Bride tear plants are rarely known by many people as home decoration. The Latin name of bridal tears is Antigonon Leptopus, a flowering genus in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. In addition to beautiful, tenyata benefits of bridal tears can also improve health. There are at least three native species from America. That is Antigonon S.Watson species (lovechain), Antigonon guatimalense Meisn, Antigonon leptopus Hook & Arn.
Bridal tears are vines, branched stems and root system of tubers. Leaves appear arranged alternately, plant flowers out from the tip of the stem. If noted, the bell-shaped flowers have five tepals. Generally the flowers are pink or purplish, sometimes yellowish or white. Then the stamens are joined at the base of the flower and form a tube.
In Indonesia, bridal tears (Antigonon leptopus) were brought from Mexico and distributed during the Dutch colonial period. Bridal tears become garden ornaments and yard, and these plants grow very quickly into weeds. This plant could be a prima donna ornament cultivation, some houses to plant because the color of flowers is very interesting. It is also believed to be able to cure some diseases, including cough and diabetes.
The Benefits of Bridal Tears
The benefits of bridal tears for health have been demonstrated long ago as traditional medicine. Generally this herb concoction is used by the American population, even records of Indian medicine also use this herb. Leaf and flower tea plant extract contains anti-thrombin, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and lipid peroxidation anti. Here are the benefits of bridal tear tea that are useful to us:
The bridal tears (Antigonon leptopus) can be consumed like Popcorn. Baja California natives bake seeds by placing them on embers. Native Americans also make bride tears for cake-making material, and sometimes boil it. Hot tea sprouts from bridal tear blossoms are used for the prevention and treatment of cough and nasal pain in the flu. Phenolic compounds known as powerful antioxidants, can prevent antioxidant damage in biomolecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins. Phenolic compounds can reduce the risk of chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and treat cancer that inhibits the stage of carcinogenesis in vivo.Analgesik, can be used as anti-inflammatory drugs / anti-inflammatory non-steroid (NSAID), the most popular drug used for pain relief. Examples of NSAID drugs are aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen.This plant contains anti-thrombin, which is useful to speed up the blood clotting process. This is very beneficial for people with hemophilia (blood hard to freeze) and treat nosebleeds. Anti-diabetes content is very useful to control blood sugar and prevent diabetes. Containing lipid anti-peroxidation can prevent cholesterol, blockage of blood vessels, and other cardiovascular diseases.