7 Great Susumba Benefits You Need To Know About

What Is Susumba? Susumba is a wild plant that packs a lot of healthy nutrients. People in the Caribbean and other places use Susumba leaves and berries as food and as herbal remedy.

The Susumba plant is known in most places as Turkey berry, Susumber or Wonder berry.

In some areas, common names for Susumba are Devil’s fig, Pea eggplant, Sundakkai plant, and Plate bush.

Local names for the plant in Jamaica are Susumba or Gully bean. However, Susumba plant’s Botanical name is Solanum torvum.

Susumba Benefits

Researchers who examined different sections of the Susumba identified several active compounds that make up Solanum torvum.

Susumba leaf is one section of the Turkey berry plant that contains a number of potential health benefits.

In this article we will take al ook at some the potential health benefits of Susumba. These benefits of Susumba are based reports made by experts who studied the plant.

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1. Liver Protection

 Phenolic compound was extracted and tested from the Susumba leaf. The aim was to determine if the plant is able to protect the liver.  

The test was carried out in labs and on mice that suffered liver damage after they were given Acetaminophen. 

The test reports confirm that the chemical extracts taken from Susumba leaves could potentially be used as an agent for protecting and treating liver damage caused by Acetaminophen.

2. Treat Anemia

Solanum torvum is rich in Iron. Because Susumba contains so much Iron it may be useful in helping treat iron dificiency in humans.

And because it is a low-cost, in many locations Turkey berries are consumed by pregnant women. This is to help boost the production of red blood cells.

But some studies found that the body may not easily absorb the Iron in Turkey berries. 

Therefore, it may be necessary to take the berries with some foods that contain Vitamin C to help the body absorb the Iron in berries.

Many foods that are rich in Vitamin C can be eaten with Susumba. These foods include Kale, Broccoli, Tomatoes, and Bell pepper.

3. Reduce Oxidative Stress

 According to numerous medical resources, oxidative stress is behind a number of serious diseases. 

Some serious diseases that have been linked to Oxidative stress are diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases. Chronic fatigue, heart and blood vessel disorders, heart disease have also been associated with Oxidative stree.

Studies suggest that the Solanum torvum fruit and leaf samples found that they contain natural chemicals that can help reduce Oxidative stress. This could potentially reduce the risk of developing some health conditions.

4. Repair Kidney Damage

Studies show that some medication used for treating some diseases may cause damage the kidneys.

An animal study was done to see whether Subumba extracts could repair Kidney damage caused by medication. 

Researchers determined the damage done to the kidneys of animals treated with Turkey Berry extracts improved.  

Some damage include tubular necrosis, renal lesions and glomerular congestion. Treatment with Solanum torvum reversed the kidney damage.

This validated claims that Solanum torvum extracts help repair kidney damage.

5. Preserve Vision

Vitamin A is one of the important micronutrients found in the berry. Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight. 

And Vitamin A performs other important roles as well. The vitamin helps organs such as the heart and lungs function properly. 

Vitamin A is also important for reproduction, development, and the immune system.

Because Turkey berries are rich in Vitamin A they are good for helping you preserve your vision.

6. Prevent Gastric Ulcers

A 2018 study of Solanum torvum leaves revealed that they may be potentially useful for preventing gastric ulcers.

Examination of the leaves revealed that they contain active flavonoids and triterpenes with anti-ulcer properties.  

In the study the ani-ulcer properties reduced gastric acid secretion thereby inhibiting the formation of gastric ulcers. 

7. Control Hypertension

Early research shows that Turkey Berry has natural compounds that may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.

Active compounds identified in Susumba plant inclue include gallic and ferulic acid which demonstrate great potential.

One animal study was done to see how the berries affected high blood pressure. In the six-week trial, rats were fed fructose to increase their blood pressure.

Then they were treated with Turkey Berry extracts. The results showed that treatment reduced the animal’s blood pressure.

This confirms Solanum torvum potenial use as a blood pressure lowering agent.

Jamaican Susumba

Susumba: How is Susumba used In Jamaica. One popular way to consume Jamaican Susumba is to cook the berries as a stew. 

Young berries are cooked and mixed with salted mackerel or some other form of cured protein. Coconut milk, onions and tomatoes are added to the mixture.  Then it is served of white rice or with dumplings.

Susumba Leaf Uses: Fresh or dried leaves are brewed. The tea used as treatment for coughs, colds and upper respiratory conditions.

Here is how Turkey berries and other sections of the plant are used in other areas:

• The Wider Caribbean:. In other Caribbean islands it is also used in stews, soups, chutneys, and teas.

• Sierra Leone: Turkey berry tea is given to children for sore throats and stomach aches.

• India: In some areas in India, dried Turkey berries and leaves are ground into a powder which is used to make a paste that is consumed in Indian cuisine.
• The powder is consumed as diabetes medicine as well.

• The Philippines:  The plant’s root is dried and used to make a syrup for treating stomach aches, indigestion and gas.

• Senegal: Tea made from ripe berres is given to children as a cough suppressant.

Turkey Berry Side Effects

Solanum torvum has some compounds which can cause problems if you eat too much of it. 

Some users report nausea and confusion, dizziness, stomach ache and diarrhea after using Susumba.

Solanum torvum belongs to the Nightshade family of plants. People who are allergic to Nighshade may not tolerate this plant.

Safety Precaution

Is Susumba Poisonous? A poisonous variety of Susumba has been identified in Jamaica. The plant appears almost identical to the non-toxic Turkey berry plant.  

There have been reports of people experiencing serious effects after consuming this variety of Jamaican Susumba.

Investigation show that the poisonous variety contains larger amounts of Solamargine, and other steroidal glycoalkaloids than the non-toxic variety. 

Reports of say severe reactions such as dizziness, slurred speech and upper body weakness have been experienced by persons after they consume the toxic variety Turkey berries.

Conclusion

Susumba is the Jamaican name for the plant known as Turkey berry in many other locations.

Susumba berries are used in Jamaican cooking while Susumba leaves are used to brew a an herbal tea that is used to treat upper respiratory issues

Turkey berries have been subjected to several animal studies. And results show that Susumba plant may have medicinal benefits.

However, these tests are preliminary. Much more through examination of the plants benefits need to be done.

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. Please consult with a Professional Healthcare Provider about your medical care.