Ikmo is often times used as part of a concoction called Nganga in the Philippines. Nganga is a mixture of betel nuts and leaves which is chewed by most elderly Filipinos like a tobacco.
Due to its color, the lips and tounge of the nganga chewers turn red and a distinct smell comes out of their mouth every time they talk. I find such smell quite unpleasant. It was said that the elderly gets high chewing nganga like those that are smoking marijuana.
Nganga is popular to the old folks living in the country side…
I love the photo – so colorful!
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Thanks, bebs! ๐
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South Asian people chew these.. I was hearing that it might cause cancer though.. A bit worrying!
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It’s the same with chewing tobacco, I guess. ๐
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Yes.. I’m just thinking.. There are a lot of substances, natural ones, that can make you high!! Including nutmeg!! Have to be careful with my spices too!!
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Hahaha! I guess that almost all plants and herbs in the planet have a “high” in them.
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does it have the same health benefits of smoking cigarettes and marijuana? lol
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Hahaha! It was scientifically proven as an antidiarrheal alternative. And like marijuana, chewing these nuts can make a person ‘high”.
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well they are both positives lol
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LOL! ๐
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Does wonders for the teeth ๐
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Yup! And I believe it’s a good antidiarrhea alternative… The downside is, bad breath! Hahaha!
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