Ground bitter leaves of Vernonia amygdalina

Scientific name: Vernonia amygdalina.

The bitter leaf helps cleanse vital organs of the body such as the liver and kidneys. It is used to make tea, soup and stews. It also helps to lose weight in a healthy and natural way.

Herb:

• The bitter leaf is native to East and West Africa, where it grows as a wild plant along watercourses, in grasslands and at the edges of forests.
• It is a shrub or small tree up to 2-5 m tall with elliptical green leaves up to 20 cm long.
• As the name suggests, it is a bitter plant whose extracts of leaves, stems and bark are used for culinary, medicinal and therapeutic purposes.
• It likes direct sunlight and water in well-drained soil.

Culinary use:

• In many African countries, the leaves are used as the main vegetable in soups and stews.
• Because of the bitterness, the leaves are washed several times before drying and then used in meat dishes.
• The fresh bitter leaves can be squeezed or blended as a cocktail and drunk as a juice, can be boiled and drunk as a tea or added a little with other greens in a salad.
• It is eaten by chewing the tender stem to release the bitter liquid.
• Crush the fresh leaves in a mortar and squeeze out the juice.
• Add a pinch of salt to three tablespoons of undiluted liquid and drink.

Components used:

• Stems and leaves.

Medicinal uses:

Bitter leaf contains vitamins A, C, E, B1 and B12.

• It is rich in quinine, a compound that has been shown to cure malaria, cleanse the liver, lymphatic system and lungs.
• Bitter leaf can improve metabolism and help you lose weight thanks to the nutrients it contains such as zinc, iron, fiber and carbohydrates.
• The antioxidant contained in bitter leaf promotes positive effects on the stomach and provides protection against stomach ulcers.
• The high content of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals such as flavonoids may contribute to protection against prostate cancer.
• If you drink a solution of bitter leaf at night before bed, you will find calm and relaxation, which can help relieve insomnia.
• Bitter leaf may increase fertility – a study published in the International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine found that it may have a positive effect on sperm quality.
• The generally high vitamin and mineral content of bitter leaf is beneficial for overall health, so it will also be beneficial for couples trying to conceive.
• Feverfew – contains flavonoids which have strong antioxidant properties and help with fever.
• Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine to treat the bacterial infection typhoid fever.
• Diabetes. Research published in the International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences shows that the presence of phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and ash are likely to work together to lower blood sugar levels.
• Gentian leaves contain vitamin C, an excellent antioxidant mineral that plays an important role in the body, including maintaining bones and teeth.
• Osteoporosis – it also contains traces of vitamin K, which helps the body maintain healthy bones and prevents them from weakening.
• Bitter leaf improves metabolic function – contains vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, which plays an important role in the metabolism of lipids, amino acids and glucose in the human body.
• Thiamine is an important supplement that helps oxidize fatty acids.
• Free radicals. Another nutrient found in bitter leaves is vitamin E, which serves as an antioxidant that fights free radicals that have harmful effects on the body.