Known as “Talinum triangulare “botanically, waterleaf is a common weed in most parts of Africa, especially those in the tropics. It’s a stubborn weed that the grows all year round, and flourishes more in the rainy season.
Due to its great taste and use to improve taste of dishes, waterleaf is now cultivated in commercial quantities like fluted pumpkin. There are a lot of farms that only plant the leaf for marketing purpose only.
Apart from its commercial benefits, waterleaf is a great medicine on it own right. It’s called “gbure” in Yoruba, “ebedondon” in Edo. The English nicknamed it Phillipine Spinch, flame flower and sweetheart among other lovely names.
The leaves are excellent for diarrhea, liver enlargement and hepatitis. It’s an excellent immune booster to those who often feel weak and tired, and those prone to frequent attacks of malaria.
Waterleaf contains more proteins than cashew nuts, more pectin than apples, and also have high level of Vitamin B, iron, calcium, manganese and zinc.
It’s also a rich source of carotenoids, Vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, naiacin, alpha and beta tocopherols.
The fresh leaves are effective to calm inflammations. One can infuse the leaves in water and taken as a diuretic. Many scientific studies has shown that waterleaf have anti-cancer effects.
Those who suffer from insomnia (lack of sleep) can find waterleaf a readymade sleep inducer. Always make the leaf part of your daily delicacy and within a short time, your sleep rhythm will return back. It calms your nerves down, helps you urinate frequently to cleanse your system.
Herbalists believe the leaf is effective in managing prostate enlargement. The roots of waterleaf in boiled and the dosage is half glass twice daily according to Rev Father Anselm Adodo, a popular pluy to therapist.
Just like any other vegetable, one can juice waterleaf. Simply chop fresh leaves into pieces, then put two or three cups of water and blend. Sieve out the chaff and you will be left with a dark green liquid packed with vitamins and minerals. Don’t preserve the juice, ensure you consume within 30 minutes.
Eating waterleaf is safe for pregnant women and growing children. It boosts their blood levels. Eating waterleaf regularly in soup also helps to regulate hypertension.
The dried herb can be infused in water to extract the content for drinking. One disadvantage however is that the leaves are succulent and easy to decay.
The best way to preserve waterleaf is to dry it under room temperature since the leaves are soft and can be easily destroyed by excess heat from the sun.
Other studies indicate that consumption of this leaf can enhance brain function and protect brain tissue.
When next you see waterleaf, make sure you get a handful and begin to use it not only as a vegetable but as a medicine to keep your body sound and healthy.
The Health Benefits Of Waterleaf Juice
Waterleaf contains high amount of protein, amino acids, pectin, omega 3 fatty acids, minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and manganese, also vitamin A, B, and C. Here are the health benefits of waterleaf juice.
- Brain nutrition
Waterleaf may look like typical perennial plant in the corner of your garden. But surprisingly, it presents as valuable brain nutrition. The regular consumption of waterleaf juice will protect brain tissues and improve brain activities. It includes improving human intelligence, such as Health Benefits of Beets for The Brain. - Treat cancer
A scientific study on waterleaf proved that waterleaf is effective to inhibit the growth of cancer cell. Taking waterleaf juice can stop the spread of cancer cell and reduce the size of tumor. It is due to the high value of antioxidants found in waterleaf. - Reduce inflammation
The watery texture of the thick and fleshy waterleaf is very good to sooth inflammation. Therefore, when you take it as a juice, it will help you a lot in reducing any pain in case of inner inflammation. As we know, our body will absorb liquid quicker than it absorbs solid food. - Control blood sugar
Some of you might have know the Health Benefits of 3-Day Juice for overall health. The valuable minerals and dietary fiber in waterleaf are very good in controlling blood sugar as it supports better metabolism system. It also enables the body to produce more insulin which will regulate the blood sugar level. - Manage blood pressure
The good amount of mineral and fiber in waterleaf is also very good to manage blood pressure and control heart rate. This way regularly consume waterleaf juice will avoid you from getting hypertension and the other cardiovascular problems. - Good for pregnancy
It is always good for pregnant mother to add green vegetable intake. In case of waterleaf juice, it is good for pregnant mother as it contains omega-3 fatty acids and the other vitamins. It is good for both the mother and the baby as it increases the blood level and prevent anemia in the mother.
- Good for skin
This is the benefit every woman would love. Well, waterleaf can contribute to your youthful beauty. Taking waterleaf juice regularly can help you to maintain your natural beauty as the juice works very well in hydrating your skin. This way, the juice enables your skin to restore its natural moisture and glow. - Improve immune system
As mentioned above, waterleaf juice is excellent in improving overall health by improving body’s immune system. Taking waterleaf juice regularly can boost immune system by eradicating weakness from the body.
- Good for digestion
Proper food digestion is important to prevent any digestive problems. In this case, waterleaf juice with its excellent dietary fiber helps a lot in preventing gastrointestinal disorder such as indigestion, constipation, flatulence, and even the irritable bowel syndrome.
How To Use Waterleaf Juice For Health
If you want to get the health benefits of waterleaf juice, make sure you go through the proper process. First, prepare a handful of freshly picked waterleaf. Wash with running water and chop the stems from the leaves. Put it in a blender, add a liter of water and blend it well.
You can add the juice with some shots of lemon to enhance the taste. Or else, you can also combine the juice with carrot. Waterleaf and carrot make a very good combination. Further, you can also get the additional Unexpected Benefits of Carrot Juice and Health Benefits of Blending Fruits and Vegetables.
About the dosage of waterleaf juice, you can take it once in a day and at least twice a week. You can also consider your health condition, and which benefits you are going to achieve.
But make sure to maintain the regularity to obtain optimum health benefits of waterleaf juice. It is also better to consume the juice without any sugar. But if you can stand plain juice, you can add honey as a natural sweetener.