Thursday, April 21, 2016

Blumea balsamifera - Ngai Camphor Plant Sambong, Nat, Kukundara

Polska wersja

         PLANT PROFILE

   Blumea balsamifera is a perennial, robust bush that grows naturally in whole Southeast Asia. It is also often cultivated for both homeuse and on commercial scale, as it is commonly used as a herbal medicine. It have a very long traditions of use in medicinal systems of China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, The Philippines and other tropical and subtropical countries of that region. It have many health benefits and is famous for being good source of essential oil rich in borneol - compound that is similar but superior to camphor. That oil obtained from Blumea Balsamifera (by steam distillation) is called Ngai Camphor and is said to have better properties than Camphor oil obtained from Cinnamomum camphora and so its price is usually higher. But it is not rated as high as Camphor oil from Dryobalanops spp.The leaves of B. balsamifera are noted in Neatherlandish Pharmacopaeia, Pharmacopeia of India and Chinese Materia Medica, it is used both in Ayurveda and Unani.
   There are several species of Blumea that have recorded medicinal use like Blumea lacera, Blumea axillaris, Blumea lanceolaria, Blumea laciniata, Blumea densiflora and it is all used in the same way as Blumea balsamifera, which is the most robust and aromatic from Blumea species. Before this plant was called Blumea balsamifera it was already known as Conyza balsamifera, it also have other synonyms like Pluchea balsamifera, Baccharis salvia, Blumea grandis, Conyza appendiculata to name just few, but all those names are now out of use.
   Here are some of the most common names of Blumea balsamifera used in different countries, regions and languges: Ngai Camphor Plant, Nagi Camphor, Blumea Camphor, Camphor Plant (English), Camphrier (France), Poung-ma-theing, Phone-ma-thien, Hpone-mathein (Myanmar), Bai Mat (Cambodia), Cai dai be (Vietnam), Nat (Laos), Nat-yai (Thailand), Ai na xiang, Pen tsao (China), Chapa, Bonga Chapa (Malay), Kukundara, Kukkuradru, Kukudru, Gangaapatri (in Ayurveda, Sanskrit), Kakarondaa (in Unani medicine system), Kukronda, Kakoranda (Hindi), Bhambuda, Bhamaruda (Marathi), Kukur-soka, Kuk-sungh (Bengali), Mugongre (Assam), Sembung Utan (Sundanese), Sembung Gatnung (Javanese), Sembung, Capa (Indonesian), Sambong (Tagalog), Lakadbulan (Bikol), Alibon (Visayan), Sobsob (Ilokano).


 
      CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

  Blumea balsamifera is perrenial, evergreen, bush, with strong erect stems and big, narrow ovate leaves (up to 40cm long). Its outlook is quite attractive, so aside its practical uses it can be planted for sheer ornamental purposes. Both leaves and young stems are all covered with short, dense, white velvety-woolly hairs, but plants that grow in lowlands are usually less velvety than those that can be found in mountains (it grow at elevations up to 2200m above sea level). Sambong can grow in both tropical or subtropical regions, it usually naturally grows on forest edges and both wet river banks and dry open spaces like grasslands, but it hardly tolerates shade, and the less sun it have the less aromatic it is. If cutted it can remain as a small shrub, but in wild, within just few years it can become even a small tree, around 4m hight and sometimes the same in width. B. balsamifera is often taking over places that are regularly burned, as it sprouts back from its roots after its overground part get burned. It can cope well with extreme heat, scourging sun and resist even long term drought, but might temporarily loose most of its leaves. Low temperatures are harmfull to Sambong, the plant will die when it drops just slightly below 0'C. Blumea balsamifera can be propagated from seeds, cuttings and threw layering. Its leaves can be picked for use any time when required, but the best time for harvesting is just before flowering. Whole stems can be also cutted, which is convenient for hanging to dry. On commercial scale leaves are gathered up to four times a year, and sometimes whole young plants are harvested.
   Blumea balsamifera essential oil can be used for fumigation of storaged corn grains against maize weevil bug (Sitophilus zeamais), leaves and roots are used as a pesticide against Leaf Hoppers in rice, Spiralling Whitefly (Aleurodicus disperses), and also as a fungicide.


