You know this houseplant! Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) is a genus of about 179 species, commonly also called the ‘Miracle Leaf’ genus, referring to their therapeutic properties in traditional use. Most species are distributed in either Madagascar, Africa, India or Brazil, and now several species are cultivated as ornamental houseplants and in some areas have escaped cultivation to become invasive.
Kalanchoe pinnata (syn. Bryophyllum pinnatum, also called Cathedral Bells) is one of those that are widely cultivated, often as a houseplant, outdoors in frost-free gardens. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (also called Flaming Katy) is another very widely cultivated houseplant, or outdoor ornamental in frost-free gardens, with profuse displays of bright flowers.
Several of the Kalanchoe species are used in traditional medicine, and there have been studies substantiating aspects of some of the uses. For the most part, the Kalanchoe species reported in the ethnomedical literature are used for such indications as allergies, inflammation, headaches, infection and asthma. Both internal and topical applications are reported.
Toxic ingestions by livestock of some of the Kalanchoe species has been reported, especially due to a group of plant metabolites called bufadienolides, due to their effect on the heart. Despite this toxicity, fufadienolides are compounds of possible therapeutic interest, as well as the flavonoids.
The most well-investigated is Kalanchoe pinnata, which is used in traditional medicine in many countries, such as Brazil, Peru, Nigeria, Vietnam, and India; mainly for infections, inflammation and rheumatism. The leaves are consumed for such conditions as jaundice, high blood pressure, urinary problems, arthritis, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.
Topically, an extract or the fresh squeezed juice of K. pinnata is used in wound healing and earache. Wound healing applications, as well as gastroprotective activities have shown positive results in preclinical work.
Through scientific investigations, K. pinnata has exhibited the following activities: anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antifungal, antileishmanial, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative. A recent study indicated promise in treating oxidative stress related complications of type II diabetes when combined with Metformin. Research continues into the possible clinical applications of Kalanchoe, especially focusing on the antimicrobial and antitumor activities.
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Photo by George E. Koronaios
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.