13 Benefits of Katuk Leaves for Health, Not Just for Smooth Breastfeeding

Kapanlagi.com - The katuk leaves plant is known for its benefits for breastfeeding mothers. The scientifically named plant Sauropus androgynus is believed to help with milk production. In addition to being known for this benefit, katuk leaves are also often processed into vegetables or soup. Most people consume them to get the benefits of katuk leaves for health.

Katuk plants, which can be easily found in Indonesia, are not only beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. There are still many benefits of katuk leaves for other health purposes. This is because katuk leaves contain various compounds that are needed for the body's health.

So what are the benefits of katuk leaves for health? Here are the explanations, summarized from various sources.

1. Facilitating Breast Milk

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The benefits of katuk leaves in facilitating breast milk have been believed for generations. However, it turns out that this belief is not just empty words. Because, katuk leaves contain a number of compounds that will support the production of breast milk in breastfeeding women.

One of these compounds is sterol inhalation. Not only facilitating breast milk, other compounds in katuk leaves such as vitamin B, vitamin C, amino acids, iron, and phosphorus are also beneficial for improving the quality of breast milk.

2. Improving Immune System

Katuk leaves have a high content of antioxidants. As we know, antioxidants in the body are useful for counteracting free radicals that can trigger various diseases.

Not only antioxidants, katuk leaves also contain vitamin C. In the human body, vitamin C can function to support the work of antioxidants in maintaining the immune system. This means that by consuming katuk leaves, the immune system will be maintained and not easily get sick.

3. Relieving Flu

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The vitamin C content in katuk leaves can also be beneficial in relieving flu. As mentioned earlier, vitamin C plays a role in boosting the immune system. Therefore, by consuming katuk leaves, the immune system will improve and the body will recover and heal faster from fever or flu.

4. Promoting Bone and Teeth Health

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The fourth benefit of katuk leaves is related to bone and teeth health. The iron content in katuk leaves is not only beneficial for breastfeeding mothers but also for bone and teeth health. Additionally, besides iron, katuk leaves also contain calcium minerals, which are generally useful in maintaining bone density. Therefore, by regularly consuming katuk leaves, bone health and strength will be maintained, and the risk of osteoporosis will be reduced.

5. Improving Vitality in Men

Katuk leaves, which are synonymous with breastfeeding mothers, also have special benefits for men. This is because the green leaves of this plant are believed to improve male vitality. In fact, not only improving vitality, the compounds in katuk leaves are also believed to improve the quality of sperm in men who consume them. 

6. Treating External Wounds

If until now katuk leaves have been consumed in the form of vegetable dishes or juice, it turns out that katuk leaves can also be used as a treatment for external wounds. Without the need to cook or turn it into juice, to treat external wounds, katuk leaves only need to be washed and pounded until smooth. After that, apply it to the surface of the injured skin. The compounds found in the extract of katuk leaves are believed to accelerate the healing process of wounds effectively.

7. Healthy Eyes

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Besides vitamin C, it turns out that katuk leaves also contain a lot of vitamin A. It is already a common secret that vitamin A is a good type of vitamin for eye health. This is because vitamin A in katuk leaves is believed to stimulate cell growth in the eyes. This means that consuming katuk leaves regularly can be one of the efforts to care for and maintain eye health.

8. Managing Diabetes

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Diabetes is one of the most feared deadly diseases. This disease can trigger complications. Katuk leaves can be used as a natural ingredient to treat diabetes. Consuming katuk leaves is believed to lower the glycemic index. As a result, it will affect the blood sugar levels, which will also be lower.

9. Preventing Heart Disease

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The next amazing benefit of katuk leaves is that they can prevent heart disease. This is because katuk leaves contain high levels of calcium. In our body, calcium plays an important role in reducing high blood pressure. As a result, the condition of the heart's health will be better maintained.

10. Overcoming Anemia

Anemia or a disease caused by a lack of red blood cells can be experienced by anyone. When experiencing it, the body will feel weak, lethargic, and even have difficulty concentrating. As a result, various activities will be disrupted. Fortunately, this health problem can also be overcome simply by consuming katuk leaves.

The content in katuk leaf extract is beneficial in improving the efficiency of digestion absorption. This has an impact on slowing down chronic diseases in the blood vessels. In other words, indirectly by consuming katuk leaves regularly, it will overcome anemia problems.

11. Hair Nutrition Source

For those of you who crave healthy and beautiful hair, katuk leaves can be one of the options. This is because katuk leaves contain phytochemical compounds that are beneficial for hair health. To utilize it, you can use finely ground katuk leaves as a hair mask. Because it is natural, this method is relatively safe to apply to babies and children.

In addition, there are also active compounds such as eicosanoid prostaglandin, lipoxin, leukotriene, thromboxane, and prostacyclin which are believed to stimulate testosterone, glucocorticoid, estradiol, and progesterone hormones that make hair healthy and soft.

12. Enhance Children's Intelligence

Not only beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women, katuk leaves are also good for children. Parents can process katuk leaves into puree or soup. In children, katuk leaves are believed to provide extraordinary benefits to the brain. This is due to the high iron content in katuk leaves. With these nutritional contents, the baby's brain ability will be more stimulated, so that the baby can grow into an intelligent child.

13. Preventing Obesity

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In addition to difficulty in physical activity, excessive weight or obesity can also trigger various diseases. Obesity generally occurs due to the accumulation of fatty tissue caused by excess weight. Consumption of katuk leaves is believed to slow down the accumulation of fat in the body. However, research on this particular benefit is still being further explored through studies.

Those are among the 13 benefits of katuk leaves for health. Although it has many benefits, it is advisable to still pay attention to the amount of katuk leaves consumed. Do not consume too much, as it is feared that it will disrupt health.

(kpl/psp)