Bitter-Sweet is the hallmark of this amazing medicinal plant. Vernonia amygdalina. And the "sweet" part is not only the serious libido boost it gives for both women and men. :)
It's known around the world simply as Bitter Leaf.
I had carefully cultivated cuttings of my herbal discovery to take to our new place, only to discover it already thriving in situ here in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.
Our old Thai landlady knew that it was a powerful medicine plant and pointed it out to me on one of our many fruit-discussion-walks through the garden her parents planted about 100 years ago. But she did not know it originates in Nigeria.
This last week I have had unexplained high fever. For several days. Up and down. A day fever free and then it's back. No specific symptoms other than serious chills, body aches, abdominal pain and deep fatigue. A quick google about that suggests basically two main causes for ongoing symptom-free high fever - malaria or undiagnosed tumors. Both of which are possible, given my medical history and the fact that I live in tropical Asia and the rainy season is just starting. Or it could just be my very efficient, hair-trigger immune system dealing with a viral or bacterial infection.
Whatever. Am I the run-to-the-Dr type who needs a 'diagnosis'?? Heck no.
So, after a couple of days of fasting, other herbs and vitamin C therapy failed to knock it on the head, I made a new plan last night.
Two bitter leaves, thoroughly chomped and swallowed, twice daily, and copious amounts of fresh pineapple-ginger juice. And cancelled appointments and more rest.
Why Bitter Leaf?
Research has found it to be highly effective for:
- malaria
- fever
- anti-tumor, anti-cancer
- serious viral infections including HIV
- bacterial and protozoal infections
- diabetes and cholesterol management
You can read more about that here: https://www.thenaturesfarmacy.com/health-benefits-of-bitter-leaf-vernonia-amygdalina/ and here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4876981/
The only "serious" known side-effects? Increased fertility and libido! In fact, in Nigeria it has been traditionally used for this purpose, before becoming known as an anti-malarial and anti-HIV herb. You can read more about the traditional uses of Vernonia in Nigeria here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242109480_Indigenous_Knowledge_and_practices_of_women_herb_sellers_of_Southwestern_Nigeria
As far as I know, this herb is not easily available yet to the western world. But I hope that I'm wrong about that. We are beginning to propagate cuttings to enable it to be planted widely around the indigenous and refugee communities along the Thai-Burmese border, where drug resistant malaria is increasingly common and where fevers, gastro problems, viral infections, HIV and protozoal-parasitic infections are common and hard to treat. In due course, we would like to grow enough to create a social enterprise in producing capsules of solar-dehydrated, ground vernonia for easy global distribution and use. Cos the world could use a whole lot LESS disease and MORE beautiful lovemaking and happy women.
So, for the next week or so, I will be chomping down two fresh leaves, plucked straight from the plant, twice a day. The way the Nigerians use it. Did I mention that it is BITTER? Really bitter!! And then there is the lovely twist (as if a sky-rocketing libido isn't enough of a twist!) - after one full minute of totally chewing and chewing and chewing, it becomes SWEET in the mouth and leaves a pleasant herbal after-taste. Which is when you swallow and marvel at Mother Nature. Pun intended. ;)
BlissesnBlessed. Healing. Grateful.
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