The Cissus Quadrangularis (CQ) plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments for centuries.
Cissus Quadrangularis is a perennial plant of the grape family from the Middle East, most of Africa and tropical Asia.
Named for its four-sided stem, extracts of this plant have been used in traditional Thai, African, and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat various ailments.
Also known as grape veld, devil’s backbone, or Hadjod, extracts from different parts of the plant are available as supplements in forms such as capsules, syrups, or powders.
Packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants, the health benefits of this supplement have been attributed to the high content of vitamin C and antioxidant compounds such as phenols, carotenoids and tannins.
Cissus Quadrangularis offers many science-backed benefits, including the following.
Benefit #1 – Reduces joint inflammation and pain
Researchers have found that Cissus Quadrangularis works to relieve inflammation and pain in the joints, helping to reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
In a study in individuals with chronic joint pain, taking the daily supplement reduced their exercise-related joint pain.
Other studies have shown that supplementation with Cissus Quadrangularis helps reduce joint swelling while decreasing some of the markers of inflammation associated with arthritis.
Benefit #2 – Increases bone health
Studies show that taking Cissus Quadrangularis can help increase bone health in many ways, speed the healing of bone fractures, reduce bone loss, and even prevent osteoporosis and other bone conditions.
One study found that the supplement helps alter the levels of proteins that are involved in the body’s bone metabolism, preventing bone loss.
Another study showed that taking Cissus Quadrangularis daily accelerated fracture healing while reducing swelling and pain.
Benefit #3 – Weight loss and prevention of metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions known to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
The conditions include increased triglyceride or cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and excess belly fat. Worldwide, metabolic syndrome has become a serious health challenge.
Some research shows that Cissus Quadrangularis may prevent metabolic syndrome, and scientists believe it does so by improving several of the health conditions associated with metabolic syndrome at once.
Taking Cissus Quadrangularis supplements can help reduce appetite and promote weight loss.
One study found that taking a water-based extract of Cissus Quadrangularis resulted in an 8.9% loss in body fat after eight weeks.
Beyond supporting weight loss, individuals taking the Cissus Quadrangularis supplement also saw improvements in their blood sugar levels, bad cholesterol levels, and triglycerides.
Another study showed that the supplement reduced total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, waist size, and total body fat.
In addition, Cissus Quadrangularis is often used to treat gout, hemorrhoids, asthma, type II diabetes, allergies and high cholesterol.
Cissus Quadrangularis is known to be safe and has minimal side effects when taken as directed. Mild side effects may include dry mouth, gas, insomnia, diarrhea, or headaches. In most cases, the health benefits of CQ outweigh the possible side effects.
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REFERENCES:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880200500406636
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24113700/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3388386/