ABALUHYA VIAGRA (OMUGOMBERA)

The Abaluhya Viagra

 Scientific name- Mondia whytei

Omugombera –Local Name

Mondia Whytei – Scientific Name

African White Ginger – Common Name

Mondia whytei is an aromatic plant of the Periplocacea family. It is a woody climber with large tuberous root stock which is widely distributed in Tropical Africa. In Kenya it’s mainly found in the Equatorial rainforest of Kakamega (the only of its kind in East and Central Africa). Their leaves are large, soft hairy and take the shape of the heart.

The roots are yellow and strongly aromatic which exude white latex. The roots may spread out just beneath the ground surface covering large areas. The fleshy bark of the narrow root is eaten as an appetizer when raw or occasionally in the dried state because of its good taste. It freshens the mouth and others chew it for pleasure. At first, the roots tastes rather hot and bitter later it tastes sweet, leaving a persistent spicy taste in the mouth which is easily recognized.

Various plants have been used in folk medicines of different cultures to treat male infertility problem. 

Some of them have been identified pharmacologically, allowing for understanding of their mechanisms of action but most of these plants have not been scientifically investigated in order to test and substantiate their claimed properties. Omugombera has been used as a traditional cure for male infertility problems for a very long time, unlike other medicinal plants used for the treatment of male infertility.

The roots are traditionally used as either aphrodisiacs or for the treatment of urinary tract infection, jaundice and headache while the whole plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Men eat the barks or drink the aqueous extract of mondia whytei to help increase potency in order to allow erection to occur. It acts the same way Sildenafil (Viagra) drug acts which is an oral drug for men with erectile dysfunction which produces satisfactory erections and improves sexual satisfaction.

Mondia Whytei has been reported to have the ability to increase testosterone production or relax Corpus Cavernosum tissue, but by also enhancing human sperm function. It also causes profuse urination when used as a way of removing toxics in the body. Apart from men, culturally it is believed women use it to help in the contraction of the womb after delivery. Before one sets out to perform a difficult task, the roots are chewed for good luck. Above all, it is a major income earner to most youth in the Western part of Kenya who sells the drug/food to other regions of the country. Research has shown that, there is enough scientific evidence supporting the use of Mondia Whytei as an aphrodisiac and testimonies from people who have used the plant.

Contributor: Emmy Makokha, 

                      Librarian Kitale Museum