Ugu juice is definitely good for ulcer patients. It contains lots of nutrients that, when taken consistently just in the right quantity, will in no small way help in promoting the ulcer healing process.

While a vast majority of people have been queuing in the adopted Western medical line for ulcer-related issues, a good number of people are keen in doing it the African traditional way.

While you may want to argue that no scientific analysis backs up the potency of ugu juice in combating ulcers, there is, in fact, credible research done by Both African and Western medical practitioners that puts this to light.

Aside from ulcers, Ugu is massively packed with sufficient constituents that help in nursing, combating, and bringing wellness from different health conditions.

Ugu, otherwise known as fluted pumpkin, is a common greenish leaf vegetable reslished in not just the Nigerian culinary landscape, but as well as other African countries too.

Ugu And Ulcers: What You Need To Know

Since ulcers are stomach wounds, there is the need for people with such a health profile to consume food that are rich in dietary fiber, tissue-repairing properties, cell regeneration properties, body tissue repair properties, antioxidants, hormone balance, and the right compound to promote good blood flow.

The main reason ugu juice has always been recommended for ulcer patients is because it contains all of the aforementioned qualities — it is indeed packed with sufficient nutrients.

While you may want to argue about the possible contaminants it’d contain, and how terrible it might be if the juice is extracted in its raw form, a notable thing to come to terms with, is the level of hygiene maintained during the said extraction process.

Also, consider that subjecting it to high temperature can kill some important micronutrients that should play vital roles in bringing healing to ulcers. For instance, Ugu leaves contain Vitamin C, which is essential for muscle repair.

Vitamin C also plays an important role in protecting the stomach lining by reducing inflammation and promoting mucus growth. However, Vitamin C is very sensitive to heat.

Other important constituents like Vitamin K are responsible for blood clotting, thereby enhancing wound healing and tissue repair, and Folate, which serves a better function in the production of red blood cells, cell growth, and carrying of oxygen to the tissues, are threatened when subjected to high temperature too.

You also want to talk about the decline of the potassium potency contained therein. Potassium is a great electrolyte that helps for the regulation of fluid balance.

How To Extract Juice From Ugu Leaves

You want to take every possible contaminant out the ugu leaves before extracting the juice. Otherwise, you’re sure to end up doing a disservice to yourself.

Firstly, rinse the leaves in plenty of water.
Repeat the process for as much as you will need to. In other cases, it is advised to rinse the leaves in a bowl of tepid salty water.
Pour 1-2 full spoons of salt in two cups of water, dip in the leaves to soak in it for over 5 minutes before bringing out, then rinse over and over again.
Next, chop the Ugu leaves in bigger cuts and put them in a blender.
Blend it until a fine texture is attained. Although in a rural setting where a food process like a blender is not available, the leaves are pounded in a mortar with little or no water.

Once the leaves are either pounded or blended, add enough water as would be ideal for the quantity of leaves pounded or blended. Then pass it through a sieve to take out the chaff.

It’s advised to add only a little water to concentrate well. Filter into a cup and serve it in a bowl. You can choose to add honey thereafter. That’s fine too.

Good Alternatives To Ugu Juice For Ulcers

In the event that Ugu is out of reach, there are other alternatives, suitable for ulcer patients that you can leverage. They include:

Spinach
Kale
Parsley

To juice these leaves, you can use a juicer or a blender. If you are using a blender, add a little bit of water to the blender before blending to help the leaves juice.

Here are some tips for juicing leafy greens:

Wash the leaves thoroughly with clean water.
Remove any stems or tough leaves.
Cut the leaves into smaller pieces.
If you are using a juicer, feed the leaves into the juicer one at a time.
If you are using a blender, add a little bit of water to the blender before blending to help the leaves juice.
Once the leaves have been juiced, strain the juice to remove any pulp.

Chef’s Advice:

You can also add other fruits and vegetables to your leafy green juices to improve the taste and nutritional value. For example, you could add carrots, apples, bananas, or berries to your juice.

Side Effects Of Ugu Juice For Ulcers

While it is maintained that Ugu juice is great for ulcer patients, there can be some side effects that are traceable to certain factors.

1. Allergies

Some people are naturally allergic to juices of this sort. It’s not because the juice is bad in itself, but because human systems vary, and incompatibility is a thing. It is advised that whoever experiences any side effect of any sort should quit immediately and seek professional medical assistance.

2. Interaction with medication

For an ulcer, there’s a chance that simultaneously taking herbs and Western medication can lead to complications. The chemical reaction between these two can result in problems. It is advised that if you’re already on medication, then you should talk to your Doctor before taking any juice of this sort.

3. Digestion problems

Ugu juice is a good source of fiber. However, an excess dose of it can result in bloating, stomach gas build up, or diarrhea. Here, moderation is key.

Conclusion

Conclusively, Ugu juice is good for ulcer patients. Albeit, moderation should be the main area of concentration. Plus, compatibility with other medications and foods too must be thoroughly analyzed. Other than these, Ugu juice is rich in nutrients that are essential in the traditional ulcer treatment process.

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Gladys

Hi there, I'm Gladys, the creative force behind Cuisine.ng, a Nigerian food blog. With a deep-rooted passion for culinary exploration, I share my personal touch and cherished family recipes to showcase the authentic flavors of Nigeria. Join me on a mouthwatering journey as we celebrate the richness and diversity of Nigerian cuisine. Let's embark on this delicious adventure together