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Agbo Jedi

Also known as Agbo Jedi (Yoruba Herbal Health Tonic)

Agbo Jedi is one of the most culturally significant and widely consumed traditional medicinal drinks in Yoruba culture — a dark, intensely bitter herbal tonic prepared from a combination of specific medicinal plants and herbs known for their anti-malarial, anti-febrile, immune-boosting and liver-cleansing properties. Agbo is prepared by specialist Yoruba herbalists (called Onisegun) who maintain traditional knowledge of the specific plant combinations and preparations.

Agbo Jedi, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • A big handful of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) — fresh or dried
  • A big handful of neem leaves (Dogoyaro) — fresh or dried
  • A big handful of ginger root, sliced
  • A big handful of lemon grass (Ewe Gbungbun), roughly chopped
  • A small piece of turmeric root or 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
  • 2 whole Atarodo (hot chilli peppers)
  • A small handful of moringa leaves — optional
  • 8 glasses of water
  • Honey to taste — for palatability only, do not over-sweeten

Method

  1. 01

    Washing All Herbs. Wash all herbs thoroughly under running water. The fresher the herbs, the more potent the tonic.

  2. 02

    Long Boiling. Place all herbs, ginger, lemon grass, turmeric and Atarodo in a large pot with 8 glasses of water. Bring to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. The liquid will turn a deep, dark green-brown colour and the kitchen will fill with a powerful herbal aroma.

  3. 03

    Straining. Strain through a fine sieve or cloth. Discard all the spent plant material. The strained Agbo will be very dark, very bitter and deeply herbal.

  4. 04

    Adding Honey. Add honey to achieve a barely tolerable level of sweetness — Agbo should remain predominantly bitter. Too much sweetness masks the therapeutic bitterness.

  5. 05

    Serving. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Never drink Agbo ice cold — room temperature is considered the proper serving temperature for maximum therapeutic absorption.

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