How to Make Ugu Leaf Juice for a Nutritious Boost

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Packed with iron and Vitamin C, ugu leaves are a nutritional powerhouse, making a vibrant juice. Learn how to make ugu leaf juice easily at home and tap into its many health benefits for a potent and refreshing health boost.

Quick Summary

This guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions for preparing fresh ugu leaf juice. It covers essential ingredients, blending methods, and flavor variations.

Key Points

Nutrient-Rich Source: Ugu leaves are packed with iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Simple Preparation: Wash leaves, blend with water, and strain for a potent juice.
Enhance the Flavor: Add fruits like pineapple or a piece of ginger for natural sweetness and extra benefits.
Blood and Digestion: The juice is known to support blood health and improve digestion due to high fiber and iron content.
Traditional Health Tonic: Historically used to combat anemia and boost vitality.
Manual Method Available: No blender? You can still make the juice by manually squeezing the leaves.

Introduction to Ugu Leaf Juice

Ugu leaf, scientifically known as Telfairia occidentalis, is a popular green leafy vegetable in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where it is also called fluted pumpkin leaf. Highly valued for its nutritional profile, ugu is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. While commonly used in soups and stews, juicing the fresh leaves offers a concentrated dose of these health-boosting nutrients. The resulting juice is known for its potential to help with blood health, digestion, and overall vitality. Making your own ugu leaf juice at home is a straightforward process, offering a potent natural tonic that is both refreshing and beneficial.

The Classic Ugu Leaf Juice Recipe

This simple recipe uses minimal ingredients to create a pure and potent ugu juice.

Ingredients:

1 large bunch of fresh ugu leaves
2 cups of filtered water
Optional: 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled

Instructions:

Wash the Leaves Thoroughly: Place the ugu leaves in a large bowl and fill with clean water. Swirl the leaves around and rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt, sand, or debris. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
Chop the Leaves: Roughly chop the clean ugu leaves into smaller pieces. This makes them easier for your blender to process.
Blend: Place the chopped leaves into your blender. Add 2 cups of filtered water and the optional ginger. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and vibrant green.
Strain the Juice: Place a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth over a large bowl or jar. Pour the blended mixture through the sieve to separate the juice from the pulp. Press down on the pulp with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Serve Chilled: For best results, chill the juice in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy plain or with a squeeze of lime.

Blending Method vs. Manual Squeezing

While a blender is the most common and efficient tool, you can still make ugu juice without one.

Comparison Table: Juicing Methods


Feature	Blending Method	Manual Squeezing Method
Equipment Needed	Blender, fine-mesh sieve	Large bowl, clean hands, fine-mesh sieve/cheesecloth
Preparation Time	Fast (approx. 10-15 minutes)	Slower (approx. 20-30 minutes)
Effort Level	Low	High
Juice Yield	Higher volume, more efficient	Lower volume, less efficient
Resulting Texture	Can be very smooth and consistent	Often contains more pulp, rustic texture

Variations and Flavor Enhancements

To enhance the taste and nutritional value of your ugu juice, consider these additions:

Ugu and Pineapple Juice: Add fresh pineapple chunks to your blender along with the ugu leaves. This adds a natural sweetness and extra Vitamin C.
Sweetened Ugu Juice: For a sweeter taste, blend in a tablespoon of honey, a few dates, or a squeeze of orange juice after straining.
Spiced Ugu Juice: In addition to ginger, a pinch of turmeric or a dash of black pepper can be added during blending for an extra health kick.

Health Benefits of Ugu Leaf Juice

Drinking this vibrant green juice offers several notable health advantages:

Boosts Blood Health: Rich in iron, ugu is traditionally used as a blood tonic and can help combat anemia and fatigue.
Supports Digestive Health: The high dietary fiber content aids digestion, prevents constipation, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Enhances Skin and Eye Health: The combination of Vitamin A and C contributes to healthy vision, glowing skin, and a strengthened immune system.
Provides Antioxidant Protection: Ugu contains antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and harmful toxins.
Supports Lactation: Traditionally, ugu leaves are used by nursing mothers to help increase breast milk production.

Tips for Sourcing and Storing Ugu Leaves

Sourcing fresh ugu leaves is crucial for the best juice. They are commonly available in African or international markets. When selecting, look for vibrant, deep green leaves that are free from blemishes or yellowing. For storage, wrap the fresh leaves in a damp paper towel and place them in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for a few days. For long-term storage, you can blanch and freeze the leaves, although fresh is always best for juicing. For more in-depth information about the plant itself, visit the Wikipedia page on Telfairia occidentalis.

Conclusion

Making and enjoying ugu leaf juice is an excellent way to incorporate a powerful, nutrient-rich beverage into your daily routine. The process is simple, whether you use a blender for a smooth, high-yield juice or the manual method for a more rustic texture. From boosting blood health to aiding digestion, the benefits of this vibrant green elixir are numerous. Experiment with different flavor variations, such as adding pineapple or ginger, to find your perfect blend. With just a few fresh leaves and a little effort, you can prepare a delicious and potent tonic to support your overall health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain ugu leaf juice has a slightly earthy, robust flavor that can be somewhat bitter. However, mixing it with fruits like pineapple or sweetening it with honey can significantly improve the taste.

Yes, you can. After washing the leaves, place them in a bowl with a little water and use clean hands to squeeze and rub them vigorously until the juice is extracted. Then, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth.

Fresh ugu leaves are most commonly found in African and international grocery stores. Some specialty farmers' markets may also carry them.

The juice should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and is best consumed within 24 hours to maximize its nutritional potency. Its flavor may change over time.

Ugu leaves are a rich source of iron, which is essential for red blood cell production. It is traditionally used as a blood tonic to help manage anemia, but it should be used in conjunction with medical advice.

Ugu leaf juice can be a healthy addition to a child's diet. It is often sweetened with fruit juice or milk to make it more palatable for kids. Consult with a pediatrician before introducing any new herbal remedies.

To naturally sweeten the juice, you can blend in fruits like pineapple or oranges, or add natural sweeteners such as honey, dates, or a little agave nectar after straining.