Bitter Leaf – 10 Seeds

Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a very versatile perennial plant, used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is a member of the daisy family and is widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, in humid and sub‑humid areas, where it is cultivated for its leaves. It is commonly called bitter leaf in English because of its bitter taste.

It has a single stem and grows up to 3 m tall. The young branches are hairy but become smooth later. The leaves are dark green above and have soft pale hairs underneath. The leaf stalks are 3 cm long. Flowers are green or white and 4-6 mm across. They occur in dense branching flattened heads. These heads are 30 cm across.

Common Names: Congo Bololo, ebicha, grawa, ewuro and onugbu.

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Culinary Uses:

• The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
• Often the leaves are washed and squeezed to reduce their bitterness, after which they are dried and used to prepare meat dishes or used fresh in soups.
• The finely cut and dried leaves are sold in markets.
• The plant is burnt and the ash is used as salt for cooking purposes.

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Medicinal Benefits:

• The leaves and root  are used as traditional remedies for fever, diarrhea, hiccups, kidney problems, and malaria.
• Infusion of the roots is used for the treatment of intestinal worms.

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Growing Bitter Leaf:

Indoor Sowing: Late Winter and Early Spring.

Direct Sowing: Spring.

• Use a well-draining, humus-rich potting mix or a soil-less mix.
• Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged before sowing the seeds.
• Surface sow the seeds and do not cover the seeds with soil or else barely cover with a very thin layer of soil, as the seeds need some light to germinate.
• Provide indirect light and avoid direct sunlight until your seedlings emerge.
• Optimum Temperature for germination is 21°C to 29°C.
• Germination in about 4 weeks.
• Wait until the seedlings have at least 2-3 true leaves before moving them to larger pots.
• The soil has to be well draining but also should retain moisture since this plant loves moist soil and grows well in it.
• Needs full sun outdoors, plenty of water and good fertilization.
• Plants can be cut back and will re-grow.