        CULINARY USES

  In the Philippines infusions from dried or chopped fresh leaves of Blumea Balsamifera are drunk as a tea substitute. I personaly prefer the one made from fresh young leaves, as it is more aromatic than the one from dried leaves, and less bitter than the one made from older fresh leaves. The leaves are also used fresh to make pungent chutney - Shaphinyaba in Assam, and both dried or fresh as a bitter aromatic spice, in the same way as Sage or Artemisias.


        AROMATHERAPY USES

  Essential oil destilled from Blumea balsamifera is not a popular oil when it comes to western aromatherapy, in fact it cannot be found encyclopedias of aromatherapy. Even though Camphor is mentioned here and there, it is allways Camphor oil obtained from Cinnamomum camphora, Ngai Camphor from Blumea is nowhere to be found. But B. balsamifera essential oil have been allways important substance used medicanally in many countries in Southeast Asia. It is yellow or brown-yellow in colour and have camphorous but unique pungent smell, consisting mainly on borneol and camphor (Ngai camphor consist mainly on l-borneol, but is redistilled to to obtain refined camphor for medicinal use in India.). It is gently worming, relaxing but slightly stimulating oil. It acts as bronchodilator, detoxicating, antibacterial and antifungal, heat-clearing and pain relieving, promote circulation and lower blood pressure, stimulate digestion and relief cough and insomnia. Ngai Camphor can be applied on burns, wounds (but not open ones), scars, swellings, skin diseases, painfull joints, insect bites and stings.


         MEDICINAL USES

   Blumea balsamifera have been used in traditional healing for centuries in many Southeast Asian countries, where it is now popular and importand drug in mainstream herbalism and even in orthodox medicine. Nearly every country of the region have its contribution in modern research about properties of this herb, as in recent years quite few labolatory studies on medicinal actions of Blumea have been conducted. B. balsamifera leaves in teabags are widly aviable, esspecialy in the Philippines where it is called Sambong and is one of the most popular herbal teas. It is one of the ten medicinal herbs aproved by the Philippines Departament of Health, and promoted for home selftreatment. In the broshures issued in 1992 it was written - '' Indicated primarly as diuretic. It is adviced for persons with edema (manas), high blood pressure and kidney troubles. Clinic trials showed similar effects with Furosemide.'', '' Boil 4 tablespoon of crushed dried leaves (6 tablespoon of chopped fresh leaves) in two glasses of water for at least 15 minutes. Cool, strain and divide decoction into three parts. Drink one part three times a day.''
   In 1903 in book '' Materia Medica of India and Their Therapeutics '', Blumea Balsamifera was describes as '' A new substitute for quinine. It produces no head symptoms, such as ringing in the ears, deafness and temporary delirium. Given in rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia and general malaise. In rheumatism, scarlet fever, diphtheria, &c., it is given hot until perspiration and urination are established.''
   In China B. balsamifera is considerd as a herb that is worming stomach and spleen, eliminate dampness, expelling phlegm, dispelling pathogenic wind, activating blood collaterals and stopping bleeding, relieving pain and removes toxins.


   Blumea balsamifera leaves contain around 0.5% of volatile oil, of which main component is usually l-borneol (up to about 57%), borneol is closely related to camphor and can be easily converted into it by oxydation. Other signifficant compounds of Ngai Camphor are : camphor, isoborneol, 1,8-cineole, beta-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, 4-terpineol, alfa-terpineol, limonene, beta-eudesmol, beta-camphene, ledol, phytol, guaiol, carvacrol and myrcene, quantities of those compounds strongly vary in percentege of essential oils from Sambong plants from different enviorment (esspecialy camphor, from 0 to 75%), and from different time of harvesting. The plant also contain flavonoids (quercetin, rhamnetin, tamarixetin, luteolin, blumeatin, velutin, ombuine, dihydroflavonols) and sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones ( which exhibit antitumor activity against Yoshiba sacoma cells in tissue culture), sesquiterpene alkohol, palmitic acid, myristic acid, dimethyl ether, pyrocatechic tanins, glycosides, carotenes, coumains (umbarlliferone, hydanngetin), saponins and sterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, daucosteol).
   Medicinal actions of Blumea balsamifera are astringent, expectorant, pectoral, stomachic, carminative, antispasmodic (but it couses contractions of muscular fibres, mucus membranes and other tissues), antioxidant, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, febrifuge, driuretic, anti-urolithiasis, antifungal, antibacterial, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, insecticide, mild stimulant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-angiogenic, hepatoprotective, anti-hepatocelluar carcinoma (inhibit growth of liver cancer cells), antitumor, anti-plasmodial, vulnerary, postpartum remedy, reduce blood glucose level.

