Blog Kita Sehat

Pearl grass is a type of wild plant whose existence is often ignored, even considered a nuisance plant. However, after knowing so many kinds of potential functions of pearl grass for health, this plant became popular and was then sought after by many people.

Pearl grass (Hedyotis corymbosa) is a type of plant that comes from the Rubiaceae family. This grass generally thrives in moist soil, such as on the banks of rivers or ditches.

In more than one country, such as India and China, this plant has been used as a herbal medicine. Recently, pearl grass has been in the spotlight because it is claimed to be useful for preventing and treating cancer.

Various benefits of Pearl Grass for Health

A number of studies so far have shown that there are more than one function of pearl grass that is good for health, in others:

Fight free radicals

Pearl grass is known to contain many bioactive compounds that have antioxidant properties, so they come from phenols, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, to terpenoids. This makes pearl grass good for consumption to prevent and repair damaged body cells due to exposure to free radicals.

Excess free radical exposure is one aspect that can increase the risk of various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Free radicals can also cause the body to age faster.

Increase body immunity

Pearl Grass is also known to be useful for helping the immune system so that it remains strong. A strong immune system plays an important role in fighting various bacteria and viruses that cause infections, so the body will rarely get sick.

Not only that, a strong immune system also plays an important role in helping the recovery process when sick, such as during the flu.

Maintain brain health and function

Research shows that pearl grass has strong antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects. The next effect makes pearl grass good for consumption to maintain brain function and health.

People who regularly consume a healthy diet supplemented by certain supplements, including pearl grass, are said to have better memory power and are at lower risk of developing dementia or dementia and depression.

Maintain liver health

Not only good for the brain, the content of compounds in the form of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory in pearl grass is also known to be good for health and liver function. Research shows that this herbal plant can reduce inflammation in the liver and prevent liver damage.

However, to get this function, you can't just rely on pearl grass. To keep your liver healthy, you also have to do other ways, such as staying away from alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and drugs, exercising regularly, getting hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunizations, and also practicing safe sex relations.

Inhibits the growth of cancer cells

Pearl grass is known to contain many compounds that have antioxidant and anticancer properties, such as ursolic acid and uleanolic acid. Research in the laboratory shows that pearl grass extract can prevent the growth of cancer cells.

However, until now there has been no research that is able to show that pearl grass is useful as a cancer drug such as chemotherapy.

In addition to the various functions above, pearl grass is also often used to treat fever and treat infections, such as tuberculosis and malaria. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the next function of pearl grass has not been studied further.

Things to Pay Attention to Before Consuming Pearl Grass

Processing of pearl grass is generally carried out traditionally, namely by boiling and then filtering, after which the boiled water is drunk as herbal medicine or herbal tea. In addition, you can also consume pearl grass supplements that have been processed in the form of tablets or capsules.

Although pearl grass holds so many different functions for health, it is important to understand that further function claims are more than large only known through research on laboratory animals. Until now, the effectiveness of various functions of pearl grass in humans, especially as a drug, still needs to be studied further.

This plant has not been proven safe for consumption by pregnant and lactating women as well as people with certain diseases, such as severe liver damage. Because it has the potential to invite the influence of drug affinity, pearl grass should also not be consumed by people who are seeking treatment from a doctor.

Therefore, if you want to use pearl grass as a treatment for certain diseases, you should first consult with your doctor.  

Healthy is expensive. This saying is true, because when a disease is attacked, especially one that is dangerous, many people have to spend a lot of money to be able to return to health. In fact, many diseases can be prevented only by implementing the normality of a clean and healthy life, without having to incur expensive costs.

Living a healthy life is not difficult and you don't have to spend a lot of money. The key to successfully living a healthy life lies in perseverance and principles for living a better life. Start a healthy normal life by running a variety of these next healthy living tips.

Washing hands

Washing hands properly is the most effective step in preventing the spread of germs. Wash your hands with clean running water, and keep using soap, because water alone is not enough. Washing hands with soap is proven to be effective in reducing the number of bacteria on hands by up to 82%.

Remind your little one to keep washing hands after using the toilet, after activities outside the house, after handling pets, and before eating. Give him an understanding that hands that look clean are not necessarily free from germs, because germs are invisible to the eye.

If water and soap are hard to find, you can use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Studies show that hand sanitizer products with an alcohol percentage of 60-95% are more effective at killing germs than products with a lower alcohol percentage or no alcohol at all. But it must be remembered, hand sanitizer cannot kill germs as effectively as washing hands with soap.

Keeping Food Clean

Contaminated food can be a major cause of disease transmission. To prevent contamination, you must process food properly. The method:

Wash hands with soap and running water, before cooking or preparing food.

Wash foodstuffs under running water until clean, before cooking or consuming them.

Do not store food for too long in the refrigerator or storage cupboard.

Keep foods that will be eaten raw, such as vegetables for salads, away from raw meat. This is intended so that germs from raw meat do not shift to these foodstuffs.

Use a serving hood to keep food away from flies or mice.

Eating Healthy Food

Forget fried foods, french fries, processed foods, or fast food that you usually eat. To maintain a healthy body, you must pay attention to your food intake. Healthy and nutritionally balanced food is very important for the body, especially for children who are still in their infancy.

Get used to eating with a varied menu and of course sufficient daily nutritional needs. Every day, the body needs 2-3 servings of vegetable protein, 2-3 servings of animal protein, 3-8 servings of staple foods such as rice, potatoes or wheat, 3-5 servings of vegetables, and 3-5 servings of fruit.

In addition, you are also obliged to limit the intake of sugar and salt. Excess sugar can increase the risk of diabetes and obesity. While excessive salt will increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Sufficient Water Needs

The next healthy living tip is to drink enough water, which is at least 2 liters (about 8 glasses) per day. The benefits of adequate water intake are the body becomes fresh, the brain functions better, and avoids headaches, constipation, and kidney stones.

Exercising Regularly

Many people are lazy to move because they think exercise is tiring and boring. To work around this, make exercise a fun activity. For example, if you don't like sweating, choose swimming. If you don't like strenuous exercise, choose yoga.

Inviting children to play baseball, ball, or badminton can also make busy sports fun, as well as teach children about the importance of exercising. It is recommended to exercise at least twice a week, with a duration of at least 30 minutes a day.

Avoid Exposure to Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is too risky for active smokers and passive smokers. Cigarette smoke contains dozens of different types of chemicals that can cause cancer. In addition to cancer, exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk of miscarriage, heart disease, lung disease, and respiratory problems.

For women who have smoking partners, you and your children are at risk for the same disease. This is because particles from cigarette smoke can settle on the surface of clothing or objects in the smoking area, especially long after the smoke is gone. Several studies have shown that subsequent particles can persist for months. If you crave a healthy life, free your beloved home and family from cigarette smoke.

Enough rest

In addition to making you sleepy, lack of sleep will affect your emotional mood and cognitive capabilities, because the brain cannot function properly. Lack of sleep can also increase the risk of obesity and various diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Try to sleep 7-9 hours a day to avoid these risks.

Last but not least is to keep the environment clean so that it is free from disease. The various healthy living tips above will not bring maximum use unless the environment in which you live is dirty and has lots of germs.

Start implementing a healthy lifestyle in your family, but of course you must start with yourself first. Healthy living habits that you live can motivate others around you. And vice versa, associating with people who lead a healthy lifestyle can further motivate you to do the same.