WATERLEAF

Helllo

Today, let’s look at cold vegetables.

These are vegetables with large stem cells containing water.

Examples of cold vegetables are, cabbages, lettuces, cresses, spinach, water leaves, water hyssop, and many others.

These leaves are considered cold in the 3rd degree in health and diet and as such should not be mixed inappropriately with warm vegetables during cooking to avoid chemical reaction which can cause food poisoning.

Most cold vegetables are rich in Vitamin C and has high level of different varieties of nutrients including zinc because of their water cell contents and for this should be used singularly to avoid excess quantity of food nutrients in the food which can cause body ill.

Let us talk about health benefits of one of these cold vegetables that people do not pay attention to.

Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)

‘Waterleaf’ as it’s known is one of those underrated and undervalued plants in Africa, In Ghana, it is known as bokoboko. It grows in mashed grounds, and in damp areas all over the city.

Some people regard waterleaf as a nuisance, stubborn weed that grows all year and can take over your compound and its environs, this plant flourishes more in rainy season.

Many scientific researchers have shown waterleaf to have many medicinal properties that can help boost health.

Waterleaf is good for edema situations as in swellings of the legs, mumps and water retention, (thrombosis), it helps to fasten the removal of excessive body fluids and water retention through sweats and urine.

Recent researches have shown that waterleaf can inhibit proliferation of cancerous cells and shrink tumors, can also melt inflammations and abscesses.

 Other studies shows it’s abilities on the brain cells as a cleanser, it helps to cleanse *humors* ( bad water or fluids retained inside the brain that can cause damage).

Adding waterleaf to your food often helps to protect the brain cells from damage.

Because of its stem cell water contents, it helps to harness the brain for a good relaxation by sleep thereby acting as activator for the secretion of enough percentage of Serotonin.

For this, waterleaf shows itself as one of the active remedy for insomnia, (sleeplessness)

Many researchers also showed that Water leaf contains more proteins than cashew nuts,

More pectin for proper digestion than apples, and also have high level of Vitamin B, Essential amino acids, Omega3-fatty acids, resins, iron, calcium, copper, lead, manganese and zinc.

It is also a rich source of carotenoids, vitamin C, A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, alpha and beta tocopherols.

 Pounded waterleaf can be used as compress, applied to soothe inflammations, eczema and skin abrasions.

Infusion of waterleaf can be taken as tea, either dried or fresh leaves, can be taken as a diuretic, this helps for Kidneys and liver deep cleanse.

Boiled fresh or dried roots of the waterleaves drank two wine glasses daily can help prevent and melt enlarged scrotum, if drank over a period of time, as in prostate enlargement.

 Waterleaf when mixed with flowering knotweed helps to stanch blood and stop hemorrhage as in severe bleeding during menstruation, fibrosima and during delivery of child birth; also during bleeding piles.

Waterleaf and water hyssop helps to increase fertility in both men and women, good and safe for pregnant women and growing children.

Waterleaf acts as a blood toner and cleanser and as such helps to boosts the Leucocytes and flush out excessive sucrose from the blood cells, thereby helping to prevent blood sugar, (Diabetes) an illness of the 21st century.

It’s ability to tone the blood can also assist when the body has plenty putrefied blood cells that can cause shrinkage as in sickle cell anemia, thereby acting as an active agent to tone the blood cells and help build up fresh erythrocytes, this helps to prevent further occurrence of sickle cell crisis.

Its actions on the arteries and nerves are calmative, this shows its ability to regulate tension.

Waterleaf is best used in soups, stews, porridge yam or in salads.

When used with spinach, it combines in chemical reaction to form high level of Vitamins K, Z and high level of mucilage which can wipe internal sores that are cancerous as well as internal ulceration.

You can dry Waterleaf on a brown paper on top of your table under room temperature and pack it in a brown envelope when dried. 

Use as tea twice a week or use for soups and stews. Likewise, you can use them fresh.

Waterleaf and water hyssop drank as tea helps to prevent and heal psoriasis, eczema and other skin affliction.

Waterleaf and a handful of water creases is a good friend of the children especially during  measles and stomach colic. Can be used as enema.

VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Cold vegetables are dangerous for asthmatic patients and can cause slight dry cough to people living with bronchial problem of any kind.

So, everything that is good for someone might be dangerous to another one. If you are asthmatic, or have bronchitis, do yourself a favor and stay away from cold fruits and vegetables as they can always ignite the linings of the lungs to cause air balloons that can cause irritating cough and asthmatic crisis.

Warm spicy vegetables are best for people living with asthma and bronchitis.

Cold vegetables are best taken during hot climatic condition. Taking cold vegetables during cold weather can trigger cough.

Always maintain a glass of lemon in water after 30 minutes of eating food prepared with cold vegetables for proper cleansing of the lungs.

 Choose wisely, eat right.

Enjoy your Waterleaf stews and soups with rice and fufu

Written by:
Ntomchukwu Ukachukwu