How does it work?
Saluyot has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties in its extract. A study was conducted wherein saluyot extract helped reduce the inflammation and high temperatures in rats.
Saluyot is a herbaceous vine that is a popular leafy vegetable in Southeast Asia. It is a good source of iron, vitamins B & C, and calcium. Medicinal uses include the treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
Scientific Name: Corchorus olitorius
Also knows as:
Saluyot (Tagalog), Jute, Jew’s mallow, Egyptian spinach, jute mallow, bush okra, West African sorrel (En), Chang shouo huang ma (Ch). Krinkrin (Fr)
Saluyot (Corchorus olitorius) is an edible leafy vegetable that is a member of the genus Corchorus, classified under the subfamily Grewioideae of the family Malvaceae. Saluyot is widely found in tropical and subtropical areas from Asia to Africa valued as food and for its strong fiber. Saluyot has long been used as food staple since ancient times by Jewish people and Egyptians hence derived its English names Jew’s mallow and Egyptian spinach.
Saluyot leaves are very nutritious, it is rich in calcium, iron, protein, vitamin A, C and E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and dietary fibers. Saluyot is usually cooked as stew, forming a thick slimy syrup similar in consistency to okra usually taken with rice or other starchy staple.
Saluyot can almost grow anywhere in the Philippines. Saluyot is a hardy plant that is resistant to pests and requires little care. It can be found in the wild as it can also be grown in a farm.
Saluyot plants are tall, reaching 2-4 meters in height, having only a few side branches. Saluyot leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate, about 5-15 cm in length tapering to a pointed tip and has finely serrated margin. Saluyot flowers are yellow about 2-3 cm wide with five petals. The fruit is capsule-like with plenty of small seeds inside.
Saluyot | Corchorus olitorius Medicinal Uses
Saluyot boosts immunity
Saluyot is rich in vitamins E and C, and is packed with antioxidants, so it helps to protect the cells from damage.
These vitamins and antioxidants prevent wrinkles and help keep you look youthful, while fighting off infections and diseases.
Saluyot helps to improve eyesight
The herb is also rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin B6, which help maintain good vision.
This herb is also good for pregnant women and diabetics
Pregnant women are often advised to add saluyot to their diets, because it was found that saluyot increases both the mother and the fetus’s resistance versus diabetes-induced oxidative stress.
Saluyot can also help protect the liver
Because of saluyot’s antioxidant properties, its leave extracts help protect the liverby detoxifying thioacetamide, a compound that is harmful to the organ.
Saluyot in Traditional and Folkloric Medicine
- Saluyot being rich in vitamins and minerals generally promotes good health and well-being.
- Saluyot being rich in vitamin A can provide health benefits for good eyesight.
- Saluyot contains vitamin E and other antioxidants. It is said to prevent wrinkles and promote youthful-looking skin.
- Saluyot is used to treat inflammation and pain such as arthritis , headache, stomach ache and others.
- Saluyot being rich in fiber helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol build-up, diabetes and prevents heart disease.
- Saluyot leaves are rich in fiber and its slimy consistency when cooked is used to treat various digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach ache, dysentery, constipation and ulcers.
- It is also claimed that together with other herbs it can cure cancer.
Other Saluyot Health Benefits include:
- Treating internal bleeding. For this, consult your doctor.
- It can aid the body in absorbing nutrients.
- Saluyot is sometimes used to help the body fight jaundice, and other complications from long-term use of damaging medicine such as aspirin and antibiotics.
- It is also good for oral health. You can use it for both gums and teeth.
- Saluyot can help control blood pressure, cholesterol build-up, diabetes, and prevents cardiac diseases. This is due to its high fiber content.
- Saluyot can help prevent and is used in treating certain cancers because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- It can also be used for treating asthma.
- Saluyot prevents restless leg syndrome or fatigue, a condition wherein a person experiences cramps, tingling, numbness, or manifestations of fatigue.
Science-Based Health Benefits from Saluyot | Corchorus olitorius Herbal Medicine
Saluyot Mechanism of action in disease treatment and prevention
Phenolic antioxidants from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius L.
Corchorus olitorius leaves contains six phenolic antioxidative compounds The contents of these phenolic compounds, were determined, and their antioxidative activities were measured using the radical generator-initiated peroxidation of linoleic acid. The results obtained showed that 5-caffeoylquinic acid was a predominant phenolic antioxidant in Corchorus olitorius leaves. Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry. (1999 Oct)
Gastroprotective effects of Corchorus olitorius (Saluyot leaf extract)
A study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of an ethanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in adult Sprague Dawley rats showed that sambong extract posses gastroprotection in the experimental groups and medical benefits were comparable to that of the reference control medicine omeprazole. Source: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (2013 Aug)
Corchorus olitorius (jute) extract induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on human multiple myeloma cells (ARH-77).
A study investigated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of leaf extracts (LE) and seed extracts (SE) of the Corchorus olitorius on the multiple myeloma-derived ARH-77 cells. Results have showed that both Saluyt leaf and seed extracts exerted cytotoxic effects on cells and the results of the comet assay revealed that the extracts induced genotoxic damage on ARH-77 cells. The leaf and seed extract treatments indicated that genotoxic damage significantly increased with increasing concentrations at relevant cytotoxic concentrations. Source: Pharmaceutical Biology. (2013 Jun)
Polyphenolic compounds with anti-tumour potential from Corchorus olitorius (L.)
