Fight Inflammation And Cancer With Saluyot Leaves (Corchorus Olitorious)

Saluyot plant is a popular leafy vegetable in Southeast Asia. According to studies, its leaves are very nutritious and are considered as a health booster. It is usually cooked as stew or soups, forming a thick slimy syrup similar in consistency to okra usually taken with rice or other starchy staples.

Below are some of the health benefits we can get when consuming saluyot leaves.

Minerals and Other Vitamins

Saluyot contains a number of minerals that play significant roles in keeping us healthy. It is a powerhouse of calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus as well as B-complex vitamins thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin which facilitate the extraction of nutrients from foods during digestion. Iron is vital in making myoglobin and hemoglobin, two proteins essential to the circulation of oxygen through your body.

Dr. Lydia M. Marero of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Center (DOST-FNRI), says:

“Saluyot leaves are rich in beta carotene for good eyesight, iron for healthy red blood cells, calcium for strong bones and teeth, and vitamin C for smooth, clean skin, strong immune cells, and fast wound-healing.”

Antioxidants

Saluyot leaves, either dried or fresh, offers numerous benefits to our body. They are packed with vitamins A, C, and E which have antioxidant properties that can protect our cells from free radicals, disease-causing molecules generated by the body during normal metabolism (chemical changes in living cells). Due to these antioxidants, the consumption of saluyot can help improve infertility, fight arthritis, and sharpen vision.

Helps Ward Off Cancer

Contained in saluyot are key vitamins A, C, and E. They protect the cells from damage that can cause cancer. These vitamins, along with other antioxidants, work together to ward off cancer cells, inhibit the incidence of a tumor and increase the life span for breast cancer patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

In a 2015 study, researchers have found that saluyot has the source of phytomedicine to be the treatment of inflammation which can play a role in some chronic diseases. Consumption of saluyot leaves is one of the best ways to prevent inflammation, particularly the one associated with arthritis.

How To Make A Saluyot Leaves Tea

Saluyot leaves are dried and boiled to make a medicinal tea. Here’s how to prepare it:

Air dry fresh Saluyot leaves. Boil half a cup of dried Saluyot leaves to a liter of water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain solids. Drink while warm. For best results, consume 3 – 4 glasses of the tea a day.

Other traditional medicinal uses of saluyot are as follows: