Scent Leaf Benefit: The Secret Natural Remedy For Many Illness You Should Know

By Esther Edeh, B.Sc -BCHHealth

Last updated on November 20th, 2024 at 09:29 pm

10 minutes read.  

 

There are so much curative and protective power in many African herbs and vegetables and scent leaf is one of the top one you need to know.

It is known for its peculiar, strong, aromatic taste. Hence, it is named Scent leaf. Scent leaf is a spicy seasoning vegetable that is grown both in the home and on the farm.

It is also known as African cloves, basil cloves, and wild cloves in Hawaii.

This article teaches you the top benefits of scent leaves that have been scientifically proven.

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The scent leaf is widely grown and found in Africa, Mexico, Hawaii, Madagascar, Brazil, West Indies, Southern Asia, the Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Polynesia, and Panama.

In Nigeria, different people have peculiar names for scent leaves such asAhuuju, Nchuawu, Aligbe, and Arimu in Igbo, Efirin in Yoruba, Daidoya in Hausa, Añyeba in Igala, Ntong in Ibibio, Efik, Ebe-amwonkho in Edo, Tamwṍtswã́gi in Nupe.

Nutritional Facts of Scent Leaves

Apart from the aromatic taste, scent leaves have many nutritional value. That is why it is also employed either as a vegetable or seasoning in varieties ofculinary

Scent leaves contain about 392.913 Kj total energy, calorie (93.613 Kcl), 1.197 g(fat) and 8.48 (Protein)

It also contain essential mineral such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin A.

Curatives Agents/Photochemical Of Scent Leaves

Phytochemical screening of the leaf shows that it contains alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins.

Theimmune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of the leaf could be attributed to the saponins present.

Different Uses of Scent Leaf

Scent leaf is one of the herbs that serve multiple purposes for cookery

It is used either as a vegetable or seasoning in varieties of delicacies such as Ofe Akwu (Palm kernel stew), jollof rice, pepper soup, nkwobi, Jollof beans, yam porridge, plantain porridge, Egusi soup, and Ogbono soup by Benin people.

It is used as an insect-repellant. The leaf contains larvicidal compounds such as camphor, cineole, and limonene and can be used to ward off insects such as mosquitoes, houseflies, from the homes.

Excruciating menstrual cramps can be relieved by taking a hot extract from the leaf.

The scent leaf contains oil that has a preservative property. This is why foods cooked with scent leaves stay long before it gets sour.

The oil obtained from scent leaf can refresh and relax the body, and so, scent leaf is used in making aromatics like soaps, ointments, perfumes, and essential oils used for aromatherapy massage.

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Health Benefits Of Scent Leaves.

There are many ways you can benefit consuming scent leaves which have been recorded in traditional medicine for millennia, however, below are its top benefits that have proven scientifically:

1. Protect the Brain

Research found that dietary consumption of scent leaf have the potency to protect brain from Oxidative Stress.

2. Lower bad cholesterol

Scent leaf possess antioxidant effect due to its flavonoids. This can help curb degenerative diseases, and heart conditions.

Scientifically Scent leaf have been proven to aids in removing toxic and unneeded cholesterol from the body.

Currently I am using scent leaves alongside avocado seed boiled for 15 minutes in hot water to help my mother control her high blood pressure.

And the outcome have been wonderful. No side effects, unlike conventional anti-hypertensive drugs that can be very addictive with annoying side effects.

The scent leave even help restore other age and menopause effect she is having.

Learn More About Avocado Seed

3. Anti-inflammation

Scent leave have been used as traditional remedy to stop nose bleeding (osimiri imi as it is called in Igbo) that sometimes happen to children.

It can also be used to stop bleeding from wound. Plus that it aid in ulcer. All these show it has anti-inflammatory effect.

Interestingly, scientists have investigated its effect on inflammation as well and it was effective. Although it was animal studies.

