Essential Oil Compounds Show Blood Sugar and Antifungal Benefits

"Few plants bridge the worlds of folk wisdom and modern science as elegantly as Plectranthus neochilus - better known as Vicks plant, lobster flower, or in Brazil, boldo-rasteiro. This aromatic member of the mint family, instantly recognizable by its pungent, menthol-like scent and fleshy leaves, has long been part of traditional healing practices across Brazil and southern Africa. Healers once relied on it to calm the stomach, ease headaches, and clear the liver."

"Studies show that what was once used to soothe the gut could also support blood sugar regulation and protect against fungal infections. What makes this discovery remarkable is that a simple, time-honored garden plant - the same one many grow for its mosquito-repelling aroma - holds measurable therapeutic power. The new evidence doesn't replace its traditional uses; it expands them, showing how deeply nature's chemistry aligns with human biology."

Plectranthus neochilus is an aromatic perennial in the mint family with a strong menthol-like scent and fleshy leaves. Traditional healers in Brazil and southern Africa used the plant for digestive relief, headache alleviation, and liver support. Modern research identifies complex bioactive compounds in the plant's essential oil that interact with metabolic and immune pathways. Computational and laboratory studies indicate molecules in the oil can inhibit enzymes that degrade insulin-releasing hormones, thereby helping postprandial blood sugar control. Additional studies show antimicrobial and antifungal activity and confirm mosquito-repellent properties. The plant's pharmacology expands its potential therapeutic applications beyond folk uses.

Read at Natural Health News