Pansit-pansitan clinically proven to be good for gout and arthritis. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. LD50 studies show very low toxicity for both animals and humans. (de Fátima Arrigoni-Blank, 2004) Tagalog: Pansit-pansitan, Ulasimang bato, Ulasiman bato. An annual herb, shallow rooted, may reach 40 cm high, with succulent stems. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and turgid, as transparent and smooth as candle wax. Tiny dotlike flowers scattered along solitary and leaf-opposed stalk (spike); naked; maturing gradually from the base to the tip; turning brown when ripe. Propagation by seeds. Numerous tiny seeds drop off when mature and grow easily in clumps and groups in damp areas.
Pansit-pansitan Traditional Health
Benefit. Pansit-pansitan is widely
used as folkloric herbal medicine. Pansit-pansitan is known for the following
health benefits: Eye inflammation, Sore throat, Diarrhea, Prostate
problems, High blood pressure, Arthritis, Gout, Skin
boils, Wounds, Burns, Skin inflammation, abscesses,
pimples, Headache, Fever, Abdominal pains, Renal
problems, Mental excitement disorder.
Scientific Studies: Peperomia pellucida
(Pansit-pansitan) Herbal Medicine. Analgesic / Anti-inflammatory action of
Pansit-pansitan. Pansit-pansitan
has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough, common cold, headache and
arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract in mice indicated
that that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The
anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to interference with prostaglandin
synthesis. In another study done on rabbits, pansit-pansitan extract exhibited
an anti-pyretic activity which indicates that it is comparable to standard
aspirin.
Anti-cancer Activity of Pansit-pansitan.
A study have isolated compounds in P.Pellucida that
has inhibitory actions against growth of some cancer cells. This shows its
potential as an anti-cancer supplement. Antioxidant activity of
Pansit-pansitan. In a study done on P.Pellucida extract, it has shown that
it has a strong scavenging activity against free radicals suggesting that
pansit-pansitan is a good natural anti-oxidant. Anti-bacterial activity of
Pansit-pansitan. A study has isolated a compound called patuloside A, a
xanthone glycoside from P. pellucida that is found to have broad spectrum
antibacterial activity.
Anti-arthritic Activity of
Pansit-pansitan. A study have shown that
extracts from pansit-pansitan combined with ibuprofen treatment has
significantly improved the symptoms associated with arthritis. Particularly
that of knee joint rheumatism. Uric Acid reduction in blood. In a
controlled study involving rats, extracts from P. pellucida were administered
and uric acid levels were monitored. The study have shown that rats that were
subjected to pansit-pansitan extract indicated a 44% reduction of uric acid
level in blood while those that are given allopurinol drug have shown 66%
reduction in uric acid level. This results show that pansit-pansitan may
contain compounds that maybe used as alternative to allopurinol to control uric
acid levels in the blood.
Depressant activity of Pansit-pansitan.
In a study done in Bangladesh, mice were given
nikethamide to induce excitement. The mice were later administered with
extracts from pepperomia pellucida to determine its depressant activity. The
results of the study suggest that pansit-pansitan extract has a dose dependent
depressant activity that is beneficial for treatment of excessive mental
excitement.disorder. Pansit-pansitan
Usage, Dosage Where can I get Pansit-pansitan? Pepperomia Pellucida
or pansit-pansitan grows wild in nooks and corners in damp lightly shaded
areas. The whole plant can be harvested fresh, eaten raw as in salad ingredient
or cooked with other vegetables and meat. Pansit-pansitan tea can be
prepared by collecting stems and leaves mixed with boiled water (see below) or
formed into poultice to be applied topically over skin wounds and inflammation.
Pansit-pansitan Tea Preparation. Wash freshly gathered Pansit-pansitan plant parts;
Chop then add in 4 cups of water for every 1 cup; Let it boil for 10
to 15 minutes with the pot cover removed.; Let it steep then strain.;
Drink half cup of Pansit-pansitan tea three times a day. Pansit-pansitan
tea concoction can be stored in suitable glass container for later consumption.
Dried leaves are more potent. Reduce the blend by half.
Pansit-pansitan Use, Warnings and Side
Effects. Pepperomia Pellucida or
pansit-pansitan intake and use has no reported side effects for most people. In
a study done on pansit-pansitan extract overdose in mice, it was suggestive of
a moderately wide margin of safety of the plant. Pregnancy and Breast
feeding. There are no sufficient studies made to determine the side effects
of Pepperomia Pellucida (Pansit-pansitan) taken in medicinal amounts to infants
and babies. Stay on the safe side, avoid taking Pansit-pansitan in herbal
medicine dosage when pregnant and while breast feeding.