Monday, May 10, 2010

Tropical Herbs...'Seven Star Needle'

Someone gave me a plant and said that the name as translated in Chinese is 'Seven Star Needle'. She told me that the leaves of this plant has medicinal value. By eating 7 pieces of the leaves, it will clear toxic in the intestine. This will relief all bad toxic and therefore avoid Cancer.

After doing some research, I realized the scientific name of this plant is Pereskia Bleo. Its flower comes in orangy red. I was given a stem to plant and after 7 months, it started to flower.

There are many herbal plants around us and we do not know them and therefore missed the chance of better health. As this plant grows by the fence, it naturally needs it as a support. However because it is a herb and it is used locally, people have been eating it and getting results from it. As I mentioned before Prevention is better than cure and it is good if you have this plant in your backyard and eat the leave occasionally or make drinks with it so that the family can also benefit.

This is how it can be taken

1) Pluck 7 pieces of leaves, wash and chew it. Do it once or twice a week (A word to pregnant women that you should not try anything as your body may not be able to take it with a baby.)

2) Pluck 7 pieces of leaves and boil it with one bowl of water until it is one cup and drink it like tea. This is good for clearing toxic in the intestine.

3) Pluck 7 pieces of leave and boil it like a soup, add pork ribs and a little salt. It is a good soup for the family.

4) Pluck 7 pieces of leave and stir fry with other vegetables.

It not only counteract Cancer, it lower blood pressure, cholesterol, migraine and many more.

I ate the leaves from this plant myself every time I do my gardening. I plucked and chewed it. It is crunchy and give out a nice smell. Since it is cactus family, the leaves are a little gummy but acceptable. However its flowers and fruits can also be eaten, cooked or raw. The needle thorns are used by Chinese Doctors to cure skin disease.

Here is some facts about this plant...

"Pereskia is a genus of about 25 tropical species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of cacti, having substantial leaves and thin stems. They originate from the region between Brazil and Mexico. They can be classified as shrubs, climbing plants or slightly succulent trees.Most of the species are found in dry forests or thorny scrub, in tropical climates..."

Apparently from the net, I also found that Malaysian Doctors have recorded about the benefits of this plant. You can search by typing "Pereskia Bleo".

Quote...
"Both Pereskia bleo and Pereskia grandifolia have been used as natural remedies in cancer-related diseases, either eaten raw or taken as a concoction brewed from fresh plants. Both are believed to have anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also used as remedies for the relief of headache, gastric pain, ulcers, hemorrhoids, atopic dermatitis, and for revitalizing the body. [3],[4],[5] In Panama, the locals use the whole plant of Pereskia bleo to treat gastrointestinal problems, [6] while in India, Pereskia grandifolia is used to reduce swelling. [7],[8]"

For those reading Chinese, you can also try searching for "七星针草药".

This plant is easily found in Malaysia and Singapore. I was told that the Purple Flower Pereskia Grandifolia is also widely search for its medicinal abilities. I had one stem growing and will share the flower picture once it blooms.

Hope this article is helpful and beneficial for those reading here.

25 comments:

  1. Thank you for your kind advice. I heard of this plant too and the same has been said that it can in fact clear tumours however there were no clear evidence by those who had cancer.Having taken it myself, there is certainly an after effect by way of the powerful excretion of your motion which in my opinion is the cleansing process of your intestine. One thing that puzzles me is the number of leaves to be taken.Some says to take either 1,3,5 or 7 and not even numbers. Perhaps you have an idea as to the reason. Malays also take them but mentioned 2 leaves to chew.Regards; Art

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  2. Art...I am not so sure but was told 7 leaves. It must have its reason. Since it is not harmful and help to clear toxic...eat it regularly if possible for health. Thank you.

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  3. I was told that it is also good for high blood pressure..is that true?Please let me know 'cos I have high blood and not on medication 'cos Im taking the leaves but Im not sure whether I am taking it the right way...
    I take 1-3 leaves a day but not everyday. Can someone advise me please?
    my email address is sheyha.sulong@gmail.com
    Thanks a million.

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  4. Hi
    Thanks for leaving a message here. However these are local herbs and has medicinal properties. I tried it myself and from my daily motions, I realized sometimes it is like cover with a thin layer of mucus. These leaves are said to clear toxic.

    I am no doctor and I am not able to confirm but the information on Goggle said so..it is also said good for lowering blood pressure. After taking these leaves, do you feel any different? For high blood, you must cut down salt and red meat. Take more veggies.

    Good Luck!