Chromatographic fractionation of the methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius (L.) yielded two polyphenolic compounds. The compounds when tested possess mild cytotoxic activity which was significant against HeLa cells at ⩾800μM. The plant Corchorus olitorius therefore represents a potential source of natural ‘lead’ compounds with anti-tumour potential. Source: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. (2016 Aug)
Health Benefits of Saluyot for Diabetes
A study conducted in Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, India reported that by administering powdered Saluyot supplements to pregnant rats, both the mother and the fetus exhibited an increased resistance in diabetes induced oxidative stress versus a control group. The results suggest that Saluyot supplementation during pregnancy may provide beneficial effects against diabetes induced oxidative stress both for the mother and the fetus. (Journal of Diabetes. March 2013: Dietary supplementation with Ipomoea aquatica attenuates maternal and fetal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats)
Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Corchorus olitorius aqueous extract
A study was conducted to determine the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of Corchorus olitorius root in Wistar rats. The results showed that Corchorus olitorius root extract (p<0.05) decreased the elevated temperature and inflammation compared with the control group. This study suggests that Corchorus olitorius root is another good source of phytomedicine that can be used effectively to treat inflammation and pyrexia that accompany some diseases. Source: Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology. (2015 Jul)
Health Benefits of Saluyot Against Liver Disease
The Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Malaya in Malaysia conducted a study on the protective action of Saluyot against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats to determine if Saluyot can indeed help treat jaundice. An ethanol extract of Saluyot has been administered to rats subjected to liver damage by thioacetamide. Results had shown that the rats when compared to a control group showed resistance against liver lesions, cell necrosis and inflammation. The study further suggests that the protective effect of Saluyot extract in chemical-induced liver damage might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Moreover, it confirms a scientific basis for the traditional use of Saluyot for the treatment of liver disorders. (Molecules. 2012: Ipomoea aquatica extract shows protective action against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity)
Saluyot Preparations, Usage, and Side Effects
Saluyot Preparation and Usage
Saluyot tea preparation:
- Gather fresh Saluyot leaves then air dry
- boil half a cup of dried saluyot leaves to a liter of water
- let it seep for 10 minutes
- remove from heat
- Strain solids
- drink while warm 3 – 4 glasses a day for best results.
Saluyot being an annual plant can be grown in your backyard or can be bought in your local wet market by the bunch.
Saluyot leaves may be dried and stored for later use.
Saluyot leaves are dried and boiled to make a medicinal tea.Saluyot leaves being a vegetable can be thrown in as an ingredient in making stews or soups and other viands. The Ilocanos are known to prepare delicious dishes with saluyot, the most popular are dinengdeng and bulang-bulang. Some Ilocanos even attributes their youthful looks and longevity in saluyot rich diet.
Saluyot is also available online in Amazon as listed :Saluyot Seeds (also known as Jute Leaf Mallow)
Saluyot Warnings and Side Effects
- Saluyot is an edible vegetable considered safe for human and animal consumption.
- In some cultures, saluyot is used as antifertility concoction, although this is not yet scientifically verified. Studies have shown that saluyot contains flavonoids has antifertility activity. (Indian Journal of Experimental biology (2003,Jun), “Anti-steroidogenic activity of Corchorus olitorius Linn.in mouse ovary)
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Saluyot is considered safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers when taken in food.
A 2016 study also found saluyot to have natural compounds with anti-tumor potential.
Another study in Malaysia was conducted on rats to see if saluyot can help treat jaundice. Extract of the saluyot leaves were administered to rats who have liver damage caused by thioacetamide.
The results showed that the rats that were given saluyot developed resistance to liver lesions, cell necrosis, and inflammation.
The study also suggested that saluyot’s antioxidant properties and enzyme detoxification activities contributed to its ability to protect the liver from chemical-induced damage.
One nutrient saluyot is abundant in is magnesium. Magnesium can help relax the bronchial muscles, making saluyot ideal for asthmatic patients. It is also a good source of calcium, which makes the teeth stronger.
Iron is also found in saluyot, which is why it is used to treat fatigue and restless leg syndrome. Vitamin K found in saluyot, on the other hand, helps with bleeding in the liver, poor nutrient absorption, and damage due to long-term use of antibiotics or aspirin.
The high fiber content of saluyot aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, and helps keep your appetite in check. Fiber has little calories and makes you feel full for longer, making it beneficial for weight loss.
How safe is saluyot?
Saluyot is considered generally safe for human consumption. It is commonly used for cooking soups and stews in the Philippines.
This is also considered generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. But it’s still best to consult your doctor before using saluyot or any other type of herbal medicine.
Special precautions and warnings
Always ask your doctor for advice if you are considering adding saluyot to your list of herbal medicines to treat different ailments.
Side Effects
There are no adverse side effects to taking saluyot, but be sure to seek emergency care if you experience allergic reactions such as rashes; face, throat, or tongue swelling; or difficulty breathing.
Interactions
Although no adverse side effects were found in saluyot, make sure to ask your doctor or healthcare provider for advice if you are considering adding saluyot as preventive or curative medicine.
Saluyot may cause certain interactions with your current medications or your health condition.
Dosage
Talk to your doctor before using saluyot as alternative medicine, as dosage may vary from person to person, depending on factors such as age and health condition.
What form does saluyot come in?
Saluyot is a plant that can easily be grown in your backyard. It is also available in most local markets.
While it can be eaten raw and fresh, the leaves of saluyot are often dried and stored for brewing later use. The dried leaves are then boiled to make tea.
Saluyot is also often used as an ingredient for stews and other viands. In Ilocos, saluyot is used as a main ingredient for dishes like dinengdeng and bulang-bulang.
References
Dr. Harun
Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices.
