benefits of bitter leaf

HEALTH, Top Scroll
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER
LEAF
Do you know that the common African plant,
bitter leaf, which you can conveniently grow
in your backyard, can cure a lot of ailments?
In Nigeria, different tribes have names for
this leaf.
The botanical name for bitter leaf is Vernonia
which is a genus of about 1000 species of
forbs and shrubs in the family Asteraceae.
Some species are known as Ironweed.
Some species of Vernonia, including V.
Calvoana, V.amygdalina, and V. Colorata, are
eaten as leaf vegetables and are of
economic value. They are known for having
intense purple flowers. They are common in
most West African and Central African
countries. The leaves have a sweet and bitter
taste. They are sold fresh or dried, and are a
typical ingredient in egusi soup. They are
also one of the most widely consumed leaf
vegetables of West Africa.
The leaves are exported from several African
countries to Europe and North America and
can be purchased inexpensively in grocery
stores aiming to serve African clients.
The leaves are relatively inexpensive and
rich in several nutrients especially β-carotene
and vitamin C which are essential for human
health. It is also rich in minerals like iron,
phosphorus, calcium and potassium..Bitter
leaf is also rich in carotene, proteins,
ascorbic acid, iron, folic acid, dietary anemia .

Source; True health(online)