Health Benefits Of Utazi And How it Helps Men.

Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) leaves
Gongronema latifolium is the botanical name for a local leaf/herb called
utazi by the Eastern part (Igbo) of Nigeria. The Western part of Nigeria
call this leaf arokeke and it is a tropical rainforest plant mainly used as
vegetable, medicine or spice by the people. Gongronema latifolium (utazi) is
a climbing shrub that reaches up to 5m long with woody base, hollow
stems and fleshy roots. Utazi has a characteristics soft/hairy stems with
latex.

The utazi leaves are broad, heart shaped and slightly oval in appearance
with a deeply cordate base. The utazi flowers are originally small and
bisexual with a characteristics yellowish-green appearance. Gongronema
latifolium (utazi) is a seasonal shrub that flowers mainly around July and
September in Nigeria. This heart-shaped leaf is characterised by a
distinguishable bitter taste especially when eaten fresh however the bitter
taste tends to slightly disappear if the leaves get dried.
Health Benefits of Gongronema latifolium leaves (Utazi)
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. Pharmacological studies speculate that
utazi has both analgesic, antimicrobial, antibacterial,anti-ulcer, anti-sickling,
anti-oxidant, anti-asthmatic, anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic and anti-
inflammatory properties. Despite these impressive speculated abilities of the
utazi leaves, future research are recommended to validate these claims.
Utazi plant is highly medicinal in nature, which suggests why its
health benefits cannot be overemphasized. Researchers agree that the
fundamental ingredients used for medicinal purposes are stored in the
various parts of the utazi plant such as; the fruits, seeds, leaves, root and
bark. The vital medicinal ingredients stored in the various parts of the utazi
leaf can be extracted either through blending the fresh leaves, chewing the
utazi seeds, leaves or fruits, infusing either the dry or fresh utazi leaves and
decoction. However, these various methods of preparing and using utazi
leaves for medicinal purposes mainly depends on the part of the utazi plant
where the active medicinal ingredients are present. For example, 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. Some of the health benefits 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.
Nutritional Benefits
Nutritionally, G. latifolium (utazi) is an excellent source of protein and past
studies show that G. latifolium (utazi) leaves are suitable for use in food
production due to its high amino acid contents. They are bitter-sweet in
taste and often used as a local spice and vegetable for food preparations
such as; abacha , nkwobi, unripe plantain porridge , ugba, local soups such
as nsala (white soup), sauces, salads and isiewu. Africans such as Nigeria,
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, use the stems and fruits as chewing sticks.
Utazi which is rich in zinc helps boost men's sperm.
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 counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific
medical condition.
REFERENCES
Afolabi F. E. (2007), Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of
Gongronema latifolium, Journal Zhejiang University Biological Science; 8(5),
pp.356-357.
Emeka E.J.I. and Obioa O. (2009), Effect of a Long Term Consumption of a
Diet Supplemented with Leaves of Gongronema latifolium Benth on some
Biochemical and Histological Parameters in Male Albino Rats . Journal of
Biological Sciences 9(8): 860–863.
Nwachukwu C. U, Umeh C. N., Kalu I. G., Okere S. and Nwoko M. C.
(2010), Identification and Traditional Uses Of Some Common Medicinal
Plants In Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A., of Imo State, Nigeria, Report and Opinion,
2(6), p.4.
Ugochukwu N. H, Babady N. E, Cobourne M. and Gasset S. R.(2003), The
Effect of Gongronema latifolium Leaf Extract on Serum Lipid Profile and
Oxidative Stress of hepatocytes of Diabetic Rats, Journal of Bioscience, 28,
p.2–4.