Blikhiya (bligia, aki). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Blikhiya (bligia, aki). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

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Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Blighia (bligia, aki), Blighia sapida. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Blikhiya (bligia, aki)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Blighia (Blighia)

Family: Melia (Meliaceae)

Origin: Africa, distributed in the tropical regions of the world

Area: Blichia grows in Africa, Madagascar, South America, the Caribbean and the southern United States.

Chemical composition: Blichia contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and many other nutrients. The fruits also contain toxic alkaloids that can cause poisoning.

Economic value: Blichia fruits are edible, but require preliminary heat treatment to destroy toxic substances. They are used in cooking for the preparation of various dishes and drinks. In addition, the blichia tree is used for the production of wood, as well as in medicine for the treatment of certain diseases.

Legends and myths: In the mythology of West Africa, it is said that the blichia was a gift from God to help people survive in difficult conditions. It symbolizes vitality, survival and community life. Also, in some cultures, blichia is associated with fertility and abundance. In South African culture, it symbolizes family bonding and harmony, as families often come together to harvest its fruits. In general, blichia symbolizes not only culinary and medicinal properties, but also vitality, survival, fertility, family ties, and the importance of community spirit.

Blighia (bligia, aki), Blighia sapida. Description, illustrations of the plant

Blighia (bligia, aki), Blighia sapida. Methods of application, origin of the plant, range, botanical description, cultivation

Blikhiya (bligia, aki)

Blighia (Blighia sapida Koenig) from the Sapindaceae family is an evergreen polygamous tree with a height of 7 to 25 m.

The leaves are large, pinnate, with 3-5 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are small in short axillary racemes.

Blikhia is less demanding on temperature, and 4-5 year old trees are able to withstand short frosts.

The fruits in appearance resemble cola fruits, their size is about 10 cm long and 6 cm wide, oblong in shape, golden in color.

Homeland - the western coast of Africa, where it grows wild in the forests.

The main areas of cultivation are West Africa, as well as Jamaica, where blichia was introduced in the XNUMXth century. In Jamaica, blichia is also found in a feral state in forests.

Blikhiya (bligia, aki)

When ripe, the fruit bursts into 3 parts, and a white wrinkled pulp with thin pink veins becomes visible, black seeds glisten in it. The fruits are tasty and nutritious, but they are not always safe to eat. The fruits are eaten only when they reach a certain degree of maturity, in all respects ripe, but still a little hard.

Overripe, fallen or damaged fruits can cause poisoning. Unripe fruits cause vomiting due to the presence of hypoglycin A in the fruit membranes.

The fruits are consumed fresh, but in most cases - after cooking, for example, fried. All this allows you to use the fruits of blichia only on the spot.

Aki fruit is poisonous (contains hypoglycine) until it opens naturally. Seeds are always poisonous, in them the concentration of hypoglycine is 2-3 times higher. Only the pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten, the rest of the fruit is not eaten.

The pulp can be eaten raw, but in Jamaica it is usually boiled together with salted pollock or hake - aka fish is considered a national dish. In Africa, ackee pulp is added to soup or fried in oil.

Blichia is propagated by seeds, seedlings begin to bear fruit at the age of 5. Vegetative propagation is used to a limited extent.

Authors: Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V.

Blighia (bligia, aki), Blighia sapida. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

For fever and headache: infuse dry blichia bark in boiling water and drink the resulting infusion to reduce fever and headache.
For skin diseases: crush the blichia leaves and mix them with a little oil. Apply this mixture to the affected areas of the skin to reduce inflammation and itching.
From the foreclosure: crush the blichia seeds and mix them with the oil. Consume this mixture daily before bed to improve digestion and reduce constipation.
For joint pain: infuse blichia leaves in boiling water and use the resulting infusion to massage sore joints to reduce pain and inflammation.
For heart disease: Prepare an infusion of blichia bark and consume it daily to improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Cosmetology:

Mask for the face: crush blichia leaves and mix them with a little honey and coconut oil. Apply to face and leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This mask will help hydrate and brighten your skin.
Body Scrub: crush the blichia seeds and mix them with butter and sugar. Massage your body with this scrub to remove dead skin cells and improve blood circulation.
Hand cream: mix blichia oil with shea butter and coconut oil in equal proportions. Apply this cream to your hands to moisturize and soften your skin.
Shampoo: infuse blichia leaves in boiling water and use the resulting infusion as an additive to your regular shampoo. Use this shampoo to strengthen your hair and prevent hair loss.
Lip balm: crush blichia leaves and mix them with oil and honey. Use this lip balm to hydrate and soften your lips.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Blighia (bligia, aki), Blighia sapida. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Blighia, also known as bligia or aki, Blighia sapida is a fruit tree native to West Africa that is used in cooking and medicine.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing blichia:

Cultivation:

Blichia is grown from seeds that must be pre-soaked in water for several hours.
Blichia plants need bright sunlight and fertile soil with good drainage capacity.
Plants need regular watering, especially during periods of drought.
Blichia does not withstand frost, so it is recommended to grow it in tropical and subtropical regions.
Bleach plants reach maturity 6-8 years after planting.

Workpiece:

Harvest blichia fruits when they are ripe and reddish-brown in color.
Carefully cut off the fruit, avoiding damage.
Separate the pulp from the stone.
The flesh of the blichia can be eaten fresh or used for cooking.

Storage:

Store blichia fruits in a cool and dry place.
Bleach fruits can be stored for several days at room temperature.
To extend the shelf life, the fruits can be frozen or dried.
To freeze blichia fruits, wash them, remove the pulp from the stone and place in freezer bags.
To dry blichia fruits, cut them into pieces and place them in the sun or in an oven at a low temperature until completely dry.

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