Pumpkin leaf is a dark green leafy vegetable found in the tropics, rich in water, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium, vitamins A , K and folate. It is used for various soups in the West African sub-region.
And aside from the vision benefits in Vitamin A that the leaves provide, there are also numerous skin benefits.
Additionally, the vitamin C that is contained in it helps to heal wounds and form scar tissue. It also helps to maintain healthy bones, skin, and teeth – but those are not the only benefits of this wonderful plant.
Below are other health benefits of pumpkin leaf:
1. It fights against cancer
Gradually becoming one of the major causes of death around the world, cancer is now a household name when it comes to sicknesses.
Be that as it may, the presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in fluted pumpkin leaves help fight against the dreaded illness.
In addition, the contained chlorophyll, phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and phytosterols which possess chemo-suppressive properties, makes it possible for the leaves to prevent cancer growth.
2. It tackles convulsion
Convulsion as a disorder can be explained as a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children.
It is not a thing that one should experience because it can be terrible. However, alternative medicine practitioners have used pumpkin leaves to prevent and treat this disorder for years.
The young leaves are sliced and mixed with coconut water and salt and are stored in a bottle till whenever there’s a need for it.
3. It increases fertility
Studies have shown that pumpkin leaves can be very vital when it comes treating infertility issues.
The antioxidants properties which include oleic acid, vitamin A, alkaloids, tannins and linoleic acid have been shown to help boost the functionality of the testicles for an increased sperm count.
4. It helps to keep diabetes under control
Known to help reduce the sugar level in the blood, the hypoglycemic effect of pumpkin leaves help keep diabetes under control.
Studies have also shown that the aqueous leaf extract of pumpkin leaves acts as anti-diabetic properties which help to reduce and regulate the glucose level of diabetic patients.
And this is linked to the presence of ethyl acetate and polysaccharides content in the leaves, which are anti-diabetic properties.
5. It boosts the immune system
The immune system comprises the organs and processes of the body that provide resistance to infection and toxins. And these organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
However, owing to the rich content of vitamins and minerals contained in it, pumpkin leaves have been shown to be a high booster of the immune system.
Thus, maintaining an overall health in the process.
