulk spice sellers in Nigeria .Do you know of any?
Hi Dobby,I came across tis site while searching for Nigeria spice bulk spice sellers . Do You know of any?
Thanks for the helpful info sisiekomi 🙂
Hello freda,
For now I really haven't come across bulk spice sellers but once I do, I'd upload the link on this page.
What are the local names for noni, gingseng and ganodama plants.
I thank you 4making me a good cook
Thank you too for visiting 🙂
'Ehu' also called 'Ariwo' is known as Calabash nutmeg in english.
Dear Dobby,
My name is Swati and I work with a company called Surgery Assistance India (www.surgeryassistanceindia.com). We are a Medical tourism company and we assist International patients who are seeking treatment in India. We assist many patients from Africa and we also provide them African Cuisine.
Could you suggest some recipies that we can serve and that will be good for their health. Also, the ingredients that are available in India will also be a little different than Africa, I will be grateful if you could also give me some replacements for the ingredients that are not available here.
Regards,
Swati
http://www.surgeryassistanceindia.com
please send me your email address swati, i'd be glad to assist. dobbyssignature@gmail.com
tumeric is called ata ile pupa while ginger is called ata ile in Yoruba
So wer can tumeric b found in nigeria hear ??? Can any body help expecialy in ibadan
Pls wat is d yoruba name for mint leaf?
Pls what is d local name for cinnamon, will really apreciate if u cn help thnk u
Pls what is the yoruba and hausa name for cinnamon
What is the Yoruba name for mint leaf
Cinnamon is not a Nigerian spice
What is Yoruba name for mint leave is very important
i haven't heard of a local name for mint. The hausa vegetable vendors that sell it don't have a name for it also> They call it NaaNa which is an arabic word for Mint.
cinnamon is kirfa in hausa and mint we call it Na' a na'a
what is the local name for CINNAMON and where can i buy it in abuja
cinnamon is kirfa in hausa
Pls dobby, what quantity of Zobo leaves and water can I use for 200 bottles of 50cl for it not to be too light and too thick? Thanks
Pls dobby, what quantity of zobo leaves and water can I use for 200 bottles of 50cl? I don't want it too light and too thick? Thank
Hello Dobby,what name does yoruba called Saw palmetto and Black cohosh
Pls what is tumeric in hausa language?
Thanks for giving us the name of cinnamon in hausa, good work keep it up!!
Pls, which basil leave is de same as nchuanwun (Igbo) or efirin (Yoruba)
Clove Basil. You might want to check out the full list of : Nigerian leafy vegetables with pictures here also
where can One buy mint leave/spice in Lagos
You could checkout my post on Where to buy foreign fruits and vegetables in Nigeria apart from shoprite.
Great to find this blog, was looking for Nigerian spices. I am thinking of making tea out of most of our spices, like scent leave/nchawu, Utazi, Achara leaf, Pepper fruit, alligator pepper, negro pepper/Uda, Ehure. There are some spices from the Benin area but can't remember what they are called, especially pepper soup spices.
I combine mint and Lemon balm leave with honey as tea. Very healthy. It contains Iron, vitamin K (good for you if you are bleeding), beta- Carotene (prevents stroke and high blood pressure).
Unfortunately not enough research has been done on our Nigerian spices, it could be good to know the chemical composition of this different spices so we know how to combine them.
This is a challenge for Botany, Chemistry, Biochemistry in our Nigerian Universities.
The chinese and Indian come frequently to Nigeria to study our herbs and take samples and seeds to plant in there countries and sell back to us.
Nigeria Researchers in this area wake up. The world is tired of waiting for us and they come here to get it themselves.
Sometimes I wonder the purpose of Universities in Nigeria, Universities bring about innovation, but instead in Nigeria it is the Illitrates persons that do this in Nigeria.
I don't know what University Professors in Nigeria are doing honestly.
Thanks again Dobby for the good work, Please could you make contact with any Nigeria University to publish the chemical content of all our herbs and spices in Nigeria. I manage to find only one publication with a few spices. search google for the article: "Studies on the chemical and antinutritional content of
some Nigerian spices"
Authors: Friday O. Uhegbu1*, Emeka E. J. Iweala2 and Ijeoma Kanu3
Ok so what then is the Nigerian name for mint leavesand where can one get it? Urgent please.
Ok, so what then is the Nigerian name for mint leaves, where can I get it from? Urgent.
