If you don’t know anything about Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata), also known as Awolowo Leaves or Independence Leaf, just know It’s a flowering shrub that has healing powers and health benefits that are mostly unknown to people.
It was discovered in 1960, just after Nigeria gained independence from British domination.
Some speculated that it was God’s way of soothing and healing our nation’s aches and sufferings, but I think it was a wonderful coincidence.
The truth remains that this herb is a highly effective wound healer and clotting agent.
The plant is very invasive, has great healing properties, and is frequently classed as grass due to its rapid growth rate.
In ideal circumstances, the plant may grow more than 3cm every day (a potential threat to our crops).
Siam Weed, Bitter Bush, Christmas Bush, Chromolaena, Archangel are some of the common names for this plant. Soviet green, camphor grass, common floss flower
Chromolaena Odorata is the scientific name for this plant. They belong to the sunflower family.
Acheampong is the local name for (Ghana) Ewé Akintla (Akintla’s leaf) Ewé Awolw (Awolw’s leaf), (Yoruba) Obiara Ohuu, Ewu ata (Igbo) Devil weed (Australia) diabantou (Congo) Sekou you’re (Cote d’Ivoire) ashoke lata (India), Gautan Kaji (Hausa), Armstrong weed (Canada)
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Nutrition Value of Awolowo Leaves
Awolowo Leaves contain the nutrients listed below:
- Alkaloids
- Flavonoid
- Limonene
- Phenol
- Tannin
- Triterpenoid
With the nutritional richness described above, the chromolaena odorata may help not only agriculture but also human health.
Generally, Awolowo is utilized extensively in traditional herbal therapy.
This has been done for a long period of time when people were only familiar with physicians and nurses.
Due to its efficacy in curing a variety of diseases, people in the past used to cultivate and grow this leaf in plenty.
Benefits of Awolowo Leaves
People started to learn about chemical remedies and physicians as time passed.
The chromolaena odorata was therefore abandoned and regarded as a weedy plant.
For those of you who are curious about the advantages of Awolowo leaves, we have included detailed explanations below.
Lower Your Blood Pressure
Not only can Awolowo leave lower cholesterol, but they can also lower blood pressure. This is particularly beneficial for those of you who suffer from hypertension.
Cyst Treatment
Chromolaena Odorata leaves provide several health advantages.
For those of you who wish to repair cysts successfully, Awolowo leaves is an excellent choice.
Cervical Cancer Prevention
Cervical cancer is one of the most serious illnesses for women.
You may avoid the illness by drinking chromolaena odorata tea.
Anti-Inflammatory
After a week of taking half a glass cup in the morning and evening, anybody suffering from body/back discomfort will be free of it.
Diabetes Prevention
Aside from maintaining the health of women’s reproductive organs, chromolaena odorata leaves may also help to avoid diabetes.
For the Health of Women’s Reproductive Organs
One of the most crucial things to consider is the health of the reproductive organs.
You may drink the Awolowo brewed water to keep it healthy.
Anti-ulcer medication
It may not only aid when your ulcer recurs, but it is also thought to be able to cure your ulcer if ingested regularly.
Vertigo Treatment
Vertigo is a sickness that should not be taken lightly. This illness may not only bring you to the hospital, but it can even kill you.
When your chromolaena odorata is relapsing, you may treat the ailment by drinking chromolaena odorata brewed water.
Lower Your Cholesterol Level
If your cholesterol level is rising or you have ingested seafood, you may drink Awolowo brewed water to lower your cholesterol level.
Take care of your heart’s health
It is critical that we maintain our heart’s health so that it can continue to function properly.
You may eat the leaves of the chromolaena odorata to prevent cardiac problems.
Uric Acid Treatment
Siam weed (Awolowo leave) is also utilized as uric acid treatment.
Read also: Health Benefits of Garden Egg Leaves
Possible side effects of leaves from Awolowo Leaves
In one research, healthy albino rats were fed ethanolic extracts of the siam herb, which caused kidney and intestinal damage.
The goal of the research was to see how healthy rats’ kidneys and intestines were affected.
The research discovered that uncontrolled consumption of this plant extract had a negative impact on the rats’ renal function and gut histology.