13 Health Benefits of Bitter Leaf You should know About

The health benefits of the bitter leaf are so vast that despite the knowledge of its uses by many Africans, it is still under-used. Bitter leaf is abundant in Nigeria and other parts of Africa where it is chewed, eaten, and drink as juices for different reasons.

Bitter leaf belongs to the Asteraceae family with botanical names like V. colorata, V. calvoana, Vernonia or
V. amygdalina depending on the type. It has a lot of medicinal uses due to its numerous properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anthelminthic, and others.

It has a lot of minerals including Vit A, B1, B2, C and E, irons, zinc, and others which have a lot of health impacts on the body. Bitter leaf is also processed into some modern medicines these days or used in combination with other materials to produce drugs.

Today, we will be exploring the health benefits of bitter leaves, which you should know about.

13 Health Benefits of BitterLeaf

1. Cures Insomnia

One of the most common health benefits of bitter leaf is that it cures insomnia. Drinking bitter leaf juice will afford you the luxury of a proper night’s sleep.

Based on many medical types of research and personal experiences, It has been verified that drinking bitter leaf juice will make a healthy and best sleep at night.

2. Malaria/Fever

Bitter Leaf due to its antipyretic, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic properties affects fever by lowering high body temperatures. So, drinking bitter leaves will help you get better if you have a fever. Some people also believe it is effective against malaria.

3. Aids Milk Production

Among all the health benefits of bitter leaf, this benefit is unknown to many. For Nursing mothers, the use of bitter leaves can aid the production of milk. Especially with a mother who finds it hard to lactate, she may be advised to drink a bitter leaf juice or even eat it as soup as a means of traditional intervention.

Another close to the “aiding milk production” benefit is that can be used in assisting women during childbearing and labor. It can be used to stimulate the uterus in propelling the baby out of the mother’s uterus.

4. Detoxification

Bitter leaf has the capability of detoxifying harmful materials and toxins in the body. This is possible as a result of Kidney and Liver function enhancement. It’s also believed to improve the flow of urine in the Kidney stones condition when used.

5. Aid Digestion and Metabolism

Aiding the digestion and metabolism of the food eaten is one of the health benefits of bitter leaf. Most Africans drink bitter leaf juice or eat it in form of vegetables to aid digestion and subdue constipation. It can also be used to relieve stomach aches and pains.

6. Weight loss

Another closely associated benefit to aiding metabolism is the weight loss benefit. Most females drink bitter leaf juice as an aphrodisiac to help them lose weight. The leaf works by reducing appetite, oxidizing, and making use of the body’s fats to give the desired result.

7. Cures Skin Infection

Skin infection cure is also one of the health benefits of bitter leaf. It’s used in form of paste applied directly to the Skin to cure ringworm, eczema, wart, and other infection due to its antibacterial and other properties.

8. Relieves Fatigue

It’s believed that drinking bitter leaf juice or eating it as vegetables strengthens the body and helps to relieve tiredness and fatigue.

9. Reduces Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure can be lowered with the use of medicinal herbs, bitter leaves. It works by acting as a vasodilator balancing salt, water, and electrolytes in the blood.

10. Diabetes

Among the health benefits of bitter leaf is reducing and delaying the progression of diabetes. It works by cleaning excessive sugar in the bloodstream and hence can be used in preventing Diabetes also.

11. Cancer

Even though there have been many medicinal or herbal remedies that are said to work for delaying the progression of cancer, in which Bitter leaf seems to be part.

It is best employed at the early stage of the condition due to its immunosuppressive activities and anti-oxidant constituent. Hence, delaying Cancer progression is one of the health benefits of bitter leaf.

12. Bone Growth and Development

The bitter leaf consists of Vitamin C which plays a vital role in the development and growth of bone. It also contains vitamin K which helps the clotting factors as well as other supporting minerals like iron, manganese, potassium, and others.

13. Boost Fertility

Boosting fertility is another health benefit of Bitter leaf. It is said to be able to balance the hormones in the body which is one of the important factors for achieving pregnancy in females.

No doubt, there are many health benefits of the bitter leaf that are not mentioned in this article. As it also works for relieving arthritis pain, piles, diarrhea, intestinal cramps, and others. Despite its uses, it has adverse effects and negative impacts on the body when abused and misused.

When used too much or in large quantities than normal, adverse effects including miscarriage, iron deficiency, testicular degeneration, and so on may occur. The reason why you should seek the help of a professional before using it.