Phytochemical Analysis, Acute Toxicity Test, and Activity Test of Salam Leaf Dipping Preparation with Natural Sweetener Stevia Leaves as Supportive Therapy for Patients at High Risk of Hypertension

South Kalimantan ranks first as the province with the highest prevalence of hypertension in Indonesia. Salam leaves are widely used empirically by the community for the treatment of hypertension. The preparation of Salam leaf tea dip combined with the natural sweetener stevia leaves is an innovation in the use of Salam leaves. The objectives of the study were to determine the content and levels of phytochemicals, the formulation of the tea dip preparation, toxicity, and activity of Salam leaf tea dip preparation with natural sweetener stevia leaves in patients at high risk of hypertension. The research methods include analysis of the content and levels of phytochemicals, the formulation of the tea dip preparation, toxicity testing on white wistar rats, and testing the activity of the Salam leaf tea dip preparation in patients at high risk of hypertension. This study will produce tea bags from Salam leaves with natural sweeteners in the form of experimental proof of concept. The results of testing Salam leaf tea bags contain compounds of the phenolic group, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and steroids. The phytochemical content of fresh Salam leaves and dried Salam leaves shows that the total phenolic content is 8.62%, while the total flavonoid content is 5.43%. The optimum formula for Salam leaf tea bags with natural sweetener stevia leaves shows the physical properties of tea bag powder and organoleptically has a distinctive leaf odor, sweet taste, powder form, and green color. The results of testing physical properties based on flow rate parameters are known to be 9.33 seconds. The acute toxicity of Salam leaf tea bags tested on male Wistar rats, normal test animal behavior including lethargy, convulsions, tremors, and diarrhea did not occur. The test animals were still alive for 14 days of observation. The activity of a Salam leaf tea bag with natural sweetener tested on humans at high risk of hypertension in the control group showed that without Salam leaf tea bags, systolic blood pressure increased by 3.8 mmHg, while in the treatment group, blood pressure decreased in patients who consumed Salam leaf tea bags for 15 days. These patients were not taking blood pressure-lowering medication, while the patients receiving the treatment were at high risk of hypertension or pre-hypertension. Salam leaf tea bags were found to lower blood pressure by up to 11.4 mmHg.