Power of Pirandai: Benefits of Cissus Quadrangularis Reviewed
Sami Aslam
Cissus Quadrangularis is a common plant of the grape family. It is an ancient medicinal plant native to the hotter parts of Ceylon and India. However, this perennial plant is now found throughout Africa and Asia and is even exported to the United States due to its beneficial health qualities. It also goes by the names Veldt grape, Adamant creeper and Devil’s backbone.
Researchers believe that Cissus quadrangularis can help burn fat, reduce appetite, and increase lean muscle mass. Combining dietary changes and exercises with Cissus Quadrangularis supplement could promote a healthy weight loss - 187 percent more weight than without it. It boosts weight loss efforts by helping to suppress the appetite and stimulating the metabolism to burn weight calories faster and use nutrients more efficiently. In conjunction with the benefits above, Cissus quadrangularis has also been directly linkedto lower cholesterol levels, possibly due to its strong impact on metabolic factors in the body. By reducing “bad” cholesterol in the body, Cissus quadrangularis can help to protect your cardiovascular system from an excess strain, atherosclerosis, heart, attacks, strokes, and elevated blood pressure.
Strong Bones & Dental Health
The plant extract serves as a rich source of calcium ions and is known to accelerate healing of fracture & increase the bone strength. According to Bogar, a Tamil siddhar (sometime between 550 and 300 BCE) who is said to have discoverered the elixir of immortality, expected Cissus to equal the strength of Diamond, the hardest substance known to man. That could be reason for its names - Vajrangi/Vajjravalli – Makes body as strong as diamond. In a similar way, as Cissuc quadrangularis can also help your teeth. Studies have shown a correlation between great oral health and Cissus quadrangularis supplementation.
Heals Broken Bones
The Sanskrit word asthisamharaka literally means that which saves the bones from their destruction. Have you noted that Cissus quadrangular stem resembles the shape of bones and joints in the body. It is surprisingly powerful to prevent the degradation of bone matter in the body and stimulate bone growth. To be more specific, research has revealed that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates the production of osteoblasts, which are the cells in the body responsible for growing bone. Compounds that act as receptor antagonists of glucocorticoids have reduced the healing time of broken bones 30 to 50 percent in clinical trials. Maybe that is why the traditional name of Harjor or ‘Bone Setter,’ literally meaning “that which joins the bones” (har = bone, jor = the one which joins). It was prescribed in the ancient Ayurvedic texts as a general tonic and analgesic, with specific bone fracture healing properties.
Immunity & Wound Healing
The high levels of ascorbic acid found in Cissus quadrangularis mean that your body gets an extra defensive shield against pathogens and foreign substances in the body, as well as additional antioxidant protection. Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C, stimulates the production of white blood cells to fight infections and illness, thereby improving your overall health. Vitamin C is also a crucial component of collagen, the material used by the body to build everything from muscle tissue to blood vessels and arteries. High levels of vitamin C help in growth and repair, meaning that wound healing can be sped up and recovery from injury and illness can be quicker.
Reduces Inflammation
The general anti-inflammatory properties of certain organic compounds found in Cissus quadrangularis can help reduce swelling and irritation throughout the body, but the most conclusive studies have focused on its role in treating or lessening the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Its bactericidal effect on Helicobacter pylori holds promise as an effective treatment of gastric ulcers and preventative of stomach cancer in conjunction with anti inflammatory therapy.
Prevents Diabetes
One of the unique benefits of Cissus quadrangularis is its ability to lower blood sugarlevels in the body. This is done by regulating the release of blood sugar from the nutritional intake and ensuring that glucose and insulin levels remain optimal in the blood. The plant’s role in weight loss also helps in this case, as obesity is closely linked to Type II diabetes. Since cissus quadrangularis helps control one’s blood sugar, it can also reduce one’s risk of becoming pre-diabetic and then developing type II diabetes. Type II diabetes is highly correlated with obesity so cissus quadrangularis’s weight-loss effects would also be beneficial.
Relieves Cramps & Pains
Many health experts in the field have compared cissus quadrangularis to the same pain-relieving effects as aspirin. One of the most common side effects of a woman’s menstrual period is cramping and bloating, as well as mood swings and hormonal imbalances. Cissus quadrangularis is able to relieve cramping and discomfort during menstruation, making it highly desirable in the market of herbal remedy world. Within Siddha medicine, it’s viewed as a natural pain killer and tonic, as well as a healer from broken bones. Within Ayurvedic medicine, Cissus Quadrangularis has been used to heal injured tendons and ligaments. One study focused on athletes, yielded positive effects by reducing in joint pain by a third. This could be promising for athletes, as most joint health supplement research is conducted on people with osteoarthritis.
How to Use Cissus Quadrangularis?
Many hesitate to use pirandai because of it's itchy nature, but if we properly handle pirandai, we can prevent itchiness in our hands. First always try to pick tender pirandai. Clean it properly in running water for 3-4 times. Use a gloves or apply sesame oil before handling pirandai otherwise it causes itching sensation. Break it at the nodes and remove the nodes too. Young pirandai can be easily broken with hands and as the pirandai ages it thickens. Pull the fibers apart, like we do for peeling drumsticks. Saute the stem well in oil to avoid getting any burning sensation in mouth.
Possible Side effects of Cissus Quadrangularis
Since cissus quadrangularis is an all-natural supplement, it’s considered to be highly safe and side effects are rare. Within clinical studies, most participants did not experience any adverse effects at all. For those who did report side effects when they are first exposed to the plant, the side effects were mild in nature and included flatulence, headaches, and nausea. It can be used during lactation period and in children above 5 years of age. But seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy. As with any herbal remedy, it may have potential complications with certain medications. Also if you’re diabetic, speak with your doctor before taking cissus quadrangularis. Since it naturally lowers blood sugar, taking cissus quadrangularis along with your regular diabetic medications could cause your blood sugar to dip too low.
Cissus Quadrangularis is a common plant of the grape family. It is an ancient medicinal plant native to the hotter parts of Ceylon and India. However, this perennial plant is now found throughout Africa and Asia and is even exported to the United States due to its beneficial health qualities.
