Bitter leaf and it's health benefits by negro-bby

Hello I'm Oluwatimileyin a student of Ahmadu bello university. I'm hereby taking part of the ongoing contest which was organized by @abu78.

I will like to discuss about the health benefits and importance of bitterleaf.
Bitter leaf scientifically called Vernonia amygdalina
It is also known as Onugbu, Shiwaka & Ewuro by the Igbos, Hausas and Yorubas respectively.
It is a medicinal small tree which is about 23 feets when fully developed. As the name implies, it has a taste that many people can't withstand.

Taken with a infinix phone.

It is mostly grown in the sub-Saharan Africa. It is use for the Maintenance of health, serves as prevention and treatment of various diseases. Some chemical substance found in bitter leaf have anti-parasitic,anti-tumour and bactericidal effect (which means total killing of bacteria). It is used in treating schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms and also help in treating diarrhea.

This also helps in cleansing vital organs such as the liver and kidney and helps to cure skin infection. They possess antibacterial and antifugal properties.

Bitter leaf contains some nutrients which is needed by the body such as protein,carbohydrates,fiber,carotenoid,calcium,iron,Ascorbic acid,potassium,sodium,magnesium,zinc,copper etc.
It contains vitamins(vitamin A,C,E,B1 and B2).

Importance and uses of Bitter leaf

1. It aids up metabolism which helps in digestion.

2. It helps to loose weight as a result of some nutrients contained in it (e.g; zinc,iron, fiber, carbohydrate contained in it).

3. It reduced sugar level,it's a natural diabetics solution.

4. It helps to relieve stomach ache.

5. Taking bitter-leaf regularly helps in regulating the blood cholesterol level.

6. It helps to treat fever.

7. It helps in building up the body.

8. It serves as a cleanser for the uterus.

9. It helps to protect one against leech which transmits bilharziasis.

10. It can cooked as a vegetable soup or prepared as a juice

11. It's has a good effect in treating skin infection like eczema,ringworm etc than applying other things which might worsen the affected part and bring other skin reactions.

But how many percent true does bitterleaf helps in treating eczema and other skin diseases?
Although bitter leaf have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. But it is not scientifically demonstrated and proven that it helps to treat eczema.

Eczema is a skin allergy and applying bitter lead to the affected part might worsen the case and cause secondary bacteria infection to penetrate and may prolong the duration of the eczema on the skin.

How bitter leaf juice is prepared.

This is done by blending the leafs in a blender with the help of little water
After blending, strain out the extract using sieve with a tight mesh,cheese cloth or a coffee strainer.

How To Preserve Bitter Leaf Juice.

Probably after blending a high quantity and you are unable to finish it at a time , all you have to do to preserve it is by adding little amount of honey and refrigerate it. Also note that when preserving your bitter leaf juice, it will lose its bitter taste after 24 hours but will still remain effective to use.
It is advisable to take your bitter leaf juice on empty stomach because it tends to work better and faster.

N.B

Excess consumption of bitter leaf juice might lead to some health conditions, it is advisable you consult your doctor about your health issue to get your perfect prescription.

I hereby invite @weasell @icon-monday @obris-gold to participate in this contest