HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER LEAF(VERNONIA AMYGDALINA)

Vernonia is a genus of more than 1000 species of
shrubs in the family Asteraceae. Some of this these specie is known as Ironweed(vernonia Altissina). Vernonia species are located in different regions of the World most of which are found in Northern and Southern part of America.

Vernonia Amygdalina is the Botanical name of Bitterleaf. It is mostly found in western Africa. This specie is beneficial to Man and also of economic value. It is generally known as bitter leaf. It have it native name depending from the region you from.

USES OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA

1. Vernonia Amygdalina(bitter leaf) is used in traditional herbal medicine to treat lots of infection.

2. Vernonia Amygdalina and Vernonia Calvoana are eaten as vegetables. It is generally known as Bitter leaf or Onugbu in Igbo language or Ewuro in Yoruba language. Bitterleaf is use to prepare a local delicacy in the eastern region of of Nigeria called Onugbu soup, is also a typical ingredient in Egusi soup.

3. Vernonia galamensis is used as oil seed in Ethiopia and also in paint formulation and as a reagent for many industrial chemicals.

SPECIES

Species of this genus are found in various part of the world; like the southern and northern America, Africa, and Asia.

Species of Vernonia found in Africa

1. Vernonia Amygdalina
2. Vernonia Calvoana
3. Vernonia Cineria
4. Vernonia Colorata.

Species of Vernonia found in Asia

1. Vernonia Unicata
2. Vernonia Arborea
3. Vernonia Cockburniana

Species of Vernonia found in Northern and Southern America

Most of the species are found in this region of the planet;

1. Vernonia Patens
2. Vernonia Nonoenses
3. Vernonia Acaulis
4. Vernonia Glauca.
5. Vernonia Lettermannii
6. Vernonia Marginata
7. Vernonia Missurica
8. Vernonia Condensata
9. Vernonia Proctorii

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER LEAF

Bitter leaf is richly nutritious, it contain Glucosides, Deterpene and Flavonoids which are important to Human health. Some of it benefits include,

1. To treat Typhoid
2. To treat Malaria
3. To lower Hypertension
4. To treat Stomach ache
5. To treat Appendicitis
6. To treat Skin infection
7. To treat Respiratory tract infections
8. It Detoxifies the whole body
9. To prevent Cancer
10. It also increase Milk production in Lactating Mothers.

HOW TO MAKE USE OF BITTER LEAF

It is easy to use, all you need is to get the Bitter leaf, water and pure Honey;

Firstly: you wash the Bitter leaf,

Secondly: boil the Bitter leaf with a litre of water till it get to 100°c then allow it to cool

Thirdly: add honey and stir well then divide into three(3)part and take it for three(3) times daily and repeat.

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SIDE EFFECT OF BITTER LEAF

Despite the list of benefit of bitter leaf, it good to be aware of the positive and negative aspect of things we take.
Side effect of taking bitterleaf juice is solely caused by personal allergic reactions of a person. The easiest way to avoid this side effect is to know what you are allergic to. Aside from this, no proven effect of taking bitterleaf juice.