Herbs in the Twi Language

Herbs generally refers to the leafy green or flowering parts of a plant (either fresh or dried), while spices are usually dried and produced from other parts of the plant, including seeds, bark, roots and fruits. Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, and in some cases, spiritual.

Below are some herbs and their corresponding Twi names.

1. African tuliptree – Kokonisuo
2. Gold coast bombax – Akonkodeɛ
3. Poison devils pepper – Kakapenpen
4. Paullinia pinnata – Tuantini
5. Alstonia boonei – Nyamedua
6. Siam weed – Acheampong
7. Morind lucida – Konkroma/ngo ne nkyene
8. Poaceae – Abirekyire abodwesɛ
9. Deinbollia grandifolia – Asikoto
   10.Pycnanthus angolensis – Oteɛ
   11.Pisonia aculeata – Akobowerɛ
   12.Scent leaf – Nunum
   13.Justicia flava – Afema
   14.Jute mallow – Ayoyo
   15.Balm – Emee
   16.Punarnava – Aposumpo
   17.Basil – Akoko mɛsa
   18.Indian-almond – Abrofo nkateɛ
   19.Wireweed – Obrane atu ata
   20.Bramble – Ananse dokono
   21.Nettle – Honhon/Bonhon
   22.Cloves – pɛprɛ
   23.Mistletoe – Nkranpan
   24.Anise – Nkitinkiti
   25.Purslane or hyssop – Adwera
   26.Wormweed – Ahahanhene
   27.Griffonia – Kagya
   28.Stinking weed – Nkodaankodaa brodeɛ
   29.Anthocleista nobilis – Owudifuoketɛ
   30.Phyllanthaceae – Bowommaguwakyi
   31.Abelmosk -Okra/ nkruma
   32.Yellow Oleander – nnye me nnyere me (do not take me and bind me ).

By: Augustine Kofi Tieku, Royal Society of Asante Culture and History (ROSACH)