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Locust beans are traditionally known as Parkia biglobosa. It is a perennial deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae. This stuff is found in a wide range of African environments and is primarily grown for its pods that contain sweet pulp and valuable seeds.

Where the tree is grown, the crushing and fermenting of these seeds constitutes an essential economic activity.

Various parts of the locust bean tree are important for medicinal and food purposes. As a standing tree, locust bean may have a positive effect on the yield of other nearby crops.

About Locust Beans

Parkia biglobosa is a dicotyledonous angiosperm belonging to the family Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae – Mimosoid clade). It is classified under spermatophytes, and vascular plants.

It is a deciduous perennial that grows between seven and 20 meters high,[5] up to 30 meters in some cases. The tree is a fire-resistant heliophyte characterized by a thick dark gray-brown bark.

The pods of the tree, commonly called locust beans, are pink initially and turn dark brown when fully mature. They are 30-40 centimeters long on average, with some reaching lengths of about 45 centimeters. Each pod can contain up to 30 seeds; the seeds are embedded in a sweet, powdery yellow pulp.

History, Geography, and Ethnography

In West Africa, the bark, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds are often used in traditional medicine to treat a wide diversity of complaints, both internally and externally, sometimes in combination with other medicinal plants.

The bark is essential for medicinal uses, followed by the leaves. Medicinal applications include the treatment of parasitic infections, circulatory system disorders, such as arterial hypertension, and disorders of the respiratory system, digestive system, and skin. In veterinary medicine, a root decoction is used to treat coccidiosis in poultry. Green pods are crushed and added to rivers to kill fish.

The tree locust bean (also known as “arbre à farine, fern leaf, irú, monkey cutlass tree, two ball nitta-tree, nété, and néré”) was first written in by Michael Adamson in 1757 in West Africa. The use of fermented locust beans in Africa, however, dates as far back as the 14th century.

Geographically, Parkia biglobosa can be seen in a belt stretching from the Atlantic coast in Senegal to southern Sudan and northern Uganda. The tree currently exists within a wide range of natural communities but is most common in anthropic communities – places where cultivation is semi-permanent.

Annual production of seeds in northern Nigeria is estimated at around 200,000 t. While the products of the tree are not common in international trade, they form an important part of local and regional trade in West Africa. The seeds are especially prized, and much trade occurs locally in the Sahel region where they are transferred between borders.

What are Locust Beans Used for?

A very famous soup ingredient, globally, it is referred to as the African locust bean with the botanical name as Parkia biglobosa. This seed is often used as a condiment for soup and stews.

What is the Health Benefit of Iru?

Iru is a superfood that offers minerals, fiber, protein, and probiotics. Accordingly, iru may reduce inflammation, promote gut health, and reduce levels of blood sugar and LDL cholesterol in the blood.

As well, it has no known side effects or drug interactions, so it is safe for most people.