7 Proven Leaf of Life Plant Benefits You’ll Like

The Leaf of Life Plant

What is the Leaf of Life Plant? And what is the plant good for?

Leaf of Life is a succulent perennial herb that is native to Madagascar. In Madagascar natives grow Leaf of life as a houseplant.

However, in many locations across the globe, Life of life plant is regarded as a medicinal plant because of the number of health benefits the plant has.

And several sutdies have confirmed some benefits of Leaf of Life plant.

In this article we will take a closer look at the plant. Then we will see what Researchers say about the benfits of Leaf of Life plant. So continue reading.

Kalanchoe Pinnata	Cathedral Bells	Live Forever Plant
Miracle Leaf	Air Plant	Love Bush
Life Plant	Goethe Plant	Never die plant

Each plant has leave that are between 5 and 7 thick. The curved leaves have red serrated edges.

Leaves of live can be between 4 and 6 inches long. Mini plants which are called Bulbils, grow from the edges of Leaves of life.

These mini plants can eventually become independent plants if they make contact with soil.

The blooms are reddish bell shaped flowers with a paper-like outer covering. The flowers are also called Cathedral bells. The plant blooms throughout most of the year.

Leaf of Life Health Benefits

Several studies report that the Leaf of life plant may potentially be used to treat some of health conditions. These conditions include:

Type 2 Diabetes

One study using extracts of the Leaf of life plant was done using rats as test subjects. The goal was to determine the antidiabetic effects of Leaf of Life.

The results show that Leaves of life extract caused significant lowering of blood glucose levels in the tested animals.

Insomnia

In an  experiment, 49 pregnant women who suffered from sleep disorders were treated with chewable Leaf of Life tablets for 14 days. 

Results showed that the number of wake up times. Their general quality of sleep during the night improved significantly. As a result they were less sleepy during the daytime.

However, there was no change in how long it took them to fall asleep. Nor did it change how long they slept for.

A good night’s sleep evades millions of people around the globe. Leaf life may be able to help them.

Overactive Bladder

In Switzerland 174 women were prescribed Bryophyllum Pinnatum tablets to treat overactive bladder. 

Thirteen percent of those participants were asked to complete a 31 months questionaire. Two thirds of those women reported getting “very good” results at the end of the trial.

Asthma

Numerous studies have been done to determine whether the Miracle leaf plant is able to treat asthma.

In one trial guinea pigs were exposed to histamine aerosol. The guinea pigs were given 200 mg to 300 mg of Leaves of Life extracts for 21 days.

The results showed that the extract significantly reduced the coughing bouts the test subjects experienced.

Cervical Cancer

Research done to examine the anticancer and anti-Human Papillomavirus (HPV) activities in Leaves of life extracts showed positive results.

The reports reveal that the extracts slowed the growth of the cancer cells. In addition, it shows a specific anti-HPV activity on cervical cancer cells.

The conclusion was that more research needs to be done to determine the potential for the plant being used as therapeutic cancer treatment. 

Premature Births

Several studies report that Bryophyllum Pinnatum inhibits unterine contractions that can lead to premature births.

It made the recommendation that in vitro trials continue to determine if the plant is a useful treatment option for patients.

In the mean time, it is currently used for treatment of premature labor in Switzerland.

Between 1990 and 2000 one German Gynecologist corporated Life of life extract in his treatment for premature labor. 

Since then, the incidence of premature births is reported to have decreased by 1.1 percent.

Kidney Stones

In many places Leaf of life plant tea or juice is used as a treatment for kidney stones.

Many studies have been done to determine whether Leaf of life can really help expel kidney stones.

Male Wister rats were used as test subjects in one experiment. They were divided into groups.

Some groups were given a treatment of liquid Leaf of life extract for 28 days. While others did not receive the extract.

At the end of 28 days the animals were killed and their kidneys tested.

The kidneys of the animals that received Leaf of life extracts weighed less and the calcium oxalate deposits were significantly reduced.

Disclosure: This artile may contain Affiliate links. So if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission.

