Leaves are a popular accompaniment to many meals and are often served with protein-rich dishes. They are not only a delicious vegetable but also a herb that is commonly grown in home gardens. The plant has properties that can help combat various diseases, making it a valuable addition to any diet. At YouMed, we aim to educate people on the health benefits of plants like Paederia foetida. In this article, we’ll explore its chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and offer some precautions when using it. Known by several names such as hairy vine or piled cow’s skin, Paederia foetida is also referred to as King’s tonic or stinky opal berry in the UK. Its scientific name is derived from the Latin word “Foetida,” meaning foul or smelly. Belonging to the coffee family Rubiaceae, this plant contains several remedies that can be beneficial for various ailments. If you’re interested in learning more about the medicinal properties of Paederia foetida, you can download the YouMed app to chat, call, or book a consultation with a doctor specializing in herbal medicine.
The decomposition of flowers and leaves is a natural process. The tree under discussion is a vine with coiled stems that can survive for several years. Its body is either green or reddish purple in color with soft hairs all over, especially on the trunk, branches, and young leaves. The opposite growing leaves are oval or ovate, measuring between 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, and their base is either round or heart-shaped with long stems. The inflorescences grow in leaf axils or at the end of the stem in cymes, and the flowers are white with light purple highlights. The fruit is flat, egg-shaped with a glossy brown surface. Due to the unpleasant smell of its crushed leaves, this tree is commonly known as “Enemy Stink.”
This tropical species thrives in places with high humidity and light, including subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and South America. In Vietnam, there are five varieties of this tree, with Paederia foetida being the most common. It grows wildly on fences and tolerates shade.
The whole plant is usable, but it is best to harvest it fresh when needed. The leaves contain 44.6% protein, which includes Argentina, Histidine, Lysin, Tyrosine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanin, Cystin, Methionine, and Threonin. Additionally, they contain essential oils with a pungent odor of carbon disulfide and fatty acids.
According to modern medicine, the tree’s extract has anti-inflammatory properties and can inhibit leukocyte migration and inflammatory media. Moreover, it showed chronic anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting granulation tissue formation in mice implanted with cotton pellets. The extracts also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties similar to DMARDs – slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs. Therefore, they could be promising for future arthritis patients.
Animal studies have also shown that the plant’s leaf extracts can inhibit the growth of Shigella flexneri and Entamoeba histolytica, which are among the causes of dysentery symptoms. Furthermore, the extract helps to reduce gastrointestinal motility, increase water and electrolyte absorption, creating a basis for its application in treating diarrhea.
Patients suffering from dysentery often experience uncomfortable symptoms. However, the use of deer leaf extract has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes can experience complications when their blood sugar remains high for an extended period of time, potentially affecting organs like the brain, eyes, heart, and kidneys. The extract from Paederia foetida L. leaves has been found to stimulate insulin production in mice, helping to decrease bad blood lipids and potentially slowing the onset of diabetes-related complications. Additionally, enemy leaves have anti-helminthic properties that can help combat parasitic infections like strongyloidiasis, trichostrongylus, Haemonchus spp, hookworms, and tapeworms. These infections are typically spread through contaminated soil in unsanitary areas via human feces containing eggs. The oral aqueous extract of leaves has been found to be highly effective against some types of parasitic infections and moderately effective against others.
The digestive tract can be affected by parasitic infections caused by helminths. Traditional medicine suggests that stink leaves have a slightly bitter taste, a foul smell, and a cooling effect. They are believed to have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties and are commonly used to treat rheumatism, pain, abdominal pain, dysentery, bloating, and slow digestion. Folk experience recommends the use of stink leaves to clear heat, disinfect, and treat gastrointestinal diseases. To avoid potential risks, it is essential to use the correct recommended dosage or follow your doctor’s instructions. It is also crucial to avoid stink leaves if you are allergic to any of their components. To make medicine, the leaves should be soaked in salt water for about 20 minutes to disinfect, whether eaten raw, applied externally, or decocted. The remedies containing leaves of this plant are meant to cure dysentery, treat indigestion, stomach churning, pinworms, and roundworms, heal skin wounds quickly, and alleviate bone and joint pain and rheumatism in the elderly. Stink leaves are often used in Vietnamese cuisine and possess several health benefits. Nevertheless, it is still best to consult with a doctor before using medicinal herbs to control risks and side effects.