Pandan Leaves: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More 

Introduction

Pandan leaves are tropical aromatic leaves that have, for years, been highly valued across Southeast Asia for their use in culinary and traditional practices. Known as the herbs of the east, they are found and used in various tropical regions such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, parts of South Asia, Africa, and Central America¹.

This article will explore the nutritional value of pandan leaves, their benefits, side effects, how to use them and precautions to be taken while using them.  

What Are Pandan Leaves?

Pandan leaves are leaves of the herb Pandanus amaryllifolius, that is indigenous to the Maluku islands of Indonesia. Their taste is often compared to vanilla due to their sweet and grassy undertone. Thus, these leaves are used as a natural flavouring and colouring agent in various food products such as rice, desserts, and sweets. They also have traditionally been used to treat headaches, fever, inflammation. They are rich in antioxidant compounds that contribute to their pharmacological properties¹.

Nutritional Value of Pandan Leaves

Pandan leaf powder is high in fibre, composed of carbohydrates (60.3%), proteins (12.73%), fats (5.28%), crude fibre (6.38%), ash (1.45%) and some important minerals and antioxidants¹.The following are some important nutrients present in pandan leaf powder:  

• Minerals and Vitamins: It contains calcium (134 mg/100 g), phosphorus (108 mg/100 g), iron (5.7 mg/100 g), potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C, and some B-group Vitamins¹.
• Antioxidants: It has simple phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and sterols which contribute to its antioxidant properties¹.

Benefits of Pandan Leaves

Pandan leaves are said to have certain potential health benefits owing to their rich nutrient and antioxidant profile. Pandan leaves benefits may include:  

• Antioxidant Activity: Pandan leaves contain compounds that play an important role in protecting the body cells from harmful radicals and strengthening body’s immune system².
• Analgesic Effect: Pandan leaves have natural anti-inflammatory compounds such as steroids, and other compounds which can help relieve joint pain especially in arthritis patients³.
• Antimicrobial Action: Some studies have shown than Pandan leaves have antibacterial action against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli due to presence of alkali substances in them⁴.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: Pandan leaf extract contains several essential compounds such as tocopherols, alkaloid, phenolic compounds etc that can help improve insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, thereby acting as natural blood sugar lowering agents⁵.
• Blood Pressure Management: Pandan leaves are rich in potassium and flavonoids which can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. A study has shown that pandan leaves boiled water may be as effective as antihypertensive medication in lowering high blood pressure⁶.
• Skincare: Due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, Pandan leaves can be used as an ingredient in skincare products to potentially reduce acne, keep the skin hydrated and increase skin smoothness^7,8.

Other Pandan leaves uses include: 

• Food preservative: Pandan leaves can be used as a food preservative to avoid food poisoning because of its anti-bacterial properties².
• Room/Car Freshener: Pandan leaves acts as a natural fragrance agent because of a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline present in it².

Note: While these health effects of pandan leaves have been studied, most research is still in the initial stages, and their use is more common in ayurvedic or traditional medications mainly for pain relief. Therefore, these should not be considered as a substitute for any medication/medical advice, and a doctor must always be consulted before including them in routine diet especially if you have any medical condition. 

Side Effects of Pandan Leaves

There is limited evidence for the side effects of pandan leaves in humans. However, the following should be kept in mind while using Pandan leaves: 

• There may be gastric upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea in some individuals. 
• Allergic reactions may also result when used topically as skincare. 
• They may lower the blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels in individuals already taking medications for these conditions^5,6.

In general, excessive use of herbal supplements is also linked to kidney and liver injury and should be avoided by individuals who have chronic kidney disease or liver disorders⁹. 

Therefore, it is best to consume Pandan leaves in moderation and discuss with a doctor in case of any chronic medical conditions. Always follow the dosage instructions advised by a healthcare provider/ayurvedic practitioner to avoid the risk of any side effects. 

How to Use Pandan Leaves?

Pandan leaves are available as fresh leaves, powder, and tinctures. They can be incorporated in your daily life in the following ways: 

1. Adding to your diet

• Pandan extracts can be added to beverages, soups, curries, baked goods, confectionery, and other food products to give them a natural green colour and rich flavour. 
• Adding pandan leaves to rice can enhance its flavour and give it a good aroma. 

2. Topical application

• Pandan ointment for joint pain can be made by infusing it in coconut oil. 
• To make Pandan skin cream or scrub you can take powdered leaves, mix them with some water and then add to a base agent like coconut milk or almond oil with some sugar. 

3. Other uses

• You can hang whole pandan leaves in rooms and cars to give a natural odour for 5-7 days¹

Precautions to Take with Pandan Leaves

Although pandan leaves are usually considered safe, there are some precautions that should be taken while using them: 

• Consult your doctor before including pandan in your everyday diet, especially for children, elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women and individuals with any medical conditions.  
• Since pandan leaves may lower blood sugar levels, discuss with your doctor before consumption if you are on antidiabetic medications and be cautious of the warning signs of hypoglycaemia¹.
• When using in skincare, be mindful of any allergic reactions. If you notice any redness, itching or rashes, immediately stop using it and consult a doctor if needed. 
• If you are using pandan leaves directly, always wash them to remove any contaminants.  

