Black Plum Leaf Found to Harness Radioprotective Properties

A recent study from researchers with the Kasturba Medical College in India found the survival rate of mice exposed to radiation was dramatically increased when they received black plum leaf extract.

You don’t have to work in the radiology department of your local hospital or live near Fukushima Japan to be exposed to radiation each and every day. Whether you use a microwave, fly on an airplane, or get your annually-recommended mammogram, you are exposed. While some of this exposure is unnecessary and preventable, much of it is not. For that reason, it makes sense to take efforts to minimize the effects of this chronic exposure. And black plum leaf extract could aid in that battle.

Varying concentrations of the extract were given to mice to determine how these various doses affected them when exposed to gamma radiation. The doses included 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80 mg. per kg. of body weight administered five days before radiation exposure.

For the study, each mouse was exposed to equal amounts of radiation—10 grays—and quickly began exhibiting the effects of radiation sickness. Over the following 30 days, the mice were studied.
Those who received no black plum leaf extract had a survival rate of only 12 percent. Among all black plum extract groups, the survival rate was 66.6 percent. While one would think the largest dose would have the greatest effects, that wasn’t the case. The mice receiving 30 mg/kg had the highest survival rate of more than 41 percent.

“Black plum leaf is designed to be effective against radiation. It is rich in acylated flavonol glycosides, quercetin, myricetin, myricitin, myricetin 3-O-4-acetyl-L-rhamnopyranoside, triterpenoids, esterase, galloyl carboxylase and tannins.

Clinical studies have shown how these constituents are antidiabetic as well. The fruits, seeds and stem bark possess powerful pharmacological activity too. Its gastrointestinal protective powers have been studied; it is anti-ulcerogenic, antifungal, antibacterial and radioprotective there.”

Our daily exposure to radiation is undeniable. And with the Fukushima spilling untold concentrations of radioactive water into our seas, it would behoove us all to investigate natural methods of protection. In addition to utilizing black plum leaf extract for potential protection, you may also use flaxseed to protect against radiation, as well as iodine, miso soup, broccoli, and much more.