There are so many health benefits while consuming bitter leaf, and it would be better for each and everyone to include it more in our diets in order to promote a healthy life.
Bitter leaf plant is also known as Vernonia amygdalina is an important component of many local cuisines. Where it is used in the preparation of bitter soups, bitter leaf tea, and for medicinal purposes, it is known as Ewuro to the Yorubas and bitter leaf in English because of its bitter taste, Onugbu by the Igbos and Chusa-doki by the Hausas.
Recent research presented by the journal of food biochemistry exposed the huge potentials of the bitter leaf plant. There are several health benefits of bitter leaf plant these include:
1. Bitter Leaf Anti-Cancer Properties
Hundreds of women are at risk of having breast cancer; in order to reduce the chances of developing breast cancer, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and be physically fit. Bitter leaf is one of the few plants with huge anti-cancer properties, it has been shown to be useful in the management of hydatidiform mole, trophoblastic tumor and lung tumor which was the host of cancer.
Including this leaf in your diet can help lessen the risk of breast cancer. Bitter leaf also increases breast milk production in nursing mothers.
To fight prostate cancer with bitter leaf, simply get clean bitter leaves, squeeze the fresh leaves in water and take a glassful four times daily while you constantly go for a checkup.
2. Bitter Leaf and High Blood Pressure Control
 |
| A Bitter Leaf |
Another health benefit of bitter leaves plant is its ability to control blood pressure. Bitter leaves have shown a very active effect on blood pressure regulation. According to medical research, the impact of a bitter leaf on low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) showed that bitter leaves decreased bad fat (LDL) cholesterol by nearly half while gradually raising good fat (HDL) cholesterol levels. In addition, the high levels of potassium in the plant have been linked to the plant’s ability to reduce blood pressure, it therefore useful in the management of hypertension.
Including bitter leaves in your diet would help you reduce the cholesterol in your body. High level of cholesterol promotes Alzheimer, stroke and heart attack. By consuming bitter leaves would help reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing the good cholesterol.
3. Bitter Leaf and Gastrointestinal Disturbances
For some time now, the bitter leaves tea has been used in the management of gastrointestinal disturbance arising from bacterial contamination of food, according to one study, especially bacillary dysentery caused by Shigella species. In addition, an aqueous extract of the leaves has been shown to prevent the growth and proliferation of many microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Get a pound fresh leaves in a mortar or electric grinder and squeeze out the juice. Add a little salt to three tablespoons of undiluted bitter leaf juice and drink. You will experience relief in no time.
4. Bitter Leaf Cure For Headaches, Migraine, And Flu
The ability of the bitter leaf to cure headaches an especially tension headache and migraine have been well documented over the years, it has also been shown to be helpful in relieving symptoms associated with cold and catarrh.
5. The Use of Bitter-Leaf in Controlling Blood Sugar & Managing Diabetes
Recent research presented by the American Journal of Biochemistry and biotechnology reported that bitter leave tea is very useful in the reduction of blood glucose, as such bitter leave tea is a very useful plant in the management of diabetes and other blood sugar-related conditions.
6. Bitter leaf juice and infertility
The detoxification capabilities of bitter leaf juice and bitter leaf tea boost fertility according to a study by aiding the detoxification work carried out by the liver and the kidneys. Estrogen a very important fertility hormone which helps to stop ovulation during pregnancy is eliminated in the liver which is also responsible for balancing all reproductive hormones. A balanced hormone profile increases the chances of fertilization and conception.
However, the plant can tackle this condition. Follow this step, watch the fresh leaf, squeeze the fresh leaves of the plant in water and take a glass-full thrice daily and continue the medication for a month.
How to Extract the Bitter Leaf Juice
- Pluck off the leaves.
- Wash the plucked leaves thoroughly with clean water.
- Pour the leaves into a blender & add clean water.
- Turn on your blender & blend the mixture till you see some foaming liquid appears.
- Extract the liquid from the crushed leave.
7. Bitter Leaf and Pregnancy
Another major health benefit of this leaf is its ability to boost a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Apart from the hormone balancing in women, the detoxification work of bitter leave help prevents the pollution of the antibodies that help the body fight disease and initiate tissue repair and regeneration. This can significantly boost the fertility of the ovaries and also eliminate ovarian cysts and premature ovarian failure. The fresh leaves also are known to correct abnormal or irregular menstruation which is a sign of anovulation and hormonal imbalance.
Studies have shown that the leaf boosts the chances of pregnancy among women who are finding it difficult to conceive. And this because the detoxification power of bitter leave helps prevent the pollution of the antibodies that fight diseases, initiate tissue repair and regeneration.
This is known to boost the fertility of the ovaries, significantly; as well as eliminating ovarian cyst and premature ovarian failure as well.
8. High in antioxidants
There are some antioxidant properties contained in the bitter leaf. When this plant is being cooked and eaten, it helps fight diseases. It would also help reduce the growth of precancerous cells that may be found due to oxidation.
9. It fights pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs, caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and a number of other bacteria. The so-called lobar pneumonia is caused by pneumococcus and is the most severe and dramatic, starting suddenly and ending in a crisis. It is a very prostrating disease, and in the past has taken a heavy toll of human lives. Inflammation may affect both lungs (double pneumonia ) or only one (single pneumonia).
However, the miraculous plant is powerful enough to combat this condition. And tackle it, squeeze the fresh leaves of the plant in water and take a glass-full thrice daily. Always remember to warm the solution on fire each time before drinking and continue the medication for a month. (see your doctor if symptoms persist)
10. Insomnia
Insomnia is a condition that promotes habitual sleeplessness. And as funny as it may sound, there are a lot of people experiencing this condition. This group of people finds it impossible to sleep at night and no matter how hard they try, their effort is always met with wakefulness.
However, studies have shown that Bitter leaf extract has helped to reduce this condition, for those suffering from it. Follow these steps, simply get a fresh bitter leaf, wash and extract the liquid. Take two glasses of bitter leaf liquid every night and you will experience a relief that comes with relaxation and sleep.
11. Essential for skin treatment
It contains some antibiotic and anti-fungal properties that could help cure skin diseases. Skin reactions like ringworm, eczema could be treated using the bitter leaf.
12.Bitter Leaves Juice and weight loss
Those who are interested in shedding weight can take bitter leaf as it helps in increasing metabolism which is highly helpful in maintaining a healthy weight.
Bitter Leaf Side Effects
Individuals that are allergic to bitter leaves can expect allergic reaction anytime they use the plant
Because of its ability to control blood pressure, it can sometimes lead to unwanted heart outcomes, it is important that you discuss with your doctor before using the plant if you have any heart condition.
When it comes to bitter leaf and pregnancy there are no known side effects of bitter leaves during pregnancy.
This bitter leaf is widely available in the tropics and easy to plant and manage. Growing this plant in the family garden is a common practice in West Africa especially in Nigeria where it is used to make a variety of concoction, soups, and delicacies.
See also: 8 Facts and Health Benefits of Garcinia Kola (Bitter Kola): Uses, Side Effects