13/08/2018
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACKJACK/ SPANISH NEEDLES [Bidens pilosa]
Kiswahili: Kishona nguo; English: Blackjack Luo: Anyiego, Kikuyu: Mucege
Bidens pilosa is a member of the Asteraceae (formerly called Compositae) family.
Blackjack is an edible vegetable, and is also used in medicine, fodder, herbal tea and as a spice. All parts of B. pilosa plant, the aerial parts (leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems), and/or the roots, fresh or dried, are used as ingredients in traditional medicines.
It is frequently prepared as a dry powder, decoction, maceration or tincture. In order to reap the plant’s health benefits. The leaves may be eaten raw like green vegetables or boiled and prepared with other dishes such as cabbage to create a tasty and healthy meal that is loaded with a number of health benefits. The leaves are also used to prepare blackjack tea and juice. Despite the variety of uses, some communities still view the plant as a w**d only.
Nutrient Composition:
Beta-carotene, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, protein. Also contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antigastrointestinal bacterial coumarins, flavonols and stilbenoids (flavonoids), phytosterols, polyacetylenes, and triterpenes, as well as saponins.
Antidiabetic
Black jack is rich in fiber, a nutrient that makes insulin efficient at controlling blood
sugar. It also has plenty of antioxidants and they too are involved in regulating blood sugar.
Belly Fat Reduction and Cardiovascular health
The fiber abundantly present in black jack tremendously boosts heart health. Fiber is known to lower bad cholesterol while also increasing good cholesterol and this kind of cholesterol balance prevents plaque buildup in blood vessels thereby significantly cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as promoting heart health in general.
What’s more, fiber provided by black jack minimizes belly fat, the most dangerous form of fat to carry. Belly fat, also referred to as visceral fat, surrounds vital organs like the heart and liver. This situation dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. By keeping belly fat away, black jack tremendously promotes general cardiovascular health.
The antioxidants in black jack also help keep the cardiovascular system in good health. Studies continue to show a strong relationship between diets rich in antioxidants and very low rates of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol abnormalities, and stroke.
Natural Mouth Wash
Due to the plant’s antiseptic properties, plant extract may also be used as a natural mouthwash to combat odor causing germs along with sore gums and mouth. Can therefore be used as a gargle for mouth blisters.
Wound treatment
The sap from crushed leaves of Bidens pilosa is used to speed up clotting of blood in fresh wounds.
Treatment of earache
A leaf decoction is used for treating earache; sap from the plant is put in the ear to treat ear infection.
De-wormer
The plant is also used to make herbal tea which is taken as a general beverage or as a treatment for worms and flatulence.
Antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial and antidysenteric
Used on conditions such as foot and mouth diseases, angina, menstral disorders, hepatitis, laryngitis, hemorrhoids, for internal and external inflammations, tooth-ache, digestive disorders, , sores, lacerations, upset stomach in food poisoning, sore throat, swellings, hypertension, and jaundice.
Antimalarial antiheadache
Serves as a diuretic and contains antimalarial properties. Also used against headaches.
Treatment of opportunistic infections
Bidens pilosa can be used for treatment of opportunistic infections arising as a result of HIV/AIDS infections. It is a natural antibiotic that successfully treats antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is due to the fact that it is made up of hundreds of complex compounds that bacteria can’t develop resistance to.
Prostate Function
Bidens pilosa may be the best herb for prostrate hypertrophy, usually decreasing the membrane irritability both in the urinary tract and the re**um, and after consistent use, it brings about notable shrinking of the prostate and gives its connective tissue better tone.
Bidens increases the efficiency of the kidneys to excrete uric acid from the blood; decreasing the likelihood of a gout attack.
Gastritis and ulcers
It also acts as a tonic and preventive in gastritis and ulcers, diarrhea and ulcerative colitis.
Healthy digestion
Black jack, due to its abundance of fiber, promotes healthy digestion. Fiber is known to improve bowel regularity as well as preventing and easing constipation. Exposure to fiber stimulates digestive muscle movements and generally improves the way these muscles work thus preventing acid reflux, bloating, and many other digest disorders. When digestive disorders go on for a long time, the risk of more serious problems like esophageal cancer and stomach cancer goes up.
Fiber promotes digestion is by minimizing the growth of colon polyps. These are abnormal growths on the inside of the colon and they may turn cancerous if not dealt with. This partly explains why colon cancer is very rare among people who eat lots of fiber-rich foods.
Other ways fiber in black jack promotes healthy digestion include warding off piles or hemorrhoids and acting as a probiotic by creating a suitable environment for proper multiplication and function of healthy gut bacteria. These bacteria are essential for healthy digestion and overall wellbeing.
Black jack and Cancer
Black jack has powerful anti-cancer features too. Again, fiber takes on a leading role in countering cancer by preventing insulin resistance, a condition found to increase the risk of cancer especially hormone-related cancer like breast and prostate cancer. Insulin resistance happens when the ability of insulin to control blood sugar is impaired.
