Ugu leaves, otherwise known as fluted pumpkin leaves, can be seen growing alongside large fleshy green gourds. Fluted pumpkins are native to West Africa, and they are most common for Southern Nigeria, as well as Cameroon, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Here, we present to you some benefits of Ugu leaves for your health: Ugu leaves have healing properties. Due to the vitamin C and antioxidants contained in the leaves, they can help to speed up the healing processes, as well as alleviate some minor illnesses and diseases. In the olden days, they were often used in homemade medicine. They can help treat anemia. The fluted pumpkin leaves contain iron, which helps in preventing and treating iron-deficiency anaemia. Regular consumption of ugu leaves is said to help with anaemia in the long term. Ugu leaves are a natural antioxidant. They contain a whole bunch of useful elements that can help the body protect itself from bacteria and viruses. They can prevent osteoporosis. Thanks to the high amount of Calcium contained in the leaves, they can strengthen the bones, thus lowering the risk of having osteoporosis (a disease that affects density of bones, making them weak and brittle).