This plant is a common roadside plant found throughout the tropics - from the beaches to the mountains, and even known as an ornamental in some home gardens in temperate regions. Kalanchoe Pinnata is the proper name. Here in Costa Rica it is known as Life Everlasting, Hoja de Aire (Air Leaf), Siempre Vida, and Hoja Milagra (Miracle Leaf.) Kalanchoe is an excellent choice for any bronchial issues - coughs, asthma, lung weakness, and infections, as well as an effective remedy for fevers, colds, inflammation, ulcers, cancer, and more. The flowers are NOT edible and are considered toxic to humans. The medicine is in the leaf. A typical folk remedy for using kalanchoe is to blend the fresh leaves in water, filter, and drink several times a day for coughs, asthma, colds, and fevers. Kalanchoe leaf can also be used like aloe vera for sun burns, boils, and other skin issues.Mash the fresh leaf and apply to affected area. TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES Kalanchoe is somewhat of a panacea to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon; they employ it for many different purposes. The Creoles use the lightly roasted leaves for cancer and inflammations, and a leaf infusion is a popular remedy for fevers. The Palikur mix the leaf juice with coconut oil or andiroba oil and then rub it on the forehead for migraines and headaches. To the Siona indigenous peoples, kalanchoe is known as boil medicine and they heat the leaves and apply them topically to boils and skin ulcers. Along the Rio Pastaza in Ecuador, natives use a leaf infusion for broken bones and internal bruises. In Peru, indigenous tribes mix the leaf with aguardiente (sugar cane rum) and apply the mixture to the temples for headaches; they soak the leaves and stems overnight in cold water and then drink it for heartburn, urethritis, and fevers. The root is also prepared as an infusion and used for epilepsy. Other tribes in the Amazon squeeze the juice from fresh leaves and mix it with mothers milk for earaches. Throughout South America kalanchoe has had a long history of use. It is commonly called the miracle leaf and life leaf for its remarkable healing properties. In Brazil the plant is considered a sedative, wound-healer, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and cough suppressant. It is used for all sorts of respiratory conditions-from asthma and coughs to bronchitis. It is also employed for kidney stones, gastric ulcers, skin disorders and edema of the legs. Externally a leaf infusion or the leaf juice is used for headaches, toothaches, earaches, eye infections, wounds, ulcers, boils, burns and insect bites. In Peru the plant is employed for the same uses. In Mexico and Nicaragua kalanchoe is used for similar purposes and also to promote menstruation and assist in childbirth. Main Uses: applied externally and taken internally for all types of pain and inflammation applied externally and taken internally for various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections for leishmaniasis for earaches (leaf juice dropped into ear) for upper respiratory infections, flu, and fever Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-allergic, anti-anaphylactic (reduces allergic reactions), anti-inflammatory, antitumorous, antiulcerous, antibacterial, antifungal, antihistamine, antiviral, central nervous system depressant, febrifuge (reduces fever) gastroprotective (protects the gastric tract), immunosuppressive (suppresses some immune cells), immunomodulator (modulates some overactive immune cells), insecticidal, muscle relaxant, sedative Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: anticonvulsant, antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), cough suppressant, carminative (expels gas), cough suppressant, diuretic, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), menstrual stimulant, refrigerant (lowers body temperature), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), uterine stimulant, vasoconstrictor, wound healer Cautions: Avoid long-term use because of its immune suppressant effects. Thanks to Leslie Taylor and RainTree for some of this info!
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:48:27 +0000
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