Blackjack (mutsine/umhlabqngubo/ucucuza) is one of the most commonly found herb that is quite underrated. I believe its largely due to people’s ignorance of the value of this plant.

The plant grows freely throughout the year and is quite often seen as an annoying “weed” by many people. 

But…did you know that blackjack is a very good herb for people’s health as well as treating and preventing many chicken diseases.

Blackjack is an anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-cancer herb. 

After reading this article, I encourage you to look for this plant and even grow it in your garden. 



Benefits of Blackjack to Chickens

  • Prevents coccidiosis which is the number one killer in most young chickens.
  • Improves body weight loss.
  • Contains vitamins and minerals which are essential for chickens. 
  • Prevents digestive disorders.
  • Rich in fiber which is of great importance to chickens. 

How to feed chickens with blackjack

You can use the plant to supplement to your bird’s diet. Just cut the green plants and hang in the fowl run or place on the floor for the chickens to feed on the green leaves, flower buds and soft stems.

You will notice layers, broilers and roadrunners actually love blackjack. 



Benefits of Blackjack to People

  • People living with HIV, diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and cancer are encouraged to religiously take this vegetable that is rich in fiber.
  • Helps with brain function and preventing memory loss related to age.
  • Fights off bacterial and fungal infections and prevents many digestive disorders like acid reflux (nyongo) and bloating.
  • Prevents ulcers.
  • Reduces belly fats.
  • Prevents gout attack by increasing the efficiency of the kidneys to excrete uric acid from the blood.
  • Helps with all types of headaches, toothaches, jaundice, sore throat, fevers, flu, colds, and diarrhoea.

Blackjack treats or prevents so many other diseases not listed above.

How to eat blackjack

You can cook blackjack leaves as a vegetable the same way you cook rape/covo/spinach and serve with your sadza/isitshwala.  

Leaves can also be eaten raw just like you do with lettuce or cabbage.

To drink as a herbal tea, you take a handful of fresh leaves, wash them, boil in water for about 10minutes, sieve and drink the soup.

You can also dry the leaves in a shade, then either boil them or add in boiled water and add your preferred amount of sugar and drink as would do with your tea.




Conclusion

As you can see, blackjack is a universal cure..your balm in Gilead!

Next time you see blackjack, do not just think its just another weed. Harvest it for the benefit of your chickens as well as yourself.

A healthy flock, a healthy farmer, a healthy country!

Disclaimer: 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.