By Damilola Adeyera
Pick one. Pick Two. The tree of life is in abundance. To organize your health every other day and put it in order it’s important you have a taste of the tree of life when you visit La Campagne Tropicana Forest Hills Cave Resort.
“Man shall not live by bread alone.” The Holy Bible says it. The Quran carries the same spirit, and so does the Odu of Ifa. Across faiths, people have long understood that the body needs more than food. It also needs healing, hope, and something to believe in.
The tree of life is nature’s healing gift to man. Its green leaves, when chewed, are said to bring health benefits to the one who takes them. Its greenness doesn’t fade. It is said to grow all year round, through the rainy season and the harmattan, as if it has never heard of winter.
If the Yoruba people were to describe this tree, they would call it Gbogbonise, meaning “it works for everything.” If the Igbo were to term it, they would call it Ọgwụ Ọrịa Niile, meaning “medicine for all illnesses.” The Hausa would describe it as Maganin Kowace Cuta, meaning “medicine for every disease.”
Those who come to the tree speak of it in many ways. As medicine, It is said to help with many illnesses, in keeping with the long West African tradition of healing with leaves, barks, and roots.
As a place of prayer, it is used for prayers of all kinds, and the aladura (praying people) are drawn to it.
As a symbol of fertility, many believe it can bring the blessing of a child to couples who have waited long.
The tradition is that you chew the leaf, you pray, and whatever you pray for comes to pass. For believers, the leaf is not the miracle itself. It is the point of contact, a quiet moment where nature and faith meet.
Guests are encouraged to arrive with a clear mind and a clear intention. They hold the leaf, name what they are asking for (healing, a child, peace, a new beginning), and only then chew.
Come and see nature’s healing wonder at La Campagne Tropicana Forest Hills Cave Resort.
Please note: Belief in the tree is personal and spiritual, and it should sit alongside proper medical care, not replace it. Anyone dealing with a serious illness or struggling to conceive should see a doctor, and may pray at the tree as well.