Study shows avocado leaves can help repair injuries in major organs

 Multiple studies have shown that avocado leaves are full of beneficial nutrients. Research also suggests that avocado leaves are a promising natural therapeutic alternative for restoring damaged organs.

Avocado leaf extract and phenolic compounds

In a recent study, researchers found that avocado leaf extracts helped repair heart, kidney and liver injuries. Details of the study were published in the International Journal of Phytomedicine and Phytotherapy.

For the study, researchers turned air-dried avocado leaves into powder and mixed it with 80 percent ethanol for three days. They then freeze-dried the mixture containing the avocado leaf extract.

The researchers observed 40 rats that were randomly divided into eight groups. Within two weeks, the rat groups received different treatments:

• Groups one and two were given water.
• Groups three and four received an avocado leaf extract.
• Group five received silymarin, a supplement often used as a supportive treatment for gallbladder and liver problems.
• Group six was given rifampicin, a medicine used to treat blood infections, leprosy and tuberculosis.
• Groups seven and eight received rifampicin and the avocado leaf extract.

The study revealed that the avocado leaf extract showed favorable competition with commercially available drugs used for treating heart, kidney and liver diseases.

The researchers also reported that the avocado leaf extract presented fewer side effects compared to rifampicin, which caused significant oxidative stress on tissues in the heart and liver.

The researchers believe that the effectiveness of avocado leaves could be due to disease-inhibiting phenolic compounds and flavonoids which have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

The study suggests that avocado leaves are a potential alternative medicine for managing disorders affecting several major organs. 

Natural remedy for lead poisoning

In another study, researchers discovered that avocado leaves can help treat lead poisoning in the brain and support tissue regeneration in the cerebellum.

Researchers observed animal subjects and found that after exposure to lead acetate, albino rats exhibited signs of aggression, inflammation and irritability.

However, their healing process improved significantly after the rats were given the avocado leaf extract. The topical application of the extract to wounds helped speed up recovery, resulting in complete healing after six days.

The avocado leaf extract also helped protect against lead acetate toxicity in the cerebellum.

Using microscopic examination of tissue samples, the researchers found that lead acetate caused considerable changes to the structure of the cerebellum, but the avocado leaf extract helped damaged tissues regenerate.

Anti-diabetic properties of avocado leaves

A recent study reported that avocado leaves may also have therapeutic potential against Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found that avocado leaves promoted the regeneration of pancreatic cells and suppressed enzyme activity during carbohydrate metabolism, which are anti-diabetic characteristics.

Avocado leaves contain significantly more disease-inhibiting phenolic compounds than avocado fruit, making them a valuable option for managing diabetes naturally.

Avocado has 145.7 milligrams gallic acid equivalents of phenolic compounds per gram (mg GAE/g), while avocado leaves contain 178.95 mg GAE/g.

A separate study also found that avocado leaves can help reduce high blood pressure. Researchers reported that this could be due to the presence of the flavonoid quercetin, which is also a powerful natural antioxidant.

If you have both diabetes and high blood pressure, you face as much as four times the risk of developing heart disease compared to someone without either health problem.

Several studies in hypertensive rats have shown that quercetin has a diuretic effect and increases urine volume, which helps reduce blood pressure.

Healthy ways to enjoy avocados and avocado leaves

Experts recommend drinking tea made from organic avocado leaves to enjoy their health benefits.

To make avocado tea, boil the leaves and steep them in water. You can add natural sweeteners and spices of your choice before drinking. You can also purchase organic avocado tea from farmers’ markets.

If you can't find avocado leaves or avocado tea, here are some healthy and delicious ways to add avocados to various dishes and beverages:

• Serve avocados with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. You can also use other seasonings like balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper, lemon juice or paprika.
• Add diced avocados while cooking scrambled eggs. Add the avocados while the eggs are halfway cooked to avoid burning them.
• Replace butter with pureed avocado and serve it on toast.
• If you don't have mayonnaise, use avocado as a binder ingredient for egg, chicken or tuna salad.
• Add avocados to a salad for a more filling meal.
• Use avocado to make soup, or add chunks of avocado to other soups.
• Use avocados to make a green smoothie. Combine avocado with leafy green vegetables like kale and fruits like banana, berries or pineapple. To make a protein-packed smoothie, add protein powder, Greek yogurt or milk.