Pandan Leaves Benefits

  
Pandan leaves are the leaves of the plant Pandanus amaryllifolius, which is also called pandan plant. Pandan plant is native to Asia and even tropical parts of Australia. Most predominantly used the Southeast Asian cooking, this upright green plant has fan shaped sprays like structure of leaves that are narrow and blade-like. Pandan leaves are attached to the woody aerial roots of the plant. Pandan plant is known to be sterile and it is often propagated by cutting. Pandan leaves are dark green in color, with strong nutty aroma.

Pandan Leaves Benefits

There are various pandan leaves benefits to go along with the culinary uses of the pandan leaves. Pandan leaves are very beneficial for various health conditions. Pandan leaves consist of essential oils, traces of tannin, glycosides and alkaloids as well. As a matter of fact, whole pandan plant is considered to be diuretic and is extremely useful for healing various wounds and diseases like smallpox. Pandan leaves are said to be pain relievers and used that way to cure chest pain, headache, reduce fever, arthritis, earache, etc. Pandan leaves are also used as a healthy laxative for children. Chewing pandan leaves is an easy way to get rid of gum pain.

Pandan leaves are also effective in reducing stomach cramps and stomach spasm. They are also found to be effective in recovery of women with weakness after childbirth. Though rare, pandan flowers are said to be aphrodisiac , which means they stimulate sexual desire. Pandan leaves are also anti-carcinogenic, while benefits of pandan leaves for diabetes are also very significant. Pandan leaves are also useful for treating several skin disorders including leprosy. Pandan leaves are also used for preparation of various herbal teas, with other herbs like lemongrass, mulberry leaves, safflower, green tea and other such herbs. Bathing with water having boiled pandan leaves, is useful for treating skin diseases and sunburns.

Well, this was all about the 'pandan leaves', which are one of the better choices to be introduced in your herb garden. As pandan leaves give that natural green food coloring the dishes, using edible green color and vanilla essence would be the best pandan leaves substitute.

(source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pandan-leaves.html)