a study of the quality of a local herbal tea and volatiles of parinari ...

2 cm broad, valvate, with 1-3 subglobose seeds in each lobe; approximately 500 seeds/kg
(Ferrara et al., 2001). The shrub is heavily branched with dark-green leaves cultivated
and preferentially picked as young shoots (Brown, 1999). The properties of the plant
were known 4000 years ago and since then traditional Chinese medicine has
recommended this plant for headaches, body aches and pains, digestion, depression,
detoxification, as an energiser and in general to prolong life (Ferrara et al., 2001).
Chinese green tea has been planted and drunk worldwide for more than a dozen centuries
(Zhu et al., 2004). Green and black teas are derived from C. sinensis, it is the production
process which differentiates the two types of tea (Brown, 1999).
In conclusion, F. ancylantha tea, mobola plum fruits, monkey orange, cocoyam and
cassava leaves contribute a wide variety of flavours to the community and apart from the
aesthetic appeal associated with them, they have several health benefits which the
community can benefit from. A study of the volatile constituents of these plants may
provide an opportunity to unravel the benefits of these plants leading to their full
exploitation.
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