What comes to your mind when you see the phrase “snake tomatoes?”
You might not have heard or learnt much about this particular veggie (Yes, it is a vegetable). I guess you’ll be amazed at its numerous undetectable characteristics and wonderful health benefits.
Snake tomato (Trichosathes cucumerina) locally known as “elejo tomato” or “tomati elejo” (for Ibadan folks) is a variety of tomatoes growing mostly wild in southern Nigeria.
Trichosanthes cucumerina also known as the snake gourd is also referred to as the snake tomato because the ripe fruit is reddish in colour and tastes like tomatoes.
Snake tomato has resemblance with a cucumber. It is super rich in vitamin A and C, essential amino acids, calcium among other nutrients than the most regular tomatoes.
Sadly, this long veggie has been left to grow with little attention to it’s benefits. This vegetable was known to be widely grown in the 60s down to the late 90s and was very common in the local markets.
In present days, attention has shifted to the pulpy tomato – Lycopersicon esculentum.
Shall we briefly talk about the health benefits of Snake Tomatoes? They are numerous but let’s check out 7 out of the abundant benefits.
1) Jaundice
The leaves of snake tomato together with coriander seeds decoction are effective managers of jaundice. It can be used based on professional suggestions but based on research opinions, you can ingest 30-60gram doses of the leaves crushed along with coriander seeds three times
daily.
2) Diabetes
Snake tomato is a low calorie food, and it may be liberally used by Type- II-diabetic patients.
3) Heart Disorders
Juice obtained from fresh leaves of snake tomato is of great advantage in managing heart disorders like palpitation as well as pain within the heart on physical exercise. You can be rest assured of the wonder working effect the leaves have on the human body.
Read This Also – The Pulpy Fruit : Tomato
4) Alopecia
The extract from the leaves is also very effective in the treatment of alopecia (a scalp illness which leads to the partial or even complete hair loss). All you need to do is to constantly apply the extract on the affected area.
5) Purgative
The leaves, roots and seeds of snake tomato helps greatly in controlling bowel problems. It helps in getting rid of toxins in the body. It also helps in the digestion of food.
The seeds are specifically great as a moistening agent in the treatment of dry constipation.
6) Dandruff
This is one of the most interesting uses of snake tomatoes. The juice of the fruit can be used in avoiding and treating severe cases of dandruff. For perfect results, just rub in the juice on your scalp like you’d do for your regular oil conditioner. Snake tomato juice leads to an increase in body fluid production, it serves as a moisturizer from within and also without. This kind gives the best result.
7) Low Calorie Food
Snake tomato is a low calorie food. It provides vital nutrients needed for both growth and repair of body tissues without adding fat to the body. If you’re planning on losing weight, you can so trust snake tomatoes as a sure vegetable you should include in your diet.
Snake tomato assists in the sustainability of proper body balance. It is extremely fortified with minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
It is widely available around us and very easy to cultivate. You should include it among the essential veggies in your garden.
Snake tomato sauce is delicious and yummy. The pulp surrounding the seeds have a bright red colour together with a sweet flavor. The orange creamy pulp on the skin surface blended together with the pulp is a perfect replacement of the regular tomatoes.
Now that you know quite a number of
benefits snake tomato has, why not add it up to the varieties of vegetables in your garden.
Wow!
I’ve never heard of this before.
Do you know if it grows in northern Nigeria?
Thank you always. ❤
Might not really say but I trust Irrigation is always available. Hence, everything it seems can now be grown in the North. The seed is not expensive. So a trial isn’t a bad Idea. God bless you real good
Exactly sir.
You are right.
Thank you sir.
It is widely grown in the Southern part of Nigeria even though it is not so popular in markets. The herb sellers usually have them though.
However, I believe it should be available in the Northern part as well though it might be rare.
Northerners can make attempt of growing the plant as well.
In all, people need to know more about this plant and encourage its conservation.
This will prevent it from going into extinction in the future.
I currently have it in my house in Kaduna, so it can do so well in some parts of the north
Yes it grows in grows in Northern Nigeria, I have it in my garden. It fruits through out the year and so available for you when the regular tomatoes are short in supply and expensive. I love it.
Wawu,this snake tomato is very rich look,jesus see confirm usefulness. I love the dandruff part the more. I will go and look for the seed oo and plant it.
Sis lizzy keep on the good works. More strength
Awwwww.
Yes! Please, get the seeds and plant ma.
We need more of snake tomatoes in our communities.
Thanks for stopping by.
I leave in Kaduna and I am growing it my house.
I have the seed
Snake gourd😋 very rich and nutritious veggie.
Good work colleague👍
Exactly sis.
Thank you my botawriter 🥰.
where can I get snake tomato seeds to buy
It grows easily on my farm, I only need to grow it on a large scale now. Knowledge is power. Kudos
How can I make it ripe if I pluck it when it is green
I just want to know it’s commercial benefits
Can you always send me your rticles on hearbs and good nutritional foods including everything I need to know about health