Growing in pots right in our balcony are herbal plants which were introduced to us as Ashitaba (Tomorrow's Leaf). My online research showed, however, that whereas Ashitaba leaves look like enlarged flat version of parsley leaves, Sabunggai leaves are ovate-elliptic shaped as in the above picture. The stems turn purple once they matured which we cut and replant for propagation.
Known in English as Longevity Spinach, this plant is known to thrive in thickets along streams, in old clearings, usually in fertile moist soil, at low and medium altitudes from Northern Luzon to Mindanao. Although there are no seeds, this plant grows easily, as i said, from matured stem cuttings. It is known to be an herbal treatment of eruptive fever, rash, kidney disease, migraine, constipation, hypertension, diabetes and cancer according to some sources.
People who use this for various remedies recommend consumption of 3 to 7 raw leaves a day. In Singapore, the Chinese believe it has the ability to lower blood pressure and sugar levels. In Indonesia, the leaves are used as cancer medication. In Thai folk medicine, it is used to treat topical inflammation, rheumatism, and viral ailments. In the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, the plant is grown in the rice fields as a "remedy for rice aphids".
To date, limited number of scientific studies were done on this herbal plant, mostly vitro and in vivo studies. A study conducted in Singapore used diabetic rat models which showed that an alcoholic extract of Gynura Procumbens was able to reduce elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Another one by the Korean researchers reported that this herb possesses anti-hypertensive properties in a rat model.
My cousin in her golden years, who introduced this herbal plant to us, eats several leaves daily. Combined with balanced diet, the mild tasting raw leaves boost her energy level and help in maintaining her ideal body weight. Her sister suffered from anemia and was taking oral medicines. Several months after eating the raw leaves of Sabunggai, she was able to stop taking the prescribed drugs. In our own household, my mother who is in her 70's and was diagnosed with mild diabetes started eating Sabunggai leaves late last year. The immediate visible effect on her, would you believe, is thicker hair without any grey hair growth. Our helper started eating the leaves too. She swears she has thicker hair and longer eyelashes now. Aside from that, her pimples slowly dried up and got healed.
I eat 4 raw Sabunggai leaves daily, initially because I thought they were the general health tonic Ashitaba leaves. This harmless herb, however, gave me clearer complexion and thicker black hair, and probably internal health benefits too. Now, who wouldn't want that?
Other reads:
Philippine Medicinal Plants
Diabetes Living
