Sometimes what you contemplate to be unusable might bring you treasure in the end.

I want to share my experience how I came to know the importance of something unimportant but in
reality, a gem. I am referring to a plant called Pansit Pansitan or Ulasiman Bato. It’s just a resonance
of my favorite snacks, sometimes easy breakfast- pansit.
One Monday morning when we were beautifying our area, I happened to uproot an herb
which to my knowledge is meant to be removed from the plot. I was proud to show that I wiped out
to what I knew as common weed to Mr. Rommel Sacramento my Ariculture teacher only to be
resentful in the end. I did not expect that what I had done was about to change my perspective to a
plant that for a long time I had no regard. He did not specify subjectively why I must regret pulling it
off, but from the look in his face was already enough that it must never happen again.
I sought to consult Mr. Google to give in to my curiosity. Upon browsing, I marveled about
the hidden gem found in this plant.
Pansit-pansitan (Peperomia pellucida Linn) is a common fleshy shallow rooted herb that has
been used as food item as well as a medicinal herb. It grows wild in nooks and corners in damp lightly
shaded areas. This plant can grow wild but also grown as ornamental foliage. It is characterized by
its shiny heart shaped leaves about 4 cm in length, growing from an erect translucent green stalk. It
has tiny dot-like flowers that grow from erect and slender green spikes that turn brown when
matured. The fruits are also very small, round to oblong, ridged, first green later black. Tiny seeds
drop off that grows easily in groups.

Food Value

The entire plant is edible both cooked or raw. Wow! This is really awesome. A student like
me who is raised as vegetarian has a new item on the list of my favorite vegies. Study evaluated the
proximate and mineral composition and nutritional attributes of P. pellucida. Results showed it to be
rich in crude protein, carbohydrate, and total ash contents. The ash content suggest a high-value for
potassium, calcium, and iron as main elements. Results suggest P. pellucida can serve as a good
source of protein, energy, and micronutrients. Who can say that a lowly plant just like this would
contain significant nutritional value. With the hike of prices in fruits and vegetable in the market, it
to give it a try, may bring us relatively economic relief.

Medical/Health Benefits

Being health conscious, I learned that Pansit-pansitan has been traditionally used to treat
fever, cough, common cold, headache and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract
in mice indicated that that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The anti-
inflammatory activity was attributed to interference with prostaglandin synthesis. In another study
done on rabbits, pansit-pansitan extract exhibited an anti-pyretic activity which indicates that it is
comparable to standard aspirin.

Anti-cancer
 A study have isolated compounds in P.Pellucida that has inhibitory actions against growth of
some cancer cells. This shows its potential as an anti-cancer supplement.

Antioxidant

In a study done on P.Pellucida extract, it has shown that it has a strong scavenging activity
against free radicals suggesting that pansit-pansitan is a good natural anti-oxidant.

Anti-bacterial

A study has isolated a compound called patuloside A, a xanthone glycoside from P. pellucida
that is found to have broad spectrum antibacterial activity

Anti-arthritic

A study have shown that extracts from pansit-pansitan combined with ibuprofen treatment
has significantly improved the symptoms associated with arthritis. Particularly that of knee joint
rheumatism.

Uric Acid reduction in blood

In a controlled study involving rats, extracts from P. pellucida were administered and uric
acid levels were monitored. The study have shown that rats that were subjected to pansit-pansitan
extract indicated a 44% reduction of uric acid level in blood while those that are given allopurinol
drug have shown 66% reduction in uric acid level. This results show that pansit-pansitan may
contain compounds that maybe used as alternative to allopurinol to control uric acid levels in the
blood.

Depressant

In a study done in Bangladesh, mice were given nikethamide to induce excitement. The
mice were later administered with extracts from pepperomia pellucida to determine its depressant
activity. The results of the study suggest that pansit-pansitan extract has a dose dependent
depressant activity that is beneficial for treatment of excessive mental excitement.disorder.

Having stunned by the numerous wonders of this plant, I can’t wait to experience myself its
health benefits. Little has it been known to many of my fellow students, but with this article pass
through this page, it will make a tremendous difference. My desire for is