Health Benefits of Shiny Bush (Pansit-Pansitan)

Shiny Bush or Silver Bush, locally known as Pansit-pansitan, is a common fleshy shallow rooted herb that has been used as food item as well as a medicinal herb . The entire plant is edible both cooked or raw. Pansit-pansitan has taken its niche in the folkloric herbal medicine providing health benefits for gout, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Pansit-pansitan grows to about 15 to 45 cm in height in damp and lightly shaded areas. It has been used as food item as well as a medicinal herb for its analgesic, anti-arthritic, diuretic activity. The entire plant is edible both cooked or raw.

Pansit-pansitan plant can grow wild but also grown as ornamental foliage. It is characterized by its shiny heart shaped leaves about 4 cm in length, growing from an erect translucent green stalks. Pansit-pansitan has tiny dot-like flowers that grow from erect and slender green spikes that turn brown when matured. The fruits are also very small, round to oblong, ridged, first green later black. Tiny seeds drop off that grows easily in groups.

Pansit-pansitan Traditional Health Benefits

Pansit-pansitan is widely used as folkloric herbal medicine. Pansit-pansitan is known for the following health benefits:

• Eye inflammation,
• Sore throat,
• Diarrhea,
• Prostate problems,
• High blood pressure,
• Arthritis,
• Gout,
• Skin boils,
• Wounds,
• Burns,
• Skin inflammation,
• abscesses,
• pimples,
• Headache
• Fever,
• Abdominal pains ,
• Renal problems,
• Mental excitement disorder.

Analgesic / Anti-inflammatory action of Pansit-pansitan
Pansit-pansitan has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough, common cold, headache and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract in mice indicated that that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to interference with prostaglandin synthesis. In another study done on rabbits, pansit-pansitan extract exhibited an anti-pyretic activity which indicates that it is comparable to standard aspirin.

Anti-cancer
A study have isolated compounds in P.Pellucida that has inhibitory actions against growth of some cancer cells. This shows its potential as an anti-cancer supplement.

Antioxidant
In a study done on P.Pellucida extract, it has shown that it has a strong scavenging activity against free radicals suggesting that pansit-pansitan is a good natural anti-oxidant.

Anti-bacterial
A study has isolated a compound called patuloside A, a xanthone glycoside from P. pellucida that is found to have broad spectrum antibacterial activity.

Anti-arthritic
A study have shown that extracts from pansit-pansitan combined with ibuprofen treatment has significantly improved the symptoms associated with arthritis. Particularly that of knee joint rheumatism.

Uric Acid reduction in blood
In a controlled study involving rats, extracts from P. pellucida were administered and uric acid levels were monitored. The study have shown that rats that were subjected to pansit-pansitan extract indicated a 44{30e6b8360db511af0e1f77984c542ff30ea10c4b009d596ff6d5f40eac675d71} reduction of uric acid level in blood while those that are given allopurinol drug have shown 66{30e6b8360db511af0e1f77984c542ff30ea10c4b009d596ff6d5f40eac675d71} reduction in uric acid level. This results show that pansit-pansitan may contain compounds that maybe used as alternative to allopurinol to control uric acid levels in the blood.

Depressant
In a study done in Bangladesh, mice were given nikethamide to induce excitement. The mice were later administered with extracts from pepperomia pellucida to determine its depressant activity. The results of the study suggest that pansit-pansitan extract has a dose dependent depressant activity that is beneficial for treatment of excessive mental excitement.disorder. 

Pansit-pansitan Usage, Dosage

Where can I buy / get Pansit-pansitan?

Pepperomia Pellucida or pansit-pansitan grows wild in nooks and corners in damp lightly shaded areas. The whole plant can be harvested fresh, eaten raw as in salad ingredient or cooked with other vegetables and meat.

Pansit-pansitan tea can be prepared by collecting stems and leaves mixed with boiled water or formed into poultice to be applied topically over skin wounds and inflammation.

Pansit-pansitan Tea

• Wash freshly gathered Pansit-pansitan plant parts
• Chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup
• Let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes with the pot cover removed.
• Let it steep then strain.
• Drink half cup of Pansit-pansitan tea three times a day.
• Pansit-pansitan tea concoction can be stored in suitable glass container for later consumption.

Dried leaves are more potent. Reduce the blend by half.

Pansit-pansitan Use, Warnings and Side Effects

Pepperomia Pellucida or pansit-pansitan intake and use has no reported side effects for most people. In a study done on pansit-pansitan extract overdose in mice, it was suggestive of a moderately wide margin of safety of the plant

Pregnancy and Breast feeding

There are no sufficient studies made to determine the side effects of Pepperomia Pellucida (Pansit-pansitan) taken in medicinal amounts to infants and babies. Stay on the safe side, avoid taking Pansit-pansitan in herbal medicine dosage when pregnant and while breast feeding.

Allergies

In rare cases, the herb has caused allergic reaction as side effect.





Stay healthy and positive! Share and make your loved ones aware!

Source: Medical Health Guide