The Health Benefits Of Ugu (Telfaria Occidentalis).

Ugu is the Igbo (South-Eastern Nigeria) name for a vine with green leaves that is called fluted pumpkin English and Telfaria occidentalis botanically. Fluted pumpkin plant is popularly grown in Nigeria mainly for the leaves and seeds. Fluted pumpkin is native to West Africa where it is also called umeke in Edo, umee in Urhobo, ubong in Efik, gonugbe in Sierra Leone, krobonko in Ghana and ekobon in Cameroun.

The edible green leaves are used as vegetables in cooking or juiced. The seeds are edible and are roasted or boiled before eating or used to thicken soups.

Fluted pumpkin leaves are very nutritious and contain the following;

• Vitamins A, C, K, thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinamide, folate and niacin.
• Minerals like iron, copper, manganese, sodium, calcium, magnesium.
• High fiber content.

Ugu leaves have antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. The leaves are used in Nigeria in the following ways to boost health and well-being in the following ways:

• To boost the immune system.
• To increase lactation.
• To reduce blood sugar levels.
• To boost blood levels and cure anaemia.
• To boost male and female fertility.
• To improve cardiovascular health.
• To promote vision.
• To prevent constipation.

The seeds are high in protein and fat. The seed oils are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Eating ugu leaves or drinking the leaf juice is highly beneficial to health. Every part of this plant is useful. The roots are used against rodents.

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