How does Jati Belanda work for weight loss?

Guazuma ulmifolia (Jati Belanda) contains tannins and procyanidins that may inhibit pancreatic lipase, reducing dietary fat absorption. The mucilage content creates a sense of fullness and may slow gastric emptying. Sterols contribute to cholesterol-lowering effects by potentially blocking intestinal cholesterol absorption. Evidence Level: C (preliminary studies).

Does Jati Belanda interact with cholesterol or diabetes medications?

Jati Belanda may interact with cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) and antidiabetic drugs due to its hypolipidemic and potential blood sugar effects. The herb's tannin content may reduce absorption of certain medications if taken simultaneously. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C/Theoretical.

What is the recommended dosage for Jati Belanda tea?

The traditional adult dosage for Jati Belanda is 5-15 grams of dried leaves prepared as a tea, taken once daily. This can be divided into smaller doses throughout the day if preferred. Start with the lower dose to assess tolerance, as higher doses may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Evidence Level: C/Traditional use.

Is Jati Belanda safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Jati Belanda is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be avoided while breastfeeding. The herb's effects on uterine tone and potential impact on fetal development have not been adequately studied. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use this herb without medical supervision. Evidence Level: C/Safety precaution.

What are the side effects of taking Jati Belanda?

The most commonly reported side effect of Jati Belanda is diarrhea, particularly when taken in excessive amounts or at higher doses. Some individuals may experience mild stomach discomfort, nausea, or bloating. These effects are typically dose-related and resolve when the dose is reduced or use is discontinued. Evidence Level: C/Traditional use.

Jati Belanda (Guazuma ulmifolia)

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

Guazuma ulmifolia, also known as mutamba, is a tree native to Latin America used in traditional medicine for various pathological conditions [PMID:31732089]. It is recognized for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties [PMID:31732089, PMID:41711886].

Background

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Malvaceae), popularly known as mutamba and guácimo, is a tree found in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Mexico [PMID:31732089].

Traditional uses

It has been used in folk medicine to treat diarrhea, coughs, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders [PMID:31732089], as well as fever, diabetes [PMID:17884315], and as a slimming agent [PMID:40304349].

Active compounds

The plant contains secondary metabolites including proanthocyanidins (specifically dimer B and trimer C) [PMID:31732089], soluble flavonoids such as procyanidin trimer C1, procyanidin dimer B2, rutin, epicatechin, and hyperoside [PMID:31787395], and cell wall bound phenolics like catechin [PMID:31787395]. Other identified compounds include gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate [PMID:39201576], and flavanocoumarins such as epiphyllocoumarin [PMID:23158905]. The seeds and bark also contain polysaccharide mucilages [PMID:30857825, PMID:32707414].

Mechanism of action

Anti-diabetic effects are mediated by the stimulation of glucose uptake in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant adipocytes without inducing adipogenesis [PMID:18487028]. Cardiovascular effects include vasorelaxant activity that is inhibited by vascular endothelium removal or L-NAME pretreatment [PMID:18314282]. Antisecretory activity in the colon involves specific interaction with the A subunit of cholera toxin [PMID:7617760].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BType 2 Diabetes Mellitus

A herbarium mixture of G. ulmifolia and Tecoma stans (400mg before meals for 90 days) showed decreased waist circumference and fasting glucose compared to placebo [PMID:32955964].

Evidence DCardiotoxicity

Aqueous extracts from stem bark and leaves decreased oxidative stress in blood cells and prevented doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity [PMID:30050650].

Evidence DHypertension

Oral administration of a procyanidin fraction from the bark decreased systolic arterial pressure and heart rate in sugar-fed hypertensive rats [PMID:18314282].

Evidence DGastric Lesions

Aqueous suspension of ethanolic extract from leaves and flowers protected against NSAID-induced gastric lesions in rats [PMID:17884315].

Evidence DViral Infections

Ethyl acetate fractions inhibited the replication of bovine herpesvirus 1 (100%) and poliovirus 1 (99%) in cultured cells [PMID:16754999].

Safety & adverse effects

Preliminary toxicity analysis after oral administration of an organic fraction (EtOAc-F) from leaves in gerbils did not reveal histopathological changes [PMID:38679124].

Evidence summary

Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (rats, mice, gerbils), and one small randomized clinical trial (n=40) using a mixture of herbs. Strength of evidence for human clinical use is low to moderate.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 31732089 (2019) — Phytochemicals and biological activities of mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.): A review. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
2.PMID: 37178880 (2023) — Potential application of polysaccharide mucilages as a substitute for emulsifiers: A review. · International journal of biological macromolecules
3.PMID: 30857825 (2019) — Obtaining a novel mucilage from mutamba seeds exploring different high-intensity ultrasound process conditions. · Ultrasonics sonochemistry
4.PMID: 31787395 (2020) — Mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.) fruit as a novel source of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds. · Food chemistry
5.PMID: 32955964 (2021) — Administration of Herbarium Mixture (Guazuma ulmifolia/Tecoma stans) on Metabolic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Jati Belanda

Sources & Citations