   Decoctions and infusions made from all parts of Blumea balsamifera (but mainly leaves) are drunk to cure: colds, influenza, sinusitis, to resplve flegm and ease cough, rheumatism, arthritis, dysmenorrhoea, intestinal diseases, stomachache, cholera, indigestion, diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcers, colic, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory tract complaints, bronchitis, asthma, dropsy, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, fevers, malaria, scabies, eczema, tinea, beriberi, lumbago, paralysys agitans (Parkinson's disease), headache, toothache, insomnia, worms, taeniasis, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, dysmenorrhoea, and as an antidote for scorpion stings, snake bites.    
   Sambong pounded leaves poultice, fresh squeezed juice or dried leaves powder is applied on skin to treat itch, ulcers, abscesses, eczema, haemorrhoids, wounds (not open ones), burns, swellings, scabies, tinea, lumbago, painful joints, arthritis, rheumatism and bone diseases. Decoctions of Blumea leaves are used for the same ailments as lotion or for wraps. Alcoholic macerations are also made for use as liniment for rheumatism.
   In Indo-China smoke from burning leaves of B. balsamifera is believed to be ideal for restoring normal breathing functions. In the Philippines leaves are burnt on hot coal to generate smoke for inhaling to relief asthma, for this purpose it is sometimes combined with Euphorbia hirta. In Bangladesh B. balsamifera fumigation is used in rheumatism and headache. In Thailand cigarettes made of Sambong leaves are smoked to reliev sinusitis pain. This smoke act also as a insect repellent. Blumea leaves can also be used for makeing steam inhalations, helpfull in headache, sinusitis, respiratory problems, colds etc.
  In India this herb is called Kukundara and is used as a tranquilizer in excitement and insomnia, fresh juice is squeezed from the leaves and dropped into the eyes in chronic purulent discharge. In Myanmar juice squeezed from the leaves is used as an eye-drop during malaria, and drunk in doses 20-60ml. In Bengal powdered leaves are snuffed and eaten with butter for nose disease called ''Ahwah'', which causes strong fever and back pains. In the Philippines pounded leaves are applied on foreheads to relief headache.
  Blumea balsamifera is also used for making aromatic baths good for rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica and respiratory system ailments. Blumea infusions are used for baths for women in childbith, after childbirth and for soothing the skin of young children. Leaves and roots decoctions are drunk as a postpartum remedy. Leaves are also used in hot fomentation over the uterus to induce rapid involution in postpartum. Sambong is also used in treatment of postpatum joint pains. Fresh pounded leaves mixed with coconut oil are rubbed over the abdomen of children with gas pain.
   Blumea balsamifera is traditionaly used as a antifertility herb, this action was proved in tests on mice, and therefore it should be avoided by pregnant women.




























