Sweeter than Sugar

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) produces flowers recognizable around the world and bursting with symbolism. Pink for love, blue for rejection…though the Hydrangea got its name from the fact that they need lots of water, the symbolism varies depending on the country, the flower color and the time period! In Medieval times, women who grew up around them were thought to be doomed to spinsterhood. In Japan they were a sign of apology, but in Europe a sign of arrogance. Generally, they are now known as cut flowers to be symbols of heartfelt emotion, gratitude and abundance. 

However, did you know that they have other relevance to sweetness?  In Japan, a sweet tea (amacha) is made from the leaves, which contain phyllodulcin (a sweet tasting compound) of H. macrophylla var. thunbergii. This same species is has strong traditional medicinal use and is also used for making a medicinal preparation with antiallergic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties. Phyllodulcin is 400-800 times sweeter than sugar; and interestingly, another compound from Hydrangea leaves is being investigated for diabetes as it has been found to lower blood glucose and lipids in preclinical studies. 

#ethnobotany #ethnopharm #hydrangea #diabetes #sweet #sugar #flowers #medicinalplants #herbalism #japan

Photo by Wee Hong 

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