Vernonia amygdalina, a member of the daisy family, is a small shrub that grows in tropical Africa. V. amygdalina typically grows to a height of 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft). The leaves are elliptical and up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. Its bark is rough. V. amygdalina is commonly called Congo Bololo in D. R. Congo, bitter leaf in English because of its bitter taste. African common names include grawa (Amharic), ewuro (Yoruba), etidot (Efik), onugbu (Igbo), ityuna (Tiv), oriwo (Edo), Awɔnwono (Akan), chusar-doki or shuwaka (Hausa), mululuza (Luganda), labwori (Acholi), olusia (Luo), ndoleh (Cameroon) and olubirizi (Lusoga).
Bitter leaf is classified under kingdom Animalia, coming from the Asteraceae, order of Asterales and genus of Vernonia.The leaves are a staple vegetable in soups and stews of various cultures throughout equatorial Africa. They are washed to reduce their bitterness, after which they are dried and used to prepare meat dishes. In Nigeria, leaves are also used in place of hops to brew beer.
Below are some health benefits of bitter leaf:
- BITTER LEAVE HELPS RELIEVE FEVER.
Bitter leaf contains flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant effects, and can help with treating a variety of health issues such as a high fever. In particular, bitter leaf was historically used in traditional medicine for the treatment of the bacterial infection such as typhoid fever.
- THE PLANT MAY ENHANCE FERTILITY.
A study in the International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine has shown that the plant may have a positive effect on sperm quality. All in all, the generally high levels of vitamins and minerals in bitter leaf are beneficial to overall health, so will be beneficial to a couple trying to conceive.
- IT HAS PROPERTIES THAT MAY AID DIABETES.
It is thought that a combination of factors mean that bitter leaf may help aid diabetes. Research published in the International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences demonstrates that the presence of phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash and other components are thought to act together to lower blood sugar levels.
- IT HAS PROPERTIES THAT MAY AID IN HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
A study in the Journal of Food Biochemistry has shown that bitter leaf inhibits particular processes in the body, and as a result, may have a positive effect on high blood pressure. The antioxidants in bitter leaf are also another factor that can further aid with the treatment of the condition.
- SOURCES:
Kokwaro, John (2009). Medicinal Plants of East Africa (3rd ed.). Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi Press. ISBN 978-9966-846-84-6.
Appiah, Kwame (2018). “Medicinal Plants Used in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, Southern Ghana: An Ethnobotanical Study”. Medicines.
ARTICLE BY ANUM JUSTICE GIDEON OBODAI.