The high content of antioxidants in black jack is another reason this vegetable is a powerful anti-cancer weapon. Antioxidants protect cells against damage from harmful cancer causing radicals. By controlling damage to cells, antioxidants are able to also minimize systemic inflammation and this refers to heating, redness, and swelling in different body locations in response to cell damage. Continuous inflammation is a huge concern because is tremendously adds to cancer risk.
Besides preventing cancer, antioxidants in black jack are powerful enough to stop cancer growth and kill cancer cells. The antioxidants and different nutrients in black jack are actually toxic to cancer. Different studies indicate that antioxidants disrupt the cycle of cancer cells and this proves to be vital for weakening cancer.
Black jack has a collection of various anti oxidants and the major ones include beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Besides conducting antioxidant activities, these nutrients keep the immune system very strong, allowing the body to quickly detect and destroy cancer cells.
With such a potent anti-cancer profile black jack is an excellent food choice for the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate, colon, and any type of cancer. High rates of cancer can be directly connected to unhealthy diets lacking in vegetables like black jack.
Anti-inflammatory and Cognitive Function
The anti-inflammatory powers of this vegetable also offer protection against cognitive decline. This means that eating black jack can prevent memory loss related to age and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Anti-inflammatory properties also significantly cut the likelihood of autoimmune conditions like type1 diabetes and lupus.
Anti-aging
The antioxidants in black jack slow down aging and are able to reduce appearance of wrinkles. Black jack is also believed to fight off bacterial and fungal infections.
So, the next time you want to manage the diseases and conditions mentioned above look no further, just check your backyard!!!
NB: Information given in this article should not be used for self medication purposes. Always consult a physician or herbalist before using any medicinal plant remedies for given conditions. Proper identification of a given plant before use is very vital! Consult a botanist.
Recipe for Sautéed blackjack
Ingredients
2 ½ bunches blackjack leaves
2 onions
1 carrot
1½ tablespoons cooking oil
¼ teaspoon salt
Method
• Wash leaves thoroughly and trim off any unwanted parts.
• Peel, wash and dice carrots and onions.
• Heat oil in a saucepan and fry onions until soft.
• Add salt and the blackjack, stirring continuously.
• Add carrots and continue to stir the mixture on the heat until all ingredients are soft and cooked through.
This dish can be served with stiff porridge, rice or yams.
Recipe for Blackjack Tea
Ingredients
1 handful of mature blackjack leaves
5 cups water
sugar (optional)
Method
• Wash leaves thoroughly, trim and discard any damaged parts.
• Chop leaves into small pieces.
• Boil water in a saucepan, add the prepared leaves, and simmer until a brown color is obtained.
• Strain the tea and pour into a thermos flask or teapot.HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACKJACK/ SPANISH NEEDLES [Bidens pilosa]
Kiswahili: Kishona nguo; English: Blackjack Luo: Anyiego, Kikuyu: Mucege
Bidens pilosa is a member of the Asteraceae (formerly called Compositae) family.
Blackjack is an edible vegetable, and is also used in medicine, fodder, herbal tea and as a spice. All parts of B. pilosa plant, the aerial parts (leaves, flowers, seeds, and stems), and/or the roots, fresh or dried, are used as ingredients in traditional medicines.
It is frequently prepared as a dry powder, decoction, maceration or tincture. In order to reap the plant’s health benefits. The leaves may be eaten raw like green vegetables or boiled and prepared with other dishes such as cabbage to create a tasty and healthy meal that is loaded with a number of health benefits. The leaves are also used to prepare blackjack tea and juice. Despite the variety of uses, some communities still view the plant as a w**d only.
Nutrient Composition:
Beta-carotene, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, protein. Also contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antigastrointestinal bacterial coumarins, flavonols and stilbenoids (flavonoids), phytosterols, polyacetylenes, and triterpenes, as well as saponins.
Antidiabetic
Black jack is rich in fiber, a nutrient that makes insulin efficient at controlling blood
sugar. It also has plenty of antioxidants and they too are involved in regulating blood sugar.
Belly Fat Reduction and Cardiovascular health
The fiber abundantly present in black jack tremendously boosts heart health. Fiber is known to lower bad cholesterol while also increasing good cholesterol and this kind of cholesterol balance prevents plaque buildup in blood vessels thereby significantly cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as promoting heart health in general.
What’s more, fiber provided by black jack minimizes belly fat, the most dangerous form of fat to carry. Belly fat, also referred to as visceral fat, surrounds vital organs like the heart and liver. This situation dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. By keeping belly fat away, black jack tremendously promotes general cardiovascular health.
The antioxidants in black jack also help keep the cardiovascular system in good health. Studies continue to show a strong relationship between diets rich in antioxidants and very low rates of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol abnormalities, and stroke.
Natural Mouth Wash
Due to the plant’s antiseptic properties, plant extract may also be used as a natural mouthwash to combat odor causing germs along with sore gums and mouth. Can therefore be used as a gargle for mouth blisters.
Wound treatment
The sap from crushed leaves of Bidens pilosa is used to speed up clotting of blood in fresh wounds.
Treatment of earache
A leaf decoction is used for treating earache; sap from the plant is put in the ear to treat ear infection.
De-wormer
The plant is also used to make herbal tea which is taken as a general beverage or as a treatment for worms and flatulence.
