Patharchatta Introduction
Since ancient times, vegetables and plants rich in different medicinal properties have been used in curing diseases. Vegetables and plants rich in these medicinal qualities have also been particularly used in Ayurvedic treatments for their medicinal value. One such excellent herbal plant is Patharchatta.
Benefits and Uses of Leaf of Life/Patharchatta
The following article will discuss the benefits of this medicinal herb – Patharchatta, widely used in ayurvedic treatment.
The Patharchatta (Kalanchoe pinnata) of Madagascar is a juicy plant known as ‘Dupor tenga’ in Assamese. The leaves, stems, and root parts of this plant have therapeutic value. It is generally used by large communities in different countries as a medicinal herb for all diseases.
What is a Kalanchoe Pinnata/Patharchatta?
Patharchatta is a medicinal herbal plant holding a lot of health benefits. The plant belongs to the ‘Crassulaceae’ plant family.
This herb has Anti-bacterial, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antihistamines and Anaphylactic properties. This herb is believed as good for many diseases/health problems; like- blood pressure, headache, boils and swelling. Tea made from the stem and leaves of this plant is used for problems related to the menstrual cycle, asthma, etc., and also helps in increasing energy levels along with sinus problems. The herb is also consumed to clean the bladder and get the amount of harmful toxins from the intestines.
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Plant description
The plant grows tall, standing, juicy annual herbs about 1-2 meters in height. The plant is well grown in tropical and subtropical and warm temperate climate areas and also grows well in general conditions. The plant has a hollow stem, red and green in color, thick, flexible and short, glabrous and juicy. The leaves are 5-25 cm long and 2-12 cm wide. The lower parts of the plant have simple leaves and complex leaves on the joint parts, with 6-7 khila leaves in the opposite pattern. The stools (petioles) are 2-10 cm long. These leaves are oval or narrow oval in shape and have circular heads. Flowers bloom in branched clusters at the top of their stems. The color of the flowers is green – yellow pink – red. Pandalus, tube flowers are 7 cm long and form Symons panels. They are arranged in terminal inflorescence in sectioned groups. The stools are 10-25 mm long. They are partially connected to a calcis tube that supports four lobes of petals. Flowers bloom in the season of winter and spring.
Chemical constituents of Patharchatta
- Triterpenes
- Steroids
- Phenanthrene
- Flavonoid
- Chalcones
- Taraxasterol
- Aurones
- Phenolic acids
- Caffeic acid
- Syringic acid
- Malic
- Oxalic
- Ferulic acid
- Organic acids
Various Regional names of Patharchatta
- English : Good luck leaf, Leaf of life, Life Plant, American life plant, Floppers.
- Hindi : Patharchatta, Patharchur, Pather chat, Pann- futti
- Kannada : Kadu Basale, Dadabadike, Patrajeevaa
- Malayalam : Elacheidi, Elamulachi, Uramarunnu, Ila Mulachi
- Telugu : Ranapala
- Tamil : Runakali
- Bengali : Koppat, Pathorkuchi
- Assamese: Dupor Tenga
Scientific classification of Patharchatta:
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Clade : Tracheophytes
- Clade : Angiosperms
- Clade : Eudicots
- Order : Saxifragales
- Family : Crassulaceae
- Genus : Kalanchoe
- Spices : K. Pinnata
- Scientific name : Kalanchoe pinnata
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Benefits of Kalanchoe Pinnata/Patharchatta
- The benefits of Kalanchoe Pinnata/Leaf of Life are seen in the treatment of conditions such as slow breath, kidney failure, menstrual problems, asthma, cough, bronchitis, as well as chest colds. In the case of kidney bladder, 40-50 milliliters of decoction of the Patharchatta stalks should be consumed twice a day. Fresh leaves of this plant can be raw as a medicinal resin for asthma, bronchitis and intestinal problems. Doing so may help to cure the problems.
- The leaf juice of Patharchatta is used to treat stomach ache for its health benefits.
- The juice made from this plant is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, intense nephritis, lithiasis and fissis.
- Leaf juice with added salt, is used as a treatment for colds, coughs, grips, loose intestines and tooth worms.
- Fresh leaves are crushed and then applied in burns; blisters and ulcers are used as cure; as a treatment for headache; as a remedy for ringworm; or placed on the sole of the foot to stop bleeding.
- It is used as a local medicine to treat deviations, equimosis, kelosity, etc.
- The leaves of this plant are mixed with salt and applied as poultice to the stomach to relieve aneurysm (neurosis, burning sensation while urinating).
- Dried leaves can be applied as powder in ulcers.
- Leaves are soaked in water and then used as shampoo. It acts as a hair freshness enhancer.
- The leaf juice of this plant is applied to treat earache, eye pain and other eye related problems.
- Leaves and leaf juice softened with coconut oil and then rubbed on the head to treat severe and persistent headaches can provide relief.
- A cough medicine is made from the roots of this plant.
- The freshly ground medicinal leaves of this plant will relieve insect bites, injuries, boils, as well as skin ulcers.
- Leaf and leaf juice staphylococcus, E. coli, Shigella, Bacillus and Pseudomonas have shown important in vitro antibacterial activities towards multi-drug resistant bacteria.
- Many compounds of air plants act as anti-cancer therapeutic values against cancer cells. Bersaldegenin-1, 3, 5-orthoacetate prevents the growth of cancer cells along several cancer lines. Consume 5-10 drops extracted from the aerial portion of the plant twice a day. The benefits of Patharchatta are effective in fighting against blood cancer.
- Leaf juice of this plant is applied for treating leishmaniasis (a common parasitic disease).
- Many compounds of this plant can reduce fever and provide anti-inflammatory, pain-relief and muscle relaxing effects. Its anti-inflammatory effects are partly shown due to the immunomodulatory and immune suppressant effects.
- Hydroxyproline present in the leaves of the plant helps in healing the wounds.
- Leaves are known to have neuro sedative and muscle relaxant, antiulcer, uterine contractility, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic, antihypertensive and nephroprotective activities.
How to use an Life Plant/Patharchatta?
- Life plant leaves and root juice can be made at home or can be found in the markets. It is important to take some precautions while buying sour leaf juice from the market. On the other hand, the juice of the Patharchatta leaves made by natural and scientific methods should be used.
- Dried leaves of this plant can be applied as powder.
- Leaves can be used by soaking them in water and then crushing its water and leaves.
- Leaves of this plant can be mixed with salt and used as a paste/poultice.
Side Effect of Patharchatta
- People with allergies can face skin rashes, burning sensation while using cosmetics, juices, etc. made by air plants. So people with allergies should avoid its use.
- Consuming juice of this plant is likely to cause various stomach problems. So precautions should be taken.
- Consuming Life plant juice during pregnancy is prone to infection in the uterus.
Traditionally parts of this plant were used against fever. Interestingly, plant leaf extracts have recently proved its potential against malaria virus.
Conclusion
From the above article you must have come to know about herbal Air plants. The article provides information about the health benefits, uses, chemical elements and other qualities of Patharchatta. We hope the information included in the article will help you in various ways in different health problems. Thank you!