This type of leaf is used to control blood sugar, prevent gout, cardiovascular diseases, and keep the kidneys healthy.
Chayote, also known as breadfruit, is a flowering tree that was first discovered in Malaysia and the islands of the South Pacific region. Chayote is grown across tropical areas, including the southern provinces of Vietnam. In particular, it is widely cultivated in the Mekong Delta and some northern mountainous provinces.
All parts of the chayote plant provide health benefits: the fruit is processed into dishes, while the leaves, bark, and roots are used to treat various ailments in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Notably, fresh or dried chayote leaves can be used alone or combined with other herbs to effectively support the treatment of liver, heart, kidney issues, spleen enlargement, high blood pressure, inflammation, skin itching, diabetes, and more.
All parts of the chayote plant provide health benefits.
Below are the details of the beneficial effects of chayote leaves that have been scientifically proven:
Blood Sugar Regulation
Several studies have shown that chayote leaves contain quercetin and camphorol, which can protect the pancreas from damage and help control blood sugar levels. These leaves are rich in flavonoid antioxidants that can prevent inflammation and oxidative stress that leads to diabetes. Additionally, chayote leaves help stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin, effectively stabilizing blood sugar levels.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine for diabetes treatment, chayote leaves are often combined with okra and young guava leaves, brewed into a drink for daily consumption. If you wish to use chayote leaves to control blood sugar, it’s essential to consult with a doctor to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Uric Acid Elimination and Gout Prevention
When uric acid levels in the blood rise, the body fails to eliminate it or does so slowly, leading to the crystallization of urate crystals that deposit in the joints, causing gout. Gout attacks come with severe pain and sudden swelling, particularly at night.
Drinking chayote leaf tea by directly boiling the leaves can help gradually reduce uric acid levels in the body. Moreover, chayote leaves possess anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and liver-cooling properties, thereby improving blood circulation to the kidneys and effectively reducing inflammation in the joints.
Chayote Leaf Tea.
Cholesterol Reduction
A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats found in red meat, fried foods, and processed foods can lead to elevated cholesterol levels. When the body cannot process the excess cholesterol, it can eventually cause cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke.
According to research from China, drinking chayote leaf tea is an effective solution for lowering cholesterol levels, helping to eliminate excess cholesterol from the blood through the digestive tract. With its high potassium content, chayote leaf water also enhances blood circulation and stabilizes blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Kidney Detoxification
Drinking chayote leaf water can promote diuresis and effectively detoxify the kidneys, optimizing kidney function.
Cancer Prevention
Chayote leaves are rich in antioxidants, which can help combat cancer. The antioxidants in chayote leaves neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, thus effectively preventing cancer risk.
Chayote is grown across tropical regions, including the southern provinces of Vietnam.
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, chayote leaves are also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat jaundice, toothaches, hypertension, skin infections, and promote wound healing…
Precautions When Using Chayote Leaves
Although chayote leaves offer numerous health benefits, they can also cause some side effects if not used correctly or in excess. Due to their diuretic properties and ability to lower blood pressure, excessive use may lead to dangerously low blood pressure, causing dizziness or fainting.
Furthermore, chayote leaves may interact with certain medications, particularly antihypertensive and diuretic drugs, so it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using this herb and to adhere to the prescribed dosage.
