Health Benefits of Ugwu Leaves and How to Use them in meals.

Health Benefits of Ugwu Leaves and How to Use them in meals.

Jan 14, 2025Elizabeth Yakubu

If you’ve spent any time in a Nigerian kitchen, chances are you’ve come across Ugwu leaves. These crunchy green leaves, also known as fluted pumpkin leaves, are a favorite in many homes. They are delicious and also packed with nutrients that do wonders for your body.

Let’s dive into why Ugwu leaves are so good for you and how you can add them to your meals in simple, tasty ways.


Why Ugwu Leaves Are So Good for You

1. Ugwu is Loaded with Vitamins

Ugwu leaves are like natural multivitamins. They’re full of vitamin A, which is great for the eyes, skin, and immune system. They also pack a punch of vitamin C, which helps the body fight off sickness and keeps the skin looking fresh.


2. Ugwu is a Great Source of Iron

Feeling tired all the time? You might need more iron in your diet. Ugwu leaves are a great plant-based source of iron, which helps the body make red blood cells and keeps the energy levels up.

Also Read: The Importance of Iron-Rich Foods in your Pregnancy Diet

 

3. Ugwu is good for Digestion

These leaves are high in fiber, which keeps the digestive system happy. Fiber helps prevent constipation and keeps everything moving smoothly. Plus, it helps control blood sugar levels, which is great if you’re watching your diet.


4. Ugwu Boosts Milk Production for Moms

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, ugwu leaves are your best friend. In many homes, they’re known to help boost milk supply naturally.


5. Ugwu Strengthens the Bones

Thanks to their calcium content, ugwu leaves are great for keeping your bones and teeth strong.


How to Use Ugwu Leaves in Your Meals

Now that we know how healthy ugwu leaves are, let’s talk about how to enjoy them. The good news is that they’re super versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.


1. Add Them to Soups and Stews

One of the most popular ways to use ugwu leaves is in soups like Egusi or Ogbono. Simply wash the leaves, chop them up, and add them to your soup towards the end of cooking. They add a burst of color, flavor, and nutrients.

Also Read: Top 10 Essential African Groceries for Your Pantry

 

2. Stir-Fry Them

Are you looking for a quick side dish? You can stir-fry ugwu leaves with onions, garlic, peppers and a little palm oil or vegetable oil. It’s a simple, tasty way to enjoy them with rice, yams, or plantains.


3. Blend Them into Smoothies

This might sound surprising, but ugwu leaves work well in smoothies. Blend them with fruits like banana, pineapple, or mango for a very nutritious drink that tastes amazing.


4. Add Them to Omelets

Chop ugwu leaves finely and mix them into your omelet batter for a nutritious breakfast or brunch. They add a nice texture and healthiness to your eggs.

Also Read: Top 13 Traditional Nigerian Breakfast Dishes You Need to Try

 

5. Use Them in Salads

If you like experimenting, try adding fresh ugwu leaves to your salad. Pair them with tomatoes, cucumbers, and a simple dressing for a delicious, healthy dish.


Rounding Off

Ugwu leaves are a pack of nutrition and flavor. So, next time you’re shopping, especially at The My Sasun African Market, grab a bunch of fresh ugwu leaves and start experimenting in the kitchen. You'd never regret you did!

 

More articles

Comments (159)

