14/09/2025
I will be writing briefly on the folkloric uses and the experimental/pharmacological benefits of Kalanchoe pinnata, known as miracle leaf. We call it àbámọdá in Yorùbá.
Note: These are not medical advices. Consult your doctor if you're unwell.
FOLKLORIC:
1. The Yorùbá people believe that eating a leaf of this plant with alligator pepper early in the morning opens blessings and doors for one throughout that day.
2. The leaf is applied topically for cuts, wounds, burns, skin diseases, acne, and cutaneous lesions to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It actually works. I've confirmed that of wounds and burns.
3. It is used to ease gastric and stomach issues like gastric ulcers, diarrhea, blood dysentery, abdominal discomfort, etc.
4. In local delivery centers (Abíwẹ́rẹ́) the leaves are used to facilitate childbirth by aiding placental expulsion.
5. It is used for colds, coughs, asthma, bronchial disorders, pulmonary infections, pneumonia, otitis, and earaches. Just boil the leaves and drink. To make it faster, place one or two leaves on a spoon, put it close to fire until the leaves are soft. It makes it very easy to squeeze out the juice in the leaf. I've done this before and it works. Just swallow the juice.
...and many others.
PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES
1. Anticancer and Antitumor Effects: Acts as a potential adjuvant, sensitizing tumor cells to chemotherapy, reducing resistance, and promoting apoptosis/cell cycle arrest. It inhibits proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in breast, lung, ovarian, and prostate cancers via pathway suppression. In vivo, extracts reduced tumor growth in mice and hepatic damage in rat models. Epigenetic mechanisms include demethylation of suppressor genes
Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC95…
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10…
researchgate.net/publication/26…
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Reduces inflammation via COX-1/COX-2 inhibition and TNF-α modulation. Effective in lupus arthritis, allergic airway