Widely found in the Philippines, saluyot is a popular herbal plant known to be a good source of nutrients and minerals. It is also commonly known as jute. Read on to learn more about saluyot health benefits.

Dried saluyot stalks are a good source of fiber, and is often used for making paper, jute, and burlap sacks.

The leaves, on the other hand, are often used for its medicinal value. Saluyot’s health benefits for pregnant women is one of the main reasons it is popular in the Philippines.

Saluyot Health Benefits

Here are other health benefits of Saluyot you might not know about.

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.

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.

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.

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 a 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.

Saluyot is often used locally as an ingredient for viands. Although considered a common vegetable and ingredient, talk to a healthcare professional if you are considering saluyot to be used as medication or if you have preexisting health conditions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more about herbal medicine here.