Mondia is a woody climber herb that is found in several parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Among the Luo of Kenya it is called ogombo (meaning ‘to crave’). Among the Luhya of Kenya it is called mkombelo (meaning desire). In Malawi mondia is popularly known as gondolosi while among the Zulu of South Africa it is called umondi.
Use of Mondia
It is widely used as a sex stimulant for both men and women in Kenya and Africa. In Kenya’s town of Kakamega alone (where polygamy is widely practiced), over 1 tone of mondia is reportedly consumed every month majorly by men and adolescent boys. Secret consumption by women and girls is reported too. Apart from being a sex stimulant, the herb finds a variety of uses as treatment for anorexia, appetite enhancer, peripheral blood circulation, enhanced memory and impotence. In Kenya, the herb is predominantly found in the only surviving tropical rainforest of Kakamega and outliers such as Malava, Khwisero, Bunyala and Nandi Hill. It is found in Zimbabwe in smaller amounts but is dying away in South Africa. The bark of the tree can be chewed raw. Alternatively, it can be dried beforehand. The herb leaves an enduring spicy taste in the mouth.
Mode of Action of Mondia whitei
Mondia is an aphrodisiac that works by enhancing libido. It works on the Central Nervous System (CNS), by altering the levels (concentrations) of specific neurotransmitters whose function is to send signals of sexual desire to the brain. Additionally, it increases the concentrations of sex hormones (notably testosterone) in the blood. Due to its effect on the serum concentrations of testosterone the sexual enhancement properties of mondia tend to be male specific. Enhanced testicular protein levels and increased sperm density are also observed after ingestion of mondia whitei. Mondia also enhances the dilation of the corpus carvenosum (erectile tissue in the penis) facilitating them to be filled with blood thereby enhancing erection.
More Information on Mondia
In Kenya, the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Forest Research Institute made a refined formulation of the herb and was availed in stores for sale. The process of formulating it into sachets is in progress.