  • hello everyone I am Will Parish from ohio i have depressed for so many years because my wife left me because of my small manhood size which measured 2.3inches which was so embarrassing for me,i met my wife back then few weeks at high school and due to we parting ways after graduation we did not have time to explore our sexual life as she came from a christian background who forbids sex before marriage so we dated for 3years and when we finally planned our wedding ,we got married,my wedding night was supposed to be the best night for any man or woman but mine became the worst nightmare when i undressed myself in her presence my wife shouted in shock because my manhood was that of a 1yr old baby,she yelled and insulted me so hard and blamed me why did i not tell her i had a small penis i tried to explain and calm her down but she angrily left our hotel room crying,i felt the most embarrassment of my life that night,she eventually called off the wedding the next day and told both families why she left our marriage and i could not even say anything because the shame was unbearable,i cried and almost committed suicide, after 2 weeks i was reading an article on youtube about this Great Dr Harry herbal mixture liquid and cream,at first i was skeptical but i had to give it a try.i contacted him on his email drharrysolution@gmail.com behold he replied me fast and told me how his meds works i did everything he asked ,i paid and he sent his meds to me through UPS delivery service i got it within few days and started using it immediately and to my surprise after using it for 1 month i got about 10.5 inches long and 8.0 girth size,i felt like crying after seeing this results and i promised him i will share my story to the whole world for other men to see and cure their insecurities,no woman is worth taking your life for so i want to say thank you so much Dr Harry for saving my life and giving me my pride as a man back so if you are out there and you want herbs to sicknesses like small penis,low sperm count,erectile dysfunction,ALS,HPV,HERPES,lupus disease,stroke,Cancer,Arthritis ,and any other spells of all kind you need dr harry is available to help you whatsapp him on +2349036417079 email him on drharrysolution@gmail.com Good luck as you contact him for your healings

    WILL PARISH
  • God bless Dr. Aba for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES since 2019 and I was taking my medications, I wasn’t satisfied i needed to get the HERPES out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for HERPES and i saw a comment about Dr. Aba how he cured HERPES, DIABETES, HEPATITIS B and CANCER with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he started the remedy for my health, he sent me the herbal medicine through DHL. I took the medicine as prescribed by him and 14days later i was cured from HERPES, Dr. Aba truly you are world greatest herbal doctor, do you need his help also? Why don’t you contact him today through his email address: dr.abaherbalhome@gmail.com and his WhatsApp phone number +2348107155060

    emily jade
  • DR OYAGU herbal medicine is a good remedy for herpes simplex virus cure. My name is MIGNON WRIGHT , am from USA,I am here to give my testimony about DR OYAGU who helped me in my life, i want to inform the public how i was cured from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) by DR OYAGU, i visited different hospital but they gave me list of drugs like Familiar, Zovirax, and Valtrex which is very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on HERPES and i saw comment of people talking about how DR OYAGU cured them, when i contacted him he gave me hope and send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me, am a free person now without any problem, my HERPES result came out negative, I pray to God to never let me and my family forget you in our life, am now cured permanently, you can also get your self cured my friends if you really need this doctor help, you can reach him on his website ;https://oyaguspellcaster.wixsite.com/oyaguherbalhome Email: oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com or via WhatsApp +2348101755322

    Mignon Wright
  • Powerful Herbal treatment is 100% guarantee for HSV cure, the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure HSV 1 or 2 is because they believe on medical report, drugs and medical treatments which is not helpful to cure HSV and hasn’t proved any sign of helping. Natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes forever. I never believed it until I was helped and cured of my 16 months genital herpes with natural herbal medicines from Dr Sikies. Where other medical prescribed drugs and treatments failed, Dr Sikies natural herbs helped saved me from Genital herpes permanently and I’m so grateful for this. You can also get help from this great and powerful Herbalist Dr Sikies by reaching himon Email: drsikies@gmail.com / WhatsApp +2348163430143 website to make order now : https://drsikiesherbalcuremedicine.weebly.com/

    Rose C Moss
  • Herbal Medicine has been proven as the permanent cure to Herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2), I believe that you are not aware of this beautiful GOD given remedies.

    I’m Dr. Obasi Oba a dedicated Herbal Medicine Expert and founder of the well-known Obasi Herbal Medicine Home. I have spent many years using natural herbs and traditional healing knowledge to support and Cure people (permanently) dealing with serious and life-threatening health conditions.

    At Obasi Herbal Medicine Home, we provides carefully prepared herbal formulations that provide permanent Cure 100% to diseases such as:

    Herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2), cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, stroke, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, diabetes, and tuberculosis.

    For more information or consultations, contact us:
    WhatsApp: wa.me/2348112657992
    Website: www.drobasiherbalmedicine.com
    Email: drobasiherbalmedicinehome@gmail.com

    DR OBASI HERBAL MEDICINE
  • Herbal Medicine has been proven as the permanent cure to Herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2), I believe that you are not aware of this beautiful GOD given remedies.

