STEEM PLANTS COMPETITION - Week #11: "Hospital Too Far" the Miracle Plant

"Hospital Too Far" leaf

The leaf popularly known as "Hospital Too Far" is one of the best edible green leaves in #Nigeria. This leaf is treasured not only for how tasty it is in meals but also for how much it can contribute to one's overall health and well-being without giving the impression that one is taking a herbal supplement.

Names

The leaf – Hospital Too Far – is scientifically known as Jatropha tanjorensis, but it may be known in your community by another name. Chaya, Catholic vegetable, and the Miracle leaf are some of its common names. This leaf is tasty in food and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as:

• Leafy vegetable soups
• Rice and other meals with egg sauce

Use & Growing
In addition to using it in meals, some #Nigerians prepare this leaf as a concoction with other foods to achieve various health benefits. This plant is best eaten lightly cooked, so if you are making a meal with it, it should come last as exposure to too much heat will reduce its nutritional value.
The "Hospital Too Far" leaf can be easily grown in any location with plenty of rain. It's simple to grow; just bury a stem in the ground and you'll have a thriving green Catholic vegetable in a week or less.

Benefits

As the name implies, this leaf, according to local belief and observation, has the potential to eliminate the need for hospital visits, as it has been shown to have numerous health benefits when consumed. Based on evidence from scientific reports, here are some ways the "Hospital Too Far" leaf could keep you away from hospitals:

1. The plant has an anti-diabetic effect, as it can effectively lower glucose levels in diabetics (Olayiwola et al., 2004).
2. There is also evidence that this plant could help to improve kidney function (Akhigbe et al., 2009).
3. This plant may be useful in the treatment of anemia, particularly in mild cases (Ansari et al., 2020).
   The above are some of the leaf's medical benefits that have been tested and proven; however, anecdotal evidence suggests that the "Hospital Too Far" plant can help with skin repair, digestion, fever, inflammation, and boosting one's vitality - this plant is truly a miracle plant.

Not friendly?

This plant may not be your best friend, so avoid hugging, kissing, or touching it with anything but your palms, as it may itch and cause discomforts to the point where you lose interest in its wonders.
Aside from that, I have had no problems with overdosing or overfeeding on it. It's generally good for your health and safe for your digestive system.

The Take-Away
Hospital Too Far (aka, Jatropha tanjorensis, Chaya, Catholic vegetable, and Miracle leaf) is a plant that merits a place in your garden and space on your plate.