Health Benefits of Pandan

Rose May Pimentel in Health

Jan 28, 2022 • 3 min Read

Many Pinoys are familiar with pandan because it’s a key ingredient in a popular local dessert known as buko pandan. Pandan, also known as screw pine is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help relieve different illnesses. Its leaves are often used to add flavor and natural color to numerous recipes.

Here in our country, pandan leaves are put in the rice for flavor and good smell. The uses of pandan are not limited to cooking. Its leaves and roots are found to have medicinal benefits.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of this aromatic herb:

1. Relieves Arthritis Pain

The leaves are left to soak in coconut oil then rub on the body to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Maintains Oral Health

Some natural health practitioners chew pandan leaves as an alternative to a trip to the dentist and help maintain good oral health.

3. Skin Care

Pandan leaves contain tannic acids that can protect the skin against sunburns. It has a cooling effect and quickly heals sunburns and burns wound.

4. Slows Down Diseases

Researchers have also praised pandan for its potential disease-fighting antioxidants. It contains polyphenols that have been associated with slowing the development of serious diseases, such as heart disease.

5. Manages Diabetes

Pandan may also offer some hope for the 400-million plus people worldwide living with diabetes. Researchers say pandan leaves are used in traditional medicine to help manage diabetes. In one study, participants drank pandan tea while another group of people drank hot water after a glucose tolerance test. The blood sugar levels of the two groups were compared and those who drank pandan tea saw a smaller spike in their blood sugar levels. Researchers believed that it was due to a natural compound in pandan called quercetin. 

6. Detox Your Liver

Pandan can help flush out toxins and other bad substances from your liver and body, as it’s a mild laxative.

7. Natural Air Freshener

Knot the leaves together and slip them into your wardrobe or hang them in a room to enjoy the sweet smell.

8. Pain Reliever

Laxative properties that are present in pandan leaves can help provide pain relief from chest pain, arthritis, headache, and ear pain. In addition, pandan can decrease stomach spasms and help mothers in their recovery after birth.

9. Has Antibacterial Properties

The antibacterial properties of pandan can effectively fight against diseases caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Bacillus cereus causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea while Escherichia coli is responsible for diarrhea, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia.

10. Potent Anti-cancer Herbal Solution

In a study conducted, results showed that the aqueous extract of roots and leaves of pandan possess apoptotic, cytotoxic, antimitotic, and antiproliferative effects. Consumption of pandan leaf tea can help fight off the harmful effects of toxins and prevent the onset of cancer.

11. Helps Treat Insomnia

Pandan contains alkaloid compounds that can provide a calming effect on the body and make you sleep easier.

Pandan does wonder. Go start including this wonderful herb in your daily routine and enjoy its benefits!

Stay healthy and safe!