Cissus quadrangularis, or cissus for short, is a plant related to the grape that is native to India and Sri Lanka. Over the years, it has been transplanted with success and now thrives in Africa, Arabia, Asia, Brazil and in the southern parts of the United States.
Cissus is one of those plants that have been used for thousands of years for his medicinal purposes in what would be considered alternative medicine. In traditional medicine in the early to mid 19th century, it was used as a treatment for scurvy and also as a pain killer.
Despite its age and common usage over time, there have been no human studies on the nutrition of Cissus Quadrangularis. The clinical studies that have been conducted have all been animal studies on rats and dogs or test tube studies on human tissue.
It is important to understand this distinction because non-human studies don’t necessarily equate to equivalent results in human studies. In fact, many studies that show promise in these early trials often turn out to provide no benefit in human trials. That is not to say that there is no benefit to using cissus quadrangularis or that humans cannot benefit from using it. Only that any claims that you see are based strictly on limited trials. This is where personal anecdotal evidence comes into play.
Not all types of physical activity are suitable for everyone. Users take training advice at their own personal risk.
Cissus Quadrangularis Benefits Over time, cissus has been used as a catch all remedy in both traditional and non traditional medicines. Although today it is used primarily in weight training circles as a supplement, it has also been used for:weight loss, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, upse... more
Over time, cissus has been used as a catch all remedy in both traditional and non traditional medicines. Although today it is used primarily in weight training circles as a supplement, it has also been used for:weight loss, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, menstral pain and bloating, asthma, malaria, and hemorrhoids.
Today, the most common uses for cissus quadrangularis are:
Most of the clinical studies conducted on cissus have been regarding its benefit for bone fractures. These studies (again, not human studies) showed an accelerated rate of healing in the bones of both dogs and rats in controlled studies. In fact, these studies showed that in some cases healing occurred as much as 55% faster than the normal healing rate. In all animals the healing occurred at least 35% faster.
In the world of weight lifting, this is a big deal. Studies have shown that serious weight trainers, those that lift every day for several hours a day, have a much higher risk of stress fractures. It is thought that cissus can help to heal those fractures faster.
What’s more, in test tube studies on human bone and tissue, the application of cissus produced a faster healing rate in muscle. In the bone, there was increased density suggesting that long-term use of cissus can increase the density of your bones, which can result in less bone loss as you get older (osteoporosis).
In addition, this reduces the risk of stress fractures as well as other types of fractures while you are weight lifting or working out. Many athletes, not just weight lifters, use cissus to prevent injury while they are working out or exercising.
Some of the tissue studies using cissus quadrangularis show that cissus provides the same pain management benefit of aspirin or ibuprofen. In addition, cissus acts as an anti-inflammatory. This combination makes it an excellent option for athletes as well.
It is important to note that any type of pain buffer can become a problem for athletes. The reason for this is that when you block the pain that you have, you aren’t able to tell when you are putting too much stress on one part of your body until it’s too late. Because one of the recommended doses of cissus is supposed to be taken 30 minutes before you work out, it is important to understand your body’s limits so that you don’t injure yourself in other ways
Many athletes find that cissus is an excellent for pain management after a workout and since it also works to help heal bone and muscle faster, it can aid in the faster development of your body mass. You might want to use cissus if you suffer from:
After about 10 to 15 days of use, some weight lifters may experience what is known as the pump effect. This is the appearance of a larger muscle when you are in the process of lifting weights. Although this doesn’t equate to having larger muscles, many weight lifters find experience this motivates them to pump heavy weights longer.
Because cissus quadrangularis contains high levels of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, as well as beta-carotene, which is another antioxidant, it is thought that cissus may prevent the growth of some cancer cells. In addition, including cissus in your diet may prevent illness, especially the common cold.
Cissus may also aid in eye health because of the high levels of carotene. There is about half as much carotene in cissus as there is vitamin C. This mean that there are still very high amounts of both; not so much as to be toxic, however. Cissus is also sold as a weight loss product; however, there is no way to be certain that this will work for obesity/weight loss. In addition it is sold as a way to reduce cholesterol, and as a heart healthy product.
Cissus quadrangularis has anabolic and androgenic properties. The anabolic process is responsible for your bodies muscle mass as well as the bone growth that you experience. This is a great benefit for weight lifters. The androgenic process may increase testosterone levels. The androgenic process is responsible for the development of male sex organs as well.
Primarily, it is believed that cissus quadrangularis works as a glucocorticoid antagonist which is supposed to aid in the prevention of muscle degradation as well as prevent the loss of muscle and bone mass over time. However, newer studies aren’t as positive about the glucocorticoid antagonist effect, which means that it may not provide the benefits once thought.
Cissus quadrangularis also has calcium oxalate. This is believed to be the primary cause of kidney stones. As such, it is important to only take the recommended doses of cissus to prevent any undo kidney problems.
Unfortunately, clinically speaking, there is no way to determine if there are any interactions with medications or medical conditions while taking cissus quadrangularis. That is why it is important for you to speak to your doctor before taking this or any supplement.
In addition, there are no studies to determine the benefits or problems that may occur when using cissus for an extended period of time. It is important to follow label instructions for any product you purchase that contains cissus quadrangularis.
Users have reported side effects including:
It is possible that these side effects will dissipate as your body develops a tolerance, however you should discontinue use if any of these things become chronic or problematic. If you have any kidney or liver disease, you should speak to your doctor before taking cissus to rule out the possibility of the cissus complicating your condition. Also not that many companies that sell this supplement use shellfish as a filler. Before you make your purchase, check for shellfish if you are allergic! Finally, pregnant women, women who are nursing and children should not take cissus without the permission of their physician.
To find the best form of Cissus Quadrangularis for your specific needs, use the free supplement finder now!
| Asthma |
| Diarrhea |
| Gas |
| Headaches |
| Insomnia |
| Kidney Stones |
| Shellfish Allergic Reaction |
| Contraindicated During Pregnancy |
| Contraindicated For Certain Medical Conditions |
| Asthisonhara, Chadhuri, Chaudhari, Cissus, Cissus Extract, Cissus Formula, Cissus Formulation, C. Quadrangularis, Cissus Quadrangularis, Cissus Quadrangularis Extract, CORE, CQ, CQE, CQR-300, Hadjod, Hadjora, Harbhanga, Harsankari, Hasjora, Kandavela, Mangaroli, Nalleru, Namunungwa, Phet Cha Sung Khaat, Phet Sang Kat, Phet Sangkhat, Pirandai, Quadrangularis, Samroi To, San Cha Khuat, Vajravalli, Vedhari, Veld Grape, Veldt-grape, Vitis Quadrangularis, Winged Treebine |
| Anti-inflammatory |
| Bone Fractures |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| Cartilage Health |
| Cholesterol |
| Eye Health |
| Joint Health |
| Ligament Pain |
| Menstrual Pain and Bloating |
| Muscle Builder |
| Obesity |
| Osteoarthritis |
| Osteoporosis |
| Pain |
| Prevents Colds |
| Tendonitis |
| Scurvy |