Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a vegetable used for preparing the popular Bitter leaf soup. It is also known as Onugbu, Shiwaka and Ewuro by the Igbos, Hausas and Yorubas respectively in Nigeria.
Although this plant has been around for hundreds of years, only a few people know of its medicinal and healing properties.
Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) as the name implies, is actually a bitter plant whose leaves, extracts, stems and barks are used for culinary, medicinal and curative purposes.
Health benefits of drinking bitter leaf juice
We get it, drinking bitter life juice is not necessarily the most fun thing to do in the world but trust us when we say it has nothing but sweet benefits for your general wellbeing.
Keeping in mind that just touching bitter leaf can leave your hands tasting bitter for many hours, we can imagine the distaste you have right now at the thought of drinking bitter leaf juice?
As unpleasant as this experience may be, it is super healthy and medicinal hence why we have listed some below to convince you to try drinking bitter leaf juice.
Aids In Weight Loss
The components in bitter leaf juice make it great therapy for burning off that extra fat you have been looking at getting rid of. A daily dose of bitter leaf juice in your diet can eliminate bad cholesterol and reduces excess calories in the body.
Reduces Cancer Risks
Bitter leaf contains numerous anti-cancer properties like andrographolide compound which has been scientifically found to be effective in treating prostate cancers, gastric cancers, and colon. Furthermore, studies have shown that bitter leaf extract can boost the immune system, inhibit tumor growth and prevent the development of cancer cells.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
The same bitterness in bitter leaf that makes it unappetising is also one of its strongest best benefits. The bitterness of bitter leaf juice helps to lower your sugar level and controls blood pressure. Doctors advise hypertensive and diabetic patients to consume bitter leaf as the potassium it contains is a good remedy for hypertension as it prevents sodium from spiking up in the bloodstream by flushing out the accumulation of salt.
Aids In The Treatment Of Abdominal Issues
Bitter leaf comes in handy in the treatment of abdominal issues like stomach upset, diarrhea, dysentery and other gastrointestinal tract diseases. Drinking a cup of bitter leaf juice twice daily helps bring relief from stomach problems.
Enhances Fertility
Bitter leaf is very impressive when it comes to its benefit to the reproductive system of women. Drinking bitter leaf juice can help a woman get pregnant as the chemical compounds present in bitter leaf extracts like edotides promotes hormonal balance and boosts your immune system to help fight against toxification. Once balance is restored to your genital hormone, your chances of being reproductive increases.
Read Also: More Women May Die During Childbirth In West Africa — Report
Side effects of bitter leaf
It is impossible to use this species of a plant when the person has an allergic reaction. If not to keep a dosage and to self-medicate, there can be such side effects of bitter leaf juice.
These are:
· High blood pressure
· Loss of appetite
· Imbalance of glucose in the blood
· Headache
· Rash
· Severe heart problems
· Diarrhoea
· Vomiting
· Running nose
· Fatigue
Therefore, it is important to use bitter leaf only after the advice of the doctor. Bitter leaf and pregnancy. There are no additional side effects of bitter leaf at pregnancy; therefore, you can use it. Moreover, it helps with problems with conception.
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