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4 health benefits from the fragrant pandan
12 June 2018
Health benefits
of the
fragrant pandan
ALL ABOUT PANDAN
Scientifically known as Pandanus Amaryllifolius, it's a tropical plant in the Pandanus (screwpine) genus.
- Known for its bright green appearance and sweet fragrant smell
- Leaves have a hint of rose, almond and vanilla flavour
- Some variant of the pandan yields flowers known as Kewra
- Found in Southeast Asia & South Asia
- Gaining popularity in UK and US as a food flavouring
- Pandan leaves contain isoprene esters, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and richly scented essential oils
FORMS OF PANDAN USAGE
FOOD FLAVOURING
Bruised Pandan leaves and its extract adds flavour to rice dishes, and glutinous and tapioca-based desserts and puddings. E.g.: nasi lemak, kuih talam, kaya, onde-onde
FOOD WRAP
Used as a wrap for grilling, barbecuing or steaming chicken, meat, fish and desserts.
This adds a sweet, floral-like note to dishes
NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT
Pandan extract or tea can be sprayed around the house or on the body as a natural insect repellent
It is natural, and therefore safe for children
PANDAN TEA
Clean and knot 8-10 blades of pandan leaves, boil them in a pot of water for 10 minutes and simmer for 5 minutes
Add ginger and/or lemongrass for additional flavour
FORMS OF PANDAN USAGE
RELIEVES PAIN
Pandan has laxative properties, and its leaves can act as a pain reliever for:
Headache
Ear pain
Stomach spasms
(due to inflammation & infection)
Chest pain
Arthritis
DETOXIFIES YOUR BODY
Adding pandan leaves to your diet helps your liver with its detoxifying function. It helps discharge toxins and unhealthy substances from your liver and body. Since it is a mild laxative, it eases the process of waste excretion.
PREVENTS DANDRUFF
Pandan is a natural remedy to solve the dandruff dilemma. Mash or blend 10 fresh leaves until smooth, and mix with 100ml of water. Apply the mixture on your scalp, wrap with a towel and leave for 30 minutes. Then, rinse with water or shampoo.
ANT-HYPERGLYCEMIC EFFECTS
According to a study in Thailand, published in Pharmacognosy Magazine in 2015, pandan tea/extract helps people lower their sugar level in their blood. It’s been proven that the plasma glucose of the people studied had lowered significantly throughout the period of study.
OUR GASTRONOMICAL AFFAIR WITH PANDAN
Adding pandan to your dishes as a natural flavouring is truly simple. There are plenty of recipes online to help you incorporate pandan into your daily meals!
Start exploring and add your own pandan twist to your favourite dishes.
The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
