Health Benefits of 5 Nigerian Leafy Green Vegetables

UTAZI LEAF

1. It balances circulation: normalises blood pressure by strengthening the heart and lowering high blood cholesterol and triglyceride level.

2. It prevents arteriosclerosis, platelets aggregation and blood clot formation within the blood-carrying vessels.

3. It is antimicrobial (antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and antiviral), antipyretic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.

4. Utazi leaves stimulate the flow of bile and appetite for food, it also enhances the stimulation and activities of the pancreas, regulates blood sugar, and promotes the detoxification activities of the liver.

5. It neutralises the intoxicating properties of alcohol and its harmful effect on the liver.

6. The leaves and the stem are used in the home treatment of digestive problems such as loss of appetite, dyspepsia, colic and stomach ache, constipation, dysentery, and intestinal worms.

7. It helps in the relief of cough, wheezing and asthmatic attacks.

8. It helps in the management of diabetes.

9. It cleanses the womb and prevents abdominal pain after childbirth

10. The antioxidants present in utazi leaf help to effectively eliminate free radicals in the body. Free radicals could damage cells and turn them into cancerous cells; utazi leaves prevent cancer by getting rid of cancerous cells.

OKAZI LEAF

Botanical name: gnetum africanum 

English name: wild spinach

1. The high dietary fibre content in okazi leaf helps in weight loss and increase metabolism. It also improves digestion, acts as a laxative and prevents constipation.

2. It helps the heart by supplying it with good cholesterol which in turn replaces the bad cholesterol. Okazi leaf also manages blood sugar and blood pressure.

3. Pregnancy: it prevents nausea (morning sickness usually experienced by pregnant women). When eaten, it can also reduce pains during childbirth.

4. It can be eaten raw to prevent menstrual cramps.

5. Promotes reproductive health.

6. Strengthens bones and teeth: okazi leaves are rich in calcium, which helps in the development of strong healthy bones. It also prevents and fight osteoporosis and rheumatism.

7. Antifungal properties: okazi leaf is traditionally known to be used in the treatment of measles in children, it is also used in the treatment of boils and warts.

8. Okazi leaf has an appreciable amount of iodine, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and this iodine helps to prevent tooth decay.

9. Prevention of scurvy: The presence of vitamin C in Okazi leaf helps to prevent scurvy. In addition, it helps to detoxify the blood.

UZIZA LEAF 

Botanical name: p.guineense

English name: guinea pepper

1. Fertility improvement: with the combination of lemon and uziza leaves blended, it is a good step of improving fertility within men and women. 

2. Relieves coughs: this can be achieved by pouring some dried or grounded uziza leaves into a cup, adding boiled water, resting it for about 10 mins, and drinking it while still warm. This will help clear your throat and the respiratory tract.

3. It relieves pain: uziza contains alkaloids, which are known to act as pain killers for ailments such as headaches, toothaches, painful joints and menstrual pain.

4. Prevention of cancer: the presence of antioxidants in uziza leaves helps in the prevention of cancer. 

5. Prevents constipation: uziza leaves contain a high amount of fibre, which aid digestion. This fibre helps to actively improve bowel movement which greatly helps to avoid constipation.

6. Promotes uterine contraction after childbirth: uziza leaves are added to soups and given to women after childbirth, it has been proven to reduce or shrink the uterus, cleanse the uterus and promote milk supply.

7. Treatment of infection: fresh leaves or dried fruits of uziza leaves can be suspended in alcohol and used as an infusion to treat bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. The leaves and seed extract of uziza show antimicrobial and anti-fungal activity against several human pathogens.

AKWUKWO ANARA 

Botanical name: p.guineense

English name: garden egg leaves

1. It helps to lower eye pressure in people with glaucoma without side effects (even with high consumption).

2. It is high in potassium, a necessary salt that helps in maintaining the function of the heart and regulate blood pressure.

3. Akwukwo anara can serve as a natural blood tonic in anaemic patients.

4. The leaves provide women with micronutrients which helps in improving blood level.

5. Akwukwo anara provides the body with both fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins which are rich in thiamine (Vit B6) required for normal growth and proper functioning of the heart and nervous system.

6. The presence of Vit K in akwukwo anara leaf helps to foster or enhance bioflavonoids which strengthen the capillaries.

7. When consumed, helps in detoxifying and cleansing the kidneys. This promotes the proper functioning of the liver and helps prevent kidney failure.

OHA/ORA LEAF 

1. Oha/ora leaves contain iron, calcium, amino acids, iron, potassium, fibre, vitamin K and vitamin C.

2. Diarrhoea management: ora leaf is a rich source of the mineral zinc, which is important for a healthy immune system.

3. Helps treat anaemia: ora leaf contains iron which plays an important role in red blood cell formation to create haemoglobin. The presence of vitamin C also helps in the absorption of iron.

4. Helps maintain healthy joints and prevents arthritis: ora leaf contains an appreciable amount of manganese, which helps to play an important role in cartilage formation and lubricating fluid in the joints. The presence of manganese helps to prevent and alleviate joint diseases like arthritis.

5. Good for heart health: the presence of potassium in ora leaf helps to maintain the normal contraction of the heart.

6. Reduces muscles cramps: it contains magnesium, which is a muscle relaxant; it helps to reduce muscle cramps.

7. Improves brain function: glutamic acid in ora leaves is an important non-essential amino acid that helps to maintain the normal function of the brain as a neurotransmitter.

8. Helps build muscle mass: ora leaves can help build muscle mass with the presence of cysteine amino acid content. Cysteine helps the body to build protein which is used for the development of muscle mass.

9. Helps with blood pressure: ora is a low sodium vegetable that is beneficial for hypertensive people and individuals with high blood pressure.

10. The potassium in ora leaf can also help to control blood pressure through its mechanism in regulating muscle contraction.

11. Improves eye health: oha leaves contain an appreciable amount of vitamin A which helps to maintain better sight and a strong immune system.

12. The presence of vitamin B group present in ora leaf helps protect nerves from damage.

13. Boost energy: the presence of lysine ora leaves helps to boost energy, especially for athletic performance.

14. Maintain alkaline level: the leaves of ora balances the entire body's PH level.

15. Helps with collagen formation: ora leaves contain the mineral copper in good amount to help with collagen formation, which helps to give a healthy glowing skin.