     Sources

'' Medicinal Plants of the Philippines '' - dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, Katha Publishing 1978
'' Useful Plants of the Philippines '' Volume 3 - William H. Brown, Acorn Press 1950
'' CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants '' - Umberto Quattrocchi, CRC Press 2012
'' Plant Resources of South - East Asia  No 19  Essential-oil plants '' - L.P.A. Oyen and Nguyen Xuan Dung, PROSEA Bogor Indonesia 1999
'' Common Medicinal Plants of the Cordillera Region '' - Leonardo L. Co, CHESTCORE Baguio City 2011
'' Dragon's Brain Perfume : An Historical Geography of Camphor '' - R. A. Donkin, BRILL 1999
'' Uses and Abuses of Plant-Derived Smoke '' - Marcello Pennacchio, Lara Jefferson, Kayri Havens, Oxford Unifersity Press 2010
'' Indian Medicinal Plants : An Ilustrated Dictionary '' - C.P. Khare, Springer Science & Business Media 2008
'' Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops '' - Peter Hanelt, Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Springer Science & Business Media 2001
'' Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants '' - Thomas S. C. Li, CRC Press 2006
'' Myanmar Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Industry Handbook '' - IBP Inc. 2015
'' Chinese Medicinal Herbs '' - Shizhen Li, Porter Smith, George Arthur Stuart, Courier Corporation 2003
'' Medicinal Plant Research in Asia - Volume 1 '' - P.A. Batugal, J Kanniah, Lee SY, J.T. Oliver, Bioversity International 2004
'' Indian Materia Medica '' - Dr. K. M. Nadkami, Popular Prakashan 1996
'' Madras Quarterly Jurnal of Medical Science '' - Gants Bros 1860
'' Materia Medica of India and Their Therapeutics '' - Rustomjee Naserwanjee Khory, Nanabhai Navrosji Katrak, Caxton Work 1903

Blumea balsamifera—A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review
RP-HPLC Analysis of Quercetin in the Extract of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera (L) DC) Leaves
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http://www.mpbd.info/plants/blumea-balsamifera.php
http://jtrolis.ub.ac.id/index.php/jtrolis/article/viewFile/96/128
http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380633285_Saewan%20et%20al.pdf
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1271/bbb.70586
http://www.stuartxchange.org/Sambong.html
http://www.globinmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79078:blumea-balsamifera-linn-dc&catid=704:b
http://www.asianjournalofchemistry.co.in/User/ViewFreeArticle.aspx?ArticleID=26_5_12
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jpgr/jpgr/2012/00000013/00000004/art00033
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14786419.2010.485573?redirect=1
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jchem/2013/289874/
http://rdo.psu.ac.th/sjstweb/journal/33-6/0125-3395-33-6-693-697.pdf
http://blendingflavours.blogspot.com/2015/05/mugongreblumea-balsamifera.html
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http://web.usm.my/mjps/mjps01002003/mjps01002003_5.pdf
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http://www.lvyinbio.com/plant-extract/blumea-oil/

Monday, March 21, 2016

Talinum triangulare - Philippine Spinach, Waterleaf, Leaf Ginseng, Cariru

Polska wersja

        PLANT PROFILE
                   
   Talinum triangulare is a small succulent plant that is used as a leafy vegetable in many tropical counrties, with scarce but growing popularity as a herbal medicine. It is commercialy cultivated in Nigeria (as one of the most profitable vegetables in Southern Nigeria), Cameroon, Carribean, Brasil and the Philippines. It is esspecialy appreciated in regions with dry season. As it is not only very tasty and healty vegetable, but also grows well in strong heat, cope well with scourching sun and even long term drought. Whole tops of Waterleaf are remaining fresh, juicy and crunchy for long after cutting, even if kept outside the fridge. The reason for that is that as a typical succulent plant it storage a lots of water in its leaves, steems and roots. It also makes its flesh looks like swollen and being easy to crush.
   Talinum triangulare can be found growing wild in many tropical regions of the world and its origin is uncertain but it is probable to come from South America. It was introduced to Java in 1915 from Surinam and is very closely related to Talinum paniculatum called Jewels of Opar (because of beautiful look of its tiny scarlet fruits, more showy than those of T. triangulare, thanks to its multiplity and longer steem ) and Ginseng Java (as its root is used in same way as true Ginseng, sharing many of its values). Roots of T. triangulare are also appreciated and used for being very healty but its common name become Leaf Ginseng.
    Its other common names are Philippine Spinach, Ceylon Spinach (but this name is also used for Basella alba and Basella rubra), Surinam Purslane, Fameflower, Water Leaf, Sweetheart, Florida Spinach, Water Letuce (in English speaking countries), Trekanttalinum (in Danmark), Surinaamsche Postelein (Holland), Grasse Grand Pourpier, Pourpier Tropical, Talina de Java (France), Blatt-Ginseng, Ceylonspinat, Javaspinat (Germany), Pasali, Samparchera  (India), Beldrogea-Grauda, Lustrosa-Grande (Portugal). Espinaca de Filipinas, Espinaca de Java, Espinaca de Surinam, Verdolago Frances (Spain), Lagos Bologi, Gbure, Ntuoka (Nigeria), Bolki, Belok Sup (Cameroon), Busummuni, Adwere, Boroboro, Senuma (Ghana), Som-kaoli, Som-chin (Thailand), Cariru (Brasil), Talilong (Philippines - Tagalog), Kumu manus (Papua New Guinea), Basella di giava, Spinacio di giava, Spinacio di Suriname (Italy), Krokot Belanda (Indonesia), Gasnivithi (Sri Lanka).
   Talinum triangulare had many botanical synonyms, but nowadays only those few like Talinum fruticosum, Portulaca triangularis, Talinum racemosum and Talinum crassifolium might still be found used in some places.


         CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

   Talinum triangulare is short-live perrenial, tropical succulent shrub, that ussually reach no more than 80cm in height and 50cm width. Like in most of succulent plants Waterleaf leaves and steems (esspecialy young ones) are easy to crush. It is also very sensitive to cold conditions and its roots will rot when water is logging in the soil. This tenderness often makes it to appear growing wild only as an annual plant. It trives in humid conditions in temperatures around 30'C, in rich compost, acidic, well drained soil under partial shade, and is cultivated in the margins of the Amazon River. But it can also grow on fully sun exposed places, on pore sandy soils and in places on elevations up to 1000m. Waterleaf can stand scourching sun, excessive heat and draught. It can be easily propagated from seeds and cuttings, and planted either way it is ready to be harvested after less than two months. In fact it spreads so easily from seeds, that in some places it becomes agricultural weed.
  On commercial scale the whole tops of stems are cutted, as it keeps the leaves unwilted for longer time and is easier. But if you grow it for your homeuse, you can pick seperate leaves, saving stems that will produce new leaves soon. Older plants are not very productive and therefore are usually replaced by new one. Even though I haven't found any informations, and have no experience with this plant as a house plant. Consider all preferances and habits of growth of Talinum, it should be very easy to cultivate in pots indoor, so you could enjoy its taste and health benefits even living in Iceland. Cariru is quite resistant to pests and diseases, but snails like it and it is even used as fodder for raising giant snails for consumption.
  Its tiny flowers are ussually pink but some plants have white or yellow ones. Ornamental variegated cultivars are hybrids of Talinum triangulare with other Talinum species and therefore their edibility is doubtfull.


           CULINARY USES

  Philippine spinach have become one of my favourite vegies from the very first time. It is nutritious, tender, juicy, crounchy, bit muciligeus and mild in taste, with truly refreshing note of sourness and bitterness. Unfortunately it cannot be eaten fresh in big quantities as it contain oxalic acid, which in excess might couse kidney stones, but eating it cooked or blanched minimalize the risk. Fresh leaves and young stems of Waterleaf can be used raw for salads and sandwiches. All parts of this plant including roots can be added to soups, stews etc. but leaves are best when not overcooked.
   Talinum is used as a softening agent for other vegetables that it is cooked with. Softening action of Waterleaf was confirmed by studies that showed it contain high amount of pectinases - enzymes that brake down pectin. In Brasil Waterleaf is used as a substitute for spinach. In Florida it is added to make omlet. In Nigeria sauce is made from Tallinum, tomatoes and onion with palm oil and salt. A tonic drink is made from Leaf Ginseng root.
   Blanching and cooking reduce amount of oxalic acid in Talinum, as well as hydrocyanic acid and nitrates, but cautious is adviced when feeding it to infants. People that suffer from kidney stones, gout or rheumatoidal arthritis should avoid consumption of raw Cariru, as it might agrevate those conditions.


