Saluyot: “Inexpensive health and beauty booster”

When I was kid, I used to play with jute leaves, the elongated sprout of it used to be my green banana, and the leaves I seemingly cook it and sell it to my friends (the usual 'cook and sell' kids do) only to find out later that my supposed 'plaything' is a plant of wonder.

Historians reported this to have existed since 6000 BC and had been widely used in the cuisine of ancient Greek people. They believed that "Mulukhiya" as they call it "is the food for the nobles and kings". It was was even deemed to be one of the beauty secrets of Cleopatra.

Saluyot, with a scientific name of Corchorus Olituris Linn, as famoulsy called, is also known as 'jute leaves', 'molukhiya', 'mallow leaves'. It is green, leafy, shrublike vegetables that sprouts anywhere, almost unnoticed; if cultivated, it requires less care and can be grown whole year round. It is known for its characteristrics as slimy like that of okra. The leaves can be used fresh and dry. It can be added to soups. Dried leaves are used as tea and believed to cure headache, dysntery and ulcers.

WHY SALUYOT?

Health experts suggest that each individual should consume a half cup of saluyot a day, as it contains the necessary dietary nutrients our body needs.

The mallow leaves are rich source of iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous and potassium. It also contains vitamin A, which aids in reparing the body cell and improve eyesight; Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which improves circulations, helps prevent cataracts and other eye disorder and helps hasten the healing of wounds; Vitamin E, which slows down the aches and pains associtaed with aging, holds infertiluith at bay and increases stamina; and a high percentage of calcium, which contributed to strong teetn and bones. Regular consumption of saluyot stabilizes blood pressure and cholesterol level. It helps reduce the risk of asthma, cancer, diabeter and heart disease.

ANTI- AGING

        Due to its amazingly high anti oxidant activity, primarily in the form of vitamin e, aµ tocopherol, eating it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the face and body and regular consumption of it can make you appear young. Saluyot was said to be the ‘culprit’ behind Cleopatra’s beauty and Egyptian royalties, further attested to be behind the long life and youthful looks among Ilokanos living in Ilocos region in the Philippines. 

Variety of recipes can be found in the internet involving saluyot. It became a sudden fever for the ‘health conscious’ individuals, an awareness that skyrocketed, paving way to organics. Thus, amidst innovations, technological advancements of medicines, recent studies proved that health and beauty preservation does not have to be costly or synthesized. There are still inexpensive and natural ways of staying young, beautiful and healthy.