Fact Check: Can water leaf cure Stroke?

A video on social media site Instagram claims that water leaf can cure stroke

Claim: A video on social media site Instagram claims that water leaves can cure stroke. The video further adds that uprooting the stem, grinding it, and drinking it in the morning and evening will cure stroke. The reel can be seen here.

Fact Check:

The claim is False.

What is a stroke?

According to the National Institute of Health, “ A stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, or there is sudden bleeding in the brain. There are two types of strokes. A stroke that occurs because blood flow to the brain is blocked is called an ischemic stroke. The brain cannot get oxygen and nutrients from the blood. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells begin to die within minutes. A stroke that occurs because of sudden bleeding in the brain is called a hemorrhagic stroke. The leaked blood results in pressure on brain cells, damaging them. About 90% of strokes involve blocked blood vessels (ischemic), and the rest involve internal bleeding (hemorrhagic). Strokes are further classified based on where in the brain the blockage or bleeding occurs.” (1)

Incidence of Stroke:

How to Identify a Stroke?

Responding to the question, Dr Rahul Chawla explained, “Stroke is acute onset neurological deficit due to either clot in the vessel (Ischemic stroke) or bleeding inside brain parenchyma (ICH). Identifying a stroke involves quickly recognizing the signs and symptoms, as early intervention is crucial for minimizing damage. The common acronym used to remember the signs of stroke is FAST:

1. Face: Ask the person to smile. Check if one side of their face droops.

2. Arms: Ask them to raise both arms and then legs. See if one limb drifts downward or is weaker than the other.

3. Speech: Have them repeat a sentence. Look for slurred speech.

4. Time: If you notice any of these signs, it's time to call emergency services immediately.

Other signs of stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body), sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and a severe headache with no known cause. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, don't wait to see if symptoms improve. Seek medical help immediately. Any patient arriving in the hospital within a window of 4.5 hours is eligible for IV thrombolysis, which is a clot-bursting medicine given in a specific set of ischemic stroke patients after ruling out Sintra cerebral haemorrhage.”

What is Water leaf?

Waterleaf, scientifically known as Talinum fruticosum, is a leafy vegetable plant widely consumed in parts of Africa and Asia. It's known for its juicy, succulent leaves, which are used in various dishes to add moisture and a mild, somewhat tangy flavor. The leaves and stems of water leaf are rich in various bioactive compounds. According to Amorim et al. (2014), the plant contains 17 distinct compounds including steroids, acrylamide, propanoic acid, allantoin, malic acid, steroids, and phaeophytins extracted from water leaf stems and leaves. Further studies quantified its phytochemical content, revealing alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in the plant. Waterleaf contains significant amounts of ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Allantoin in both the leaves and roots of water leaf.

Can water leaf cure stroke?

Waterleaf may be used for managing certain ailments, but no scientific evidence supports the claim that it can cure stroke.

Bioltif mentioned that Waterleaf (Talinum trianguare), which has been extensively used in local communities in Nigeria and beyond, to treat/manage various human ailments which include regulation of blood sugar level, dropsy, oedema and body weight management, as well as for food and feed. (2)

A study by Aja et al. reported that  Water leaf may be used in the management of cardiovascular diseases like stroke, obesity, etc. (3)

Ikewuchi et al. reported that Studies have shown that kaempferol, a biologically active compound of water leaf, has a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardio-protective. (4)

Despite studies showing that water leaves may have some cardioprotective agents, no scientific evidence claims they can cure stroke.

Dr Rahul Chawla responded to the claim, "This is completely unscientific, and such misleading claims can be detrimental to public health. If a patient with symptoms of acute stroke follows such unscientific advice instead of going to the hospital, it can risk his/her life. The initial 24 hours are very crucial in the management of stroke. If not treated, the patient can have recurrent strokes. Also, there is the option of IV thrombolysis and thrombectomy for a set of patients that can only be done within the first few hours of stroke onset. IV Thrombolysis and thrombectomy have been extremely effective in reversing the neurological deficit caused by stroke in a subset of patients. Hence, ignoring such unscientific, misleading claims and spreading correct health-related awareness is important." 

Medical Dialogues Final Take:

While waterleaf is nutritious and contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these properties do not translate into a capacity to cure or prevent strokes. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that waterleaf, or Talinum fruticosum, can cure strokes. Hence, this claim is fake. It is crucial to seek medical help during a stroke.

References:

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Stroke. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke

2. Bioltif, Yilni & Edward, Naanma. (2020). Review on the Medicinal Potentials of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare). Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 04. 01-07. 10.46382/MJBAS.2020.4201. 

3.Aja, P. M., Okaka, A. N. C., Onu, P. N., Ibiam, U., & Urako, A. J. (2010). Phytochemical composition of Talinum triangulare (water leaf) leaves. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9(6), 527-530.

4.Ikewuchi, C. C., Ikewuchi, J. C., & Ifeanacho, M. O. (2017). Bioactive phytochemicals in an aqueous extract of the leaves of Talinum triangulare. Food science & nutrition, 5(3), 696-701.5. Jones, S. P., Baqai, K., Clegg, A., Georgiou, R., Harris, C., Holland, E. J., Kalkonde, Y., Lightbody, C. E., Maulik, P. K., Srivastava, P. M., Pandian, J. D., Kulsum, P., Sylaja, P. N., Watkins, C. L., & Hackett, M. L. (2022). Stroke in India: A systematic review of the incidence, prevalence, and case fatality. International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society, 17(2), 132–140.https://doi.org/10.1177/17474930211027834