The modern-day agbo jedi is used to rid the body of excess sugar. It is also claimed as a sex enhancer for men.

By Clara Gaiya

Of the many herbal medicines in Nigeria, the agbo jedi potion is quite popular. It is widely used among the Yoruba to reduce excess sugar in the body, and all other ailments associated with excess sugar. I have never tried the potion though. However, with every new comment, I get about its efficacy, I tend to question the medicine.

My first personal contact with the famous agbo jedi was at a friend’s place. Agbo jedi, made from the roots of a tree and mostly recognisable by herbal practitioners, is odourless, which makes it easy to drink, though very bitter, supposed proof of its function. Every herbal practitioner makes use of special ingredients exclusive to their products.

In my quest to find answers to the burning questions on the claims of agbo jedi as a potent herbal medicine, I visited popular, Lagos-based female herbs promoter, Fola Herbs for more insight. For those that don’t know her, Fola herbs is quite famous for her exploits in helping men solve health issues relating to erectile dysfunction and various ailments arising from excess sugar in the body, which is said to be responsible for low sexual agility. In fact, her brand, Fola Herbs, trends like a fast-moving consumer good. The posh herbs promoter lifts the blanket off the truism about agbo jedi.

First, the content of the potion is not fixed: it varies from producer to producer. Some other ingredients used for making agbo jedi include seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, and flowers, among other parts of plants. Though each plant or plant part has specific functions, it is not proven that the herbal mixture works in the way that it is said to. But Fola assuaged my fears, saying some agbo jedi are quite effective, citing the huge and positive feedback from customers, who are testifying to the efficacy of her herbs.

Besides the content, I noticed that my friend does not take this medicine with a prescription and this is common with many traditional medicines. This further heightens the possibility that its efficacy could be more of a placebo effect than the actual solution to high blood sugar. Nevertheless, whether a result of the belief in the medicine or not, it works. This is why my friend will not hesitate to take half a glass at the slightest feeling of stomach discomfort, backache, or irregular stooling; all associated with the effects of excess sugar in the body.

Interestingly, further positive testimonies from Fola Herbs, and feedback from her customers across the country, have further emboldened the beautiful entrepreneur. “Our herbs, though locally sourced, are technically selected and well processed by a team of experienced tradomedical experts,” said Fola Herbs. Many people are in love with this medicine because it increases sexual performance, penile health, and stimulates libido. Traditionally, there is more emphasis on male health than female health.

When challenged with the fact that more empirical proofs are still required to prove the efficacy of agbo jedi, Fola Herbs beats her chest that her brand of agbo jedi has proven that herbs are not only effective but have proven to be effective in dealing with modern-day ailments that are affecting men, one of which is erectile dysfunction. She, however, advises that adults, especially those over 40+ should watch their sugar intake, as this, over time, overloads the body system and may result in various ailments such as backache, piles, weak erection, and difficulty in discharging feces, among others.

When this arises, what Fola Herbs does is flush out this excess sugar, balance the body system, and hence, improved wellbeing. She admitted that agbo jedi has its side effects too. “When you take too much of it, it purges you and gas up more often than not. So, it is advisable we detoxify our system regularly whether the traditional way or otherwise.”

Clara Gaiya, an entrepreneur, writes from Lagos  

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.