         MEDICINAL USES

  Talinum triangulare have been consumed for its nutrtious value and health benefits for many years in many tropical countries. But it didn't appeared in any medicinal plants encyclopedias till recently, and it is still very hard to find in any list of herbs. In recent years though, there was a good number of studies made, testing Waterleaf chemical composition and terapeutic actions. Most of those studies was conducted in Nigeria, but few also in Brasil, India, Taiwan, China, Pakistan and Indonesia. It have proved its strong antioxidant action, antidiarrhoeal (but it might be laxative in bigger ammounts), hepatoprotective, nefroprotective, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic, also that it act as immunostimulant and increase stamina. Talinum triangulare tests have showed, that it can inhibit proliferation of tumor (HepG2) cells (thanks to Talinum polysacharides) and leukemic cancer cells (U937). Other studies have been focused on its cerebral-protective potential and it indicates that consumption of Philippine Spinach, enhances brain activities, protect brain tissue by inhibiting peroxidation, have pro-cognitive and neuroprotective effect.One research work also deducted that Talinum triangulare is genoprotective and can reasonably avert chromosomal disordered-related diseases coused by the effect of long-term lead exposure.
  All those healing actions of this vegetable-herb are caused by its content of : flavonoids (kaempferol), alkaloids, polyphenols, tannins, saponins (steroidal saponins, saponin glycosides), steroids (glucopyranosyl steroids, campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, scotenol  ), cardioglycosides,   allantoin, malic acid, oleanolic acid, oleanolyc acid glycoside, phaeophytins, talichlorin A. Kariru have hight oxalate content, is high in fibre and rich in essential amino acids, and contain aspargine, omega 3-fatty acids, resins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese and zinc. It is also rich source of carotenoids, vitamin C, A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, alfa and beta tocopherols. Waterleaf is highly nutritious and contaim more proteins than cashew nuts (Talinum muscilage contain over 50% protein), more pectin than apples, and also have high level of dietary fiber. Talinum triangulare is also rich in pectinases - enzymes that break pectins, and is used as a softening agent for other vegetables that it is cooked with, softening activity of pectinases increase with temperature.
   And those things made Leaf Ginseng effective herbal medicine used in fighting gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, inflammations, dysentery, hepatic ailments (like paracetamol coused liver damage), measles, polyuria, edema, diabetes, cancer, schistosomiasis, anemia and high blood pressure. It is also used externaly for ailments like scabies, varicose ulcers, fresh cuts, wounds, burns, swellings, and decoctions are used for painful eyes and to aid recovery from blows and falls.
    Maya people call Talinum triangulare - '' dzum yahil '' - which means '' shrinks swellings '' and refare to its useage, as its crushed leaves are applied on swellings, inflammations or sores and plastered. They also use it in the same way to cure external tumors. In Nigeria soup made from Waterleaf is eaten as a remedy for hypertension. In India Talinum is used as an afrodisiac and powdered leaves are mixed with milk and drunk by diabetics. In Sri Lanka leaves and stems are consumed for lung disorders, male infertility, impotence, loss of energy, spleen disorders, diarrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. In Indonesia tonic drink is made from the roots of Leaf Ginseng.
   Philippine Spinach shouldn't be eaten fresh by people with kidney stones, gout and rheumatoidal arthritis as it contain oxalic acid that might agrevate those conditions.
Cooking or blanching of Talinum significantly reduces its amount of oxalic acid, as well as hydrocyanic acid, saponins and nitrates. It is said to be good and safe ingredient for soups made for children but caution should be keept in use of Waterleaf in ininfants foods. It is also said to be safe for pregnant women and growing children and might boost their blood level.
















































                                        TALINUM PANICULATUM VARIEGATA
















     Sources

'' The Botany of the Commelins '' - D. O. Wijnans, CRC Press 1983
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'' Tropical Vegetable Production '' - Raymond A. T. George, CABI 2001
'' World Economic Plants : A Standard Reference, Second Edition '' - John H. Wiersema, Blanca Leon, CRC Press 2013
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