Pandan Leaves

Pandan leaves are the leaves of the plant Pandanus amaryllifolius, which is also called pandan plant. Pandan plant is native to Asia and even tropical parts of Australia. Most predominantly used the Southeast Asian cooking, this upright green plant has fan shaped sprays like structure of leaves that are narrow and blade-like. These leaves are attached to the woody aerial roots of the plant. Pandan plant is known to be sterile and it is often propagated by cutting. The leaves are dark green in color, with strong nutty aroma.

Information about Pandanus Leaves

The main purpose to cultivate this plant is to gain the pandan leaves, that bless various culinary items in most of the Asian cooking. Used in both forms as fresh and wilted, these leaves are also available in frozen form in various parts of the world, outside Asia, as it can't thrive in other atmospheric conditions. The leaves have strong nutty flavor that adds a distinct aroma in the various dishes of different regions of Asia including Filipino, Thai, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Burmese and even some regions of India.

Various forms of pandan leaves are used for culinary purposes. It can be used for wrapping certain dishes and it is also used in paste form to get that distinct vanilla like flavor. These leaves are used especially for preparing the pandan cake, pandan chicken, flavoring various types of rice, etc. Pandan leaves are sometimes first steeped in coconut milk and then added to the desired dish. They are versatile eaves that could enhance taste of both spicy and sweet food recipes. Pandan leaves essence and paste is available in the Asian markets, so that it could get easy for the people who find it difficult to get fresh leaves.

Pandan Leaves Benefits

There are various benefits to go along with the culinary uses of these leaves. Pandan leaves are very beneficial for various health conditions. They consist of essential oils, traces of tannin, glycosides and alkaloids as well. As a matter of fact, whole pandan plant is considered to be diuretic and is extremely useful for healing various wounds and diseases like smallpox. Pandan leaves are said to be pain relievers and used that way to cure chest pain, headache, reduce fever, arthritis, earache, etc. They are also used as a healthy laxative for children. Chewing these leaves is an easy way to get rid of gum pain.

Pandan leaves are also effective in reducing stomach cramps and stomach spasm. They are also found to be effective in recovery of women with weakness after childbirth. Though rare, pandan flowers are said to be aphrodisiac , which means they stimulate sexual desire. These leaves are also anti-carcinogenic, while benefits of pandan leaves for diabetes are also very significant. These leaves are also useful for treating several skin disorders including leprosy. They are also used for preparation of various herbal teas, with other herbs like lemongrass, mulberry leaves, safflower, green tea and other such herbs. Bathing with water having boiled pandan leaves, is useful for treating skin diseases and sunburns.

These leaves are one of the better choices to be introduced in your herb garden. As pandan leaves give that natural green food coloring the dishes, using edible green color and vanilla essence would be the best substitute.