Also Read: Lemongrass: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Interaction with Other Drugs

There is no current evidence of drug interactions involving pandan leaves. However, pandan leaves have potential hypoglycaemia effects and hence can amplify the response that anti-diabetic drugs will have on the body¹. They might also enhance the effect of blood pressure medications⁵. Therefore, individuals taking prescription medicines, such as antidiabetic or antihypertensive drugs, should consult their doctor before using pandan leaves. 

When to See a Doctor?

There is not sufficient evidence regarding the side effects of pandan leaves on human health. Thus, individuals should consult their doctor before including them in their diet, particularly if they are on medications such as antidiabetic medications. If side effects such as an allergic reaction, or headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea are seen when consuming pandan leaves, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. When using topically, if any allergic reactions appear on the skin, immediately consult your doctor. 

Also Read: Moringa Leaves – Health Benefits That You Should Know

Conclusion

Pandan leaves have been widely used for their flavour and aroma. They also have been used widely in traditional medicine due to their potential health benefits such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. They can also be used as a food preservative to avoid food borne diseases. However, like every herbal supplement, they should be used in moderation and handled properly to ensure maximum benefits. Like any herbal remedy, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before routine usage of pandan leaves, especially if you have any medical conditions. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References 

1. Li P, Fei T, Kang J, et al. Chemical composition, bioactivity, and applications of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves: A comprehensive review. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2026;172:105682. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2026.105682 Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224426001548

2. Bhuyan B, Sonowal R. AN OVERVIEW OF Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.exLindl. AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HEALTH. In: 2021. Accessed June 25, 2026. Available from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/AN-OVERVIEW-OF-Pandanus-amaryllifolius-AND-ITS-ON-Bhuyan-Sonowal/7aca527463262b099c8a9c7c191b1e610b751119 

3.  Buddhakala N, Yongkhamcha B. Phytochemical constituents, and antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts from Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2025 Sep 25:101062. Available from:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210803325000739  

4. Wahyuni DK, Nuha GA, Atere TG, et al. Antimicrobial potentials of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.: Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and molecular docking studies. PLoS One. 2024;19(8):e0305348. Published 2024 Aug 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0305348 Available from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0305348

5. Chiabchalard A, Nooron N. Antihyperglycemic effects of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. leaf extract. Pharmacogn Mag. 2015;11(41):117-122. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.149724 Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25709220/

6. Safitri W, Putri Y, Sulistyawati RA, Sari FS, Kanita MW, Wulandari Y, Agustin WR, Sulisetyawati SD, Oktariani M. A comparative study between the effect of Pandan Wangi leaves boiled water with medication therapy on the blood pressure changes of hypertension patients. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2021 Nov 29;9(G):317-20. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/7359

7. Lieanto C, Arief MO, Azizah FN. Solvent Types of Pandan Leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) Extraction Effect on the Cutibacterium acne Activity and Development of its Spot Cream. Letters in Applied NanoBioScience. 2025;14 (4): 258 Available from: https://doi.org/10.33263/LIANBS144.258 

8. Leny L, Diana VE, Ginting M, Iskandar B, Fadhila C. The effectiveness of pandan wangi leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) body scrub formulation in smoothing the skin. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2022 Feb 14;10(1):1-5. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359354955_The_Effectiveness_of_Pandan_Wangi_Leaves_Pandanus_Amaryllifolius_RoxbBody_Scrub_Formulation_in_Smoothing_the_Skin 

 9. Furhad S, Bokhari A. Herbal Supplements. StatPearls. Published online September 2, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2026.Available from: https://app-statpearls-legacy-prod.azurewebsites.net/point-of-care/22811 

10. Sinha AK, Sharma UK, Sharma N. A comprehensive review on vanilla flavor: Extraction, isolation and quantification of vanillin and others constituents. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2008;59(4):299-326. doi:10.1080/09687630701539350 Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17886091/

11. Joy PP. Lemongrass. 2006. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305495607_Lemongrass

12. Suntornsaratoon P, Bulanawichit W, Siricoon S, et al. Uricosuric, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. extract against potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia in rats. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):45700. Published 2025 Dec 25. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-27933-7 Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/399070895_Uricosuric_antioxidant_and_anti-inflammatory_properties_of_Pandanus_amaryllifolius_Roxb_extract_against_potassium_oxonate-induced_hyperuricemia_in_rats

13. Adhamatika A, Murtini ES, Sunarharum WB. The effect of leaf age and drying method on physico-chemical characteristics of pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.) leaves powder. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2021;733(1):012073. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/733/1/012073 Available from: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/733/1/012073

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