Avocado is a super food which has grown quite popular across the globe from the past few years. With a plethora of health benefits to its name, every part of this fruit including the leaves is beneficial for human health.
From lowering cholesterol to aiding weight loss, the potential benefits of avocado consumption have been well documented. A new study, however, suggests that further rewards could be reaped from a part of the fruit that we normally discard – the seed and the leaves. These parts of avocado plant contain protein, fiber, mineral and phytochemicals that are useful for human health. Every 100 gram avocado leaves and seeds contain 25.54g protein and 38.40 g fiber.
Scientifically known as Persea americana Miller, this super food is said to have originated in Mexico, Central America but the avocado plant has been cultivated in various parts of the world as the plants that grow in the yard of the residents.
Avocado leaves alone are capable of treating various kinds of diseases, so the leaf is often a traditional ingredient. Substances like quercetin, glikosida and polyphenols, found in the leaves of Avocado are responsible for this powerful effect. Quercetin and glikosida are the largest flavonol compounds present in avocado leaves with about 60-75%.
Quercetin is believed to protect the body from some degenerative disease by capturing free radicals and transition metal ions. Heat can degrade the quercetin content in Avocado;hence processing it can dissolve quercetin.
Avocado leaves taste bitter but useful as a diuretic and inhibit the growth of several types of bacteria such as Staphylococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, sp protectus, escherichia sp and Bacillus sp.
Besides, avocado leaves are also believed to cure bladder stones, high blood pressure, and headaches. Avocado leaf tea can treat nerve pain, stomach pain, swollen airways and irregular menstruation.
Polyphenols are a sub-group of phytonutrients found in foods such as tea, onions, grapes and certain nuts. Natural polyphenol and more are useful in protecting plants against pathogens, parasites, and predators, and that often contribute to the flavor and colour of the fruit and vegetable.
Here are the Disease Curing Benefits of Avocado Leaves that You Need to Know
Curing kidney stones
An avocado leaf is one of the most potent kidney stones removal remedies. The alkaloid, flavonoids, and saponins contents in Avocado are very powerful to destroy kidney stones and improve kidney function perfectly.
Here’s how: Get 5-8 pieces of old avocado leaves (green).
Do not forget to wash to clean germs and dust. The leaves are boiled with 1 cup. Wait until they stay 1/2 cup. Strain the water until there is no residue. Drink every day in the morning and evening for up to 10 days. If effective, kidney stones will be crushed into gravel or appear like froth when urinating. If it is out of gravel and or froth when urinating, then you can stop taking this herb.
Smooth the skin
Avocado leaves are one of the herbs that can help smoothen the skin.
The antioxidants content in it helps cleanse the skin and pores give it a radiant look.
How to use
Mash budding avocado leaves until smooth, then apply on the skin, allow 5-10 minutes then rinse with clean water.
Dry skin
In addition to smoothing the skin, avocado leaves can also resolve dry skin; how to use it is not much different from the way to use it for smooth skin.
Back pain
Avocado leaves are also an efficacious remedy for back pain and waist pain.
How to use: Bring 5 pieces of Avocado leaves to a boil in 1 cup of water. Drink half cup of this tea regularly for 5 days maximum or stop once the pain is gone.
Relieves swelling
Quercetin in Avocado is a very effective substance that helps to relieve swelling that occurs in the skin and other body parts.
How to use
Mash budding avocado leaves until smooth, apply on the skin that has swollen and then wrap with a bandage and leave it for up to 2-4 hours.
Help Reduce Hypertension
The health benefits of avocado leaves for high blood pressure.
How to use
Take five to six pieces of old avocado leaves, then boil in two cups of water to 1 cup, regularly drink until blood pressure level is normal, then stop.
Eliminate Thrush
Try to bite the young leaves of the avocado until smooth, then paste on your canker sores, and allow it to 5-10 minutes then rinse with clean water.
Darkens the Hair
Avocado leaves are also great for darken the hair. The trick is to apply ground budding avocado leaves and rub it into the hair evenly for up to 10 minutes, then rinse or bathe.
Apart from all these, avocado leaves can also be used to resolve tooth cavities, diabetes, cholesterol, infertility and so on.
Side Effects of Avocado Leaves
Despite having so much strength in herbalogy, Avocado, like every other herb, has its own downsides too.
1, It is important to note that there are some questions about the toxicity of avocado leaves. Some research suggests that the leaves taken from some of the avocado plant species potentially produce toxic effects. For example, some experts claim that the Guatemalan avocado plant produces leaves that can be toxic, but the Mexican avocado crops are safe. Even in some cases in Guatemala avocado, many experts claim that the toxicity is only possible if the leaves are consumed in large quantities.
2. It is not advisable to eat avocado during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It may reduce milk production. It can also cause damage to the mammary gland. If the breast feeding mother consumes avocado in large amounts, the baby will have an upset stomach.
3. People suffering from hypersensitivity or to avocado, should avoid eating avocado. It may cause skin reaction or vomiting.
Also, people with avocado allergy must not take it. It can cause adverse effects like hives, itching, redness, or even eczema on skin. It can also cause paralysis, nausea, gastrointestinal disorder, vomiting, migraine, fever, drowsiness, and asthma.
Liver Damage
One of the serious side effects of avocados is that it can damage liver health. There are certain types of avocado oil which may cause damage to your liver. Try to avoid avocado which consists of estragole and anethole. These elements have been tested for carcinogenic reactions. Thus, consumption of these may cause damage to the liver. If you are suffering from compromised liver function and to avoid avocado oil side effects, stop eating this fruit.
Sensitivity To Latex
People who are sensitive to latex should avoid taking avocado as it increases the level of serum IgE antibodies in the body which may cause allergic reaction.
Drugs
Avocado in large amounts may decrease the effect of anti inflammatory medication. Hence, its excess consumption leads to blood thinning.
Although, a lot more research is going on about avocado’s other side effects. Till then eat avocado in moderate amounts to stay away from the allergies. However, ensure that you take it moderately to get the best of it.
