Tulbaghia Violacea is a fast growing perennial plant with narrow clumping, garlic-scented leaves and large lilac flowers. It is a bulbous plant that reaches heights of 0.5m. The leaves are long and narrow, slightly fresh, and strap-like, producing the garlic smell when bruised.
Table of Contents
It is a common plant that is resistant to drought and stretches in the regions of Eastern Cape South Africa, Zimbabwe, and all the way to Tanzania. The plant adapts to any soils. The seeds of the plant can be grown as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame or during the winter.
What Is Tulbaghia Violacea?
The plant is commonly known as a pink agapanthus or the society garlic and forms part of the flowering plant in the onion family. The plant has been discovered to have several health benefits in humans.
It is a fast growing plant that does well in the dry areas. It is a great plant in your garden, capable of tolerating hot sun and all types of soil. It does even better with some watering, although this is not necessary.
It is a great groundcover and does well edging to the pathway and making homes look beautiful. However, more people are growing it for its health benefits rather than the beauty it brings in homes. It is a versatile plant capable of adapting to almost all conditions like semi-shade areas.
Tulbaghia Violacea belongs to the Alliaceae family which is the same family as garlic and sometimes referred to as the sweet garlic. The plant has been used by the ancient Zulus as an aphrodisiac. However, it is also used to treat several health ailments that shall be covered later in this review.
Uses And Benefits
Recently gaining the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, the plant can be grown for its ornamental or medicinal purposes. Research has shown the amazing health benefits of the Tulbaghia Violacea in humans.
Experiments done on rodents have shown its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects. The following are some of the uses and health benefits one stands to gain by consuming the Tulbaghia Violacea supplements:
Reduction Of Risk Factors Of Cancer And Cardiovascular System
Studies have shown the plant is capable of reducing the risk factors that cause cancer and other cardiovascular-related diseases in humans. The androgenic and anti-cancer properties of the plant rhizome have been shown to fight cancer while reducing the risks of cardiovascular related diseases.
Three different studies have shown that the plant compound attacks and kills cancer cells by starting the apoptosis process. The plant has the ACE inhibiting properties that reduce the heart rate and blood pressure, helping fight the cardiovascular related diseases.
The plant flavonoids like kaempferol have been shown to reduce the proliferation of the cancer cells in the body. Kaempferol has also been found to reduce the risks of heart diseases.
Fight Pancreatic Cancer
Three flavonoids in the Tulbaghia Violacea have been shown to fight pancreatic cancer. These flavonoids are kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin.
Stimulation Of The Immune System
Supplements of the plant have been shown to boost the immune system, making it an ideal plant in your garden. Most immune boosting supplements nowadays have the Tulbaghia Violacea as one of the ingredients in them.
Enhanced Detoxification Of Foreign Compounds
The plant plays a vital role in the detoxification of foreign materials from the body.
Antibacterial Properties
Tulbaghia Violacea has shown great antibacterial properties, fighting common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.
Anti-diabetic
It has been found to increase the intake of glucose by more than 100%, which is far better than most plants in the same family.
Testosterone Booster
The aphrodisiac properties make it a great testosterone enhancer in men. Studies done have shown the plant was able to increase the production of testosterone by stimulating the Luteinizing hormone. This means it can be used to improve libido in men with most libido supplements in the market constituting the compounds found in Tulbaghia Violacea.
At Home Use For Tulbaghia Violacea
As a traditional medicine, Tulbaghia Violacea can be made at home by crushing and chopping about 15 grams of the bulbs and boiling them for 3-4 minutes. You can then cover it for 2-3 minutes before discarding the herb.
The water will be ready for consumption hot or cold. A dosage of one cup a day is great, although this can be split three times a day. The bulb of Tulbaghia Violacea has been shown to kill intestinal worms, reduce the risks of coughs, cold, flu, restlessness, stomach-ache, headache, colic, and fever. As you can see, there are tons of benefits derived from this wild herb.
The bulbs that have been bruised can also be used to treat paralysis, fever, and rheumatism. This is done by adding them to bath water and showering with it.
Crushed leaves are also great in healing sinus headaches.
The leaves can also be rubbed on the skin to act as a repellant against mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.
The Risks And Side Effects Of Tulbaghia Violacea
While it has several beneficial uses, the plant has been found to cause some side effects, especially when used in high dosages. Excessive consumption of the bulbs can lead to gastrointestinal distress, sloughing of the intestinal tissues, and acute inflammation.
Other side effects, although rare, include contraction of the pupil and delayed response to the stimuli. The side effects from this natural herb are not serious ones, but any effects that seem serious should be reported to a doctor immediately. Otherwise, consume in moderation and enjoy all the health benefits of the Tulbaghia Violacea.
Top Tulbaghia Violacea Products
Top products in the market that contain the plant compounds include Silver Race, although most people prefer the homemade drink of the bulb. You can always check the list of ingredients of supplements to see if the possess this beneficial herb.
Tulbaghia Violacea Review Summary
Tulbaghia Violacea is one of those few herbs that must be planted in your garden if you need to enjoy the several health benefits it offers. It is a great choice to help with libido while preventing heart-related diseases. It also helps fight cancer and improves the immune system. The plant extracts possess antimicrobial properties that help fight bacteria and other intestinal germs.
