It is usually born in small spaces between stones and can be found in backyards, sidewalks and cracks in walls. The leaves of the plant are used in the preparation of a medicinal tea, to which several benefits are attributed.
Health Benefits of Chanca Piedra
1. Fight’s swelling
Chanca-Piedra tea has diuretic properties, that is, it stimulates the elimination of water through urine. This is beneficial for those who suffer from fluid retention in the body, a condition that causes swelling.
Thus, by eliminating the excess water present in the body, the person can also get rid of unwanted swelling.
2. Kidney health
Chanca-Piedra tea is known to fight kidney stones and kidney cramps and to clean and stimulate the organs.
However, it is important to know that while some doctors believe that the drink helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones, the effectiveness of its use to eliminate kidney stones has not yet been proven.
3. Health of the digestive tract
Chanca-Piedra tea can be used to help treat digestive tract problems such as gas, decreased appetite, stomach pain, intestinal infections, dysentery and constipation. The plant used in the preparation of the drink is capable of creating an unfavorable intestine environment for intestinal bacteria.
4. Decrease in blood pressure
The Chanca-Piedra is composed of a substance called geraniin. It is a phytochemical that inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which acts to raise blood pressure.
In addition, the plant contains other components that inhibit a vasoconstrictor substance called endothelin-1. This is relevant because a vasoconstrictor tightens (constricts) the arteries in order to cause blood pressure to rise.
5.Heart health
We can say that the plant benefits heart health due to the fact that it works against high blood pressure. That’s because high blood pressure increases the chances of suffering heart attacks.
6. Helps to protect the body against the toxicity of alcoholic beverages
There are people who use the herb before going out to drink. The purpose of this is to decrease the efficiency of alcohol in its action to damage brain cells. It is also believed that Chanca-Piedra tea can help the liver to work more effectively after drinking.
8. Pain relief
The phytochemical geraniin also has an analgesic effect, decreasing pain. A 1996 experiment isolated the plant’s phytochemical and concluded that it is an analgesic seven times more potent than substances such as aspirin, for example.
9.Health of the liver
Clinical research has identified that Chanca-Piedra has the ability to protect the liver, even helping to prevent the development of cancer in the organ.
Precautions to have before having Chanca-Piedra Tea
The guideline is that children, pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding their babies should avoid Chanca-Piedra tea.
Tea should not be consumed for more than 21 continuous days, at the risk of causing toxicity. If you want or need to use for a longer time, it is recommended to take a break of one week after 21 days, before returning to consumption.
It is also not recommended to drink the drink in excessive amounts. That’s because it has a diuretic effect, which can cause the body to lose a lot of water, running the risk of suffering dehydration, in addition to promoting the elimination of important minerals for the body.
If you are using any type of medication, check with your doctor if there are no risks of interaction between the medication and the tea.
And don’t rely exclusively on Chanca-Piedra tea to treat the health conditions mentioned in this article. As we explained, it even helps, however, you should still consult a trusted doctor and correctly follow the treatment guidelines indicated by him.