Antibacterial, antiseptic, antimicrobial and antidysenteric
Used on conditions such as foot and mouth diseases, angina, menstral disorders, hepatitis, laryngitis, hemorrhoids, for internal and external inflammations, tooth-ache, digestive disorders, , sores, lacerations, upset stomach in food poisoning, sore throat, swellings, hypertension, and jaundice.
Antimalarial antiheadache
Serves as a diuretic and contains antimalarial properties. Also used against headaches.
Treatment of opportunistic infections
Bidens pilosa can be used for treatment of opportunistic infections arising as a result of HIV/AIDS infections. It is a natural antibiotic that successfully treats antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is due to the fact that it is made up of hundreds of complex compounds that bacteria can’t develop resistance to.
Prostate Function
Bidens pilosa may be the best herb for prostrate hypertrophy, usually decreasing the membrane irritability both in the urinary tract and the re**um, and after consistent use, it brings about notable shrinking of the prostate and gives its connective tissue better tone.
Bidens increases the efficiency of the kidneys to excrete uric acid from the blood; decreasing the likelihood of a gout attack.
Gastritis and ulcers
It also acts as a tonic and preventive in gastritis and ulcers, diarrhea and ulcerative colitis.
Healthy digestion
Black jack, due to its abundance of fiber, promotes healthy digestion. Fiber is known to improve bowel regularity as well as preventing and easing constipation. Exposure to fiber stimulates digestive muscle movements and generally improves the way these muscles work thus preventing acid reflux, bloating, and many other digest disorders. When digestive disorders go on for a long time, the risk of more serious problems like esophageal cancer and stomach cancer goes up.
Fiber promotes digestion is by minimizing the growth of colon polyps. These are abnormal growths on the inside of the colon and they may turn cancerous if not dealt with. This partly explains why colon cancer is very rare among people who eat lots of fiber-rich foods.
Other ways fiber in black jack promotes healthy digestion include warding off piles or hemorrhoids and acting as a probiotic by creating a suitable environment for proper multiplication and function of healthy gut bacteria. These bacteria are essential for healthy digestion and overall wellbeing.
Black jack and Cancer
Black jack has powerful anti-cancer features too. Again, fiber takes on a leading role in countering cancer by preventing insulin resistance, a condition found to increase the risk of cancer especially hormone-related cancer like breast and prostate cancer. Insulin resistance happens when the ability of insulin to control blood sugar is impaired.
The high content of antioxidants in black jack is another reason this vegetable is a powerful anti-cancer weapon. Antioxidants protect cells against damage from harmful cancer causing radicals. By controlling damage to cells, antioxidants are able to also minimize systemic inflammation and this refers to heating, redness, and swelling in different body locations in response to cell damage. Continuous inflammation is a huge concern because is tremendously adds to cancer risk.
Besides preventing cancer, antioxidants in black jack are powerful enough to stop cancer growth and kill cancer cells. The antioxidants and different nutrients in black jack are actually toxic to cancer. Different studies indicate that antioxidants disrupt the cycle of cancer cells and this proves to be vital for weakening cancer.
Black jack has a collection of various anti oxidants and the major ones include beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Besides conducting antioxidant activities, these nutrients keep the immune system very strong, allowing the body to quickly detect and destroy cancer cells.
With such a potent anti-cancer profile black jack is an excellent food choice for the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate, colon, and any type of cancer. High rates of cancer can be directly connected to unhealthy diets lacking in vegetables like black jack.
Anti-inflammatory and Cognitive Function
The anti-inflammatory powers of this vegetable also offer protection against cognitive decline. This means that eating black jack can prevent memory loss related to age and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Anti-inflammatory properties also significantly cut the likelihood of autoimmune conditions like type1 diabetes and lupus.
Anti-aging
The antioxidants in black jack slow down aging and are able to reduce appearance of wrinkles. Black jack is also believed to fight off bacterial and fungal infections.
So, the next time you want to manage the diseases and conditions mentioned above look no further, just check your backyard!!!
NB: Information given in this article should not be used for self medication purposes. Always consult a physician or herbalist before using any medicinal plant remedies for given conditions. Proper identification of a given plant before use is very vital! Consult a botanist.
Recipe for Sautéed blackjack
Ingredients
2 ½ bunches blackjack leaves
2 onions
1 carrot
1½ tablespoons cooking oil
¼ teaspoon salt
Method
• Wash leaves thoroughly and trim off any unwanted parts.
• Peel, wash and dice carrots and onions.
• Heat oil in a saucepan and fry onions until soft.
• Add salt and the blackjack, stirring continuously.
• Add carrots and continue to stir the mixture on the heat until all ingredients are soft and cooked through.
This dish can be served with stiff porridge, rice or yams.
Recipe for Blackjack Tea
Ingredients
1 handful of mature blackjack leaves
5 cups water
sugar (optional)
Method
• Wash leaves thoroughly, trim and discard any damaged parts.
• Chop leaves into small pieces.
• Boil water in a saucepan, add the prepared leaves, and simmer until a brown color is obtained.
• Strain the tea and pour into a thermos flask or teapot.
