African Sun Utazi Leaf 25g

It belongs to the family of plants known as Asclepiadaceae and it is widespread in tropical rainforest of West African countries, such as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Senegal, etc.

In southern Nigeria, where it is commonly grown, the Igbos call the plant utazi, the Yoruba know it as arokeke and the Efik and Ibibio call it utasi. Parts used Fruits, seeds, leave, root and bark.

Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) belongs to the class of medicinal plants that are beneficial in preventing and treating certain diseases and ailments that are detrimental to human health. Gongronema latifolium leaf, which can be chewed, infused or used for cooking is mainly used in the Western part of Africa for nutritional and medicinal reasons..

The utazi roots cannot be chewed rather has to undergo decoction, the leaves can be infused with hot water and allowed to cool down before drinking while the fresh utazi leaves can be chewed.

Other benefits of Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) include:

1.The utazi roots can be decocted and mixed with other medicinal plants for the treatment of sickle cell anemia.

2. Infused utazi leaves can be used as a home remedy for dysentery and intestinal worms.

3. The leaves when chewed raw or infused with hot water can act as a fast relief for catarrh, congested chest, running nose and cough.

4. History records that Ghanaian and Senegalese squeeze the utazi leaves and use it to massage the joints of children with difficulty in walking and this practice helps those young children to start walking.

5. Lactating mothers can use utazi to control their body weight as well as maintain a healthy body system.

6. The utazi leaves can be macerated in alcohol and used for the treatment of viral hepatitis and bilharzia.

7. The utazi fruits can be used to cook soup, which can be eaten as a laxative.

8. Researchers agree that the decoction of the utazi leaves or stems can be beneficial in treating high blood pressure and diabetes.

9. Infused utazi leaves are very helpful in treating malaria.

10. The utazi latex from the fruits can be applied on the teeth that are affected by caries.

11. Sierra Leone infuses the utazi stems with lime juice before drinking it and this acts as a purgative to treat stomach ache and colic.

12. People suffering from asthma can chew utazi leaves or macerated roots to help relieve them from wheezing.

DISCLAIMER

This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your health care provider before making any health-related decisions or for counseling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.