Cissus quadrangularis is used for obesity, diabetes, a cluster of heart disease risk factors called “metabolic syndrome,” and high cholesterol. It has also been used for bone fractures, weak bones (osteoporosis), scurvy, cancer, upset stomach, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), painful menstrual periods, asthma, malaria, and pain. Cissus quadrangularis is also used in bodybuilding supplements as an alternative to anabolic steroids.

Cissus can be found (more hidden) in many supplements and medications.  Cissus can be taken as an extract or blended with other supplements.  The list of benefits goes on and on as we discover more about this ancient medicinal herb.

Cissus Muscle Repair

Cissus is used by body builders to repair torn muscles, ligaments, and bones.  It can be used by all athletes who suffer bone fractures or torn tendons such as ACL/MCL tears, Achilles tendon tears, or any joint/tendon injury.

Joint Health

Cissus is a natural joint health supplement similar to DHEA or MSM.  Cissus allows for joint, tendon, and ligament repair.

Bone Support

A latest study shows that cissus directly helps bone marrow make the bone-building cells known as osteoblasts as well as directly promote the formation of calcium matrix (new bone)

Workout Recovery

Cissus can improve your workout recovery time and allow your body to gain maximum benefits from over strenuous exercise.

Cortisol Blocker

This is one of the main goals of body builders since cortisol, a natural hormone in our bodies, breaks down muscle when they are stressed.  This means cortisol is working against heavy workouts.  By blocking cortisol your body allows muscles to get ripped.  Cortisol also plays a part in breaking down sugars and amino acids which can get stored as fats, another thing bodybuilders don’t want.

Weight Loss/Management

When we are stressed, either physically, mentally, or emotionally, our bodies send out hormones to defend itself.  Cortisol is one hormone our bodies send out.  What happens then is our body finds sugars to break down to store as fat in order to protect our cells from stress.  Cissus prevents the cortisol from interfering with our muscle growth and prevents the fat build up.

Cissus Anti-Oxidant Properties

Cissus is in the grape family and therefore carries great anti-oxidant properties for the human body.  This makes cissus healthy for everyone.  Most of the diseases and problems that cissus can be used to aid come down to fighting oxidants in our bodies.  Digestive problems are the root of most of our health problems and the main cause of poor digestion is all the oxidants our bodies are fighting everyday.

Gastroprotective Activity

Cissus has been used to treat hemorrhoids and other digestive aids such as ulcers, asthma, and constipation – all important issues that are associated with bacterial imbalance in the digestive tract.

Malaria

Cissus has been used by Africans, for centuries, to relieve symptoms of and prevent Malaria.  The cissus plant contains anti-malaria agents that can subdue the effects of malaria.

Irregular Menstruation

Cissus promotes estrogenic activity, mostly in rats that are a research model for menopause. It has not been investigated as to whether this estrogenic activity influences male performance or sexuality, however.

Eye/Ear Disease

Cissus Quadrangularis carries high levels of carotene and antioxidants making it an aid in fighting most diseases, especially in the ears and eyes.

Anorexia

Anorexia is not just some teenager deciding to get thin by CHOOSING not to eat, but rather a disease that can be brought on by chemical imbalances within the body and/or by digestive problems.

Cissus quadrangularis contains a variety of phytonutrients such as quercetin, stillbenes, beta carotene, and other flavonoids. These nutrients help your digestive lining in several ways including preventing gastric damage, boosting antioxidant function, reducing inflammation, and preserving the capillary integrity and normal function of your stomach and digestive lining.

The weight loss effects of Cissus are not mainly appetite suppression, but rather the fact that by inhibiting cortisol you are also inhibiting the liver to process extra sugars that potentially can be stored as fat when the body is under stress.  This in itself can prevent weight gain, but in a healthy way.  Some people may feel their appetite suppressed a bit, but it’s mostly suppressed against over snacking and sugar cravings.

Cissus should be taken 30 minutes before eating, so the herbal supplements support eating.  We probably tend to over eat at single meals anyway, so a natural appetite suppressant shouldn’t have any harm, even to someone anorexic.

Burns

Cissus can also be used as an external ointment on both bone fractures and skin burns.  It’s anti-oxidant capabilities and over healing powers heal the skin also.

Asthma

Oxidants and Stress are two major causes of asthma.  Cissus carries high levels of anti-oxidants and promotes a healthy chemical balance within the body.  Although our only real cures for stress are lifestyle choices and changes, the effects of stress are chemical imbalances within the body which tend to negatively affect our digestion, our weight, and our mood.  Cissus Quadrangularis has healing abilities in all these fields, especially in the digestive tract.