Botanical Name: Cola nitida  Origin: Brazil

Bissy is a tall tree, native to tropical Africa, with yellow flowers that ripens into walnut-sized, reddish-brown seeds. The seeds are referred to as kola nuts, which are bitter tasting, contains caffeine, and symbolize peace and friendship for many cultures. Traditionally, small pieces of the nut were chewed before meals to support digestion. Kola nut has been used for thousands of years in African folk herbalism for their beneficial properties and are often infused or extracted.

Tropical Africa is the native home of the towering kola tree growing up to 40 feet (13 meters) tall. Its yellow flowers tinged with purple bear reddish-brown seeds about the size of a walnut with almost no taste but rich in caffeine. In herbal medicine, Kola nut is usually soaked in alcohol to make tinctures. It may be taken as tea although bitter, and the powder can be taken as a capsule.