Ugu (the scientific name for Ugu leaves) is a shrub and herbaceous plant that belongs to the Flacourtiaceae family of plants. Although it could be considered a weed, the leaves have been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for many health problems. Here are the top 11 excellent health benefits of Ugu leaves:
I love the ugu leaves. Not only are they healthy, but they make delicious dishes. I eat a lot of Ugu leaves because I enjoy their taste and texture. The ugu leaves are a delicacy yet can be consumed by people from all walks of life as they are good in many ways for human health. They contain various nutrients that promote human health and prevent illness, hence they aid in enhancing our health.
Prevent Cancer
Preventing cancer is simple but not easy. It requires a healthy diet, exercise and other healthy habits. While you can’t control all the risk factors for cancer (like your family history or age), there are things you can do to help lower your risk of developing cancer.
Research has proven that ugu leaves have a high amount of polyphenols, which are plant compounds that have anticancer properties. These polyphenols inhibit the production of cancer cells, thus preventing the development of cancer. The antioxidant compounds found in ugu leaves prevent free radicals from damaging your DNA and causing abnormal cell growth, resulting in cancer.
Cure Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that reduces the ability of the body to produce insulin or the ability to utilize insulin.
The most common type of diabetes is called Type 1, which occurs when the cells in the pancreas stop producing enough insulin. It’s usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, although it may not be fully diagnosed until later in life.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells become resistant to insulin, and the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream rises. It’s usually diagnosed when someone has had elevated glucose levels for some time, such as for several years. The disease can be managed through diet and lifestyle changes but may require medication if it causes serious complications.
Ugu leaves are used in the treatment of diabetes. The extract from Ugu leaves decreases blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity. These effects are possible because of its amylase inhibitory activity. It is a healthy alternative for diabetic patients who want to manage their blood sugar levels.
Balance Hormones
Hormonal balance is vital for health and longevity for both men and women. Hormones are the chemicals that regulate every cell, tissue and organ in the body. They control our moods, metabolism, sexual function, immune system and much more. Hormone imbalance is caused by stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep & exercise and exposure to toxins.
The leaves of the ugu plant can help to balance hormones in women and men. When hormones are out of balance, women may experience menstrual cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, and mood swings. Ugu leaves have been used for generations to treat these symptoms.
The leaves contain many important vitamins that are necessary for hormone balancing such as Vitamin E, K and C.
Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs.
Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). These packages are made of fat (lipid) on the inside and proteins on the outside.
Your liver makes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Studies show that ugu leaves when used in a regular diet can help lower cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol.
Improve Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world, If you’re looking to improve your heart health, you’re not alone.
While changing your diet and exercising are excellent ways to improve heart health and lower blood pressure, there are other ways to further improve your heart health.
Heart health may be improved by eating ugu as well since it contains lutein and zeaxanthin which lower blood pressure and improve blood flow through your body by reducing plaque buildup within your arteries. This reduces your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke significantly
Strengthen Bones & Teeth
Do you have osteoporosis? Do you have a family history of osteoporosis? Are you getting older?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be looking for ways to strengthen your bones and teeth. There are several natural supplements that can help with this. The most common of these supplements are calcium, but there are other vitamins and nutrients that help strengthen bones and teeth as well.
Ugu leaves contain calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C which are essential for the healthy growth of bones and teeth. All these minerals help in strengthening the bones and teeth. Calcium and phosphorus play a vital role in developing strong bones and teeth. In addition to this, vitamin C is required to make collagen which is an important building block of bones.
Boost Immune System
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by “foreign” invaders. These are primarily microbes—tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause infections. But the immune system also recognizes and attacks other invaders, including cancerous cells and substances that trigger allergic reactions.
Boosting your immune system naturally is one of the best ways to maintain your health, as well as help you fight off all kinds of illnesses, including colds and flu.
We all know keeping your immune system strong is key to maintaining good health. Especially during cold and flu season. There are many things you can do to keep your immune system healthy.
Ugu leaves contain zinc and vitamin c that help boost the immune system and help fight against infections and viruses.
Heal Digestive Disorders
Digestive disorders are a collective term for all the illnesses and conditions that have an impact on the digestive system. The digestive system is responsible for processing food, extracting nutrients from it and eliminating waste. Your digestive tract includes your salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) and rectum.
The most common digestive disorders are:
Heartburn – also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux
Digestive disorders are a common concern in Nigeria, and the leaves of ugu have been used to treat digestive problems for generations. The high fibre content of the vegetable makes it a great choice for those suffering from constipation,
Prevent Infections and Speed Healing
Healing can be a slow and painful process. We’ve all had cuts, scrapes, and bruises that have taken forever to heal. In some cases, the pain is worse than the initial injury. And then there’s the itching!
You may want to speed up healing for a variety of reasons. Maybe you have a nasty cut or scrape that’s taking forever to heal, or perhaps you’re about to go on vacation and don’t want your scars or bruises to ruin your pictures. Or maybe you’re just sick of the pain associated with your injury.
The main reason, I have been eating Ugu leaves for years is that it helps me to heal quickly from any injury. It also helps me to stay away from infection.
As much traditional medicine practitioners have used Ugu leaves to treat wounds and minor cuts on their patients. It works like magic!
Ugu leaf contains a substance called ‘allantoin’ which is an antimicrobial agent that fights off infections, speeds healing and helps in the growth of healthy tissue.
Manage Weight and Lose Fat
You can manage your weight by eating healthily, being physically active and balancing the calories you consume with the calories your body uses.
Eating healthily means not eating too much of any type of food. It is important to eat a balanced diet that includes all four main food groups, but it is also important not to eat too much of anything.
Ugu leaves are low in calories and contain very few fats. They also contain fibres that help to control appetite, prevent overeating and minimize cravings. As a result, you will be able to manage your body weight without much effort.
Enhance Fertility and Pregnancy Health
Even if you’re not currently trying to get pregnant, taking the time to start making some healthy lifestyle changes now can pay off in the future. You can learn how to improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby by optimizing your fertility and pregnancy health, even if you already have a child or are in menopause.
It Boosts Fertility
Ugu leaves can help to improve fertility due to the high levels of zinc and iron. They are also rich in vitamin C, which promotes fertility in both men and women, while also helping with conception. In fact, the leaves can be used as an aphrodisiac to increase sex drive and stamina.
It Improves Pregnancy Health
If you’re pregnant or looking to get pregnant, you will want to be sure that you’re getting enough folic acid. Ugu is a great source of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, which is crucial for pregnancy health. It supports healthy cell development and prevents birth defects.
It Treats Menstrual Disorders
Ugu leaf juice is known to help women who have menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the pain and discomfort experienced with the menstrual cycle, thus allowing women to go about their daily activities normally
Ugu leaves are not only flavorful but also nutritious and good for you when eaten in moderation.
Now that you know how good these leaves are for you, there’s no reason to neglect them in your diet. In fact, you might want to start using them by adding them fresh to salads or cooking with a dash of ugu powder in your favourite dishes. No matter how you choose to use it, remember that moderation is key. It’s easy to get carried away when trying new things so be sure to use common sense and don’t go overboard. With all their benefits, however, it might just be impossible to overdo it with this delicious ingredient!