10 fascinating Health Benefits of Scent Leaves (Nchuawu)
Scent Leaves(Nchuawu) are subtropical and tropical plant used for culinary as well as herb.
It is botanically known as Ocimum gratissimum, a member of labiatae family.
Scent leaves are extensively grown in Nigeria where they are believed to have been originated, though they are seem today in many part of the world such as Asian, Mexican and Brazil.
In Nigeria, scent leaves have different names, nchuanwu in Igbo, effiri (Yoruba) and daidoya (Hausa).
The perennial plants, has a pungent aroma, with tiny seeds line up on bunches and have aromatic taste. The leaves ranges from greenish to black.
Despite using as aromatic herb, nchuanwu is beneficial in cooking several dishes such as soup, salad dressing, and porridge yam among others.
Scent leaf is loaded with numerous nutrients and phytochemical such as niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin A, phosphorus, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium(1) iron and other natural compounds, flavanoid, alkaloids, terpineoids, saponin, cardiac glycoside, phenol, steroids, and tannins.
Furthermore, scent leaves are powerful in treating stomach pain, diarrhoea, cough, fever, skin disorder to name but a few, due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Amazing health benefits Of Nchuanwa or scent leaf include; help lower blood pressure, boost Heart Health, help treat respiratory disease, prevent cancer, digestive disorder, blood sugar level, treat fever, anti-inflammatory properties.
10 fascinating Health Benefits of Scent Leave (Nchuawu)
1. Reduce Blood Sugar Level
Constant high blood sugar level is the causes of diabetes and it complications such as eyes, neurons and kidney diseases. Evidently, use of dietary management have shown a promising effect especially, in type 2 diabetes. Low secretion of insulin, or insulin resistance have been a main factors leading to diabetes.
Nchuanwu leaves are believed to improve secretion of insulin, reduce insulin resistance as well as regulate blood sugar levels. Thanks to the components of nchuanwu leaves such as dietary fiber and antioxidant. Scent leaf moderate up take of glucose into the blood stream, owing to the abundant of fiber found in scent leaf which in turn prevent high sugar in our body.
2. Boost Heart Health
Nchuanwu can be helpful in making a dietary plan for heart- related disease. As a source of potassium, natural compounds, and fiber makes it ideal for heart improvement. The antioxidant found in scent leaves contribute profoundly in eliminating oxidative damage caused by free radicals that can trigger obstruction on the arteries. Moreover, presence of fiber reduces full absorption of cholesterol. Potassium, a mineral assist in reducing tension in the arteries and blood vessels by functioning as vasodilator, this promote normal flow of blood at the targeted parts of the body.
3. Treat Respiratory Diseases
Nchuanwu leaves are superb in preventing and treatment of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, cold and cough pneumonia. Nchuanwu leaves act as antioxidant, antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory properties. It is generally believed that bacteria invasion, viral infections are primary causes of respiratory diseases. Hence, opt for scent leaf.
Besides, breaking down of mucus and phlegm on the bronchi, lungs, and nasal congestion, scent leaf helps suppress inflammation. Equally, consumption of nchuanwu leaves accelerate the rate at which your body fight off pathogenic growth since it possesses antimicrobial properties.
4. Improve Digestive system
Breaking down of food and absorption is very Paramount in the body, and is facilitated by different mechanism. When these facilitators are not properly functioning, symptoms of indigestion are seen. Interestingly, some natural foods with large potent to enhance release of enzymes, hormones are required for sufficient digestion of food have been noted. Scent leaf is superb in this regard. Traditionally, many people apply scent leaf, not only in their meals but as an integral part of herbal medicine to curb digestive disorder.
5. Prevent Cancer
Consumption of scent leaf is associated with decrease of cancer growth as it helps neutralize free radicals which precipitate mutagenic growth, a major causes of cancer. Scent leaf contains, flavonoid, terpenoid, a natural compounds that safeguard against abnormal growth and inhibit cancer causing- factors( carcinogen)
6. May Reduce Blood Pressure
Scent leaf contains potassium, magnesium, flavonoid, fiber, which assist in regulation of blood pressure. The presence of antioxidant promote dilation and relaxation of blood vessels. In addition, it helps scrap out deposits in the walls of arteries and blood vessels thereby improve circulation of blood.
7. Eye sight
Eating foods rich in Beta- carotenoid contributes heavily in eye maintenance . Scent leaf is an excellent source of carotenoid, a precursor of vitamin A which along with other nutrients help protect the eyes against muscular degeneration, cataracts and even blindness due to deterioration of vision. It offers a lot of benefits, when you spice your foods frequently with scent leaf.
8. Possesses Antimicrobial Properties
Research has shown that scent leaf can efficiently inhibit growth of bacteria, viral infection and fungal infection. This is possible because of the antimicrobial properties it possesses.
Bacteria and viral infection if successfully invade into the body can cause various diseases such as staphylococcus aurus , E coli, and many others. Preventive measure remains the best, opt for diet packed with scent leaf to enable your body fight off pathogenic growth.
9. Help Treat Stomach Pain
Scent leaf is amazing in terms of stomach pain. It offers a calming effect when you eat it. It inhibit bacteria growth and maintain beneficial bacteria, as well as the pH level.
10. Help Treat Fever
Many people use scent leaf as home remedy to cure fever. Fever is characterized with discomfort, fatigue, anemia etc . Though some research support this claim, however more researches on scent leaf efficacy are required.
Conclusion
Scent Leaf serve as spice as well as aromatic herb. It is loaded with numerous essential nutrients and bioactive compounds.
10 fascinating Health Benefits of Scent Leaves (Nchuawu)
Scent leaf offers a lot of health benefits including; stomach pain, cough, fever, digestive system, blood sugar levels, and among others.
