Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a vegetable
used for preparing the popular Bitter leaf soup. It
is also known as Onugbu, Shiwaka & Ewuro by
the Igbos, Hausas&Yorubas in Nigeria.
Although this plant has been around for hundreds
of years, only a few people know of its medicinal
and healing properties.
Bitter leaf ( Vernonia amygdalina ) as the name
implies, is actually a bitter plant whose leaves,
extracts, stems and barks are used for
culinary,medicinal and curative purposes.
Vitamins in Bitter leaf includes;Vitamin A,
Vitamin C ,Vitamin E, Vit.B1 and Vit.B2.
My grandma was a big fan of the bitter leaf
juice, and on one of my visits she made me drink
the juice to cure a fever. I hated the bitter taste,
at that time, but when I realized the fever was
gone, I humbly joined the Bitter leaf fan club ...
☺ .... those grey hair on her head ain't there for
nothing, Right?.
Well, To get the best results from the bitter leaf
plant, it's best taken freshly squeezed from the
leaves.

How to extract the Bitter leaf Juice
This can be done, the old school way of rubbing
the clean leaves in between your palms with the
help of a little water and squeezing out the juice
from the leaves.

You can also use a juicer or blend the leaves
with a little water, in a blender and strain out the
extract with a cheese cloth, coffee strainer or a
sieve with a tight mesh.
Bitter leaf juice on its own, is quite bitter and
this taste might be unbearable for a lot of
people.

So to reduce the bitterness of the bitter leaf
juice, simply blend it with spinach or Ugwu
( fluted pumpkin). If you still find it extremely
bitter, then add some sweet fruits to it, such as
pineapple , apples, or oranges.
Dry bitter leaf is also potent, but has to be
properly cleaned before use.
Some of the health benefits of Bitter leaf
(Vernonia amygdalina);

* It speeds up metabolism and therefore is
great for weight loss.

* Bitter leaf juice relieves fever and feverish
conditions. Take the squeezed juice, 3 times
daily until the symptoms disappears.

* It also helps to reduce high sugar level in the
blood, and great for diabetic patients.

* Squeeze the fresh leaves on your palm and
apply the juice on skin rashes,eczema, ring
worms and any superficial skin ailments, you'll
notice a change in few days. Don't apply to open
wounds.

* Bitter leaf is said to soothe and also cure pile .

* Taking a cup of bitter leaf juice a day, is a
great way to detoxify the body of harmful toxins.

* Bitter leaf juice nourishes the skin.

* Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) also cures
mild stomach ailments

* Bitter leaf juice is said to increase breast milk
production in nursing mothers.

* The washed roots and stalks of bitterleaf are
boiled and the infusion is taking as a worm
expeller. A cup of bitter leaf infusion taking first
thing in the morning before meals

* Bitter leaf juice is used by local women in
Guinea-Bissau to contract the uterus after
childbirth and therefore should not be taking
during pregnancy or if you're trying to
conceive,because high intake might cause
miscarriage.

* A cup of bitter leaf juice a day, energizes
you...o yes it does.


☺
For Research references:

* Ijeh II, Ejike CECC (2011). "Current perspectives
on the medicinal potential of Vernonia amygdalina
Del". J Med Plant Res 5 (7): 1051–1061...
*Kokwaro, John (2009). Medicinal Plants of East
Africa 3rd ed. Nairobi, Kenya: University of Nairobi

Plus..it bitter too