If we ask you to mention bitter herbs that you have taken in the last one month, how many can you name?
The bitter leaf may just be the only one you can mention. The reason because you hardly eat bitter things. True or False?
You think we are wrong? Cast your mind back to the past days. How many times have you taken something bitter?
Of a truth, it is easier to grab sweetened drinks because they are everywhere you look. On the other hand, there are hardly any bitter drink around.
Sadly, what you see often has a way of becoming part of you and you gradually throw away the ones you don’t see.
The consumption of bitter herbs were first categorically recorded in the scriptures in Exodus 12:8.
“And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
There are several spiritual interpretations about this directive, but we have something different. We look deeper and see some other reasons people could miss.
From our research, we have found that almost all bitter herbs available to humans are highly medicinal.
The Israelites were about to embark on a journey through the wilderness and they needed to be prepared.
Basically, such a long journey through a location that people are not familiar with would expose them to diseases and illnesses. Ant bites, snake bites and other insects.
Through the journey, everyone needs their immune system to stay strong.
Indeed, Psalm 105:37 bear witness of how healthy they crossed the wilderness.
“He brought them forth also with silver and gold, and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
What Does Bitter Herbs Do?
For the sake of emphasis, we will look at three bitter herbs that people often consume and their health benefits.
1. Bitter Gourd Or Bitter Melon
Bitter Gourd is also referred to as Momordica charantia (M. charantia).
Basically, bitter gourd is popular among the indigenous populations of Asia, South America, India and East Africa.
However, its popularity is growing in Nigeria.
Bitter melon fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamins B1, B2 and B3, as well as vitamin B9 (folate).
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Also, the fruit is rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
Bitter melon is also a good source of dietary fiber. See the great meal we made of it above with carrot just to bring in sweet taste.
Antioxidant Properties
The medicinal value of bitter melon is linked to its high antioxidant properties.
This bitter herb has phenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes, anthroquinones, and glucosinolates, all of which confer a bitter taste on the vegetable.
One of the very things that it does is to lower blood sugar level for diabetics. It cleans the system of toxins that could come from the air you breath and from the foods you eat.
2. Aloe Vera
This is one of the bitter herbs you can easily find around homes.
The Aloe vera plant is in use for several centuries now.
Indeed, its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties are major reasons for its usage.
The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic and Latin. In Arabic, “Alloeh” means “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.
The plant has triangular, fleshy leaves with serrated edges, yellow tubular flowers and fruits that contain numerous seeds.
A 2008 study said each leaf is composed of three layers:
1. An inner clear gel that contains 99% water and the rest is made of glucomannans, amino acids, lipids, sterols and vitamins.
2. Also, the middle layer of latex which is the bitter yellow sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides.
3. The outer thick layer of 15–20 cells called as rind which has protective function and synthesises carbohydrates and proteins.
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Inside the rind are vascular bundles responsible for transportation of substances such as water (xylem) and starch (phloem).
Also, it contains 75 potentially active constituents: vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids and amino acids.
Health benefits Of Aloe Vera
As a result of the properties above, Aloe vera is great as remedy for different conditions.
It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. Also, it has vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. These antioxidants neutralise free radicals.
Because it detoxifies, it fortifies the body and ensures that you stay healthy.
Also, Aloe vera contains calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc.
They are minerals that are necessary for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in your body.
Phenolic compounds aloin and emodin, which are also in the plant, act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
Furthermore, there are 4 plant steroids in the plant – cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
In fact, in Egypt, where the Israelites were when they took the Passover food, Aloe very is called Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality
Basically, everyone requires 22 human amino acids and Aloe vera provide 20 of those. Also, there are 7 of the 8 essential amino acids in the plant.
You see how rich this bitter herb is?
Finally, we will look at bitter leaf.
4. Bitter Leaf
The plant belongs to the plant family Compositae and extract from the plant has been used for folk medicine.
In Nigeria, different tribes have different names for it.
Edo – oriwo, Hausa – chusar doki, fatefate/mayemaye Ibibio – atidot, Igbo – onugbu, Tiv – ityuna and Yoruba – ewuro.
The oxidative and inflammatory compounds of this plant also referred to as Vernonia amygdalina are the reasons it is very potent.
The chemopreventive properties of the plant and Garcinia biflavonoids have been attributed to their abilities to scavenge free radicals, induce detoxification, inhibit stress response proteins and interfere with DNA binding activities of some transcription factors.
As a result the plant could lower risk of certain cancers – prostate, breast cancer, etc.
It could help fight oxidative stress and promote digestive health.
They are also great for people who want to lose weight and persons that are diabetic.
The leaf is better taken raw by squeezing the leaf in water and then drinking the extract.
As earlier stated, God wants you to stay health and free of illness through the years. Here is a reasons these bitter herbs are for you to consume.
Add them to your diet once in a while to help you stay healthy. In fact, you should take something bitter at least twice every week.
Note however, that because they lower sugar level, it may not be okay to take them without food in your system.