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TERMINALIA CATAPPA LEAVES FOR THE AQUARIUM Common names in the aquarium hobby: Indian Almond Leaves, Catappa Leaves, Ketapang Leaves Indian Almond Leaves have been used for both therapeutic and medicinal purposes in the aquarium hobby for many years. They are said to simulate the natural environment for fish such as Bettas, Killies, Discus, Arowana, Tetras, Appistogramma, Dwarf Cichlids, Rasbora, Corydoras and other Catfish, and Shrimp. They also boast proven healing and therapeutic benefits. Probably the most common myth about Indian Almond Leaves in the aquarium, is that their benefits simply come from their tannins. This simplistic view has lead to the misconception that any leaf can offer tannins with the same benefits. This couldn't be further from the truth. Humic acids (including tannins) do offer some seemingly universal benefits. Tannins offer antibacterial properties and are a component in many herbs. In this respect, any source of tannic acids may benefit the aquatic environment. However, the leaves from some tree species (or any herb) offer further therapeutic or medicinal properties based on their varying active components. The type, amount, and combination of these components varies widely from species to species. For example, a 2009 study on Ficus benjamina discovered that a newly identified triterpenic acid exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, as well as low activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus brassicola. Other species offer triterpenic acids, but the Ficus offers a unique triterpenic acid that you would not benefit from if you used another species.
The medicinal properties of T. catappa have been proven repeatedly in scientific studies (see references below): - Anti-inflammatory - Antiparasite properties, including the eradication of Trichodina, Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp. - Antibacterial properties have been proven against many strains, both negative and positive, and T. catappa leaf extracts continue to be explored as an alternative to antibiotics for the food fish industry. - Scientists have reported antifungal activity against Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Indian Almond Leaf extract has also been used successfully as an antifungal for Tilapia eggs. - Immune system support has been verified in humans, to a point where it has helped HIV patients. Hobbyists report rapid healing, increased spawning activity, improved male/female ratios, vibrant colour, improved finnage health & size, and supreme overall health & vitality. As a treatment or for therapeutic benefits, the results are almost universally agreed upon by aquarists. Indian Almond Leaves won't cure everything, nothing will, but they have been both scientifically and hobbyist proven as an effective treatment for many ailments and for immune system support. How much Indian Almond Leaf or extract required will depend upon your water chemistry. Hard water with a high KH will require more than soft water with a lower KH. If you have blackwater fish or are using Indian Almond Leaves medicinally, you may wish to use more. If you are looking for therapeutic benefits, you'll want to use less. Caution: Studies have shown varying tolerance levels amongst fish species. Guppies were proven to suffer toxic effects and gill adhesion at lower levels than Bettas tolerated, for example. This suggests that you should proceed with caution, gradually increasing the amount you add to your aquarium. We also suggest that you monitor pH levels to ensure that they don't lower too quickly. If your aquatic pets appear to be stressed, remove the bags, do a large water change, and/or add activated carbon to your filter.
Our Indian Almond Leaf (T. catappa) Extract Bags are a no-mess way to introduce the benefits of T. catappa leaves directly into your aquarium, or to make your own extract. The smaller leaf pieces facilitate faster leaching rates. They can be added to the tank or filter media compartment. You can also use a darning needle to thread a piece of fishing line through the edge of the bag to control it's location and further facilitate easy removal. For the best results, remove activated charcoal from your filter. Each Indian Almond Leaf Extract Bag contains approximately the equivalent of one small to mid-sized T. catappa leaf. They are available in packages of 10 bags. Click below to purchase 10 Indian Almond Leaf Extract Bags for only $1.75! References: Goun E, Cunningham G, Chu D, Nguyen C, Miles D. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Indonesian ethnomedical plants. Fitoterapia. 2003.
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Disclaimer: Statements on this website may not have been evaluated by the FDA, Health Canada nor any other government regulator. The information and products provided by AllNaturalPetCare.com are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, nor prevent any disease and are intended for educational purposes only. Please research and consult a veterinarian before treating any condition/illness or making dietary changes. The owners/operators of All Natural Pet Care will not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages or loss in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of the instructions, suggestions or products on this website.
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It's highly unlikely that all of the active components in each species have been identified, but certainly many have. One study proved that triterpenic acids 1 and 2 are two of the acids responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of Indian Almond Leaves, for example. Analysis of Indian Almond Leaves thus far has revealed flavanoids, isovitexin, vitexin, isoorientin, rutin and triterpenoiods. Further identified are volatile oils, quercetin, corilagin, kamferolphenols, saponin, saponin glycosides, cardiac glycoside, balsam, and squalene. T. catappa leaf tannins include punicalagin, punicalin, geranin, granatin B, tergallagin, tercatain, terflavin A and B, chebulagic acid, and corilagin.
