Utazi is the name given to a plant native to the Igbos of the southeastern part of Nigeria. It is also found in the tropics, and it is very abundant in West Africa.
Confiance News gathered that it is known as Gongronema latifolium in biological terms.
The leaves of this plant have a mildly bitter, spicy taste that enhances the taste of food it is used to cook. It is widely used in the preparation of soups because it enhances both the taste and aroma of the food.
Beyond its culinary uses, utazi has several health benefits. It is rich in powerful antioxidants, stored in saponins and flavonoids in the plant, that remove toxins from the body and get rid of free radicals that could damage cells.
1. Antioxidant properties: Utazi is rich in powerful antioxidants, stored in saponins and flavonoids in the plant, that remove toxins from the body and get rid of free radicals that could damage cells.
2. Pain relief: Utazi is also used to relieve pains in parts of the body. For example, rubbing Utazi leaves on cuts and bruises can help to significantly reduce the pain from the injury as well as stop the bleeding, if any. It is also used to treat and manage internal pain, like pain in the muscles and joints.
3. Anti-inflammatory properties: Utazi has properties that could help to treat and reduce inflammation in people. That is why it is used in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in the body.
4. Improve digestion: Eating Utazi also helps one to maintain a healthy eating habit by making it easier to digest food without running into problems like constipation or stomach ache.
5. Can serve as antimalaria: Utazi is believed to possess anti-malaria properties and can be employed as a natural remedy for malaria.
6. Regulates blood sugar levels: It can also help regulate blood sugar levels and improve immunity.
Beyond helping to regulate blood sugar levels, improve immunity, improve digestive system, lower cholesterol levels, wound healing, treat arthritis and rheumatism, help prevent cancer, help detoxify liver, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, reduce stomach pain, it also enhances fertility and more.
