ABSTRACT
THE EFFECT OF BAY LEAF (Syzygium polyanthum) DECOCTION ON BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGES IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Pre-Eksperimental Research in Kelurahan Parang, Magetan Regency

By: Nafiah Nur Rosyidah

Hypertension is a non-communicable degenerative disease with a prevalence that continues to rise. Long-term pharmacological treatment often causes side effects and financial burdens, so complementary herbal therapies like bay leaves (Syzygium polyanthum) are widely used. Its flavonoid, tannin, and saponin content has potential as an antihypertensive. This study aimed to analyze the effect of boiling bay leaves on blood pressure changes in hypertension patients in Kelurahan Parang, Magetan.
This pre-experimental study (two-group pretest-posttest design) involved 30 respondents through purposive sampling, divided into a treatment group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The treatment group received 75 ml of bay leaf decoction twice a day before meals for seven days, while the control group continued routine therapy. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (α=0.05).
The treatment group experienced a significant drop in blood pressure for both systolic (p=0.001; Z=-3.286) and diastolic (p=0.004; Z=-2.859). The control group also showed a significant change in systolic (p=0.046; Z=-2.000) and diastolic (p=0.025; Z=-2.236) blood pressure. However, the average drop in blood pressure in the treatment group was much greater compared to the control group.
The more optimal blood pressure reduction in the treatment group happened because the active flavonoid compounds in bay leaves act as vasodilators and inhibit the ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme). Although pharmacological therapy in the control group still had an effect, combining it with bay leaf decoction was proven to speed up and enhance the effectiveness of lowering blood pressure. In conclusion, bay leaf decoction is effective as a complementary therapy to support blood pressure reduction in people with hypertension.

Keywords: Bay Leaf Decoction, Hypertension, Blood Pressure