Bitter leaf
Vernonia amygdalina
Herbs & Roots. African.
Also called Bitterleaf, Ewuro (Yoruba), Onugbu (Igbo)
May lower blood sugarBitter leaf is a West African shrub whose very bitter leaves are cooked in soups and brewed as tea in folk remedies.
Did you know? Wild chimpanzees in East Africa have been seen chewing the bitter stems and leaves, and some scientists think the apes may be using it against parasites.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Blood sugar. Animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar. Human proof is limited.Traditional proof
- Parasites & worms. Lab tests show some activity against malaria parasites. Human proof is limited.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
West and Central African healers have used the leaves for fevers, stomach upset, and worms. The leaves are also a common vegetable in soups.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Bitter, Hypoglycemic, Anti-parasite. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Usually eaten as a vegetable in soups after boiling, which also reduces the bitterness. As a tea, a small handful of leaves is boiled in water.
Food, decoction and tea.
Where to get it
Grows wild and in gardens across West and Central Africa. Fresh and dried leaves are sold in markets, and capsules and powders are sold online.
Be careful
As food, bitter leaf is generally well tolerated. Concentrated extracts have not been well studied in people. Use with care if you have liver or kidney disease, and check with a doctor if you take diabetes medicines.
Avoid if: pregnancy; diabetes medicines; liver disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both West African leaves are used in home cooking and folk teas.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Animal studies suggest bitter leaf can lower blood sugar. Used with diabetes medicines, it could cause blood sugar to drop too low.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
Bitter leaf is a real food in West Africa, and its strong taste points to active compounds. Most proof comes from lab and animal work, and claims about worms or blood sugar are not proven in people. Eat it as food, and talk to a doctor before using concentrated extracts for blood sugar.