Pandan is a plant that has various benefits. Everyday, we find pandanus in food, as raw material woven for products and various other things. Although pandanus is more commonly known in the Asian region and especially in Indonesia, this one leaf indeed has many benefits.
Before we look further at the various benefits and products produced by Pandan, it never hurts to find out various information about this plant. What are the characteristics of pandan leaves and what types of pandan leaves are found in the world? The following information.
Pandanus plants
Apparently, the term “pandanus” in Indonesian is because this plant belongs to the genus Pandanus. But the origin of the designation in the Indonesian language has not been further investigated. There are various kinds of pandanus plants in Indonesia so that people from different regions can get to know different pandanus.
If referring to Wikipedia, pandanus is a plant that if seen from a distance like a wreath that has a circular arrangement of leaves and in the middle there is a fruit shaped like a durian. The leaves are like grass but are bigger and longer and have a stem in the middle where it attaches. Large plant roots and can support plants when they have grown large.
Pandan which we might see everyday is the leaves which are often found in cooking. But it turns out pandan also has a variety of characteristics that have differences. Some of these pandanus include:
- Pandanus fragrance (Pandanus amaryllifolius) which may be the species that we find most often,
- Pandanus thorn which has the same leaves but is jagged which is a type of pandan which is used as raw material for woven products,
- Various other pandanus which are rarely known such as sea pandanus, ornamental pandanus and others.
Benefits of Pandan
After getting to know some information about pandanus in general, it is interesting to find out the benefits of pandanus. Pandan is used in various ways everyday. This plant has a substance that has so far not been found to be dangerous so that in Indonesia for utilization in food is usually unattended.
1. Cosmetics
The benefits of pandanas as ingredients for cosmetic products can be in the form of perfume and coloring of cosmetic products. Pandan has an attractive aroma and is a source of natural green coloring.
2. Herbs
The benefits of pandan as herbal ingredients are pandanus leaves which are used as ingredients for natural medicines. Pandan apparently can treat some health problems in humans. Although there may be differences and should be examined more closely, here are some health benefits of pandanus.
Overcoming Insomnia. The content of tannin in pandan leaves is also effective in relieving and dealing with insomnia and other sleep disorders. If you are often restless and have trouble sleeping try boiling fragrant pandan leaves and drink before bed.
Overcoming Pain and Inflammation. The content of pandan leaves is also analgesic which is efficacious to relieve pain and inflammation, such as headaches, arthritis, and chest pain. Drinking boiled tea leaves is useful to overcome stomach cramps.
Control Blood Sugar Levels. Research in the journal Pharmacognosy Magazine found pandan leaf extract proved effective at controlling and reducing postprandial blood sugar. This extract is also able to stimulate insulin production in pancreatic cells and natural antihyperglycemic sources.
Overcoming Cancer. A study reported the benefits of extracted fragrant pandan leaves have antimitotic, cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antiproliferative effects that are effective in inhibiting cancer growth. Traditional medicine has also proven it.
Neutralize Toxins. Fragrant pandan leaves also have properties to overcome poisoning. Pandan leaf tea even effectively dispels poisons and impurities from the body as well as a mild laxative that is safe for children.
Blacken Hair. Pandan leaves seem to be effective in blending and blackening hair. Boil 7 pandan leaves with 1 liter of water and then dew overnight. The result is mixed with the ripe noni juice to wash your hair. And various other benefits.
3. Ornamental Plants
Pandanus which is used as a clever ornament is Pandan Bali (Cordyline australis). This pandan can be found on the coast or in the forest. The flowers are creamy white and accumulate in large panicles.
4. Foodstuffs
Although not as a main ingredient, pandanus in Indonesia is used as an ingredient for various foods. The leaves are used as an additional ingredient for cooking rice, steaming sweet potatoes and various other foods.
5. Cake Ingredients
Pandanus leaves are also used as an additional ingredient in cakes. The fragrance can attract appetite. In addition, the leaves also become a natural green coloring on the cake. Pandanus leaves are also used as a garnish so as to make the cake look more attractive.
6. Woven Raw Materials
For pandanus which is used as raw material for matting is prickly pandanus. This type of pandanus is often found wild and has a bigger shape than the pandanus used for food and ornamental plants. On the leaves there are fins or spines.
Pandan Webbing Products
Barbed pandanus that is ready to be made into various products usually goes through various processes before they are formed. Everything is made into woven sheets first. For the process after being taken from the tree, the leaves are boiled first to remove the sap.
After that it is dried in the sun but not directly in the sun so it is not dry and brittle. After it is dried in the sun, it is then woven and made into useful products. Some of the products produced from woven pandanus are mats, bags, tissue boxes, sandals and other products.
Hopefully this review can be useful for you. Check out various other handicrafts made from natural ingredients on the page harmoni kreasi To view various products and find product information, please visit the website page harmonikreasi.com.
