The leaves of the soul, or also known as the leaves of the gods, are believed to have many health benefits. Plants with Latin names Gynura procumbens It grows a lot in Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, including in Indonesia.
Several studies reported that the extract of the continued life of the leaves contains a variety of chemically active substances that are good for health, such as saponins, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol, astragalin, and rutin.
The antioxidants contained in the life-long leaves can fight free radicals in the body that can damage cells and cause cancer. In addition, this leaf is also believed to be used to treat heart disease and diabetes.
To find out more about the benefits of continued life leaves for health, see the following description.
Benefits of Connecting Life Leaves
There are several benefits of life-sustaining leaves for health that have been studied, namely:
1. Relieves inflammation
The content of ethanol, steroids, flavonoids, and kaempferol in the extract of the continued life leaves has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Therefore, this plant is believed to relieve inflammation, such as rheumatism, and certain diseases caused by viruses.
2. Help fight cancer
This plant has long been used as a traditional treatment for blood cancer, uterine cancer, and breast cancer. Extracts from life-long leaves show activity that can prevent the growth and division of cancer cells, and can kill these cells. That way, the spread of cancer to other organs can be prevented.
Even so, this research is still limited to laboratory trials, so that further research is needed on the effectiveness of life-long leaves in the treatment of cancer in humans.
3. Overcoming diabetes and infertility
Several studies have reported that the extract of continued life leaves can lower blood sugar levels. In addition, this leaf is also reported to be able to overcome the problem of infertility due to diabetes by increasing the number, movement, and quality of sperm, and reducing the percentage of dead sperm.
4. Overcoming digestive disorders
Injuries to the stomach and intestines that can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract are also believed to be relieved by extracts of continued life leaves. In addition, this leaf extract appears to prevent gastric ulcers from forming and protect the lining of the stomach.
5. Overcoming hypertension and protecting the heart
Several studies have reported that life-long leaves can overcome high blood pressure (hypertension) by preventing activity angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which is an enzyme that regulates blood pressure and dilates blood vessels. With hypertension resolved, the risk for heart disease can also be reduced.
6. Fights germs that cause infection
The usefulness of life-long leaf extract in overcoming disease germs has been widely studied. This leaf is reported to be able to prevent reproduction Plasmodium cause of malaria.
Not only that, life-long leaves can also inhibit the activity of the virus that causes herpes simplex; infection-causing bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, and Salmonella typhi; and fungi that cause ringworm, such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.
7. Prevent kidney disease
A study reported that life-long leaf extract can inhibit cell division and DNA synthesis which can cause kidney disorders.
However, all of these studies are still very limited. Further studies are still needed to ascertain the health benefits of the leaves, their effectiveness in preventing or treating disease, as well as their dosage and safety when used as herbal remedies.
How to Consume the Leaf Connecting Life
Life-long leaves can be consumed in various ways. You can eat it raw as a salad or process it into a side dish. You can also drink a decoction of the leaves of life, like drinking tea by boiling a few leaves and drinking the boiled water.
If you want to take life-sustaining leaves in the form of supplements, make sure there is a distribution permit number registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and use it according to the instructions for use listed on the packaging.
Although many properties or benefits of life-sustaining leaves have been studied, there is not enough evidence to confirm the benefits of this plant in medicine. Therefore, consult with your doctor before you consume the leaves of continued life, especially if you are taking certain medications, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Written by:
dr. Alya Hananti