Known by many as scent leaf, efirin, nchanwu, or even daidoya in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages respectively, this leaf is a tropical plant that belongs to the Labiatae family. With a beautiful green colour, the leaf adds colour, flavour and taste to food. The good news is, as much as it adds to food, is that there are many health benefits of scent leaf.
Scent leaf is one of the numerous leaves that can be eaten whether cooked or raw. However, many use it as spice because of the unique aroma associated to the plant. No wonder it is one of the numerous plants loved by Nigerians. If you have not joined the lovers of this leaf, below are some reasons why you should:
Health Benefits Of Scent Leaf
1. Fever/Malaria
Fever and malaria are very common among Nigerians and other African countries. Fever is also a symptom for many other diseases which people across the world suffer. It is worthy to note that scent leaf contains an antipyretic substance that reduces fever and cures the deadly malaria. Like many medicinal leaves, scent leaf can be prepared as tea to cure fever and malaria. It is said to be more effective when taken hot or warm.
2. Relieves heartburn
Heartburn takes charge of the health of many and causes a lot of uneasiness. If you wonder how to set yourself free from the chains of heartburn, scent leaf happens to be one of the best options around.
3. Female reproductive health
The consumption of scent leaf is particularly good for women as it contains nutrients that may stimulate the maturity of egg. The eugenol compound in scent leaf has the ability of killing fungus that causes vaginal discharge and yeast infection. The leaf is believed by many to delay menopause. The presence of tryptophan makes it possible for the leaf to have the ability to do this.
4. Digestion
When suffering from indigestion, scent leaf should be taken as tea. It is known for the cool effect it has on the digestive system as it works for indigestion, diarrhea, and other problems associated with digestion and stomach.
5. Reduces nicotine
Among the many health benefits of scent leaf is its ability to help in the elimination and repairing the havoc caused by smoking. Smokers that need cleansing of their system should consume scent leaf. While this is among the very important health benefits of scent leaf, the best thing for you is to quit smoking if you really want to cut out the risks associated with nicotine.
6. Healthy for the heart
Having a healthy heart is as good as having a healthy life. Especially for adults, scent leaf is advised to be consumed for prevention of heart diseases which may, in turn, lead to death. When ground or boiled, the juice of this leaf seems to be very effective.
7. Arthritis
The inflammatory properties of scent leaf allow it to treat arthritis. Calcium is another property found in the plant. This calcium content allows for increment of the density of bone, thereby reducing an already existing bone related disease as well as preventing them.
8. Lowers sugar level
When having diabetes mellitus, scent leaf should be consumed to reduce the level of sugar in the blood. The plant protects the pancreas cells that produce insulin. Study has shown that there’s a significant drop of the level of sugar in the blood after eating the plant.
9. Cures Infertility
Whether a man or woman, scent leaf is good for the reproductive system. When the leaf is consumed by females, it raises the level of the hormone estrogen thereby making them to be fertile. When consumed by males on the hand, it improves the vitality of sperm, boosts erection and solves the problem of premature ejaculation. All these problems are solved because of the presence of fenkhona, epigegin, eugonol, arginine and stigmaasterol in the plant.
10. Oral/eye problems
You can gain back your confidence by eliminating bad breath by using scent leaf which has the ability to kill the bacteria causing unbearable smell of the mouth. The leaf if known for curing mouth related diseases and odour. These include toothache, and tooth decay.
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The presence of vitamin A in scent leaf allows it to deal with several eye related problems such as; conjunctivitis, eye infection and also prevent night blindness.
11. Reduces pain
Among the health benefits of scent leaf, research has shown the content of analgesics in the leaf. Pain related to any part of the body can be drastically reduced when the leaf is taken in form of tea. Many people have reported that even menstrual pain, headache, stomach ache and many other pains can be silenced by just taking the plant.
12. Skin diseases
Skin diseases associated with fungi can be erased by the use of scent leaf because of the anti-fungal properties in the leaf. Aside being anti-fungal, the plant contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
13. Weight loss
As a result of the content of enzymes in scent leaf, the plant is said to promote the breakdown of body fats. It also reduces the excess fluid in the body and neutralizes harmful enzymes. Better results are seen when the leaf in consumed alongside exercise.
14. Cough and phlegm laxative
Drink hot scent leaf tea if suffering from cough. However, the tea has to be taken more than once to achieve a good result. Making Scent leaf tea with lemon and garlic may be the best way to cure cough using scent leaf.
These are just a tip of the iceberg of the work of the scent leaf. Some of the works of the plant include: killing of salmonella (typhoid), killing of mosquitos when dried and burnt, helps in the production of milk for lactating mothers, can be used as cleansers, cures respiratory problems, constipation, appetite enhancer, and nausea amongst others.
Aside the health benefits associated with scent leaf, the plant has numerous nutrients. Some of which are; Protein, Moisture, phosphorus, selenium, iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamins C and A, calcium, energy, lipids, amongst others.
To enjoy the above mentioned benefits and more, scent leaf can be eaten raw, cooked alone or mixed with any food, taken as tea or the water be mixed with bathing water to serve as antiseptic.
Do not forget however, that anything taken in excess can be harmful to the body. Pregnant women should not use the plant as it can lead to miscarriage. If it should be taken by expectant mothers, a physician should be consulted.
