Background

• It is Native to West Africa and is locally called Utasi by the Ibibios, Quas and Efiks; Utazi by the Igbos; and “Arokeke” by the Yorubas.
• Gongronema latifolium is popularly known for its nutritional and medicinal values.
• The health benefits of the plant have been harnessed for generations by many Cultures of the World.  

Uses

• It is commonly used in soup as vegetable, or dried and applied as powdery spice.
• The pulverized fresh leaves is mixed with other ingredients to served with Kola Nut in some Igbo subcultures
• The leaves are consumed fresh to serve as a cleanser and for the treatment of Common Cold
• The abundance of fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids in the leaves makes it a very good source of Nutrients for a healthy body

Enemor V.H.A. et. al,: Mean concentration of minerals in Gongronema latifolium (Data represented as mean ± SEM)

Benefits

• Like Moringa oleifera, different cultures benefit from Moringa oleifera different; yet some values are known and utilized by most
• In Ghana: The boiled fruit is used as laxative; Nigeria: The leaves are used for fowl cough, malaria, nausea, diabetes, hypertension constipation, relieve wheezing in asthmatic patients, bilharzoisis, viral hepatitis, general antimicrobial agent, asthma, sickle cell anemia, stimulate appetite, reduce post-partum contraction and enhance return of the menstrual cycle after childbirth; Senegal: The leaves are rubbed on the joints of small children to help them walk; Sierra Leone: For colic and stomach pain and for worms. 
• According to Olugbenga Morebise; Gongronema latifolium has been shown to have these beneficial properties: Hypoglycemic Activity; Hypolipidemic Activity; Nephroprotective Activity; Hepatoprotective Activity; Male Antifertility; Antioxidant Activity; Anti-Inflammatory Activity; Electrolyte Balance; Hematological beneficial Effect; Anti-Ulcer Activity; Anticancer Activity; Immunomodulatory Effect; Gastric Emptying; Antimicrobial Activity; and Tissue Regenerative and Restorative Potentials
• According to Eleyinmi Afolabi F, The observed antibacterial activity of Gongronema latifolium that it may play dual role in food and non-food systems where it may also find use.

Constituents