5 Unique Avocado Leaves Benefits You Need to Know
Many of us know that Avocado fruit is a healthy food. That’s why we love it.
But some studies now show that other sections of the Avocado plant may have more benefits than the fruit.
One study found that Avocado leaves, peel, and seeds contain important health benefits. These benefits include cardioprotective, anti-obesity, lipid lowering, anti-convulsant, and antithrombotic effects.
Research suggests that four main compounds in sections of the Avocado tree are responsible for the benefits of Avocado.
We share some unique benefits of consuming Avocado leaves in this article. So keep reading.
Avocado Leaves Uses
Traditional uses of Avocado leaves have either been culinary or medicinal.
Avocado leaves are used in Central and American Cuisine. Cooks toast the leaves and use them to wrap meats, poultry, and fish for grilling.
Adding a few avocado leaves to stews, soups and black bean recipes is also a common practice. The leaves give off a flavor that is similar to hazelnuts which enhances the flavor of different foods.
You can also add a few of the young leaves to your fresh salad. But keep in mind that fresh Avocado leaves may have a slightly bitter taste because they contain quercetin.
Additionally, Avocado leaf tea is used as herbal medicine to expel kidney stones and reduce the frequency of convulsions in some locations.
When avocado tree leaves are used as medicine, they are generally used to make herbal tea.
The herbal tea is consumed for relieving toothaches, stomach aches,and lowering blood pressure. It is taken to relieve breathing problems caused by asthma as well.
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Avocado Tree Leaves
Avocado tree leaves are between 1.5 to 4 inches wide and 4 to 10 inches long depending on the variety. They have a dark green color.
Younger leaves have a more olive green color, but the leaves get darker green as they get older.
The upper side of Avocado leaves are shiny and feel leather-like. On the other hand, the underside have a matte appearance.
Strong lighter green or whitish veins run through Avocado tree leaves. Dried avocado leaves are brown.
Health Benefits Of Avocado Leaf
Researchers identified forty one active compounds in the Avocado leaf. Eighteen of these compounds were detected for the first time in that type of plant.
But four main compounds found in the Avocado plant are responsible for its health benefits.
A 2017 study states that the Avocado leaf is a good source of Steroids, Phenolics, Vitamins, Carotenoids and Minerals. But what are these compounds good for? Here’s how they work.
1. Steroids
These are Organic compounds that fight stress related to injuries and illnesses. They are sometimes called corticosteroids.
Steroids reduce inflammation. That is good because Chronic inflammation reportedly contributes to numerous diseases.
These diseases include arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
2. Carotenoids
They are plentiful in many fruits and vegetables including Avocado leaves.
A number of Clinical studies link consumption of carotenoids with lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and eye disease.
Various natural carotenoids including lycopene and lutein reportedly demonstrate cancer preventive activity.
3. Quercetin
Quercetin is one of the flavonoids found in Avocado leaves.This organic compound gives some fruits and other foods their bitter taste.
Quercetin is well documented as having powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Therefore, Quercetin may help relieve health issues related to acute or chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation reportedly contributes to numerous diseases, including arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
4. Phenolic Compounds
These plant compounds are known to inhibit the growth and progression of cancer tumors.
Phenolic compounds are present in large quatities in many foods. Some of the foods that naturally have these compounds are grapes, onions and some teas. They are plentiful in Avocado leaves.
| Minerals | Functions |
|---|---|
| Sodium | helps maintain water balance in and around body cells |
| Calcium | supports structure and hardness of teeth and bones |
| Potassium | helps with proper muscle function, including the heart muscle |
| Magnesium | controls muscles and nerves operation |
| Iron | makes hemoglobin which enable transportation of oxygen around the body |
| Zinc | assist the body in fighting bacteria and improves skin health |
| Manganese | aids in increase blood flow throughout the body |
5. Vitamins and Minerals
Avocado leaves are good source of Vitamins and Minerals. These include Vitamins A, C and E, Magnesium, Potassium, and Iron.
Vitamin A is a essential nutrient for the body. It is important for the eyes, good skin health and building up the immune system. Vitamin A is needed for good heart health.
Potassium and Iron are also essential maintaining good blood pressure and oxygen flow throughout the body.
How to Make Avocado Tea
- Place one and a half cups of water in a saucepan
- Add 2 tablespoons of crushed Avocado leaves (six leaves)
- Boil for about 5 minutes
- Strain, Sweeten and Serve (Serving for 1)
So how do you make avocado leaf tea? Dried or fresh leaves are used to make. Avocado leaf tea.
It may be easier to use find dried leave to make the tea. The process is similar to making any other Jamaican bush tea.
Avocado Leaf Tea Benefits
Drinking Avocado tea is a common home remedy for many common ailments.
Traditionally Avocado leaf teas has been used as medicine to treat toothaches, and stomach aches.
Some other ailments the tea is used to treat are: hypertension, asthma, kidney stones, and convulsions.
Here is a list of some benefits you can get from drinking a cup of Avocado leaf tea.
Avocado Tea Benefits
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Stomach ulers
- High cholosterol
- Asthma
- Seasonal Allergies
- Skin Inflammation
Where to Buy Avocado Leaves
Dried avocado leaves may be found in your local grocery store or farmers market. They can also be purchased from online stores.
Etsy.Com has a wide selection of Avocado products. They include dried leaves, Avocado powder, capsules and live plants. You can even order whole Avocado fruits there.
Conclusion
In summary, Avocado leaves are a great source of many benefits. A cup of Avocado Leaf tea will provide you with some much needed daily nutrients.
In addition to nutrition you may also get other benefits too. Those benefits can be headache relief, improved digestion, and stress relief.
Research reveals that chemicals in Avocado leaves may help reduce hypertension, lower blood glucose and reduce convulsion. Anti-cancer compounds were also identified the leaves.
However, keep in mind that these are preliminary findings. More human studies need to be done.
In the meantime you may enjoy the calming effect of a warm cup of Avocado Leaf tea whenever you like.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes. It has not been reviewed by the FDA. Therefore nothing on the site should be viewed as medical advice. Please contact your Professional Healthcare Provider about matters relating to your medical care.