Have you ever tried Egusi Melon citrullus colocynthis ? 🤔
Egusi seed belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. The egusi melon, which contains the seeds, has climbing tendrils that have a similar appearance with vine plants. The egusi melon has a bitter taste, thus, the melon is grown due to its seeds. It originates from Africa, Mediterranean region and Asia . This seed is widely made into soups and is popularly eaten in West Africa.
The seeds are sun-dried, shelled, and ground plain or roasted before being grounded and made into soups.
Egusi has many health benefits 😊, including several for the hair and skin:
– It is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3.
– Egusi seed is a good source of potassium and calcium, minerals that regulate blood pressure. It is also a rich source of magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
– It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Researchers found out that the egusi seeds can help reduce inflammation and Egusi fruits contain active chemicals that kill common bacteria like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium.
– Egusi fruit extracts are a rich source of antioxidants and studies have proven their ability to neutralize several free-radicals.
– It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and protein and can be included in a plant-based diet to help meet basic protein requirements! 100 grams of egusi seeds contains a whopping 27.5 grams of protein.
– Egusi extracts are used in Ayurvedic medicine for hair growth. These extracts are effective in increasing the number of hair follicles in animal studies. Minoxidil is the standard treatment for hair loss in men and can sometimes be effective in women. In animal studies including one published in 2007 in Pharmaceutical Biology, egusi extracts were more effective than minoxidil in treating hair loss.
Egusi soup which utilizes the seeds of the fruit is one of my favorite Nigerian dishes to make. Of course mine is vegan – I sub mushrooms for the meat and its still lit! Comment below if you’ve ever tried Egusi? And if so in what forms?-XO