The Wonders of Bitter Leaf

This is a vegetable or shrub that is bitter as the name indicates. This vegetable or shrub is used by Nigerians and other parts of Africa for different purposes. For the Igbo people of Nigeria, bitter leaf serves as a source of roughages and vegetable, bitter leaf also serves as a source of drug to relieve stomach ache and other related illnesses.

This shrub grows well anywhere and in any condition. Bitter leaf doesn’t need much attention and care. The only thing needful of a planter is to get a stick of the bitter leaf and plant the shrub anywhere, the bitter leaf will grow. It doesn’t require much watering or the use of manure, but it would be better for the plant if the planter waters it in the area where water is a scarce commodity; it will be necessary also if the planter looks for manure to use on the plant.

Bitter leaf is an African plant that can be found in almost every house in the remote areas of Africa. In different African villages, the bitter leaf is located in every compound. The bitter leaf grows this well because it is easy to plant and grow anywhere.

Among the Igbo, bitter leaf is a used as vegetable in soups and other meals. Although that this leaf is bitter, it sweetens their soup and their food if washed well. The Igbo as I had said earlier also use this leaf for medicinal purposes; we shall discuss in the subsequent posts.

The Yoruba tribe and the Hausa tribe of Nigeria use this leaf for medicinal and curative purposes. The Yoruba value this shrub and they use it to cure several illnesses which will be discussed in subsequent posts.

However, this shrub is deadly as it is useful. This bitter leaf can be harmful to animals that it reduces the amount of blood in an animal and weakens that animal, and then, it slowly kills that animal. The users of bitter leaf should wash it properly and it should not be used in a large amount for any purpose. It could be dangerous.

I believe that if this shrub is well analyzed and studied that there will be discovery of it wonders than anyone could imagine. From the leaf of the shrub to the stem and then to the roots, bitter leaf is good for its many uses.