4. May help with AIDS

Scent leaf botanically known as Ocimumgratissimum leaf is used as medication for persons with AIDS study revealed.

Scent leaves has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for its potential antiviral properties.

Study showed that It contains bioactive compounds, including eugenol, thymol, and rosmarinic acid that have been shown to possess antiviral properties.

5. Anti-Ulcer

Scent leaf extract was found to significantly lessen the degree of ulceration in both animal and human studies.

6. Aid Digestive

Scent leaves help to relieve stomach aches, hemorrhoids, vomiting, dysentery, and diarrhea. If you’re suffering from a bloated stomach try boiling a few leaves in hot water for 15 minutes, allow to cool before drinking.

Alligator Pepper can also do the same work. Works very fast than scent leaves. I regularly use this after a meal.

Learn More About Alligator Pepper.

A cup of scent leaf and bitter leaf extract (when mashed and boiled) can also relief stomach bloating. Generally, it facilitates and enhances food digestion. Or better use some quantity to cook the food.

7. Anti-Malaria

Scent leave can be used alongside pawpaw leave to cure malaria very effect.

Just combine the two and squeeze with clean water or pound in a clean mortar and drink the extract for three times.

8. Antimicrobial

Studies including clinical findings showed that scent leaf has antimicrobial properties that fight against a plethora of microorganisms such as salmonella typhi, Escheli coli, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, etc.

9. May Reduce High Blood Sugar

Scent leaf is effective in lowering the sugar level in the blood and is highly recommended for diabetic patients. It does this by protecting the islets of the pancreas that produce insulin from damage.

Animal study shown that rat treated with scent leave extract had a 63.5% reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBS)  and  was found to be most effective as it ameliorates a majority of the changes caused in the studied parameters in diabetic rats.

The scientists then concluded that the data from the study suggest that scent leave extract is a potential candidate for the development of an effective drug for the management of Type 2 diabetes.

Lean More About Type 2 Diabetes

Other benefits include:

Boost lactation

Are you a nursing mother, but your breast milk production is low? Scent leaves possess properties that help in lactation (production of breast milk).

Cold

Pepper soup made with enough quantity of scent leaves also helps to fight against cold and catarrh.

How to Make Scent Leave Tea

Scent leaf can be consumed in any form; eaten raw, cooked (with or without food), or by taking the extract.

Here are simple and easy ways to prepare scent leaf tea or extract.

Gather the leaves (You should do this in the morning before the sun rises for the reason given above).

Wash thoroughly many times with clean water and salt (to eliminate dirt and microorganisms).

Cook for a few minutes with adequate water to extract the tea.

Bring it down and enjoy it while it’s warm.

If you do not want to cook it, then blend or squeeze with your hand to extract the tea after thorough washing. Then, sieve with a mesh and enjoy. Do not forget you can still eat or chew the vegetable raw.

Conclusion

There are so much curative and protective power in many African herbs and vegetables and scent leaf is one of the top one.

Some of its top healing benefits include:

  • Protect the Brain
  • Lower bad cholesterol
  • Anti-inflammation
  • May help with AIDS
  • Anti-Ulcer
  • Aid Digestive
  • Anti-Malaria
  • Antimicrobial
  • May Reduce High Blood Sugar

For culinary, scent leaf is used either as a vegetable or seasoning in varieties of delicacies such as OfeAkwu (Palm kernel stew), jollof rice, pepper soup, nkwobi, Jollof beans, yam porridge, plantain porridge, Egusi soup, and Ogbono soup by Benin people.

Do you know a medium portion of scent leaves contain about 8.48g of protein? As you can see using it to cook can add some quantity of protein to your soup or stew.

I hope you get the value worth your time, I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment below if you find this article helpful and don’t forget to drop your question, opinion or criticism if any. Cheers!

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The content provided in Living Good is for informational and educational purpose only. It’s not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal doctor. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Living Good takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person(s) reading or following the information in this educational content. Viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over the counter medication, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

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