Serpentina
BENEFITS OF SERPENTINA LEAVES.
What are the benefits that you can get from this plant? From what I know, this is good for diabetic in regulating or lowering blood sugar. Furthermore it is also known for its antibiotic property makign good for infections. This is the reason why we took this herbal plant when we are having cough and colds. But in my search about the said plant, there are lot more benefits that we can get from this bitter plant like:
Analagesic – pain killer
Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling
Antibacterial – has a remarkable effect in reducing diarrhea and other bacterial infections
Antimalarial – helps prevent parasite infection and multiplication in the blood stream
Antihepatotoxic and Hepatoprotective – eliminates liver toxins and protects liver and gall bladder
Antipyretic – reduces fever
Antithrombotic – blood clot prevention. Helps prevent heart attack.
Antiviral – inhibits viral activity including HIV (further studies are being made)
Antioxidant – fights free radicals
Canceolytic – cancer fighter or better to say cancer killer
Cardiopotective – protects heart muscles
Choleretic – increases the flow of bile
Depurative – cleans the system especially the blood stream
Expectorant – releases mucus in the respiratory system
Hypoglycemic – lowers blood sugar and protect against diabetes
Immune enhancer – increases immune system
Vermicidal – kills intestinal worms
It can be used againts coughs, headaches, edema, earache, pain conditions, inflammation and muscular pain, arthritis, rheumatism, fibro myalgia, multiple sclerosis, depression, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, candida, lupus, diabetes, piles, fevers, fatigue, hepatitis, herpes, leprosy, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes and other lymphatic conditions, jaundice, dyspepsia, dermatitis, eczema, burns, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, chicken pox, mumps; sluggish liver, spleen, kidneys and adrenal glands; sleeplessness, vaginitis, breast lumps, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and constipation.
On the other hand, it is not recommended for breastfeeding and pregnant women due to its abortive effect.
There are various ways to prepare and use this plant. It can be taken dried leaves or infusion. Most literatures suggest that you need to take 5 to 6 grams of dried leaves per day. Dried leaves can be placed in gelatin capsule or infusion of 1:2 fluid extract taken 3-12 ml per day. The latter is quite good if you can stand the bitterness.
Serpentina has many uses that could benefit our health. The said plant has very low toxicity and no overdosage cases have been reported. Perhaps it is because unlike any other herbs, you won’t wish to have more than the recommended dosage due to its extreme bitterness.
