WHAT IS KATAKA-TAKA/MIRACLE PLANT

Scientific name: Bryophyllum pinnatum
English names: Miracle plant/leaf, leaf of life, cathedral bells, air plant.
Tagalog name: Kataka-taka

The word kataka-taka means "unbelievable", well this plant deserves its name because of its amazing characteristics.

Kataka-taka is a fast growing juicy plant. Leaves are thick, fleshy and simple or compound in pairs on redd stems, leaves are simple or pinnately compound, with the leaflets elliptic, thick, succulent, and scalloped margins. plantlets grow along the notches of the leaf margins which can develop while still attached to the plant or when detached, because of this amazing characteristic this plant earns its name, flowers are about 5 cm long, bell-shaped, colors are green or yellow and has a reddish stems.

This plant is easily propagated and widely
distributed in the Philippines, found in thickets and open places. this plant is easy to grow simply by its leaves you can grow an entire plant and you don't need to water it everyday.

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USES AND BENEFITS

Properties

• Leaves considered astringent, antiseptic, hemostatic, refrigerant, emollient, counterirritant, mucilaginous, vulnerary, depurative, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, and tonic.

• Pharmacologic studies have showed
  pharmacologic properties: immunomodulatory,
  CNS depressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
  anti-allergic, antianaphylactic, antileishmanial,
  antitumorous, antiulcer, antibacterial,
  antifungal, antiviral, febrifuge, gastroprotective, immunosuppressive, insecticidal, sedative, muscle relaxant.

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Medicinal uses

The entire plant can be juiced and used as herbal medicine especially the leaves, its thick leaves usually pounded and juiced to apply on affected body part. leaves can also hold over fire and apply to skin infections or wounds.

• Pounded fresh material is applied for conditions like Sprains, eczema, infections and burns

• Leaves, made pliable by hold over fire, are applied to wounds, bruises, boils also, used as poultice or power in bad ulcers.

• Also used as astringent, antiseptic, and counterirritant against poisonus insect bites.

• This plant also used to treat boils, asthma, diarrhea, headache and rheumatism.

• for asthma and diarrhea, place leaves in hot water for 15-20 minutes, then juice squeezed out of the leaves, and drunk.

credits
PROPERTIES

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thats all for now, till next time.