Not only do they make the streets more dreamy, but the Lagerstroemia also has a high therapeutic value, as most parts of the plant can be used to prepare medicinal products.
What You Need to Know When Using Lagerstroemia
In the May sunshine, many streets and corners in Hanoi and various provinces across the country are filled with the purple hue of Lagerstroemia flowers.
The presence of this beautiful, gentle, and romantic flower makes the streets more beloved and poetic.
However, not everyone knows that Lagerstroemia also has medicinal properties that can help stop bleeding, relieve pain, promote blood circulation, and lower blood sugar levels.
1. Introduction to Lagerstroemia
Lagerstroemia, scientifically known as Lagerstroemia calyculata Kurz., is a plant native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and has various names such as Săng lẻ, Bằng lang, Truol, etc.
Almost every part of the plant has medicinal properties. For instance, the bark is commonly used to assist in treating diarrhea, while extracts from the roots and fruits are believed to have pain-relieving effects.
Notably, the leaves of Lagerstroemia contain over 40 beneficial compounds, prominently featuring corosolic acid and ellagic acid. The leaves provide multiple health benefits, with their ability to lower blood sugar being particularly noteworthy.
The leaves of Lagerstroemia contain over 40 beneficial compounds, the most notable benefit being support for diabetes treatment (Image: Internet)
2. Health Benefits of Lagerstroemia
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lagerstroemia has a distinctive fragrance, is astringent, non-toxic, has strong antibacterial properties, and tightens the skin.
Modern medicine and studies show that Lagerstroemia leaves have various medicinal properties and provide potential health benefits such as:
2.1. Blood Sugar Control
Lagerstroemia leaves are believed to help control blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for diabetes treatment.
The reason Lagerstroemia leaves have this effect is due to their content of compounds such as corosolic acid, ellagitannin, and gallotannins, specifically:
- Corosolic acid lowers blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose absorption, and inhibiting alpha-glucosidase—a type of enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates.
- In addition to corosolic acid, ellagitannin—specifically lagerstroemin, flosin B, and reginin A— also improves blood sugar levels. These compounds promote glucose absorption by activating glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), a protein that transports glucose from the blood into muscle and fat cells.
- Gallotannin can stimulate the process of glucose transport into cells. It is even hypothesized that a type of gallotannin called penta-O-galloyl-glucopyranose (PGG) has higher stimulating activity than corosolic acid and ellagitannin.
Lagerstroemia leaves help control blood sugar levels due to the presence of compounds like corosolic acid, ellagitannin, and gallotannins. (Image: Internet).
2.2. Antioxidant Properties
Lagerstroemia leaves contain many antioxidants such as phenols and flavonoids, including quercetin, corosolic acid, gallic acid, and ellagic acid, which combat free radicals.
Free radicals are agents that cause genetic mutations, contributing to an increased risk of cancer or other diseases.
The antioxidants found in Lagerstroemia help eliminate free radicals and lessen their harmful effects. Notably, ellagic acid in Lagerstroemia is a strong antioxidant associated with improving overall health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
2.3. Preventing Obesity
Recent studies indicate that Lagerstroemia may help prevent obesity by inhibiting fat formation.
Additionally, polyphenols in the leaves, such as penta galloyl glucose (PGG), can block the precursor of fat cells from transforming into mature fat cells.
However, most studies on this topic have been conducted in vitro, so human studies are needed.
2.4. Reducing Heart Disease Risk
Studies in animals and humans show that corosolic acid and PGG in Lagerstroemia leaves can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This can minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Corosolic acid and PGG in Lagerstroemia leaves can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, aiding in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. (Image: Internet).
2.5. Other Potential Benefits
Lagerstroemia leaves also offer many other health benefits, including:
- Anti-cancer effects: In vitro studies show that extracts from Lagerstroemia leaves can combat certain types of cancer.
- Potential antibacterial and antiviral properties: Extracts from Lagerstroemia leaves may protect against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus megaterium, as well as viruses like HRV, which causes upper respiratory infections.
- Extracts from Lagerstroemia leaves have anti-thrombotic effects, preventing high blood pressure and strokes.
- The antioxidants in Lagerstroemia extracts may protect the kidneys from damage caused by chemotherapy drugs.
3. Some Remedies from Lagerstroemia
Below are some remedies that support the treatment of various ailments using Lagerstroemia. However, these remedies are only supportive treatments and should not replace medical advice. It is advisable to consult a doctor or Traditional Medicine practitioner before applying these remedies.
- Remedy for diabetes treatment: Use 50g of mature Lagerstroemia leaves or 50g of dried fruit steeped in 0.5 liters of boiling water, drinking about 4 to 6 cups daily.
- Support for weight loss: Boil Lagerstroemia leaves in water and drink daily; this remedy helps prevent carbohydrate accumulation and reduces fat formation.
- Support for treating diarrhea and dysentery: Use 20 to 30g of Lagerstroemia bark, cut into small pieces, dried, and decocted with 400ml of water until it reduces to 100ml; drink twice a day.
- Burn treatment: Use 300g of Lagerstroemia bark. Take 100g to boil with water to make a thick solution for washing the wound. The remaining 200g should be chopped, boiled with water twice, filtered, and concentrated into a liquid extract to apply 2 to 3 times a day.
- Diuretic remedy: This is very simple; just use Lagerstroemia leaves to brew and drink daily like tea, which supports diuresis and prevents urinary tract infections.
- Reduce infection risk: Use Lagerstroemia bark to make a concentrated extract, then apply it to wounds to reduce infection and create a protective layer over the wound.
Lagerstroemia is used in many Traditional Medicine remedies. (Image: Internet).
4. Cautions When Using Lagerstroemia
Using Lagerstroemia leaves is generally safe, but to prevent possible side effects, individuals should note the following:
- Since Lagerstroemia leaves can lower blood sugar levels, do not combine them with other diabetes medications like metformin or with other foods that are used to lower blood sugar.
- Those allergic to other plants in the Lythraceae family—such as pomegranate and loosestrife—should exercise caution when using Lagerstroemia, as they may be more sensitive to this plant.
- A study on adults with diabetes and impaired kidney function reported that corosolic acid from Lagerstroemia leaves could lead to kidney damage when taken with diclofenac—an NSAID used to treat joint pain. Therefore, caution is advised or consult a doctor when taking any medications.
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