This is a small weed plant called shiny bush and scientifically called Peperomia pellucida. On this occasion we will discuss the health benefits of shiny bush. Shiny bush has many names, some call it the shining bush plant, pepper elder, and man to man. It is an annual plant and is classified as an annual herb with a shallow root system that is easy to remove. This is a Piperaceae (Pepper family) plant. Plants in the Piperaceae family have many genera and consist of 3000 species. Shiny bush is native to Central and South America, and is now widespread throughout the tropics.
Shiny bush is often referred to as a weed plant because it often thrives in plant areas or in pots along with cultivated plants. But some others even maintain and cultivate this small plant. Now shiny bush plants are cultivated throughout India, even parts of Southeast Asia and Australia and the Pacific region. While in Africa, ranging from eastern Senegal, to Somalia and Eritrea, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Reunion.
Now Peperomia pellucida is sold in the local local market, as a salad plant, as a vegetable or as an ornamental plant. Whole parts of the plant are edible and Peperomia pellucida or Shiny Bush is good as an internal heat remedy or as a coolant.
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Health Benefits of Shiny Bush
Shiny Bush plants contain strong antioxidants, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and much more. Below we take a look at some of the health benefits of Shiny Bush or Peperomia pellucida plants.
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1. May Treats Rheumatoid Arthritis
To treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, this plant can take its juice by extracting the whole plant. The extract from this plant is boiled and the water is drunk in the morning and evening. But you have to be careful in this case, because taking this drug there is an immediate reaction and effect.
2. Excellent gastro-protective properties
The herb from the Peperomia pellucida plant has been shown to treat ulcer disease, and a study of this shiny bush plant shows that there is protection provided by the Peperomia pellucida plant. This is a significant pre-treatment inhibition of damage to the gastric mucosa (gastric mucous membrane).
3. Cure cancer
Unexpectedly, it turns out that the shine bush plant or Peperomia pellucida has properties against cancer healing. Based on research conducted, this plant does have anti-cancer activity.
Extracts from the Peperomia pellucida plant are said to inhibit the growth of pathogens, bacteria and can inhibit free radicals and DPPH up to 30%. DPPH is a dark crystalline powder that is a free radical molecule or cancer cell cause.
4. As a source of antioxidants
As the results of a study on shiny bush plants, it was found that they had the ability to eliminate free radicals in the body. It is a natural plant and is very good as a useful plant for antioxidant therapy.
5. Cure depression
A study conducted in Bangladesh, where rats were given a shiny bush plant extract to see the reaction to depressant activity. Mentioned that this plant provides an anti-depressant effect in accordance with the dose. So, consuming shiny bush plant extract can treat depression and other mental disorders related to excitement such as mood.
6. Heals Fracture
Shiny bush plants also have benefits for bone health. When consumed by sufferers of broken bones regularly, shiny bush plants are able to provide accelerated healing. This benefit is a result of the mineral content contained in the Peperomia pellucida plant.
7. As a strong anti-fungal
A research conducted shows that shiny bush plants contain strong antifungals so they are good for treating fungal diseases.
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8. Strong anti-bacterial
This is a plant that is used to suppress the growth of bacteria. The essential oil extracted from this plant as a whole is said to be effective as an anti-bacterial. It can cure various diseases caused by bacteria.
9. Strong anti-inflammatory
Apart from being an antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-depressant, the Peperomia pellucida plant is also useful as an anti-inflammatory.
Diseases due to inflammation include many diseases such as fever, swelling, body flushing, psoriasis, heart disease and others. Consuming this plant or extracts from this plant is good for warding off these inflammatory diseases.
10. Cure gout
A study showed that extracts from the shiny bush plant were used on rats whose uric acid was determined. After giving the extract from the Peperomia pellucida plant, the rats experienced a decrease in uric acid up to 44%. Meanwhile, another rat that was given the drug allopurinol experienced a decrease in uric acid by only 66%.
From this research, we know that shiny bush or Peperomia pellucida is more effective in lowering uric acid levels in the blood. This can be an alternative to allopurinol in curing gout.
11. Shiny bush effectively lowers cholesterol
Another amazing benefit of the Peperomia pellucida or shiny bush plant is that it lowers bad cholesterol or LDL.
Decoction of shiny bush plants is good for lowering cholesterol in the blood so that it maintains and protects the heart. Consuming this herb is also good in preventing stroke, and heart disease.
12. Treating Goat and Arthritis
A decoction of the shiny bush plant is a traditional herb used in reducing gout and arthritis. All diseases related to joints will be handled by this herb.
13. Reduces urinary tract infections
The Philippines and several other Asian countries use shiny bush plants as herbal teas that are consumed after boiling. It is believed to be able to cure kidney and urinary diseases.
Treatment of this disease is done by lowering uric acid levels in the blood, then the disease will improve by itself. Because kidney and bladder problems are health problems that occur due to gout.
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Use of Shiny Bush in Culinary
- The whole plant is cooked and eaten with small fish,
- In some tropical countries, this plant is used as a condiment, eaten as a vegetable and as a salad.
- The leaves can also be brewed as tea,
- Young shoots are used in salads.
