Bitter leaf normally called (Ewuro) in Yoruba is very effective and also important in curing many sicknesses and diseases. This leaf cures many ailment and it is also use in cooking. Bitter leaf is known as Vernonia amygdalina. It is used to prepare bitter soups, bitter leaf tea,and for medicinal purposes because of its powerful reaction to the body. Many homes plant this leaf in their home because it can be uprooted at anytime just incase of any emergency. When bitter leaf is planted,it grows and flourishes. Every part of the plant is bitter,(the stems,root,leaves and bark). While the Igbos(Eastern part) uses it mostly for vegetable soup,the Yorubas uses it more as a medicine. The old people prefers taking bitter leaf because of its bitterness but as you know the young people, they like something sweet and ignore the uses of bitter leaf, without knowing the benefits.
Bitter leaf grows under a range of ecological zones in Africa. They are used for human consumption, it has an astringent taste which affects its intake. The reason for its bitter taste is because it has an anti nutritional factors such as alkaloids, saponins,tannins and glycosides. Bitter leaf contains ketones,alkane,potassium, calcium and resins. The extract of the plants is used as tonic in the control of tick and treating hypertension.
The truth about this bitter herbs is that they are good for the body and it makes us know and understand that "life is not always sweet,life is not a bed of roses that both sweetness and bitterness are the essential part of life". Bitter herbs helps to protect the vital organs of the body especially the liver and kidney. Most importantly, bitter leaf should be taken fresh because boiling or cooking it reduces the effectiveness and may likely not yield the best result.
USES OR BITTER LEAF
Bitter leaf is used for many purposes. These are;
For Stomachache- When a person is having this problem, the best thing is to chew the tender stem of the plant like chewing stick,then swallow the bitterness.
Bitter leaf is use for Skin infection- Like itching,rashes,ring worm,eczema etc. Just apply the leaf to the affected part and it heals it immediately.
Diabetes- Diabetic patient still have hope of becoming normal when they follow the procedure of this leaf. Squeeze ten handful of the fresh leaf in ten liters of water and always take two glasses three times a day for a month.
It is also use to cure people with lose of memory. Take a glass three times daily for at least two months.
Insomnia- These are people suffering from sleeplessness. Take two glasses of this leaf every night before going to bed.
Cough- Chew the leaf before going to bed at night.
BENEFITS OF BITTER LEAF
It relieves Stomachache
It helps prevent prostate cancer
It helps fight insomnia
It enhances fertility
It reduces fever
It Lowers hypertension
It treats appendicitis
It helps to treat diarrhea
It treats typhoid
It treats tuberculosis
It also treat toothache
The side effects of it is to avoid using it during pregnancy