Bitter leaf vernonia amydlina is a very homely plant that wherever it grows it flourishes evergreen.The lgbo's call it Onugbu(bitter leaf)Yoruba's call it Ewuto.Hauas call it Shiwaka. Perhaps the most distinctive part of the better leaf plant is the bitterness because every part of the it is bitter the leaves stems,root and bark. Everybody seems to know it .it grows everywhere.
The Igbo of Eastern of Nigeria use bitter leaf mostly as vegetable, while Yoruba's use it more as a medicine. Bitter leaf is popular among the old people for its bitterness. But the young people of today don't like bitter leaf because of its bitterness.They would rather prefer biscuits,ice_cream, chocolate and other sugary products. Their philosophy is life is sweet; therefore, food must be sweet.
The fact is that bitter herbs are good for the body. They remind us that life is not always sweet; that life is not a bed of roses that both sweetness and bitterness are essential part of life and so, are not opposed. Bitter leaf help to tone the vital organs of the body expecially the liver and kidney . The liver is the largest organs of the body.its weight is between 1-3kg in the adult body.its major functions are (a) secretion of bile ( b) formation of glycogen.
Kidney is another important organ in the body. It helps to expel waste materials from the body if the kidney and liver Break down there will be a general disorder in the body. Bitter leaf is very useful in thecare of the kidney and liver. It is the reason why we refer to bitter leaf as cure_ all for if the kidney and liver are healthy,the whole system will be function well.
The bitter leaf plant contains Vernodalin, Venomyghdin and saponin. Bitter leaf should always be taken fresh. Boiling or cooking reduce the potency of most herbs. Always remember that raw vegetables are better than cooked ones,also half cooked vegetables are better than over cooked ones.the following reasons of us bitter leaf. Up(a) Stomach ache(b) Skin infections(c) Diabetes (d) prostate cancer (e) Pneumonia etc.We don't need to despair or lose hope. God has not abandoned us. He has given us bitter leaf as sin of his love and care.
@Fantacy
Well researched. You are very observant.