The Scientific name for Suwaka is Vernonia amygdalina, it’s also called Bitter Leaf in some African Homes due to the complex nature of it’s name.

The Plant has several benefits as outlined below from various sources.

This plant contains complex active components that are pharmacologically useful. The roots and the leaves are used in ethnomedicine to treat fever, hiccups, kidney problems, and stomach discomfort.

Consuming bitter leaf water in the morning, before eating, is thought to help cleanse the digestive system and stimulate the digestive juices, leading to improved digestion throughout the day.

Bitter leaf is rich in phtyochemicals such as saponins, coumarins and alkaloids which according to scientists at help the body reduce harmful free radicals, detoxify, prevent the release of stress response proteins and interfere with DNA activities that may cause cancer.

bitter leaf can lower blood pressure because it contains chemical constituents like flavonoids which can increase the availability of nitric oxide (NO) in the body and potassium which can cause relaxation of the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Bitter leaf is an African Plant that should be kept safe on several homes and farms, they should be protected.

One can find bitter leaf in farms, gardens and within scattered settlements.

Source: Upper West Media