Dutch teak leaves1
Guazuma ulmifolia (Jati Belanda leaves) also known as West Indian Elm which belong to the Sterculiaceae family, a small genus of trees native to the tropical Americas. Indonesians have long used this plant as a traditional medicine, believing that its leaves can be used for weight loss.2
Morphology of Jati Belanda Leaves
Folium simplex, ovate leaves with a rough surface, serrated margins, a pointed tip, a notched base, and pinnate venation; 10–16 cm long and 3–6 cm wide; green in color.3
Jati Belanda Leaves Active Compounds
Jati Belanda leaves contain alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids.2,3
Health Benefits of Jati Belanda Leaves
- Anti-cholesterol/ Reduces cholesterol
The active compounds in Jati Belanda leaves can help you lose weight by suppressing appetite and inhibiting enzymes citrate lyase which plays an important role in lipid (fat) and cholesterol metabolism thereby increasing the body’s fat-burning capacity.2
- Subjects: Rats with hypercholesterolemia
- Research dosage: Jati Belanda Leaf Extract was prepared from 178.4 g of crude drug and 2000 mg of dry matter, then administered at doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg body weight
- Duration: 28 days
- Results: AA significant difference in atherosclerosis lesion scores was observed between the test group and the negative control group, suggesting that administration of Dutch Teak leaf extract can reduce the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and has a therapeutic effect similar to that of orlistat.2
- Helps reduce body fat
Another study involving 30 obese individuals evaluated the effects of administering Dutch teak leaf extract. The results showed a decrease in body weight following the intervention. The participants’ average body weight before treatment was 75.5 kg and decreased to 73.9 kg after administration of the extract.3
Safety
Jati Belanda Leaves is listed in the Formularium Obat Herbal Asli Indonesia [Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan RI No. 6 Tahun 2016] with herbal indications for obesity.3 Administration of dry extract of Jati Belanda leaves at doses of 2 g/kg BW, 4 g/kg BW and 8 g/kg BW to male rats once a day for 3 months did not elevate kidney damage parameters above normal level.3
Keywords: Jati Belanda Leaves; Guazuma ulmifolia; Anticholesterol; Obesity; Blood Fat; Body Fat
