AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
Vol 11, No 2 (2026): June

The effectiveness of bay leaf extract (Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp.) as a local food-based nutritional therapy to reduce hypertension in pregnant women

Minarti Minarti (Diploma Three in Midwifery, Politeknik Baubau, Kota Baubau, Sulawesi Tenggara.)
Wa Ode Nesya Jeni Samrida (Diploma Three in Midwifery, Politeknik Baubau, Kota Baubau, Sulawesi Tenggara.)
Sitti Aisyah Ansi (Diploma Three in Midwifery, Politeknik Baubau, Kota Baubau, Sulawesi Tenggara.)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Jun 2026

Abstract

Hypertension during pregnancy requires timely management because it can compromise maternal and fetal health. Local food-based plant preparations are often used as complementary approaches, but evidence of their measurable effects on blood pressure in pregnant women remains limited. This study examined changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after seven days of treatment with Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp. decoction in pregnant women with hypertension. Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study was conducted from June to July 2025 in the working area of the Sulaa Primary Health Center, Baubau City, Indonesia. Twenty pregnant women with hypertension, defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, were selected using purposive sampling method. The participants received S. polyanthum decoction for seven days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests. The mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 143.50 ± 2.33 mmHg to 133.95 ± 2.11 mmHg, with a mean reduction of 9.55 mmHg (p < 0.001). The mean diastolic blood pressure decreased from 94.45 ± 1.50 mmHg to 88.60 ± 2.72 mmHg, with a mean reduction of 5.85 mmHg (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a seven-day administration of S. polyanthum decoction was followed by lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in this one-group study. The decoction may be considered a complementary local food-based approach to support blood pressure management in pregnant women with hypertension; however, randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

an

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal merupakan jurnal gizi dan kesehatan dengan E-ISSN 2548-5741 dan ISSN 2527-3310. Jurnal ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan dalam penyampaian hasil penelitian sebagai media yang dapat digunakan untuk meregistrasi, mendiseminasi, dan mengarsipkan karya peneliti ...