Muntingia is a genus of plants in the family Muntingiaceae, comprising only one species, Muntingia calabura,[2] and was named in honour of Abraham Munting. It is native to the neotropics, from Mexico south to Bolivia, with edible fruit, and has been widely introduced in other tropical areas.
Muntingia calabura is a shrub or tree up to 12 m tall with spreading branches.[3] The leaves are alternate, distichous, oblong or lanceolate, 4–15 cm long and 1–6 cm wide, with toothed margin and covered in short hairs.[3][4][5] The flowers are small (up to 3 cm wide), solitary or in inflorescences of two or three flowers, with five lanceolate sepals, hairy, five obovate white petals, many stamens with yellow anthers, and a smooth ovoid ovary.[3][4][5] Fruit, an edible berry, is red at maturity, about 1.5 cm wide.[3][4]
M. calabura is native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and western South America south to Bolivia and Argentina.[2][3][6] It is present in tropical climate in disturbed lowland areas from sea level to 1000 m of elevation.[2][4]. In Kerala, India, it is seen in the areas adjacent to the Western Ghat.
This species colonizes disturbed habitats in tropical lowland areas, becoming part of the secondary vegetation, as well as gallery forests.[3][7] It thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought, but doesn’t grow in saline conditions.[3]
The seeds are dispersed by birds and fruit bats.[3]
Although native to tropical America, M. calabura has been introduced in Southeast Asia and naturalized there and in other tropical parts of the world.[2][5][8]
Health Benefits:
1.Relieves and Overcomes Gout
The active compound in this herbal leaf is also effective for relieving and treating gout. Just boil a few leaves of cherry in water until cooked then strain and drink the water regularly.
2.Prevent and Treat Cancer
The benefits of cherry leaves for cancer are also effective because of the content of anti-cancer flavonioda, tannin, and saponins. Drinking decoction or cherry leaf tea can prevent the body from tumors and cancer.
3.Treat wounds and infections
Cherry leaves are also an effective antiseptic that kills bacterial microbes. The contents of saponins, tannins and flavonoids are good for the treatment of wounds and overcome infections in the body.
4.Relieve and Control Diabetes
The content of flavonoids and saponins in cherry leaves is an antioxidant that can encourage the secretion of the hormone insulin. Benefits of cherry leaves for diabetics can also reduce sugar levels.
5.Cure Diseases Due to Bacteria
Cherry leaves are also efficacious in curing various types of diseases caused by bacteria. You can make this leaf stew and filter it before drinking it regularly.
6.Control Hypertension
Benefits of cherry leaves for high blood pressure because it is able to control and reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. Drink cherry leaf tea decoction to keep blood pressure from rising.
7.Cure the flu and cough
Cough and flu are generally caused by bacteria. Cherry leaves are known to be an effective antibacterial drive this disease. Just drink the boiled leaf stew to deal with colds and coughs.
8.Maintaining Heart Health
Benefits of cherry leaves are also effective in controlling cholesterol levels. The chemical content of this herb in addition to counteracting free radicals is also good for maintaining heart health.
9.Preventing Stroke
Cherry leaves are also known to contain active substances that are able to stimulate peroxisome proliferator (PPAR) in the body that is useful for launching glucose metabolism. This is useful to suppress and ward off a stroke.
10.Overcoming Inflammation
Benefits of cherry leaves are also due to the content of vitamin C which is useful to help deal with inflammatory pain. Drinking this herbal decoction is very effective in dealing with heartburn, pain in the body and mouth sores.
11.Overcoming Insomnia and Natural Sleeping Medicine
The nature of the cold although a little bitter, cherry leaves are known to provide a calming effect on the body. Drinking cherry leaf tea is known to be efficacious and is very good for treating sleep disorders or insomnia.
12.For Diet and Refreshing the Body
Cherry leaves are also required to be part of your diet because it can help you lose weight. Drinking boiled tea leaves is good for immediately returning the body’s energy after exercise.
Thus the various benefits of cherry leaves for health that can be taken. With these inexpensive and nutritious herbs, there are many diseases that can be cured.
