Effectiveness of Daun Kelor (Moringa Oleifera Leaf) Decoction on Lowering Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Abstract

Hypertension is a major health issue among the elderly, significantly impacting quality of life and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of moringa oleifera leaf decoction as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce blood pressure in elderly individuals with mild to moderate hypertension. A pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach was employed, involving 20 elderly participants from the Pleret Community Health Center area. Participants consumed 200 ml of fresh moringa leaf decoction twice daily for seven consecutive days. Blood pressure measurements before and after the intervention were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (ρ=0.000). All participants experienced a decrease in systolic pressure, while 90% showed a decrease in diastolic pressure. The antihypertensive effect is attributed to bioactive compounds in Moringa, such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and potassium, which promote vasodilation, diuresis, and inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This study suggests that Moringa leaf decoction is a safe, natural, and cost-effective complementary therapy for managing blood pressure in the elderly.