Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) is a minimally-processed green leafy vegetable traditionally used for its antianaemic properties in the form of leaf juice without a heating or inactivation step before consumption.
What is Ugu leaves used for?
Mother Africa ugu leaves can be used to add flavour to soups and stews. Ugu (also known as fluted pumpkin leaves) is a green leafy vegetable that is popular across Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Traditionally fresh leaves are used in soups, but try using dried leaves, and mixing with groundnuts, meat and crayfish.
What is the health benefit of pumpkin leaves?
Pumpkin leaves are high in essential vitamins such as A and C. While vitamin A improves eyesight and promotes healthy skin and hair, vitamin C helps in healing wounds and forming scar tissue, as well as maintaining healthy bones, skin, and teeth.
What kind of leaves does a pumpkin have?
Pumpkin leaves are large, lobed leaves that grow on hollow stems. They are roundish in shape, and often have serrated edges. They feature three or more veins. They are typically dark green in color, but may be light or grey-green, depending on the variety.
What does Ugu leaf contain?
Nutritional Content
It contains a healthy amount of vitamins including; Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide), and even Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
What is the English name for Ugu leaves?
Fluted Pumpkin Leaves
1. English Name : Fluted Pumpkin Leaves Local Name : Ugu (Igbo) Botanical Name : Telfairia Occidentalis Ugu is a leafy veget…
What are the side effects of pumpkin?
Side effects from pumpkin products are rare, but might include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. It might also cause itching, rash, and allergic reactions in some people.
Is pumpkin leaf good for kidney?
Fluted pumpkin leaves contains the amount of protein needed for hormone balancing; tissue repairs and regulates the acidities of body cells and organs [3]. The plant contains high amounts of phosphorus making it useful for keeping off onset of kidney diseases like kidney stone.
Can I drink pumpkin leaf?
Pumpkin or Ugu leaf juice is widely used in African cuisine as an aside-dish for meat or a natural substitute for carbonated drinks. It is a very big source of vitamin D and minerals, so it is very beneficial for your health. It is also very delicious and many vegetarians give a preference to Ugu over other products.
Are pumpkin leaves safe to eat?
Best of all, you can enjoy pumpkin leaves as you would most other leafy greens. For example, in West Africa and India, pumpkin leaves are often used in dishes like soups, stews, and curries. “They would also be fantastic even just sautéed with a little olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and spices,” says Ziata.
Are pumpkin leaves prickly?
The leaves on a pumpkin plant are not naturally appealing because pumpkin leaves, like other squash plants, are very spiny. The little spikes on the leaves and stems can give you a painful poke and make your skin super itchy.
Are pumpkin leaves bitter?
Taste of Pumpkin leaves:
The tender leaves bear a blended flavour of green beans, broccoli, and spinach cooked together. The taste is relatively less bitter and more on the sweeter side. On the contrary, mature leaves have a mildly bitter flavour.
Why are pumpkin leaves so big?
The provide ground cover to keep the soil around the plant damp. The huge leaves offer some natural weed control. They shelter the young fruits from some harmful pests.
Is Ugu leaf good for the body?
Lowers blood sugar: It has an anti-diabetic effect. This is made possible due to the content of polysaccharides and ethyl acetate which have been effective in lowering the blood sugar levels. Improves blood production: The leaves are always recommended for patients who suffer from a shortage of blood.
Is pumpkin leaves good for diabetes?
Known to help reduce the sugar level in the blood, the hypoglycemic effect of pumpkin leaves help keep diabetes under control. Studies have also shown that the aqueous leaf extract of pumpkin leaves acts as anti-diabetic properties which help to reduce and regulate the glucose level of diabetic patients.
What does water Leaf do in the body?
Waterleaf is a good source of vitamin A. Research indicates that eating a diet rich in vitamin C reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and slows age-related cognitive decline. Waterleaf is an excellent source of vitamin C, with about 31 mg for every 100 grams of vegetable matter.
Is pumpkin leaves good for high blood pressure?
Lowers Blood Pressure
The good news is, this important element can be found in pumpkin leaves. It lowers blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and can prevent those that don’t have it from developing high blood pressure.
Is pumpkin leaf good for weight loss?
Pumpkin leaf is a nutrient-dense food. It means it has low calories but high nutrients. The lower calories make it an ideal weight-loss food. Moreover, fibre content helps keep you satiated for a long time.
What is spinach called in Nigeria?
Efo tete
For the sake of everyone connected to this column, here are the names of spinach in the three major languages in Nigeria: Efo tete or Amunututu in Yoruba (literally, a cool appetizer to the stomach), Akwukwo nri in Ibo and Ganye alayyafo in Hausa.
Does pumpkin thin your blood?
Furthermore, pumpkin seeds contain anti-nutrients such as cyanide, tannin, and oxalates. Pumpkin seeds are high in vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which can worsen blood thinning in people who are already taking blood thinners. Therefore, it may result in bleeding.
Is pumpkin good for sperm?
May Improve Sperm Quality
Pumpkin seeds are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can contribute to healthy testosterone levels and improve overall health. Together, all these factors may benefit fertility levels and reproductive function, especially in men.