Name. Calabash chalk is identified by different names such as calabar stone (English), la craie or argile (French), mabele (Lingala in Congo), nzu (Igbo of Nigeria), ndom (Efik/Ibibio Nigeria) eko (Bini/Edo Nigeria). It is also known as ebumba, poto and ulo.
What is Nzu called in English?
Calabash chalk (Nzu) is a geophagic material, consumed by many pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers as remedy for morning sickness in most African countries.
What is the benefit of Nzu?
Nzu has been reported to contain heavy metals and is widely used as a traditional remedy for morning sickness during pregnancy and breastfeeding in most African countries, including Nigeria. The present study was carried out in female Whistar albino rats to explore its effect on pregnancy.
What is the meaning of Nzu in Igbo?
Nzu (white chalk) is a very useful element in Igbo culture. It is a symbol of wisdom, peace, purity and clean heart. It is also a symbol of mystical powers capable of revealing the spirit world. A symbol is a sign which represents something deeper than the material object associated with it.
Where is Nzu gotten from in Nigeria?
Ulo is found in Nassarawa, Plateau, Ogun and Edo States al in Nigeria. It is also found in other African countries. In these places, the clay is dug from the earth in mining pits.
Is Nzu same as bentonite clay?
Nzu is kaolin clay while Ulo fits into the description of bentonite clay. Bentonite clays have extremely flat crystals, they are shaped like credit cards or playing cards, and they stack or layer, held together with weak electric bonds [19].
What is Ulo in Igbo?
It is known as Ulo in Igboland, a powerful medicine that heals many ailments. This is not Nzu or Calabash clay. … The healing power of the clay was important after the Biafran War, our land was riddled with toxic substances, that had seeped into our soil.
What is bentonite clay called in Nigeria?
Bentonite is popular in the Nigerian, West African market but is commonly-known with the local names such as NZU or NDOM in Efik.
What are the side effects of eating chalk?
What are the risks of eating chalk?
- tooth damage or cavities.
- digestive difficulties.
- constipation or obstructions in the bowels.
- lead poisoning.
- parasites.
- difficulty eating typical foods.
- loss of appetite.
9.12.2019
What are the effects of eating Calaba chalk?
Calabash chalk contains poisonous substances such as lead, arsenic, aluminium, and alpha lindane (5,6). Lead intake has been implicated in gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (7) and has also been found to cause ulcers when large amounts are consumed (11,12).
What is Nzu Igbo land?
This chalk is known variously as ‘calabash chalk’ and ‘kaolin’. In Igbo it is nzu, in Edo orhue. As Thomas documented, this chalk is used in multiple ways – as an offering to the deities and ancestors, as a medicine, as a symbol of purity, of good fortune and hospitality. It is a sacred substance.
What is native chalk used for?
Uses. The practice of eating calabash chalk is observed by both sexes and different age groups of people of African descent, for the purpose of pleasure. However, it is prevalent among women, predominantly during pregnancy, who claim it prevents vomiting, over-salivation and nausea.
What is white chalk used for?
To quickly and easily hide small scrapes and dings in your walls, find a piece of chalk that matches the paint color and smooth some chalk into the damaged area. You can also use chalk to conceal water marks or scuff marks on the ceiling. Simply rub white chalk over the area until the mark lightens or vanishes.
Is Eko good for pregnant woman?
Dietary exposure to aluminum at such high levels may be deleterious to maternal health and fetal development. Therefore consumption of Eko and Omumu as an antidote to reduce nausea during pregnancy should be discouraged.
Can fibroid patient eat clay?
Dr Sudwarts says that while a desire to eat clay may sound strange, it is actually quite commonly reported among women who suffer severe anaemia as a result of fibroids.
Is Calabash Chalk good for pregnant woman?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Calabash chalk is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It contains lead and other heavy metals that can cause severe adverse effects to the infant when consumed in large amounts.