THE BITTER, THE BETTER

For some people, Egusi soup without bitterleaf is like the popular cliche “tea without sugar”.  Funny enough, this potent medicinal vegetable is ubiquitous in our land.  It is cheap and affordable for everyone.  At least a bunch of bitterleaf cost as low as N20 (N50 in the city). 

While I was growing up, I knew there was something about this African vegetable called ‘Bitter leaf’ but I can’t tell what it is. I hate it so much but I know there has to be something about it. The slightly bitter taste of bitterleaf soup is a turn off for some people no doubt (me inclusive).  However, It is very important that the average home keeper in Nigeria trains her children to enjoy bitterleaf soup!  In Cameroon, bitterleaf soup is a popular staple called Ndole.  Bitterleaf is well eaten in West and Central African countries. 

Recently my much concern about the mystery of bitterleaf met a definite end when a US based Nigerian; Ernest B. Izevbigie, came up with a research in America about the medicinal uses of bitter leaf. Do you know that Bitterleaf has potent anti-malarial properties? Oh yes! Now you know. In addition to killing the plasmodium that causes malaria, it also kills worms.  It was observed that wild chimpanzee in Tanzania; eat bitterleaf to get rid of worms and other parasite diseases. If you are a beer drinker or heavy on alcohol in general; then do not joke with your bitterleaf intake or else…

One of the most popular uses of bitterleaf in traditional medicine is in the treatment of diabetes. Teas containing bitter leaf (V. amygdalina) are used throughout West Africa for the management of diabetes and other metabolic diseases associated with the liver.  Scientific research has reinforced this traditional use of bitterleaf by showing that it has hypoglycaemic properties (i.e. blood sugar level reducing properties). 

Recent studies indicate that extract of bitter leaf helps to regulate blood sugar and choleresterol levels, thus ensuring healthy blood and heart. According to a recent study titled “Effects of Vernonia amygdalina and Chlorpropamide on blood glucose”, administration of the aqueous extract of bitter leaf at a concentration of 500 mg/kg of body weight significantly decreased the level of blood glucose. Its efficacy to lower blood glucose level was comparable with that of chlorpropamide, a standard drug used in the management of diabetes. The study was published in the Medical Journal of Islamic World Academy of Sciences and written by Dr. Abraham A. Osinubi from the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.

Results from another recent study titled ”Lipid-lowering effects of methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rats fed on high cholesterol diet”, suggested the cholesterol-lowering effects of bitter leaf, describing it as a new potential natural product for the treatment of hyperlipidemia(high blood cholesterol level). The study was carried out by Oluwatosin A Adaramoye; Olajumoke Akintayo; Jonah Achem and Michael A Fafunso, all of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. It was published in the 2008 on line edition of the journal, Vascular Health and Risk Management.

The stick of bitterleaf is also a very good chewing stick which helps to prevent Gingivitis (a tooth-gum problem) and toothache. Whilst the bitter taste may make it unappealing to many for everyday use; a person with embarrassing gingivitis may benefit from using it.  The relief from toothache is also a very good incentive for using bitterleaf chewing stick.

However, of all the uses of bitterleaf I was particularly delighted to find out about the anti-cancer activities of bitterleaf.  This is because of the incurable stigma associated with cancer.  To think that a food plant can help to cure it is wonderful.  I will quote directly from Ernest B. Izevbigie. “This plant is called Vernonia Amygdalina,” Izevbigie said.”When I was growing up in Nigeria my grandmother would use some of this herb for everything from stomach pains to headaches, but up until now no-one was able to show the mechanism for action or how this herb works. But, using the scientific method, we proved that the plant’s extract can slow cancer growth and even kill cancer cells.” Izevbigie, who began working with the plant in 2000, exposed a much diluted amount of the plant’s extract to an MCF-7 breast cancer cell and marveled at the cell’s reaction.

So, what are you waiting for, run down to the nearest market and asked for just one thing, did I hear you scream it loud? BITTER LEAF! Because the bitter, the better.

BAD NEWS FOR RAPIST

I was glad when i heared the bad news. oh yes! for me it was a good news but for the rapist it was the worst news of a life time.
Dr. Ehlers Sonnet has created Rape-aXe, a female condom that protects against STDs, such as HIV, as well as pregnancy, and can even be used to identify the attacker in rape situations and aid in the apprehension of the perpetrator of the act. What a mighty many in one power packed condom!
Rape-aXe is a latex sheath that contains razor-sharp barbs. At penetration the barbs attach themselves to the penis, causing pain. If the rapist tries to remove the condom himself, the “teeth” will tighten. The device must be surgically removed, which can also result in the positive identification of the attacker and subsequent arrest. Rape-aXe will not cause permanent damage to the rapist, although he will have telltale scars on his pendullum bulb — a constant reminder that raping business does not pay.
The device is now being tested during the World Cup in South Africa to see if can truly defend women against rape as well as mark the man with a permanent device on his penis that can only be removed after he goes to the doctor or hospital.
Once the rapist goes to the doctor with the anti-rape condom attached to his penis, the medical personnel can remove the condom. And the medical personnel are supposed to alert authorities to the alleged rapists whereabouts.
The woman only has to insert the condom and then she can wear it for up to 24 hours. It is recommended to only use it when in dangerous situations, such as a blind date, walking down an alley or other such situations. The female anti-rape condom has “jagged latex hooks that latch onto the skin of an attacker” while trying to rape a victim.
The anti-rape female condom only causes the jagged latex to embed in the skin, without putting the woman at risk with any blood. However, the condom does cause permanent scarring so future women can know what the man has been up to (raping women).
beware ! you may be the next rapist to be caught. and for the ladies who prefer to dress and dress until they have dress naked thereby assaulting the guys sexually the condom is not a licenece o! All in all the best thing is that we all act positively and all will be well.