Bryophyllum pinnatum plant is known by different names including air plant, life plant, cathedral bells, Goethe plant, and miracle leaf. This plant is very famous for household things and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. Many people also call this plant Kalanchoe pinnata. The leaves of this plant species are the leaf stem combination which is called phylloclades. As they are thick, fleshy, elliptical in shape, or curved.
Bryophyllum pinnatum is a perennial herb commonly known as Zakhm-e-hyat, pattharcaṭṭa, and parṇabīja. In Ayurveda, the plant is also known as Paṣaṇabheda which means dissolver of stones. The leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum are largely used in traditional and ethnomedicinal practices for the treatment of urinary infections and different types of stone disorders. Leaves are used in ethnomedicinal practices for the treatment of urinary calculi. Moreover, the leaves of this plant are considered an important part of the poly-herbal formulations which are used for antilithiatic purposes.
Leaves are said to have neurosedative, muscle relaxant, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, uterine contractility, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and nephroprotective activities. In temperate regions, Bryophyllum pinnatum is grown as an indoor ornamental plant.
In traditional medicine, the juice of the leaves is also used for kidney stones, this pant is also called Zeb maltet and is used in local applications against headaches. For the people of the Amazon, the plant has multiple uses, the Creoles use it against inflammations and cancer, and as a popular remedy for fevers.
However, the Phytochemical studies of Kalanchoe pinnata have found the presence of steroids, phenanthrene, triterpenes, flavonoid, taraxasterol, flavones, aurones, chalcones, phenolic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, malic, oxalic, ferulic acid, and organic acid. Bufadienolides and phenanthrene are toxic compounds.
The Uses of Parṇabīja or Bryophyllum pinnatum
- The paste made from the leaves of these plants is mainly used for external treatments like boils, insect bites, and burns.
- The extraction of leaves of the plant is given to treat dysentery, approx 30-40ml in 2 or 3 doses. The fresh juice of the leaves is given to control the bleeding of piles, fresh wounds, and dysmenorrhea.
- Even the fresh juice of this plant leaf is given to control blood-mixed diarrhea.
- The paste of the leaves is applied to reduce the swelling also. Additionally, the juice of the leaves is given with sugar to treat colds, coughs, and asthma.
- Even the powder made from this plant is used to make herbal tea because it carries anti-oxidant properties.
- It is used to control diabetes and dissolve kidney stones.
- It is also used to treat respiratory tract infections, and wounds.
- It is useful for preventing alcoholic, viral, and toxic liver damage.
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