The Shine Cahaya Dunia Ners · Apr 25, 2026
Effect of Basil Leaf Jelly Administration on Lowering Cholesterol Levels in Older Adults in Payunga Village, Batudaa District
By Febriona R, Gobel IA, Sudirman AN et al.
BACKGROUND: The elderly, or older adults, are in the final stage of the life cycle, having reached the age of 60 years or older, which may be accompanied by a decline in various functions. Older adults who experience physical changes are characterized by deterioration of the body's organs, including the cardiovascular system. Heart disease is closely associated with high blood cholesterol levels, with a 1% increase in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) increasing the risk of heart disease by 2%. Management of high cholesterol levels includes pharmacological therapy, namely the administration of medications such as statins, and nonpharmacological therapy, namely reducing fat intake, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing excess body weight, increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption, and stopping smoking (Indonesian Heart Association, 2022). Increasing vegetable consumption includes West Indian elm leaves, soursop leaves, Indonesian bay leaves, green tea leaves, and basil leaves. Basil leaves are beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels because they contain eugenol, which can increase the synthesis of enzymes needed by the liver to control the body's cholesterol. METHODS: This study was a quantitative study with a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. This study was conducted in Payunga Village, Batudaa District, and this study was carried out in February 2025. The study population consisted of all older adults in Payunga Village, totaling 100 older adults, with a sample size of 20 older adults. In selecting the sample, the researchers used purposive sampling, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Cholesterol levels before basil leaf jelly administration in older adults in Payunga Village, Batudaa District, were equally distributed between the borderline category, with 10 older adults (50%), and the high category, with 10 older adults (50%). Cholesterol levels after basil leaf jelly administration in older adults in Payunga Village, Batudaa District, were predominantly classified as borderline, with 11 respondents (55%). CONCLUSIONS: There was an effect of basil leaf jelly administration on lowering cholesterol levels in older adults in Payunga Village, Batudaa District, with a p-value of 0.000. KEYWORDS: Basil, Cholesterol, Older adults