Leaf of Life Plant Benefits

Below are some proven health benefits of the Leaf of life plant.

Researchers indentified a number of bioactive compounds in Bryophyllum pinnatum. That is the biological name for the Leaf of life plant. Here are a few of the compounds and what they do.

Terpenes. Some terpenes have a regulating effect on cholesterol. Others reduce stress, alleviate depression, and  induce.

Steroids. They are used in modern medicine to treat autoimmune diseases, respiratory, and inflammatory conditions.

Phenylethane. These chemical help improve mood and attention. They have been used to treat depression.

Flavonoids. Offer protection to from toxins so the body can work more efficiently.

Chalcones.  These chemicals show antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties are necessary for the treatment of a number of health conditions.

Caffeic acid. Research in diabetic mice shows that caffeic acid may prevent diabetes, lessen the risk of cancer, hinder blood clot formation, as well as prevent premature aging.

In addition to the compounds mentioned above, Leaf of Life has two other compounds-Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides and Phenanthrene.

These are both known to be toxic compounds.

Bufadienolide.  The first toxic chemical compound is known to increase heart contraction.

The positive side to the compound is that it is currently used in medicine to treat cardiac arrhythmias and congestive heart failure.

Phenanthrene. It is the other toxic chemical found in the Leaf of life plant. This one is believed to be a potential carcinogen.

Leaf of Life Medicinal Uses

How do you use Life leaf as medicine? The plant can be eaten raw, used to make juice. It is also used to make herbal tea or as a poultice that is applied to cuts and woulds on the skin.

In Jamaica Leaf of Life tea is used to help treat asthma, diarrhea, abdominal pain and high blood pressure.

How to Make Leaf of Life Tea

Here’s how to make Leaf of life tea at home. Yoy need 2 Cups of Water. 3 fresh Leaves of life or 2 tablesspoons of dried crushed leaves. 1 tablespoon of Sweetner (optional).

Bring the water to a boil. Add the Leaves of life and boild for 5 minutes.

Remove it from flames and let the tea brew for another 3 minutes. Strain and add sweetener- if you like. You may drink Leaf of life tea warn or cool.

Leaf of Life Juice

Again the plant’s leaves and stems are used to make juice. It is as simple as pounding fresh leaves and stems into a paste. Then squeezing the juice through cheesecloth or a strainer. 

Of course it is a lot easier to use a food processor if you have one. 

So what is Leaf of life juice good for?

Life Leaf of life tea In Jamaica, Leaf of life juice is sweetened with honey and taken to relieve chest congestion, coughs, and colds.

Leaf Life Poultice

Leaves and stems are singed, crushed and/or pureed and made into a poultice. The poultice used to soothe burns, insect bites, skin ulcers and bruises.

A thin layer of the paste is applied to the affected area . The area is bandaged. The dressing is changed often as needed.

In some places Leaf of life poultice is smeared around the eye or ear to relieve pain.

Kalanchoe Pinnata is registered as an invasive weed in many areas. Hawaii even classifies it at as one of the most invasive horticultural weeds on the island.

Leaf of Life Side Effects

The plant has some amazing potential benefits. But the miracle plant has side effects as well.  Some users report experiencing nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

For example, reports indicate that using the plant long term can suppress your immune system.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should exercise caution with its use bcause there are unknown risks.

Possible Interactions

Leaf of life is known to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore if you take medication for diabetes you should learn about possible drug interaction.

Persons receiving treatment for liver disease also need to exercise caution when consuming Leaf of life products.

Miracle Leaf plant also shows anti-clotting effects. Therefore people who use blood thinners should avoid using Leaf of life.

If you take medicine for cardiac issues, you should also be cautious when using Life leaf as it may interact with your prescribed medications.

Depending on where you are in the world, you may know the plant by one of these names.

Where to Buy Life Leaf

Leaf of Life products including Leaf of life powder may be bought from local health store.

They may also be purchased from online marketplaces such as Amazon and Etsy.com.

They are commonly marketed under the names Kalanchoe or Leaf of life.