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  5. Thank you for writing this article. My accupresurist advice was 3leafs eaten at morning with empty stomach. Boiled for 1/2 hour as drink with red dates.

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  6. hello.. this is very informational. early this month my dad was advised by his friend about this seven needle plant, that we should chew 2 leaves 3 times a day for cleansing of toxins and it can also melt tumors. I was skeptical at first but I googled it and found your blog and other pages and now I believe in its healing effects.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it is a wonderful medicinal plant. You should take a look at my blog for the purple flower specie which was the most valuable as it was rare and has higher healing properties as mentioned by some. This is hard to find and hard to grow.

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  7. hi i have started to try chewing of these leaves.i hope you dont mind if i share this info on my FB

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    Replies
    1. Sure, just share it so that it may benefit others who need to know. Glad you find it useful.

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  8. Hi My husband's blood pressure has been slightly high and he is not no medication yet. Can he take this herb?

    Elly

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  9. Hi Leo, if you can find the leaves, you can try but no guarantee. Herbs worked differently on different bodies. My suggestion is to cut down on salt intake and to brisk walk daily. Since you said his blood pressure is slightly high so it is the lifestyle, just cut down and be moderate and he will be fine. Most important make sure his blood sugar is under control and not exceed 6 pts. Cheers :)

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  10. hi,, I have a plant in my home looks like in the picture of a seven needles,,,, thus that plant have many needle thorns on its stem...can that plant be here in the phillippines

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    1. Hi Eric, this is a tropical plant and therefore I believe it can survive in Philippines as well. You have to be careful with the thorns, they are very painful if you pricked yourself,

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    2. I want to send my pictures of seven star needle,how to attach to Facebook.?

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    3. You will have to click on my picture, save it and than attach to your facebook.

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    4. Alternatively, you take a picture of your plant, download to PICASA and than attach to your facebook.

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  11. My friend gave me few stalks to plant at my work place which I planted in my landscape. It grow so much and has beautiful green buds and bloom into flowers.

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    1. Oh wonderful.... I may have to ask you to give me a cutting. Mine somehow was invested with virus and not growing too well and I dare not eat the leaves.

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  12. we have one planted along the highway and one day while mom was cleaning near it, an old chinese lady got off her car, chatted her and ask about the seven needles. she said it has medicinal properties but mom knew it already because she was using it for her arthritis years ago. i think this plant is popular in the chinese community

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    Replies
    1. Hi JC, this plant has been around for long long time. It is used by various people for various ailments. Not only the Chinese but other ethnic groups too, not in Singapore but all over Asia. Let me know where I can get some of this plant to have an extra pot if you don't mind.

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  13. Hi Do you know whether it can be taken by breastfeeding mums? Will it affect baby? I currently have a dermoid cyst around my ovary area for more than a year. It was found during my pregnancy. After delivery, it still remains the size of about 5cm. Gynea said it need to be removed by ops but i intend to wait due to breastfeeding. He said there is not medicine to cure. So thinking whether the seven star needle plant could help or not. I have 1 pot given by my insurance agent as he said is good for health. I watered everyday but did not use it. I have another pot cut from the 1st pot and grew more beautiful than the 1st pot. The leaves at the 1st pot are very small.

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    Replies
    1. I believe the plants worked for various people. However if you have a cyst, you should get it removed like the doctor said. Do not allowed the cyst to grow any bigger since it is benign. Have second opinion if you worried it may affect your breastfeeding. This is a plant and many have being taking it with no bad effect.

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  14. Hi,

    I have taken this herb for more than five years and have found it very beneficial in softening the numerous cysts in my breast. Not only that, it helped me regulate my menstrual flows (which had over the years been increasing from 3 days to 11 days) until it went back to 3 days flow only.

    My filipino helper who used to suffer from period pains also experienced reducing pains until it was quite bearable.

    By accident, I found it extremely effective in bringing my arthritis pain level down when I boiled the leaves for about 5 minutes then before turning off the fire, I throw in a small handful of Chinese tea leaves.

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  15. Hi, I have this plant growing in a pot. However, as it's just past winter in Australia, there are no leaves on my plant but it has got 2 green fruits on it. 1 has dropped off due to the recent strong winds. Can someone advise whether it is a fruit or not and whether it also has medicinal value.

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  16. Hi, I have this plant growing in a pot. At the moment it has dropped off all leaves as it is just past winter in Australia. However, there are 2 green fruits on it and am not sure whether it also has medicinal value. Can anyone advise how this fruit can be used ?

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