Cissus Quadrangularis: The Indian Ayurvedic Plant With More Benefits Than Just Healing Fractures
Cissus Quandrangularis is a healing herb known for its benefits on joint and bone health. Used for thousands of years in Ayuverda, it is native to Sri Lanka and India, but can also be found in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America.
This plant is part of the grape family and is sometimes known by its other names such as Devil’s Backbone, Hadjod, or Veldt Grape. All parts of this plant are used medicinally. Within the scope of Ayurvedic medicine, Cissus is also known as a ‘bone-setter’, because of it’s reputation to heal broken bones faster than normal.
Most studies backing up this claim have been done only on animals, such as rats and dogs. For example, in this 1994 study done in dogs with radius-ulna fractures, the group given Cissus Quadrangularis revealed a faster fracture healing process on histopathological and radiological examination compared to the control group.
Studies on fracture healing in humans have so far been limited, but so far they have been quite promising. For example, in a 2015 study done in humans with a maxillofacial fracture, those treated with Cissus Quadrangularis had reduced pain, swelling and fracture mobility.
In recent years, Cissus Quandrangularis has seen a resurgence among the fitness and bodybuilding community. It is a favourite among natural bodybuilders who shun the use of anabolic steroids. In addition to its ability to reduce joint pain, it is hypothesized that Cissus induces vasodilation, which is expansion of the blood vessels and capillaries.
This allows increased blood flow to the muscles, and thus, increased delivery of oxygen and vital nutrients to them too, contributing to an extra ‘pump’ whenever the athlete works out. In addition to increased blood flow, levels of testosterone and human growth hormone are said to be increased as well.
Another reason why fitness enthusiasts have made Cissus a firm favorite is for their weight loss benefits. It is hypothesized that Cissus Quandrangularis can support weight loss due to its ability to block carbohydrates and fats being absorbed in the gut by inhibiting our digestive enzmyes lipase and amylase.
Studies to back up its weight loss claims have so far been optimistic too. In a 2008 study done on 72 obese individuals, daily usage of 300mg Cissus (standardized to 2.5% ketosteroids) was able to reduce body fat levels from 33.07% to 30.81% by 4 weeks, and to 28.23% by 10 weeks. This dose was able to reduce weight by 8lbs over 10 weeks.
Another 2006 study utilizing Cissus (standardized to 2.5% ketosteroids), but also confounded with green tea catechins and B-vitamins, found that obese persons had a weight reduction of 6.9% over 8 weeks and overweight persons 4.8% reduction over the same period of time.
Conclusion
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its benefits on joint and bone health, Cissus Quadrangularis has seen a resurgence lately among the fitness and bodybuilding communities for its vasodilatory, weight loss, increased testosterone and human growth hormone benefits.
We love Cissus because of its wide variety of benefits, its safety profile and the fact that it has a growing body of research to back up its claims. Besides our Cissus supplement, we also have formulated an advanced joint health supplement that includes cissus and several other high quality ingredients.
In our next article on Cissus Quadrangularis, we dive deeper into why this grape-like healing plant is so popular among the fitness and bodybuilding crowd. Stay tuned!
