Leaf of Life Tea, is made from the leaves of the Bryophyllum pinnatum plant which is native to Madagascar and which is widely used as a herbal remedy. One of its best known folk medicine benefits is its ability to alleviate upper respiratory discomfort.

The Leaf of Life plant has thick fleshy leaves with reddish serrated edges.The plant produces bulbils which fall to the ground, take root and become independent plants. For this reason Leaf of Life is also known as Miracle leaf plant.

Traditional Uses

Historically, Leaf of Life tea has been used as a herbal remedy expelling kidney stones, aiding digestion, and reducing inflammation. It is also confumed for soothing coughs and colds, alleviating bronchitis and asthma, and promoting good respiratory health.

In this article we will examine five reasons Life tea may be provide respiratory health benefits.

How Leaf of Life Tea Works

Bryophyllum pinnatum has several active compounds that are responsible for Leaf of Life benefits. They include flavonoids, steroids and terpenes. Here are five science-based reasons why Leaf of Life tea is able to provide respiratory relief.

Expectorant Qualities:  Leaf of Life tea acts as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the airways, making breathing easier.

Anti-inflammatory Properties: Bufadienolides in Leaf of Life reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, easing symptoms of cough and cold.

Antimicrobial Effects: The tea’s antimicrobial properties help fight off bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections such as asthma and bronchitis1.

Antioxidant Activity: The antioxidants present help boost the immune system, aiding in faster recovery from colds.

Pain Relief: The tea has analgesic properties2 that can help alleviate the discomfort associated with a sore throat and persistent cough.

Leaf of Life Tea Recipe

Here’s how to make Leaf of Life tea using dried leaves at home:

  1. Bring 1-2 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of dried Leaf of Life leaves to the boiling water.
  3. Cover the container, lower the healt and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Strain the leaves and pour the tea into a cup.
  5.  Add honey or lemon for better tasting tea.

How to use Leaf of Life tea for cough and cold: The recommendation is for you drink 1-2 cups of Leaf of Life tea up to twice daily.

Potential Leaf of Life tea benefits for cough and other respiratory ailments are based on limited scientific studies. Much more testing and clinical trials need to be done to understand the full impact consuming Leaf of Life tea has on the human body.

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More Leaf of Life Benefits

  • Kidney Stones: A 2014 study on rats showed that treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum extracts reduced the likelihood of developing kidney stones.
  • Pregnancy and Sleep Disorders: A study3 conducted on pregnant women suffering from sleep disorders found that taking 350 mg tablets containing Bryophyllum pinnatum extract improved sleep quality.
  • Anti-Diabetic Activity: Research on diabetic rats demonstrated that Bryophyllum pinnatum extracts could effectively lower blood sugar level.

Side Effects of Leaf of Life Tea

Leaf of Life tea is generally safe for most people, but some may experience mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness fatigue, blurred vision and upset stomach. .

Who should avoid Leaf of Life tea? Pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with allergies to the plant, and those with pre-existing medical conditions should avoid this tea. Always consult a healthcare provider before adding new herbal remedies to your routine.

Conclusion

Leaf of Life tea offers a natural, science-backed option for those seeking relief from cough and cold symptoms.

By incorporating this aromatic tea into your daily routine, you can enjoy its many benefits while potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of respiratory ailments such as coughs, colds, bronchitis and asthma.  

Remember to enjoy it in moderation and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

References

  1. Salami, Edward O et al. “Studies on the anti-asthmatic and antitussive properties of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum in rodent species.” Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine vol. 6,6 (2013): 421-5. doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(13)60067-X ↩︎
  2. Matthew, Shashank & Jain, Ajay & James, Manoj & Matthew, Cathrin & Bhowmik, Debjit. (2013). Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies Analgesic And Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Kalanchoe Pinnata (Lam.) Pers. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies. 1. 24-28. ↩︎
  3. Simões-Wüst AP, Hassani TA, Müller-Hübenthal B, et al. Sleep Quality Improves During Treatment With Bryophyllum pinnatum: An Observational Study on Cancer Patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2015;14(5):452-459. doi:10.1177/1534735415580680 ↩︎

Disclaimer:: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. See our full medical disclaimer here.

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Joy

Joy Walker is the founder of Bush Tea Benefits and a certified medical assistant. Inspired by her family's tradition of drinking bush tea, especially during the pandemic, Joy began exploring the health benefits of herbal teas made from local plants. Her mission is to bridge traditional herbal tea practices with modern scientific research, presenting her findings in everyday language Join Joy as she explore global benefits and uses of traditional bush teas.