Mint leave is known as Na' a na'a by the northerners. you could get it at shoprite or click Here
pls at all what is yoruba namse for dong quai, licorise???
dong quai "Angelica sinensis", commonly known as or "female ginseng" is indigenous to China. Liquorice or licorice which is the root of "Glycyrrhiza glabra" is a legume that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia.
Pls what is d name of almond seed in yoruba
Pls what is d name of almond seed in yoruba
Ginseng and ganodama are asian Herbs
I know turmeric is called kurkum in hausa.
Please is fenugreek a Nigerian herb? what's it called?
where i buy spices the hausa people call fenugreek is called "hulba"
cinnamon tree in yoruba is ewe agbayun or igi didun.
cinnamon tree in yoruba is ewe agbayun or igi didun.
Most indian shops at illupeju or vi have it
For how to make zobo CLICK HERE
Great site.
You have done a good job of revealing indigenous herbs and spices nigerians can use to prepare delicious meals.
Come to think of it, with a little effort, we dont really need to get ourselves bugged down with the fat loaded and calories saturated junks foods at the fast foods joints.
Thanks for making efforts to educated Nigerians.
I wish you well
Thank you too Kingsley 🙂
What is turmric in igbo pls
Does anyone know the Nigeria name for sage leaf?
Tumeric is called Nwandumo in Ebonyi, ohu boboch in Enugu (Nkanu
East), gigir in Tiv, gangamau in Hausa, Magina in Kaduna, Turi in
Niger State, onjonigho in Cross River
Hi Anon,
Sage leaf is not native to these parts therefore the likelihood of it having local names is low
please what is the local name for mint leaf?
Mint is Na' a na'a in Hausa
hi hi Dobby , pls what do Nigerians call fennel seeds
i know it is scientifically called Foeniculum vulgare dulce but i don't know what it is called in Nigeria and where i can get it in Abuja where i stay
Wat is anoda name for mint nd pepermint leave
PLEASE DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME FOR ALMOND SEED IN YORUBA LANGUAGE?
PLEASE DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME FOR ALMOND SEED IN YORUBA PLEASE
Check the comments above. The name for mint/peppermint is already there.
mint is "ntong" in Efik
Fenugreek is Erun in Yoruba
Cayenne is Bawa & Chilli is Shombo in Nigeria
hello please where can I get bay leaves in lagos? or is there a local name for it. Thank you
you can get bay leaves in the local market from vendors that sell kitchen spices. it's simply known as bay leaf or jollof rice leaf.
Pls is mint and spearmint leaves the same? If they are different help get thier niheroan nemes
Please I kno u sed mint is na'a na but what is spearmint??
spearmint is in the same family as mint but has less menthol. i guess in Nigeria it is classified in the mint category and called na'a na
Pls another name for ishasha spice, it is common in delta state
Where can Noni leave be found in Nigeria and does it really grow in Nigeria?
Noni Leave is not indigenous to Nigeria but people plant it these days for research purposes.
Am always here but don't really read comments but this got me today.
BASIL is very very different from Scent leaf and I don't quite agree with the substitution thing. Basil is very sweet while my good old Nchawu is sharp if you know what I mean….
moi Dobby
I have noni here. The plant, fruit, juice.I can’t remember the botanical name though.
I’m in Delta state
Thanks for the contribution Anon 🙂
what is the yoruba name for black cohosh
Nice blog. Ginger is known in Yoruba as kakandoro
Helo, what is black cohosh called in yoruba.
Nice blog. I think you should paste a link of your thread on http://www.nairaland.com
we need blogs with rich and educative contents like this.
aspiring bloggers need to see this to know blogging shouldn't be all about celebrity gossip.
Thanks Anon 🙂
Hi dobby, nice blog you have here. I have interest in this area. At the moment am carrying out a research on some common food seasonings consumed in Nigeria and comparing them with our traditional seasonings. in the course of this work i came across your blog and i actually got some ideals from it. keep it up!
could u please kindly upload mint leave,i really need to know,i thought its the same as Basil leave(nchanwu)
Thanks Anon, glad you found the blog useful 🙂
Hi anon, please click on the "Indigenous Nigerian leafy vegetables and Herbs in Nigeria" link above for pictures of scent and mint leaves.
what is fenugreek called in igbo and where can i get it?
