V. amygdalina occurs naturally along rivers and lakes, in forests margins, woodland and grassland up to 2800m altitude, in regions where mean annual rainfall is 750-2000mm. It requires full sunlight and prefers humid environment. It grows on all soil types but prefers humus-rich soils.
Where is bitter leaf found?
The leaves are found in markets in west and central Africa, usually in dried form, but sometimes fresh on branches. The locals use them as a vegetable, added to soups and stews or eaten raw. The twigs and roots are also chewed on. The uses of bitter leaf plant are broad and diverse.
How do you grow bitter leaf?
sylvia sandy – YouTube
What is the local name of bitter leaf?
Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as bitter leaf, is a shrub that grows up to 3 meters high in the African tropics and other parts of Africa, particularly, Nigeria, Cameroon and Zimbabawe. It is reputed to have several health benefits.
What is bitter leaf called in Igbo?
Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a vegetable used for preparing the popular Bitter leaf soup. It is also known as Onugbu, Shiwaka &, Ewuro by the Igbos, Hausas&,Yorubas in Nigeria.
What plant is bitter leaf?
The herb known as bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a shrub or small tree that can reach 23 feet in height when fully grown. Bitter leaf has a grey or brown coloured bark, which has a rough texture and is flaked. The herb is an indigenous African plant, which grows in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
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Does bitter leaf have seed?
No seeds are produced and the tree has therefore to be distributed through cutting (Anonymous, 2000). The leaves are used for human consumption and washed before eating to get rid of the bitter taste. They are used as vegetable and stimulate the digestive system, as well as they reduce fever.
Is bitter leaf poisonous?
It has been reported to be toxic with oral average Lethal Dose (LD50) in the range of 950 mg/kg and 1356 mg/kg body weight in rats and mice, respectively.
How is bitter leaf propagated?
Propagation of V. amygdalina is possible by seed collected from dry flower heads. Stem cuttings are used as they grow faster. Cuttings are selected on leaf size, bitterness and growth characteristics.
What is bitter leaf called in India?
Kongo bololo(bitter Leaf Plant), Packaging Type: Plastic Bag, Rs 150 /kg | ID: 22438654412.
What are the constituents of bitter leaf?
The phytochemicals in bitter leaf reported by Ugwoke et al., [1] include carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, proteins and steroid occurred in very high concentration (+ + +), while flavonoids and glycosides occurred in high concentration (++).
What are the components of bitter leaf?
Result: The study revealed that Vernonia amygdalina leaf has high protein (33.3%), fat (10.1%), crude fibre (29.2%), ash (11.7%), mineral (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn &, Fe), phytate (1015.4mg/100g) and tannin (0.6%) content, while it contain low cyanide (1.1mg/kg).
What is the division of bitter leaf?
Scientific classification of Vernonia amygdalina Kingdom: Plantae Division: Angiosperms Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Vernonia Species: V. … commonly called bitter leaf is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Vernonia which has about 1,000 species of shrubs (Munaya, 2013).
What bitter leaf can cure?
Regular intake of bitter leaf helps to regulate the blood cholesterol level, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Similarly, the leaf can be consumed to treat fever, feverish condition, joint aches, different levels of intestinal complaints, stomach ache, as well as parasite induced disease like malaria.
Is bitter leaf an antibiotic?
Vernonia amygdalina is a valuable medicinal plant that is widespread in West Africa, it is known as bitter leaf due to its characteristic bitter taste and flavour, and can be used as an active anticancer, antibacterial, antimalarial and antiparastic agent.
Can bitter leaf damage kidney?
Conclusion:- The results suggest that Vernoniaamygdalina (bitter leaf) have great level of renal recovery from phenylhydrazine induced kidney damage. It has nephro-protective effects, it is therefore safe to consume so as to enhance renal functioning.
Which plant has the most bitter leaves?
Explanation: Vernonia amygdalina, (family Astaraceae) is a medicinal herb commonly known as bitter leaf. This plant is indigenous to tropical Africa and has enormous medicinal uses and is regarded as a gold mine by many African communities.
What is the work of bitter leaf and scent leaf?
Scientifically, scent leaf and bitter leaf juice helps calm blood pressure. As one of its numerous health benefits, bitter leaf and scent leaf juice detoxes and cleanse the liver. A combo of bitter leaf and scent leaf is also used in the treatment of skin infections such as ringworm, measles, rashes and eczema.
Can pregnant woman drink bitter leaf water?
The answer is yes. Bitter leaf is very good for pregnant women and the benefits of bitter leaf water or juice in pregnancy are listed below. It helps pregnant and lactating mothers: Bitter leaf juice increases milk production in lactating mothers and is also used for the contraction of the uterus during labour.
