Kalanchoe: all the potential of a plant in discord

No matter how little versed in gardening, it is easy to have ever heard of the calanchoea succulent plant with around 125 species belonging to the Crassulaceae family.

Also Known As Bryophyllumfrom the Greek bryon (bud) and phylum (leaves), this denomination describes the abundance of seedlings that form on the margins of its leaves and that facilitate the birth of new plants (in fact, a leaf that is shed has the capacity to root).

The word calanchoe comes from the Chinese kalan chowland alludes to something that falls and expands. The medicinal calanchoes are:

The pinnata (Bryophyllum pinnatum) the gastonis-bonnieri (B. Gastonis-bonnieri) The Daigremontian (B. Daigremontianum)

Lots of medicinal properties beyond cancer

Its medicinal properties have been known for centuries., especially in Mexico, Latin America and Africa. And it receives different names: yerba witch, prodigious, leaf of the air or even “Goethe’s herb”because this poet, a great fan of botany, was fascinated by its ability to reproduce.

But its main bioactive components are cardiac glycosides and bufadienolides (bryophyllins), with ability to influence the cardiovascular level. They also contain vitamins, mineral salts (magnesium, iron, calcium, copper, manganese), crassulacean acid, tannins and polysaccharides.

Many indications are attributed to him: anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antimicrobial, antihistamine and re-epithelializing.

Its thick and fleshy leaves are the most used part. Its mucilaginous interior is used, a juice that can remind the aloe parenchyma and that, like this, is also intended to restore damaged skin tissues.

externally

The curative indications of the calanchoe in external use are numerous:

your juice protects and restores the mucosa and fights skin infections. A juice is extracted from the leaves used to soothe scratches, burns, insect bites or as a effective antihistamine. It is applied as a poultice, plaster or by mixing the juice with olive oil, Vaseline or shea butter and massaging the affected area. Soothes and reduces inflammation in rheumatic processes, contractures and bruises. It is used as a venous tonic, in sitz baths, for varicose veins and phlebitis, better associated with other astringent plants, such as horse chestnut, or in tincture with ascending massages. by his power antihemorrhagicastringent and anti-inflammatory, is used in dental or mouth problems, stomatitis, glossitis and gingivitis. It is applied in rinses or mouthwashes.

internally

As it contains cardiac glycosides, in general it is not convenient to take calanchoe for long periods or in high doses. It is safe at moderate doses.

It acts as a digestive tonic and is useful for relieving abdominal heaviness. Antiulcer effects are attributed to it, in stomach ulcers caused among other causes by medications. Due to its richness in mucilage, the calanchoe juice is used for throat irritations and flu processes. It has a moderate antipyretic effect and is useful for allergic symptoms. An ethnopharmacological study has confirmed the traditional use of calanchoe species as diuretic and for urine retention. A study conducted in Cameroon supports the efficacy of Kalanchoe pinnata in the treatment of high blood pressure related to salt intake.

anticancer properties

Along with these properties, the calanchoe has a possible antitumor action that is being studied. According to María José Alonso, a member of the Barcelona College of Pharmacists, an investigation concluded that its bufadienolides could have some antitumor potential.

Other studies expose its cytotoxic capacity on cells from lymphoblastic leukemia, which would validate its chemopreventive and antitumor activity. in his book Kalanchoe, a natural alternative to chemotherapy (Ed. Obelisco), Adolfo Pérez argues that its isolated principles can enhance healthy cells in breast cancer and is an alternative to chemotherapy.

This article has been prepared with the advice of Josep Maria Teixé, herbalist at El Manantial de Salud.