    I’m Dr. Obasi Oba a dedicated Herbal Medicine Expert and founder of the well-known Obasi Herbal Medicine Home. I have spent many years using natural herbs and traditional healing knowledge to support and Cure people (permanently) dealing with serious and life-threatening health conditions.

    At Obasi Herbal Medicine Home, we provides carefully prepared herbal formulations that provide permanent Cure 100% to diseases such as:

    Herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2), cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, stroke, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, diabetes, and tuberculosis.

    For more information or consultations, contact us:
    WhatsApp: wa.me/2348112657992
    Website: www.drobasiherbalmedicine.com
    Email: drobasiherbalmedicinehome@gmail.com

    DR OBASI HERBAL MEDICINE
  • Powerful Herbal treatment is 100% guarantee for HSV cure, the reason why most people are finding it difficult to cure HSV 1 or 2 is because they believe on medical report, drugs and medical treatments which is not helpful to cure HSV and hasn’t proved any sign of helping. Natural roots/herbs are the best remedy which can easily eradicate herpes forever. I never believed it until I was helped and cured of my 16 months genital herpes with natural herbal medicines from Dr Sikies. Where other medical prescribed drugs and treatments failed, Dr Sikies natural herbs helped saved me from Genital herpes permanently and I’m so grateful for this. You can also get help from this great and powerful Herbalist Dr Sikies by reaching himon Email: drsikies@gmail.com / WhatsApp +2348163430143 website to make order now : https://drsikiesherbalcuremedicine.weebly.com/

    Rose C Moss
  • How To Get Your Ex Lover/Partner/Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Wife Or Husband Back Contact Dr David awesomenesspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp/Call Him +2347051149457
    My husband changed dramatically towards me, doesn’t communicate anymore. He disrespects me and accuses me falsely of infidelity because of wicked gossip …but I’m simply AMAZED aat the results of PRIEST AWESOME (AWESOME SPELL TEMPLE) who did a reunion love spell for me. Everything is going so well and EXACTLY how he said it would be. Even though it took 3 days to fully progress, it was so worth it because things are just about at perfection! How he took my situation and completely turned it around to give me exactly what I wanted is beyond me, but something I will never question and just be completely grateful for. God Bless Dr. DAVID for turning sorrow into happiness. You can also contact PRIEST AWESOME : give you 100% guarantee that he will help you.. https://web.facebook.com/Awesomelovepelltemple Email him: awesomenesspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp him on +2347051149457Website: https://63e1caad0959a.site123.me/

    Samuel summer
  • HOW I GOT MY HERBAL REMEDY FOR MY HERPES DISEASE

    Hello, I think it is the right time for you all to know about this traditional herbal spell caster who helped me find a remedy to cure my Herpes disease. I have been a victim of herpes disease for the past 2 years. I have done everything I could to get rid of it, but it has all failed me. All thanks to Dr Isa, who came to my rescue and sent me herbal tea that I drank for 7 days, which cured me totally from suffering from my herpes disease. For those of you who need help to cure your disease should contact this traditional herbal man for help. I assure you that he will help you. WHATSAPP: +2347046030096 Contact email: drisaspellcaster@gmail.com Website: https://drisaspellcaster.wixsite.com/dr-isa

    Jack Hendriks
  • HOW I GOT MY HERBAL REMEDY FOR MY HERPES DISEASE

    Hello, I think it is the right time for you all to know about this traditional herbal spell caster who helped me find a remedy to cure my Herpes disease. I have been a victim of herpes disease for the past 2 years. I have done everything I could to get rid of it, but it has all failed me. All thanks to Dr Isa, who came to my rescue and sent me herbal tea that I drank for 7 days, which cured me totally from suffering from my herpes disease. For those of you who need help to cure your disease should contact this traditional herbal man for help. I assure you that he will help you. WHATSAPP: +2347046030096 Contact email: drisaspellcaster@gmail.com Website: https://drisaspellcaster.wixsite.com/dr-isa

    Jack Hendriks

Leave a comment