With the world going gaga over switching to all natural products to heal people’s bodies and minds, Cissus Quadrangularis too has gained popularity overnight. What is Cissus Quadrangularis, you may ask? Do not let the queer name mislead you! This plant is touted to have several medicinal properties and has been used in many countries since time immemorial.

Related to the grape family, Cissus Quadrangularis is a perennial plant also as Devil’s Backbone and Veldt Grape (1). It is native to countries like Sri Lanka and India. However, it is now harvested in some other countries including Saudi Arabia, Africa and parts of south-east Asia. Ayurvedic experts have used the extracts of the plant since ages though the benefits are still largely unknown to the western world. The roots, stems and leaves of the plant are used for health enhancement purposes.

Nuances Of Cissus Quadrangularis:

Cissus quadrangularis is one type of herb that grows up to 1.5 m in height, and it also climbs over bushes (2). The stem is quadrangular and thick. The leaves can be long and broad. It has cup-shaped small flowers with greenish-yellow petals. Its fruits resemble berries to an extent.

You can find Cissus quadrangularis extracts in various natural food stores. Of course, you can also find it online these days.

Important Health Benefits Of Cissus Quadrangularis:

Cissus quadrangularis is available in the supplement form, and intake of these supplements can be beneficial for your health. Listed below are the top health benefits of this plant:

1. Boosts Cardiac Health:

Cissus quadrangularis can help bring down the level of harmful cholesterol in your blood (3). It is quite well known that harmful cholesterol in the blood can lead to the risk of various heart ailments in the long run. Cissus quadrangularis helps improve the heart’s health by limiting bad cholesterol levels.

2. Enhances Bone Health:

Intake of Cissus quadrangularis can be helpful for bone growth and development in the long run. Studies have shown that the plant extract contains ingredients that enhance the generation of cells called osteoblasts. These play a pivotal role in the bone development. A 2011 study, which was published in an Italian magazine La Clinica Terapeutica, showed Cissus quadrangularis is quite effective for protection against osteoporosis. It was conducted on lab rats (4). In the same year, results of another study were published in the coveted Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. It showed that Cissus quadrangularis can be helpful for bone cell growths in humans.

3. Helps Fight Obesity:

Obesity is a serious health hazard, affecting billions of adults and kids worldwide. Obese women and men leave no stones unturned to get rid of the ugly layers of flab from their waistlines. However, using Cissus quadrangularis can be useful if you want to lose excess weight (5). It helps in stimulating the metabolism in your body and suppressing the appetite to an extent. A number of studies have indicated this property of the plant. A 2008 study, published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease, deserves a mention in this regard. It showed Cissus quadrangularis to be more useful than placebo in battling weight loss in adults.

4. Helps Cope With Inflammatory Conditions:

Cissus quadrangularis has some ingredients which have anti-inflammatory properties (6). A few studies have shown how the plant extracts help people deal with haemorrhoids.

5. Helps Improve Respiratory Conditions:

People who suffer from respiratory conditions can benefit by using Cissus quadrangularis. People afflicted with asthma may find relief by using its extracts.

6. Helps Regulate Diabetes Symptoms:

Cissus quadrangularis can help reduce the blood sugar levels in the human body (7). It regulates the insulin and glucose levels in the blood.

7. Boosts The Immunity Level:

Cissus quadrangularis has a high amount of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Studies have shown (8) that the intake of vitamin C rich foods is good for your immunity. It strengthens your immune system and you can avoid falling prey to a lot of ailments and infections eventually. You will be able to lead a healthy life overall.

8. Recovery From Wounds And Skin Benefits:

Vitamin C helps in collagen building and, so, intake of vitamin C helps improve the skin health and texture in the long run (9). The adequate quantity of vitamin C in Cissus quadrangularis helps repair the skin tissues and cells.

9. Dental Health Benefits:

Intake of Cissus quadrangularis can be beneficial for dental health. Studies have shown that its supplements can lead to enhanced oral health.

10. Helps Cope With Menstruation Issues:

Women may undergo some physiological and mental changes owing to menstruation. These include hormonal imbalances and mood swings, accompanied by cramping and bloating. Using Cissus quadrangularis may be useful in lowering the menstrual cramps to an extent.

11. Helps Fight Oxidative Damage:

This plant contains antioxidant ingredients (10). These antioxidants help your body cope with the stress and damages caused due to free radicals. Antioxidants are useful in fighting the onset of various ailments that are caused by DNA damage, including cancers.

Things To Keep In Mind:

There is not much documented evidence of Cissus quadrangularis leading to allergenic effects or serious health complications. However, a few cautions should be taken when you use it. Some people may experience minor side-effects including nausea, flatulence and mild headaches. Some people have also reported developing insomnia and a dry mouth post its intake. These, however, do not need medical intervention and get reduced within a short time.

As it happens with several plants and herbal extracts, there can be possibilities of interactions with existing medications. To avoid such issues, you should talk with your doctor before starting the use of Cissus quadrangularis. It is also important that you take it in the recommended dosage. Refer to the instructions mentioned on the pack label for this.

The short term usage of Cissus quadrangularis is thought to be safe for both men and women. However, not much is known about the safety of using it in the long term. Women who have conceived or are breast-feeding, should seek medical advice prior to using it.

Several studies have indicated possible health benefits of this plant extracts for health conditions like diabetes, bone weakness and obesity. However, entities like the FDA have not recommended it for use in such situations. Besides, not all studies have been conducted on humans. So, people coping with diabetes or fighting obesity should not rely on it entirely, discarding other treatments and options.

The post You Probably Can’t Pronounce It But Here Are 11 Health Benefits Of Cissus Quadrangularis appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE