What are the benefits of Apocynum venetum leaves?
Mar 07, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Apocynum venetum leaves grow on sandy soils along riverbanks, mountain ditches, and slopes. Their tender leaves are steamed, stir-fried, and rolled for use as tea, which can effectively lower blood pressure and blood lipid levels. The rutin contained in Apocynum venetum leaves effectively reduces serum cholesterol, prevents fat deposition in blood vessel walls, and helps prevent arterial hardening. When taken appropriately as directed by a physician, Apocynum venetum leaves can help subdue excessive liver yang and clear liver heat.
Apocynum venetum leaves grow on sandy soil along riverbanks, gullies, and mountain slopes. They are classified as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and are commonly used to lower blood pressure and blood lipids, prevent atherosclerosis, clear liver heat, and reduce fire-heat symptoms.
1. Lowering Blood Pressure and Blood Lipids
The tender leaves of Apocynum venetum can be steamed, stir-fried, and rolled into tea for consumption, effectively reducing blood pressure and lipid levels. This is due to the presence of tannic acid in the leaves, which helps inhibit elevated blood pressure and is suitable for use by individuals with hypertension. When taken as directed by a physician, it generally has minimal side effects.
2. Lowering Blood Lipids and Preventing Atherosclerosis
Apocynum venetum leaves contain rutin, which exhibits vitamin P-like activity. Rutin helps maintain or restore normal capillary resistance, enhances blood vessel flexibility and elasticity, effectively lowers serum cholesterol, prevents fat deposition on blood vessel walls, and helps combat arterial hardening.
3. Clearing Liver Heat and Reducing Fire-Heat
Apocynum venetum leaves are cold in nature and bitter in taste, acting on the liver meridian. When taken in appropriate doses under medical guidance, they can help subdue excessive liver yang and clear liver fire. They provide some relief and regulation for symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, and irritability caused by hyperactivity of liver yang or ascending liver fire.
In addition to the above benefits, Apocynum venetum leaves also possess heat-clearing and diuretic properties. It is important to emphasize that this herb should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional to avoid potential side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, liver or kidney damage, and chronic toxicity.
