BITTER KOLA/GARCINIA KOLA is a tropical flowering plant found in western and central Africa, which produces large, orange fruits and brown, nut-like seeds embedded in an orange-colored pulp. The seed plays a very important role in African ethno-medicine, in the treatment of coughs, colds, hoarseness of voice, liver diseases, and as aphrodisiac. Garcinia kola is used as a substitute for hops in brewing lager beer, and in preventing beer spoilage. The seeds have been formulated into tablets and are also used in many herbal preparations, either singly or in combination with other plants. Hepa-Vital Tea, a blend of G. kola and Combretum micranttum, and Hangover Tonic, comprising kolaviron and Cola nitida, are manufactured and marketed as phytomedicines. The constituents isolated from the seed include xanthones, benzophenones, and kolaviron. The hepatoprotective properties of the seed have been associated with the isolated bioflavonoid complex kolaviron.
