With a history spanning centuries, Palo Azul, or kidneywood, is a popular plant in folk medicine. Native to Mexico, this shrub has been used as a natural remedy for several illnesses. But is this herb beneficial?
In this article, I’ll walk you through Palo Azul tea benefits. From diabetes to weight loss, keep reading for all the details!
What Are the Benefits of Palo Azul Tea?
Palo Azul, scientifically known as Eysenhardtia polystachya, has many health benefits. It can help treat diabetes, kidney diseases, and heart problems. The plant can also reduce digestive issues, inflammation, pain, and more!
Let’s discuss the benefits of this wonder herb in further detail!
Control Diabetes
As you know, several reasons cause diabetes, including damage to the pancreatic cells, the organ responsible for insulin production. Without insulin, your blood glucose will spike, making you feel unwell.
Interestingly, several studies suggest that Palo Azul has antidiabetic properties. The leaves and barks contain several flavonoid compounds, beneficial chemicals plants produce.
These substances help decrease glucose blood levels and, thus, control diabetes.
Not only that, but Palo Azul’s benefits extend to sugar metabolism. A 2018 study found that its extracts increase glucokinase expression, an enzyme responsible for digesting glucose.
Additionally, this plant can help restore the function of damaged pancreatic cells.
Aid in Kidney Disease Treatment
Maintaining kidney health is probably the primary use of Palo Azul. After all, the plant is nicknamed kidneywood because it’s traditionally used to promote the organ’s health.
So, how can Palo Azul benefit your urinary system?
For starters, flavonoids have antioxidant properties. These compounds help protect the body from oxidative stress, ensuring it remains healthy.
Aside from that, the bark extractions of Palo Azul have diuretic and antiurolithatic activities. For those wondering, the former helps reduce fluid buildup. Not only does this help the kidneys filter the urine, but it also reduces blood pressure.
As for the antiuriolithatic effect, this means that it prevents calcium oxalate accumulation. As a result, it can help prevent kidney stones.
Improve Cardiovascular Health
As previously mentioned, Palo Azul bark extracts have diuretic compounds. So, they help reduce blood pressure. This is crucial to maintaining an overall healthy heart.
You see, increased blood pressure can reduce blood vessels’ elasticity. As a result, blood flow to the heart decreases, causing several heart diseases and eventually failure.
Aside from that, plant compounds, like flavonoids, can reduce cholesterol. As you know, the former is fat. Interestingly, not all cholesterol is bad. Your body needs high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to function.
It’s low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that’s the culprit for many heart diseases. This fat type builds up in the blood vessels.
Naturally, this causes the arteries to become narrow or completely block them. As a result, it limits blood flow, causing several heart diseases.
Flavonoids help decrease LDL levels, preventing fat buildup in the vessels.
Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis and Relieve Pain
As you might know, there isn’t a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors typically prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and immunosuppressant medications to help relieve the symptoms.
The problem is that this disease is progressive. Without proper treatment, rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints, causing permanent damage and disability.
Inflammation is one of the primary culprits behind this disease. To attack harmful germs, your immune system uses inflammatory compounds, such as cytokines, to help you get rid of them.
If left uncontrolled, this response can attack healthy organs, like joints, leading to autoimmune diseases.
Interestingly, Palo Azul extractions, like flavonoids, help suppress rheumatoid arthritis progression. These chemicals can inhibit the inflammatory reaction, delaying joint damage.
Not only that, but this plant has analgesic activity, relieving the pain.
Treat Digestive Upsets
Factors like diet and stress can affect your gut health. Even if you exercise and eat healthy, genetic factors can cause chronic digestive diseases like IBS.
Still, your lifestyle choices can significantly improve your symptoms. And one way to tackle these issues is by drinking beneficial herbs.
Like wintergreen mint, Palo Azul tea can help treat digestive upsets. D-pinitol, a natural chemical compound, is among the primary components of this plant.
This substance provides many health benefits, including antidiarrheal effects. The exact mechanism is still unknown. However, studies show this chemical can be as effective as antidiarrheal drugs.
Combined with its anti-inflammatory activity, Palo Azul can help boost your digestive health.
Increase Metabolism
No amount of herbs will make you lose weight without a healthy lifestyle. Still, studies suggest that herbal tea, like Palo Azul, can help you lose weight.
As you know, Palo Azul has antidiabetic activity. Why is that important? Well, because it helps fight off insulin sensitivity.
A healthy pancreas produces enough insulin to help muscles and other cells metabolize glucose and use it as an energy source. For several reasons, your cells may not digest the sugar.
In that case, your pancreas compensates for this problem by increasing the hormone’s production.
Over time, the cells can become too resistant, leading to insulin sensitivity. As a result, your body stores excess glucose as fat.
Palo Azul helps reverse this problem, improving fat metabolism and reducing body weight.
FAQs
Q. What Are the Side Effects of Palo Azul?
Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence for the toxicity of Palo Azul. However, like most herbs, this tea can cause gastrointestinal problems for some people. This produces symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
Before adding this herb to your diet, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider. That’s especially crucial if you’re pregnant or nursing.
Q. How to Prepare Palo Azul Tea?
Preparing Palo Azul tea is a straightforward process. Boil around six cups of water in a pot. Then, add two tablespoons of the bark. Cover the pot and let them simmer for around an hour. Afterward, strain the tea and enjoy it hot or cold.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, Palo Azul tea’s benefits are numerous, from controlling diabetes to increasing metabolism.
The plant’s rich composition of flavonoids and other compounds can aid in treating many health issues, including kidney problems, cardiovascular diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also relieve pain and digestive upsets.
While this remedy has many potential health benefits, it’s important to be mindful of the potential side effects. Consult with your healthcare provider before enjoying the many perks of Palo Azul.
