MIRACLE LEAF AND LIFE PLANT (Botanical name- Bryophyllum pinnatum) (ewe ABAMODA in Yoruba)

'Wonder of the World' also known as Miracle Leaf and Life Plant (Botanical name- Bryophyllum pinnatum) is a succulent perennial herb, which grows up to 1m- 2m in height. The stems are thick, flexible and short and the flowers are pink, white or purple in colour. It forms a cymose panicle. Dried carrot like tuberous root is most important part of Patharchur. This is a branched aromatic herb. The nodes are often hairy in some species. It is grown in the garden for ornamental purposes but did you know it's also a natural healer?

The rhizome of this plant can be used as a preventive of the kidney stone or for the treatment of this. Tubers in India are eaten as a condiment.

HEALTH BENEFITS AND HOW TO USE

· Treats Kidney stones: In case of kidney stones, give 40-50 ml decoction of whole plant twice a day. You can also give the decoction with 500 mg and 2 gm of honey mixed in it. Give this twice a day, it cures bile stone easily.

· Useful in Urinary disorders: Give 5 ml juice of its leaves to the patient suffering from thirst and any disorder related to urinary system. It is a very good and effective cure. In case of urine related disorder in men, give 40-60 ml of its decoction with 2 gm. honey mixed in it. Give this twice a day.

· Helpful in Boils: Slightly warm its leaves and crush them. Tie it as poultice on the affected area. It cures boils, redness and swelling too.

· For Hypertension: Give 5-10 drops of the extract of its aerial parts. It is beneficial in controlling blood pressure.

· Curbs Leukemia: Give 5-10 drops of the extract of its aerial part, twice a day. It is beneficial in blood cancer.

· For Vaginal disorders: In case of vaginal flow in women, give 40-60 ml decoction with 2 gm. honey mixed in it. Give this twice a day.

· Treats Headache: Crush its leaves and apply on the forehead. It cures headache.

· Aids in Eye pain: Extract the juice of its leaves and apply all around the eyes. It cures pain in the white part of eyes.

· Treatment for Wounds: Slightly warm the leaves and then crush them and tie on the wound. It helps the wound heal faster and also eliminates the scar.

· Cures bleeding diarrhea: Give 3-6 gm. juice of its leaves with cumin seeds and double amount of ghee mixed in it. Give this to the patient thrice a day. It controls the blood flow in diarrhea.

· Manage leucorrhoea: For women who suffer from leucorrhoea ailment, use the decoction of the leaves twice daily. It helps delay the flow of blood within the blood vessels.

· Treat piles at home: Drink the extract of the leaves twice daily to get an effective cure for piles.

· Good for the liver: Bryophyllum pinnatum promotes the health of the liver. You can cure jaundice fast.

· Treat ear pain: Get a fast cure for your ear pain by applying the juice of the leaves.

· Cure boils: Crush a few leaves and form a poultice. Apply this on the boils. You can use this on redness and swelling of the skin.

· Helps heart health: It improves the health of the heart.

· Treat colds and coughs: For common cold and coughs, the juice of the leaves along with sugar candy will help. This can help people suffering from asthma also.

· Anti-inflammatory property: By applying the paste of the leaves on the place of the swelling, you can reduce it significantly.

· Relieves stomach ache: If you have a stomach ache, you can get relief by having the decoction of the leaves.

· Diuretic action: You can cure urinary disorders with the juice of the Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf. This is good for curing excessive thirst. Drink a potion of 40-60 ml every day in the morning and evening.

· Teething problems: Babies who are cutting their first teeth will have relief from the pain.

· Anthelmintic action: Bryophyllum pinnatum helps remove worms in the intestine effectively. Have the decoction of the leaves twice a day with honey.

· Antipyretic property: If you have a fever, the miracle leaf will help relieve your symptoms.

· Corrects dysentery: Have the leaf extract with honey to get relief from dysentery.

· Helps with weight management: You can lose weight by using the Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves.

· Prevents grey hair: Regular use of the miracle leaf will help prevent the greying of hair. It promotes the health of the scalp too.

· Good anti-oxidant property: Make tea with the dried leaves and have it twice or thrice a day. This will help you fight free radicals better.

· Helpful for diabetics: Control your diabetes with the Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves. Have the decoction twice every day and see your blood sugar levels drop significantly.

· Cures constipation: You can get relief from your constipation by having the tea made from the dried powder of the Bryophyllum pinnatum.

· Purifies blood: Miracle leaf has a purifying action on the blood. It removes the toxins and helps improve your health.

· Juice for chest cold: Warm 3 leaves and juice them. This should yield 2-3 tablespoon of leaf of life juice. Add a pinch of salt. Take one tablespoon three times a day for as long as needed.

· Poultice for skin ulcer, sprains and insect stings: Grind 7 fresh leaves into a poultice. Apply the poultice evenly to the affected area. Apply a fresh poultice twice a day, morning and night, as often as needed.

· Pounded leaves are applied as poultices to the soles of the feet to stop hemorrhages.

· Leaves are used as topical in dislocation, ecchymoses, callosities.

· It is widely used as an herbal remedy for many different types of ailments, especially bronchial conditions.

· An herbal tea made from this herb is useful to treat conditions such as shortness of breath, kidney failure, menstrual problems, asthma, coughs, bronchitis, as well as chest cold.

· Crushed medicinal leaves of this herb will bring relief from insect bites, bruises, boils, and also skin ulcers.

· Poultice of the crushed leaves can also be applied to the outer body for sprains, pains, as well earaches.

· Placing the back of the leaves on open sores, cuts and wounds will promote healing, stops bleeding as well as prevents infection.

· Stem as well as the leaves can be placed in water and taken daily to rid the body of mucous and waste matter.

· Fresh leaves of leaf of life can also be eaten raw as a medicinal remedy for asthma, bronchitis and intestinal problems.

· Leaf extract is taken on an empty stomach for treatment of urinary bladder stones and fever in children in Arunachal Pradesh.

· Cough medicine is made from the roots in Sierra Leon

· Heated leaves used for swellings and abscesses in Jamaica.

· It is used for rheumatoid arthritis, bruises, burns and ulcers in China.

· In the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, leaves used in combination with Opuntia stricta and Euphorbia hypericifolia to treat gonorrhea.

To make an easy and quick cup of leaf of life tea:

· Bring one cup of water to boil then add 3 leaves of life leaves; let simmer for 3 minutes.

· Remove from heat and allow it to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

· Remove leaves from the tea, pour in cup and sweeten with 1 to 2 teaspoons of organic honey.

If you are making more than one cup, increase serving size of boiling water and amount of leaves added.

Warning

• Patients under ‘Aspirin’ medication should take care to take the decoction or fresh juice of the Bryophyllum pinnatum as it may interact or reduce the efficacy of Aspirin.

• Wonder of the world should not be consumed during pregnancy!