Known as the “herb of longevity,” pennywort juice has been an essential part of traditional Chinese, Indonesian, and Ayurvedic medicine for years. Experts say it can boost brainpower, heal skin issues, and support the liver and kidneys, with some research backing these claims. Pennywort juice has numerous benefits, such as preventing hair loss, speeding up wound healing, aiding skincare, enhancing cognition, soothing nervous disorders, addressing respiratory problems, reducing toxicity, protecting the heart, improving mood, and supporting the circulatory system.
The leaves, the most valuable part of the plant, are widely used in herbal medicine. They help regulate nutrient absorption by improving digestion. Thanks to its high concentration of unique triterpenoid compounds, also known as saponins, pennywort is effective for treating issues ranging from anxiety to heart conditions.
1. Enhancing Brain Development: Pennywort stimulates the release of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein essential for creating new brain cells and maintaining current ones. BDNF boosts brain plasticity, improves cell communication, and enhances dendrite growth.
2. Preventing Hair Loss: In research with rats, pennywort juice stimulated hair growth, increasing both hair count and length. It works even better when paired with Aloe Vera, Eclipta alba (false daisy), Ocimum sanctum (holy basil), and Emblica officinalis (Amla).
3. Providing Antioxidant Support to the Brain: Our brains face constant threats from toxins like lead and arsenic. Pennywort juice offers protection through its antioxidants, neutralizing damage from free radicals and shielding brain cells.
4. Reducing Anxiety and Improving Mood: Modern life is stressful, leading to anxiety, which pennywort juice can help alleviate. It can enhance calmness and alertness while reducing anxiety levels by half. It also diminishes the acoustic startle reflex, indicating decreased stress.
5. Enhancing Sleep Quality: Sleep is crucial for brain health, and issues like insomnia, often caused by anxiety and stress, need proper treatment. While sleeping pills might have side effects, pennywort juice is a natural option used for centuries to promote restful sleep. Its calming effect was well-known in Ayurvedic medicine, where it was combined with honey to improve sleep quality.
6. Boosting Memory and Cognitive Abilities: Pennywort juice supports overall cognitive function. A 2016 study showed it was effective in improving cognitive abilities in stroke patients, even more so in enhancing memory than folic acid.
7. Acting as an Antidepressant: Pennywort juice has shown promise in treating depression. A 2016 study reported that patients experienced reduced stress, anxiety, and depression after two months of usage. Animal studies have also noted an improvement in common depression symptoms.
8. Enhancing the Effects of Vitamin E: Known for its role in heart and brain health, vitamin E can prevent age-related cognitive decline, especially when paired with vitamin C. Supplements combining pennywort juice and vitamin E offer strong antioxidant and brain support.
9. Helping with Alzheimer’s: Recent research highlights pennywort juice as beneficial for mood and cognition, both in healthy seniors and those with Alzheimer’s. It contains triterpenes that help prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, crucial for memory and learning, and protect against amyloid plaque buildup in Alzheimer’s patients.
Pennywort is also a medicinal herb, so it’s essential to handle it carefully. Before adding pennywort to your diet, consult a healthcare professional to ensure it’s safe for you. Overusing pennywort juice can cause dizziness.