Can I boil bitter leaf and drink?
You can boil bitter leaves in water, add some honey into the cup and drink such water a couple of times a day for better effect.
Is bitter leaf the same as bitter melon?
Bitter melon leaves, botanically classified as Momordica charantia, are members of the Cucurbitaceae family. Also known as Karela, Bitter melon leaves are most commonly used today for medicinal purposes. Both the fruit and the leaves are extremely popular in Asia, and the leaves are used as a daily health tea.
Why is bitter leaf used as a vegetable?
The leaves are consumed as green leafy vegetable. Its richness in minerals and vitamins has made it an important human diet (Sobukola et al., 2007). It has a wide folkloric uses against diverse tropical diseases.
Is it good to drink bitter leaf water?
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.
How do I make bitter leaf tea?
moringa and bitter leaf tea || homemade herbal tea recipe
How do you make bitter leaf water?
How to Prepare Bitter Leaf Juice… (It Lowers Sugar Level) – YouTube
What is Ugu leaf?
Fluted pumpkin, commonly called Ugwu in Igbo dialect, is one of the most consumed dark green leafy vegetables which many us are unaware of its benefits to the body. Pumpkin leaves can be consumed in various ways – It can be made as a soup, added to salads, made as a dessert or eaten raw.
What is bitter plant?
Valerian, a bitter plant for soothing nerves. Valerian is a natural digestive bitter that contains bitter substances in its roots. When Valerian is mixed together with the essential oils can reduce stress, nervousness, and anxiety.
What is the leaf margin of bitter leaf?
Leaf margin is entire, venation is palmate and the leaf base is deeply cordate. Leaf is glabrous with acute to acuminate apex. Length is between 7.0-8.5cm and width is between 4.0-6.5cm (Osuagwu, et al., 2013). The adventitious roots arise from the nodes when the stem makes contact with the soil.
What is Ewuro English?
Bitter leaf (Ewuro)
What is the use of Vernonia Amygdalina?
Vernonia amygdalina is commonly used in traditional medicine. Leaf decoctions are used to treat fever, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis and cough, as a laxative and as a fertility inducer. They are also used as a medicine for scabies, headache and stomach-ache.
Does bitter leaf contain chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, which allows plants to absorb energy from sunlight. Its presence in leaves is crucial for photosynthesis. Bitter leaf, pawpaw leaf and pumpkin leaf are commonly known for their high nutritional and medicinal value and are widely consumed as vegetables across Africa.
Does bitter leaf contain iodine?
Traditional users report that this plant possesses observable health benefits. It contains many nutrients and phytochemicals such as iodine, alkaloids, anthraquinones, edotides, sesquiterpene lactones and steroid glycosides.
Does bitter leaf contain vitamin K?
Vitamin C is a great antioxidant mineral found in bitter leaf, which plays a vital role in the body, including the maintenance of bones and teeth. It also contains traces of vitamin K which helps the body maintain healthy bones and prevents the weakening of bone tissue, also known as osteoporosis.
Does bitter leaf help in fertility?
A nutritionist, Grace Johnson, says bitter leaf can improve fertility because of its ability to boost the function of the reproductive system, balance hormones and help the ovary to release healthy eggs.
What is Efirin leaf in English?
Ocimum gratissimum is popularly known as scent leaf, it is known as efinrin in Yoruba, nchanwu in Igbo and daidoya in Hausa. The best known species are the strongly aromatic herb, Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil) as well as the medicinal herb Ocimum tenuiflorum also known as Ocimum sanctum (holy basil or tulsi in Hindi).
Is bitter leaf a perennial?
Recently, considerable attention has been focused on dietary and medicinal phytochemicals that inhibit, reverse or retard diseases caused by oxidative and inflammatory processes. Vernonia amygdalina is a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family.
How do you drink bitter leaf water?
Drink a cup of bitter leaf water or juice as soon as you wake up in the morning before you brush your teeth. Wash your teeth, but do neither eat nor drink in the next 45 minutes. You can normally eat and drink after 45 minutes.
How do you use the king of bitter leaf?
All parts of King of Bitters can be used as medicine. The leaves are boiled to drink as a tea or they are ground and mixed with honey to make a tablet. However, the herb has also been marketed in capsules, making it easier to consume.
What are the side effects of drinking bitter leaf water?
Side Effects Of Drinking Bitter Leaf Water Or Juice Are:
- High blood pressure.
- Loss of appetite.
- Imbalance of glucose in the blood.
- Headache.
- Rash.
- Severe heart problems.
- Diarrhoea.
- Vomiting.