Bitter Leaf with Latin name Andrographis Paniculate Ness is included in the Acanthaceae family.

This plant is thought to have come from tropical Asia where it grows wild in open places such as roadsides, fields, vacant land, rather damp soil or planted in gardens/farmland as a medicinal plant. Bitter leaf is easy to cultivate and will flourish in lowlands up to 700 m above sea level.

Behind the bitter taste possessed by this leaf is a variety of health benefits including: Fever reduction; the bitter leaf contains an antiseptic which is very effective in reducing heat from within the body. It's content of andrographolide lactones, glucosides, diterpene and flavonoids work to favour this awesome property. Cancer Prevention; The bitter leaf can treat hydatidiform moles, trophoblastic tumors and lung tumors which are the forerunners of cancer. It’s Andrographolide bitter extract shows activity in particular substances that are effective in preventing liver disease,improving the immune system and so forth.Some studies report that these plants can stop the activities of gastric cancer cells, inhibit tumor growth, even in development of breast cancer cells. In addition, it is also known for treatment of hypertension, typhus disease, itching, malaria, appendicitis, diabetes, gall stones, diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis, respiratory tract infections,kidney disease, ear inflammation, toothache, Leptospirosis, insect venom, mouth inflammation and influenza.

The combination of its andrografin, androfolit, and panikulin contents also acts as a natural antibiotic. This helps the body reduce the risk of skin aging and guards against the effects of free radicals. The bitter leaf extract is able to increase the body’s defense against infection which lowers the quality of organs including skin tissue.

Bitter leaf can be planted using the stem. That makes it easy to get as many plants as you want from a few available stems. Caring for the plants is quite simple as they can survive with little care. Just ensure that termites don’t eat up the shoot, check that animals and other pests don’t attack the stem. Also, water the plants if necessary. Then watch your bitter leaf plant grow and bear the wonderful leaves.
Harvesting the leaves involves just severing them from the stem without cutting the stem.

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