Hi Annie, Fenugreek (Known as "Methi") is not indigenous to Nigeria and therefore has no local name. However, it is very easily obtainable at local indian shops (there are some at Ilupeju and EmJays at Adeola Odeku in Victoria island Lagos).You can get both the dried leaves and seeds there.
Hi! Pls can you please help me with a referral to where and how I can get cinnamon powder asap, plsss! I live in Ikorodu. Thank you!!
Dobby, thanks a lot for this post,very informative. I had no idea that cinnamon and turmeric are locally grown in Nigeria.
They sure are Uneku 🙂
kurkur in hausa, atale in yoruba
visit flair9ja.blogspot.com 🙂
Dobby, wat fruits or spices would u advise for libido boosting in mem. I mean one dat can be found in nija o.
Tanks
Hi anon, Although that's not my field of expertise, foods like Garlic, watermelon, avocado, peanuts, Sardines, dark chocolate is said to boost libido in men.
I beg to differ on this matter. Today we give credit for the yellow pepper to the Cameroons, yesterday some silly Nigerians claimed the rubbish green pineapples from Cotonou was the best or Ghana ankara is suddenly better that anything Nigeria has produced. All bullshit. Nigeria has good fertile lands and our land produce some of the richest crops on earth. Though am not sure of the true origin of the yellow pepper that some people call Cameroon pepper and some Ghana pepper but I know that before traders started importing it from Cameroon we had it in Nsukka. My mom lived in Nsukka in the 1950's and told us stories in the early 80's about the lovely scented yellow pepper and a variety of palm oil that can preserve soup for more than a week without refrigeration. These two she said was indigenous to the Nsukka people. The pepper was called 'Ose Nsukka'. When she got some from a friend from Nsukka we planted it in our small farm in Lagos here and everyone who partook of it loved it. Dobby, your doing a good job here but please educate our people better.
THIS BLOG IS EDUCATIVE I AM TRYING TO GET THE NAMES OF LOCAL SPICES FROM THE EASTERN PART OF NIGERIA AND THEIR USES,PLS HELP.
You can get turmeric ( ginger) in the local market place. Is very popular and easy to get in the market.
What is the yoruba name for herb bennet and balm also thanks
pls where can i get the mint leaves?
this question has been answered above na!
Very much. Tnx Quinn
Tumeric is kurkum in hausa,and is used for traditional beauty treatments too. So most local beauty palors have it in the north. Kurkum is also arabic like na' na (mint leaves)
Please where can I get mint leaves in nigeria I live in Delta state and school in benin can anyone please tell me where I can buy mint leaves dobby ur assistance is needed thanks
please what is the yoruba igbo or EDO name of mint leave and where can i buy it around edo state. thanks for your assistance wo far
mint is not indigenous to Nigeria so it's rarely grown everywhere except for some select few places. Click on the "Where to get foreign fruits and vegetables in Nigeria" link above to order from the people there.
mint is not indigenous to Nigeria so it's rarely grown everywhere except for some select few places. Click on the "Where to get foreign fruits and vegetables in Nigeria" link above to order from the people there.
What is curd in Hausa?
"WARA"
Another name for cinnamon and horseradish pls
scent leaves is doddoya in hausa and basil in english
Licorice is OBURUNBEBE STICK popularly used for banga soup by delta people. Check it out
Where can I buy achi the seed which pic. I seen looks like the type you use for making ogbono soup
Most local markets in Nigeria have it.
please what is mint leave called in yoruba
What's sage called or what does it look like?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Buy gretafood cinnamon,its 100% pure,buy it from offin canal street,Apongbon, Lagos island ,where they sell bakery stuff or ebonyi plaza trade fair,where they sell bakery too
Go to Alagbo. Herb sellers
It's called Ata Ile Pupa. Check the local herb sellers at the market. I mean Alagbo. It's a root like ginger
Tumeric is Ata Ile Pupa. The local herb sellers at Mushin, Boundary markets etc sell them. I mean Alagbo. It's a root like the ginger but has a curry color
Hello just came across tis post I stock turmeric,tamarind,cinnamon, Fenugreek,henna,cow ghee, shea butter ,coconut oil,orange peel, and other spices my location is Nasarawa state but I make deliveries nationwide.
Please, what is cumin seed and cumin spice? Where can I get it in Nigeria (Abuja)?
What is the local name in hausa, yoruba and ibibio?
almond seed is the common fruit that yoruba called aba. am using this opportunity to invite you to the launching of my book entitled herbal therapy on 21st June, 2016 @ federal college of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu: a book that teaches how to use herbs to prevent, control and cure diseases. about 150 plants are been selected for different diseases, their local names(in the major Nigerian languages) also in the book. The interesting part is the well stressed method of preparation and administration.
