Blood tonics as commonly called by Nigerians refers to medicines or herbal preparations believed to raise one’s total blood level. A simple example would be folate tablets taken by pregnant women and common herbs such as hospital too far and bitter leaf.
What is ‘hospital too far’?
Common names include catholic vegetables, lapalapa, Iyana Ipaja, it is scientifically known as Jatropha tanjorensis. ‘Hospital too far’ is a green leafy plant popular among the locals in Nigeria as a health supplement. Its use is especially prevalent among pregnant women who deem journeys to the community health centres which offer antenatal checks too far. The herb was named thus due to these women’s supplementation of folate and Iron tablets with the herb.
Bitter Leaf
The bitter leaf is scientifically known as Vernonia amygdalina grows in Africa and is known in Nigeria as Ewuro (Yoruba language), Ityuna (Tiv language), chusar-doki (Hausa language) and Onugbu (Igbo language).
The twigs are usually used as a chewing stick (local toothbrush) by many locals, while Its leaves are used as a staple in soups and porridges and its juice extract is sometimes taken as herbal medicine for various ailments.
What are blood tonics?
These plants have been used for years by many Nigerians, their juices are often extracted and taken alone or sometimes in combination with malt drinks and is believed to boost the blood.
Are they blood boosters? No. Medical recommendations to augment one’s blood level includes, folate tablets, Iron tablets, Vitamin B, epoeitn alfa depending on the cause of the anemia.These can be ingested or taking as injections. Foods naturally rich in Iron, folate and Vitamin C such as nuts, green leafy vegetables e.tc can also boost blood levels. These are not magic potions, you won’t see the effect until after a few weeks of consistently taking them.
Do ‘hospital too far’ and bitter leaf have nutritional value ? Yes. ‘Hospital too far’ contain a good amount of Iron, sodium, Vitamin A, and minute quantities of Vitamins B1, and C. These plants also contain antinutrients such as Phytate, alkaloids which are great antioxidants and it also contains cyanide and copper in low quantities.Bitter leaf is rich in minerals antioxidants, vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide and Vitamin C. It also has potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.
There is a saying in medicine that, “every drug is a potential poison” It all depends on how and how much one takes it.
In Conclusion,
Jatropha leaves popularly known as hospital too far and bitter leaves contain a good amount of micronutrients which are good for the body, provided it is taken in the right quantities.
Should you eat the vegetables of Bitter leaf and hospital too far? Yes please. Eat! Use it every once in a while as green leaf in your soups or porridges. Wash well. Cooking vegetables from 10–15 minutes has been found to be the best way to utilize their nutrients. Cook in such a way that you don’t need to dispose of the broth, that is the additional water added should not go to waste. It deserves to be a part of your overall diet.
The problem with taking exclusively in the form of concoctions made by herbalists is that the method of extraction and the quantities contained in these supplements are not standardized and have not been tested and proven. Until trials and extensive research have been done, taking these herbal supplements could pose significant danger especially when taken for prolonged periods as these could lead to accumulation of the toxins in the body.
Finally there is nothing like a blood toner. You don’t tone the blood to be smooth or firm, they are not muscles. You can incorporate these vegetables in your diet to get the nutrients to increase your blood levels (hemoglobin levels). These herbal concoctions are not recommended to be taken routinely as medicines to treat any ailments.
REFERENCES
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5636238/
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