The content of the leaves katuk include protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B, and C. pirolidinon, and methyl p-dodesilfenol piroglutamat as well as a minor component. In 100 g of leaf contained: energy 59 cal, 6.4 g protein, 1.0 g fat, 9.9 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 1.7 g ash, 233 mg calcium, phosphorus 98 mg, 3.5 mg iron, carotene 10,020 mcg (vitamin A), B, and C 164 mg, and 81 g water.
Viewed from the nutritional value, and katuk have good nutritional value, such as protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B, and C. Katuk leaves also contain some aliphatic compounds. Savor leaf katuk as enhancing breast milk production, probably derived from the hormonal effects of chemical compounds that are estrogenic sterols. Katuk leaves also contain ephedrine which is very good for people with influenza.
Katuk leaf is a source of vitamin C which is very good. The content of vitamin C even much higher than the orange or guava, which has been known as a source of vitamin C which is very good. Vitamin C is known as the main compounds the body needs in a variety of important processes, ranging from the manufacture of collagen (fibrous protein that forms connective tissue in bones), fat transport, electron transport from various enzymatic reactions, hyper healthy gums, regulating cholesterol levels, and hyper immunity. In addition, the body's vitamin C is necessary for wound healing and improve brain function in order to work optimally.
Katuk leaf is also a source of vitamin A which is pretty good. Vitamin A is needed for the body to prevent eye disease, cell growth, immune system, reproduction, and maintaining healthy skin.
Katuk leaf also has a very good calcium levels. Calcium is one of the most important minerals needed by the body. Consumption of calcium is less than demand can lead to fragility of bone integrity and osteoporosis at an early age, generally occurs in women. High blood pressure can also be caused by levels of calcium in the blood are very low.
In addition to facilitate the production of milk as it is known so far, katuk leaves are also rich in compounds that can boost the quality and quantity of sperm, including arouse sexual vitality. Leaves katuk filled medicinal phytochemical compounds.
Katuk leaf contains at least seven active compounds that can stimulate the synthesis of steroid hormones (like progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, glucocorticoids) and eikosanoid compounds (including prostaglandins, prostacyclin, thromboxane, lipoksin, and leukotrienes).
Behind the advantages, katuk leaves contain several deficiencies, among others, as follows:
- Interfere with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus caused by glukokortokoid resulting from the metabolism of the active compound leaf katuk.
- Difficulty sleeping, bad eating, breathing difficulties, at a dose of 150 g of leaf juice consumed raw katuk 2 weeks to 7 months.
- Kidney stones caused by calcium oxalate, but this is balanced by high levels of potassium which functions as a kidney stone crusher.
- Lung disorders. The main side effect is the constriction of bronchiolitis permanent. This can happen if the leaf katuk consumed in large quantities in the long term. Compounds that cause is alleged to papaverine.
- Increasing the contraction the uterus (womb) in rabbits. So there is a possibility can cause miscarriage.