Nice recipe
check out
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Turmeric is called ATA ILEPUPA in Yoruba
Can I get it in Lagos (Fenugreek seed)
I think i got mine wrong.can someone help me. I bought the mix and followed the instructions but it didn't come out well.
Please what is the local name for bay leaf
What is cumin called in yoruba
Dobby,
Now I have +1 more reason to love you
Thank you for being committed to this "calling". God's grace will forever be available for you… Amen!
I'd like for us to chat. Can you email me cyndah@msn.com
OR WhatsApp 08030753333
Thanks
Ada
Please am in Benue state,makurdi precisely and i don't know where to get tumeric from and i need it badly
I have turmeric in ksfanchan, for detail check http://www.facebook.com/freshturmericroots.
This is a useful blog.
Glad you like it joladunni.
WELL DONE ADMIN. PLEASE WHERE CAN I GET DONG QUAI ROOTS IN NIGERIA AND WHAT IS IT KNOWN AS HERE?
Hi dobby,pls what fruits and spices would you advise for losing weight
What is cumin seed called in Nigeria
pls i need to know what cloves is called in igbo language . i need to get it for my mum. its very medicinal.
Please is cayenne pepper same as uziza? Also which one is black pepper because I do see it in some cooking videos
No it's not. Canyenne pepper looks like shombo but shorter. Uziza seeds are small and round. Black pepper is usually imported and not indigenous to Nigeria.
Pls can someone tell the ibo or Yoruba name for flaxseed
Greetings everyone, pls can someone tell me the Hausa or IBO name for flaxyseed
Hi Stanley. Flax seed is not indigenous to Nigeria therefore there's no local name. It's usually imported and that's one of the reasons why it's rare to find as well as expensive.
I am inpressed…Wow!please where do I buy licorice or obunrunbebe in Lagos.
It is not an indigenous Nigerian seed hence no local name yet
Tumeric is "Adan Unen" in Efik language
'Oburunbebe' is 'Cinnamon Stick'
Please is Irugege same thing with Uda or negro pepper?
Please is Irugege same thing with Uda or negro pepper?
Please is Irugege same thing as Uda or negro pepper?
No it's not. The names you mentioned are ALL different from each other. The pictures are above.
No it's not. The names you mentioned are ALL different from each other. The pictures are above.
No it's Not.
Please what is Irugege then called in Igbo or English?
What is yoruba name for black cohosh
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
Thank you for some other excellent article. The place else may anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I'm at the look for such info.
Please do you know where I can get both the leaves of ataiko and irugege. I stay in Port Harcourt
Please do you know where I can get the leaves of both ataiko and irugege. I stay in Port Harcourt
Shombo is paprika.
Wara is Yoruba for cheese curd.
Dobby, alligator pepper is Atare in Yoruba. I know it is used for prayers but how are they used in food please?
Thanks for all your information. Your blog is fantastic!
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Please what is Cumin seed called in igbo, yoruba and hausa language?
Thanks.
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How do I contact ypu please am in lokoja I need fenugreek seed,fennel seed,Cummings seed and maca seed
Where can I buy Uzazi seed and african nutmeg in large quantity
Where can I buy uzazi and African nutmeg in large quantity is urgent
Where can I buy uzazi and African nutmeg in large quantity is urgent
Hello Dobby,
I came across this blog while in search of what what the fenugreek seed for making fenugreek oil looked like. Just recently, I purchased apple cider vinegar and coconut oil from a supermarket. Do you think I can find this fenugreek oil in a supermarket? What other local names does fenugreek seed go by? I'll like to know the Ibo name for it as I've found the Yoruba and Hausa name for it. I find your articles real interesting and would be visiting your blog frequently for more insights. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work.
fenugreek is not indigenous to Nigeria so it doesn't really have a local name however it can be found around these days (usually imported). You can find it in the local market though. Most Hausa vendors that sell salad ingredients, local spices, honey and seeds usually have it.
would do some research and make a list.
Can I have the herbal book? For what price? My name is Kingsley Akinfe Email: kingsleyakinfe@yahoo.com
My first time here and I fell in love with your write up..
Please I’ll like to keep in touch with you..
Sure you can. Simply subscribe to keep in touch k.