Bitter Leaf Benefits For Your Skin

Bitter leaf

Bitter leaf is an indigenous African plant with the scientific name Vernonia amygdalina. It is a herb that grows in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

As the name implies, bitter leaf is a bitter herb/plant whose extracts, stems and barks are used for culinary and medical purposes.

Bitter leaf is a valuable medicinal plant that is widespread in East and West Africa. This plant contains some complex components and may be used as an anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-parasitic, and anti-malarial agent.

The leaves and roots are used traditionally to treat fever, discomforts in the stomach, kidney problems, and to mention a few more.

The root and stems of the bark are often used as chewing sticks in many West African countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana. Bitter leaf is also regarded as a soup in West Africa especially among the Igbos in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, bitter leaf is known as Onugbo by the Igbos, Ewuro by the Yorubas, and Shawaka by the Hausas.

The bitter leaf plant can grow and flourish anywhere and under any temperature provided the atmosphere is conducive for plant growth.

The nutritional content of bitter leaf

It is important to note that the medical/nutritional values of bitter leaf mentioned below can be of great benefit to people of different ailments, when cooked for consumption or when juice is made out of it for drinking.

Carbohydrates
Calcium
Fiber
Proteins
Sodium
Sulphur
Ascorbic acid
Copper
Zinc
Magnesium
Potassium
Phosphorus
Carotenoids

Bitter leaf benefits for Your skin

Various kinds of herbs and leaves are always beneficial to skin condition and beauty in general but the bitter leaf is a very good helper to solving most skin-related issues.

The bitter extract can help to smoothen your skin and also aid in the prevention of many skin problems.

The bitter leaf contains many vitamins and nutrients that help eliminate pimples, acne, and spots. It also makes the skin glow.

You can prepare a bitter leaf in form of a special face mask or wash your face with the extract from the bitter leaf. You can also prepare bitter leaves into a special tea which you can drink to also prevent acne.

Bitter leaf preparation to get rid of pimples, acne, and dark spots

Below are procedures/guidelines for preparing bitter leaves as a remedy to get rid of pimples, acne, and dark spots to achieve a clear and glowing face.

Face mask: Cut at least 20-24 leaves of bitter leaf and pound in a mortar. Add a few drops of water to lighten the grinded bitter leaf paste, rub evenly on the face to allow the liquid to touch every spot on the face. The juice will penetrate the skin pores, wash it off with clean water after 20 minutes and you will notice a slight change. Repeat this process continuously and you will notice positive results before 5 days. You can also dry the leaves away from the sun, when dry grind to a powder, and keep, every day take some and mix with little water to make a paste then apply a face mask for 30 minutes

Bitter leaf astringent: Every morning, squeeze freshly prepared bitter leaf juice and rub all over the body(from head to toe), wait for 30 minutes then shower
Mix bitter leaf with soap: Get some leaves, add very little water, and blend then add to your black soap mix.
Bitter leaf juice: Juice a few leaves and drink once or twice a week

Read Also: Pumpkin Leaf Benefits For Skin And Hair

Health benefits of bitter leaf

Bitter leaf helps regulate blood sugar in the body to aid diabetes

Consumption of bitter leaf on a daily basis can help one in reducing his/her high sugar level. It also helps one’s glucose content to be moderate.

The presence of phytochemicals, vitamins, and other nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, ash, lipids, and other components act together to lower blood sugar levels thereby aiding the treatment of diabetes

Help prevent stroke/heart attack

Regular intake of bitter leaf helps to properly regulate the blood cholesterol of the body thereby reducing the risk of constant high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack

A cure for malaria

Bitter leaf can be consumed to treat a parasite-induced disease like malaria, it also cures fever, stomach ache, and intestinal complaints.

It may help to protect against prostate cancer in men

Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in males, especially amongst older men.

While following the treatments prescribed by a medical professional is essential for the successful treatment of prostate cancer, research has shown that the bitter leaf plant helps in the prevention of prostate cancer.

The high levels of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids contribute to the preventative qualities of bitter leaf in regards to prostate cancer.

Bitter leaf plant may enhance fertility

Since research has shown that the high levels of vitamins and minerals in a bitter leaf are beneficial to the overall health of the human body, so it will also be beneficial to a couple trying to conceive.

Helps to nourish the skin

Concerning skin nourishment, bitter leaf helps in the buildup of the body, aids acne, pimple, skin rashes, and dark spots removal. It also serves as a cleanser and toner for the uterus at the same time.

Bitter leaf helps slow down the aging process in women

Bitter leaf juice and extract can cure almost every reaction, pimples, acne, black spots, and other skin irritation which can make a woman’s skin age faster.

Bitter Leaf Benefits For Your Skin