Fresh Utazi leaf is Gongronema latifolium plant, commonly used in West African dishes for its slightly bitter taste. They stimulate the flow of bile and appetite for food and they enhance the activities of the pancreas, regulate blood sugar and promote the detoxification actions of the liver. In southern part of Nigeria, especially among the people of Southeast and South-South, the leaves of this herb are used commonly for nutritional purposes, including as a spice and vegetable to garnish some special local delicacies, such as Isiewu, nkwobi, abacha/ugba (African salad) ofe nsala (white soup), unripe plantain porridge, etc because of its sharp-bitter and sweet taste.It’s a well known traditional medicines. Generally speaking, bitter-tasting herbs, such as bitter leaf, utazi, phyllanthus, etc. are known to act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system. Categories: Cooking Ingredients, Fruits & Vegetables
