This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Hierba Santa Cruz (Kalanchoe pinnata) contains active compounds including bufadienolides, flavonoids, quercetin, and kaempferol that contribute to its wound-healing properties. These compounds demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. The flavonoids help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation at wound sites, while bufadienolides affect cellular membranes. When applied as a fresh leaf poultice, these compounds work synergistically to support tissue regeneration and fight local infection. Evidence Level C supports these traditional applications.
Does Hierba Santa Cruz interact with heart medications?
Yes, Hierba Santa Cruz may interact with cardiac medications. The plant contains bufadienolides, which are cardiac glycosides chemically similar to digoxin. Taking this herb internally while on heart medications such as digoxin, beta-blockers, or antiarrhythmics could cause additive effects, potentially leading to irregular heart rhythms or cardiac toxicity. For this reason, individuals with heart conditions should avoid internal use entirely. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before combining herbal remedies with prescription cardiac medications.
What is the correct dosage for Hierba Santa Cruz tea?
The traditional adult dosage for Hierba Santa Cruz tea is 3-6 grams of dried leaf prepared as an infusion, taken once or twice daily. For topical use, fresh leaves are crushed and applied directly as a poultice to wounds, burns, or ulcers. Internal doses should remain modest, as larger amounts may cause nausea and gastrointestinal upset. Due to limited clinical evidence (Level C) and potential cardiac effects from bufadienolide content, internal use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Is Hierba Santa Cruz safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Hierba Santa Cruz is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The plant contains bufadienolides, which are cardiac glycosides that may stimulate uterine contractions and potentially affect fetal development. Traditional knowledge and pharmacological evidence (Level C) indicate these risks, though human clinical data remains limited. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid both internal and topical use of this herb. Consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy during pregnancy.
What are the side effects of Hierba Santa Cruz?
The most commonly reported side effect of Hierba Santa Cruz is nausea, particularly when taking large internal doses. Because the plant contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides), excessive consumption may potentially cause symptoms similar to digoxin toxicity, including irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. Topical application to broken skin may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Those with pre-existing cardiac conditions should avoid internal use entirely due to the risk of cardiac effects. Evidence Level C supports these safety concerns based on pharmacological data and traditional use.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Kalanchoe pinnata, also known as the miracle plant or life plant, is a succulent herb used in traditional medicine for various health conditions, including cancer and diabetes [PMID:41155632, PMID:36234962].
Background
Kalanchoe pinnata is a succulent perennial plant native to Madagascar and tropical regions [PMID:27220081, PMID:39010075]. It is also known by names such as the life plant, air plant, cathedral bells, and is sometimes referred to as Pashanbhed [PMID:29200987, PMID:24948861].
Traditional uses
The herb is used in African, Brazilian, and Indian traditional medicine for various human disorders [PMID:32928369]. Specific traditional applications include the treatment of cancer [PMID:40572597], peptic ulcers and inflammatory problems [PMID:29695040], and various health conditions associated with diabetes mellitus [PMID:41155632].
Active compounds
Bioactive constituents include flavonoids (such as quercetin, quercitrin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin), phenols (gallic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid), alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, tannins, and bufadienolides [PMID:36234962, PMID:41155632, PMID:40727786, PMID:29200987]. It also contains vitamin C [PMID:31875020].
Mechanism of action
Anticancer mechanisms involve the regulation of proliferation and the induction of ROS-induced apoptotic cell death [PMID:36234962, PMID:39010075]. In breast cancer cells, it may regulate migration and invasion via downregulation of JAK2, ROCK1, and ROCK2 genes [PMID:40727786] and alter m6A methylation [PMID:40572597]. In neuroinflammation-associated Alzheimer's disease, it is suggested to inhibit protrophic cytokines and PI3K/Akt signaling in BV-2 microglial cells [PMID:41136693].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DGastric Lesions
Leaf juices at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced lesions in ethanol-induced gastric lesion models in rats [PMID:29695040]
Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)
Ethanolic extracts showed selective anticancer activity and induced apoptotic cell death in human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC-3, HT-29) [PMID:39010075]
Evidence ADysmenorrhea
A scoping review of 33 experimental studies reported anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, but no clinical studies were found [PMID:38130407]
Evidence DDiuretic Activity
Methanolic extracts were evaluated for diuretic potential in Wistar rats [PMID:24948861]
Safety & adverse effects
An ethanolic extract of the leaves induced a weak genotoxic response in the mouse lymphoma assay and the in vivo micronucleus assay in mice, suggesting it may cause DNA damage [PMID:32928369]. Additionally, the presence of bufadienolides may pose a risk of cardiotoxic effects due to a narrow therapeutic index [PMID:29200987, PMID:27220081].
Evidence summary
The evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (D), and literature reviews (C). There is a lack of clinical trial data (B) or systematic reviews of clinical efficacy (A) for the conditions mentioned.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 24948861 (2014) — Comparative pharmacognosy of Pashanbhed. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
2.PMID: 36234962 (2022) — Potential of Kalanchoe pinnata as a Cancer Treatment Adjuvant and an Epigenetic Regulator. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 40572597 (2025) — Alteration of m6A Methylation in Breast Cancer Cells by Kalanchoe pinnata Aqueous Extract. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 41155632 (2025) — Insights into the Therapeutic Use of Kalanchoe pinnata Supplement in Diabetes Mellitus. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 29200987 (2017) — Bufadienolides of Kalanchoe species: an overview of chemical structure, biological activity and prospects for pharmacological use. · Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 41136693 (2025) — Investigating the ameliorative effect of Kalanchoe pinnata on neuroinflammation-associated Alzheimer's disease using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro studies. · Journal of computer-aided molecular design
7.PMID: 32928369 (2020) — Genotoxicity studies with an ethanolic extract of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves. · Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis
8.PMID: 31875020 (2019) — Vitamin C and aroma composition of fresh leaves from Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana. · Scientific reports
9.PMID: 38130407 (2023) — Repurposing of Bryophyllum pinnatum for dysmenorrhea treatment: a systematic scoping review and case series. · Frontiers in pharmacology
10.PMID: 39010075 (2024) — Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. Leaf ethanolic extract exerts selective anticancer activity through ROS-induced apoptotic cell death in human cancer cell lines. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
11.PMID: 29695040 (2018) — Gastroprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Kalanchoe brasiliensis and Kalanchoe pinnata Leaf Juices against Indomethacin and Ethanol-Induced Gastric Lesions in Rats. · International journal of molecular sciences
12.PMID: 27220081 (2016) — Bryophyllum pinnatum and Related Species Used in Anthroposophic Medicine: Constituents, Pharmacological Activities, and Clinical Efficacy. · Planta medica
13.PMID: 40727786 (2025) — Transcriptome Analysis of Triple-Negative HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells Treated with Kalanchoe pinnata Revealed the Regulation of Migration and Invasion via the Downregulation of the Genes JAK2, ROCK1 and ROCK2. · ACS omega