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Bitter Leaf

Vernonia amygdalina

COMMON NAMES

Bitter Leaf
Mujonso

The herb known as the bitter leaf is a shrub or small tree that can reach twenty three feet in height when fully grown. Bitter leaf has a gray or brown colored bark; the bark has a rough texture and is flaked. The branches of the shrub are brittle and break off easily. The green leaves are oblong to lance like in shape, they are veined, and bear pale soft hairs on the underside. Bitter leaf bears small white flowers, these flowers bloom in clusters during the spring. The plant bears small fruits, which have slightly hairy small nuts inside.

PARTS USED

Pith, leaf, root.

USES

Bitter leaf is eaten as a vegetable in many areas of East Africa, it is known as mujonso in Tanzania. Soups and stews are made from the leafy greens of the plant in many countries of east Africa, where the herb is prepared in the same way the spinach is used in the west. An appetizer is made from the “chew sticks" of the plant - the root and the twigs. The bitter leaf is believed to help restore the stamina when consumed in the form of a tonic food called ndole.

Even animals use the plant to cure themselves and chimpanzees inhabiting the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania, have been observed chewing the pith of the bitter leaf possibly due to its ability to ward off parasites and to get at other medicinal properties in the plant. Intestinal parasitic infestations are treated by African people using the bitter leaf. Traditionally, native healers may have come to know of the beneficial properties of this plant by studying the behavior of sick animals in the wild - many animals eat this plant when they become sick. Some of the principal chemical constituents found in the bitter leaf herb are a class of compounds called steroid glycosides - type vernonioside B1 - these chemical substances possess a potent anti-parasitic, anti-tumor, and bactericidal effects. The bitter leaf is mainly employed as an agent in treating schistosomiasis, which is a disease caused by parasitic worms. At the same time, the bitter leaf also helps bring relief from related problems in the body such as diarrhea and general physical malaise. Remedies made from the bitter leaf are used in treating twenty five common ailments in sub-Saharan Africa, these include common problems such as fever, and different kinds of intestinal complaints, as well as parasite induced diseases like malaria and other vector borne diseases.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

The bitter leaf herb is an indigenous African species; it grows in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The east African country of Tanzania is traditionally linked to this plant. The herb is found growing wild along the edges of agricultural fields.

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COMMENTS

From Nwachukwu Grace - Jan-26-2012: Bitter leaf clears the eye if your having problems with your eye, especially blurred vision. It reduces excess sugar from the body, and it helps people sick of diabetes. It's indeed good.
From Ria - Oct-24-2011: As a child I remember we had two metallic pots, one was for bitter leaf extracted in boiled water and the other was for efirin(I don't know it's English name). My life consisted of a daily one cup ritual which I hated so much, so once I turned 21 years old I did my own thing, and ate everything that was bad for me.
However, I still had onugbu occasionally. When I turned 45 years my bones started squeaking and hurting badly and could hardly move. I was told I needed surgery as they said I had rheumatoid arthritis and was given walking aid.
Then I remembered my father and those pots and I started drinking two cups a day of bitter leaf soup two times a week. I don't enjoy it but it has become second nature for me. I drink it instead of tea or coffee.
I am now 52 years old and very strong, no wrinkles and no joint pains.
From Olufemi Gbelee - May-10-2011: Bitter leaf helps to reduce sugar in the body, I tried it and it really helps me. I recommend it to everybody.
From Erike Ukpogu - Mar-04-2011: You can take bitter leaf herb for general body cleansing. Though it is bitter but when you start drinking it often, it will be part of you. I drink it like sprite.
From F.U. Achebe - Feb-02-2011: Bitter leaf water obtained after washing/crushing the leaves in clean water takes good care of constipation, malaria and general feeling of unwell. It has a side effect of a discomforting feeling for a little time. It's also good for removing wrinkles and making people feel stronger.
From Uzoma Chris - Feb-01-2011: Bitter leaf in the eastern part is known as "olugbo" which has multi function purpose, the leaf is known for its ways of curing sickness, when you mixed bitter leaf and milk, it helps to stop headache, it helps to wage malaria , it cleans the dirt from the blood, and lastly it helps in reducing sugar.
From E. Courage - 2010: Bitter leaf is really good because this plant is very useful in toning the vital organs of the body especially the liver and the kidney. The liver is one of the most important organs of the body. It has a lot of vital functions that are needed for normal functioning of the whole system of the body. Without the liver all major process in the body will be paralyze. The liver is known as the largest organ inside the body. It has an approximate weight of 1-3 kg in an average adult individual. There are a lot of major functions that the liver should do every day and this includes the production of bile acid that helps in fat metabolism.
Without the liver, fats will not be digested inside the body to be use as energy. Bitter-leaf can be very helpful in maintaining the liver's optimum health to release bile acid every time people eat fatty foods. Another major function of the liver is the production of glycogen. Glycogen is stored energy that is release in times of low level of glucose especially for people who do fasting.
From Mary Mensah - 2010: I have used bitter leaf for Candida and itching and it worked. I squeezed or boiled the leave and drink the liquid.
From Debby - 2010: Bitter leaf is used for curing cough. Chew it before going to bed at night and early in the morning before eating.
From Bello Danfulani - 2010: Bitter leaf (Shuwaka in Hausa) is believed to increase milk production and quality in nursing mothers.
From Obiora Ibeh - 2010: Bitter leaf is the best soup for many people from Eastern Nigeria. The leaf is often used to treat various ailments ranging from malaria to stomach upset. It is a wonderful gift from God to mankind.
From Princess Monivi - 2010: Bitter leaf can also be used to treat skin infection like ringworm. Simply rub the leaves between your palm to obtain the liquid and then apply it directly onto the affected parts.
From Grace Ibok - 2010: Bitter leaf helps for easy digestion of food in the stomach.
From Monisola Agbenla - 2010: Bitter leaf helps in body weight loss.
From Ajiboluwa Saheed Oluwaseyi - 2010: This is a remedy for upset stomach, running stomach and pile. Just squeeze out the juice from the leaf, mix with small quantity of water. Drink it 2 times a day.