Aranto is an ornamental plant that is easy to reproduce, originating from the African island of Madagascar, rich in bufadienolide, a substance with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, being recommended for flu, pain, preventing cardiovascular diseases or cancer.
However, although it has medicinal properties, aranto, also known as mother-of-thousands, must be used with caution due to the risk of poisoning, especially when fresh leaves are consumed or when used in high dosages.
The scientific name of the aranto is Kalanchoe daigremontiana or Bryophyllum daigremontianum, and the normally used part of this plant is the dried leaves, to prepare tea or capsules, found in health food stores or compounding pharmacies. It is important to emphasize that this plant should only be used under the advice of a doctor or herbalist, due to its toxic effects.
What is it for
Aranto has several health benefits, being recommended for:
1. Prevent cancer
Aranto is rich in bufadienolides and phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant action, helping to prevent tissue damage caused by free radicals, making it a very useful plant to be used in the form of a concentrated extract to prevent certain types of cancer. See other foods that help prevent cancer.
Furthermore, according to some studies, aranto can help in the treatment of cancer, as the extract has a cytotoxic effect, preventing cell death in normal cells and causing the death of tumor cells. However, studies in humans are still needed to prove this benefit.
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aranto is traditionally used as a tea, juice or concentrated extract, to reduce sore throats, relieve coughs and help fight colds, ear infections or flu.
3. Improve digestive problems
Due to its bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and bufadienolides, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent and analgesic properties, aranto can be used to assist in the treatment and reduce symptoms of digestive problems, such as stomach pain, colic, diarrhea, intestinal inflammation or gastric ulcers.
4. Combat insomnia
The cardiotonic glycosides in aranto have sedative properties that help reduce anxiety, stress, agitation, and even treat insomnia. See other home remedies to combat insomnia.
5. Prevent cardiovascular diseases
Because it is rich in flavonoid compounds and alkaloids with antioxidant properties, aranto helps prevent damage to cells and blood vessels caused by free radicals.
Thus, this plant helps to improve circulation, preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis or stroke.
6. Fight parasites, fungi and bacteria
Aranto is widely used as a therapy against parasitic diseases.
According to some studies, the extract from this plant has been evaluated and shown to be very effective in combating different strains of parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica e Trichomonas vaginalisfor example, helping to reduce the growth of these protozoa.
In addition, aranto extract can also help fight various infections caused by fungi such as Candida albicanswhich causes candidiasis, or bacteria such as Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae e Escherichia coli.
7. Relieve muscle pain
Aranto has anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, which helps reduce inflammation and discomfort in case of muscle or back pain, for example.
Therefore, this plant can be useful to use in the form of tea or apply compresses to the area to relieve pain, contractures, as well as helping with wound healing.
Does Aranto lose weight?
Aranto does not lose weight as it does not promote fat burning and does not stimulate energy expenditure and, therefore, aranto should not be used to lose weight.
However, this plant helps reduce anxiety, which can be a benefit for those who want to lose weight.
However, it is important to emphasize that its use is not recommended for weight loss, mainly because aranto should not be used in the long term due to its toxic effects.
The best way to lose weight and lose weight is to eat a balanced diet and exercise. Learn how to eat a balanced diet.
Aranto properties
Aranto has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, calming, cardioprotective, antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-flu and anticancer properties, due to the phenolic compounds, bufadienolides, alkaloids and tannins in its composition.
How to use
The normally used part of aranto is the dried leaf for preparing tea or capsules, which can be found in health food stores.
1. Aranto tea
Aranto tea must be made with the dried leaves of this plant, from which the active compounds with medicinal properties are extracted.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried aranto leaves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add it to the cup with the dried aranto leaves. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and drink a maximum of 1 to 3 cups per day.
2. Aranto capsules
Aranto capsules can be used by adults, with the recommended dose being 1 capsule of 500 mg up to 3 times a day.
Aranto can be consumed for a maximum period of 1 month, and then a break of at least 15 days must be taken before resuming use. Furthermore, no more than 30 g of aranto should be ingested per day due to the risk of toxic effects on the body with its high dosages.
Before starting to consume aranto, it is important to consult a doctor, herbalist or health professional with specific knowledge of medicinal plants and make sure that it is the correct plant so as not to run the risk of ingesting plant species that are toxic to humans.
Possible side effects
Aranto can cause poisoning with consumption above 5 grams per kg daily. Therefore, a daily dose of a maximum of 30 grams of dry leaf per day is recommended, as ingesting a higher dosage can cause paralysis and muscle contractions.
Furthermore, fresh aranto leaves can also cause poisoning and are not recommended for consumption.
Therefore, the use of aranto should only be done under the guidance of a doctor or a professional with experience in medicinal plants.
Who shouldn’t use
Aranto should not be used by pregnant women as it can cause increased uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. Furthermore, children, people with hypoglycemia and low blood pressure should also not consume this plant.
Despite this, when aranto is consumed within the recommended daily dose there are no other contraindications, as this plant is no longer considered toxic, however, it is essential to consult your doctor before starting to consume aranto.
