Saturday, May 16, 2015

Basella alba, Basella rubra - Malabar Spinach

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         PLANT PROFILE

   Malabar Spinach is a tropical climbing vine probably native to India's Malabar Coast or Indonesia. It appears in two forms, green one, called in latin Basella alba (alba means white and refer to its white flowers) and Basella rubra (rubra means red) with highly ornamental bordo-red stems and veins of leaves. But lack of other differences in its outlook is bringing those names to be interchanged in use for both varieties together. It is quite popular vegetable in many tropical countries of Asia, Africa and South America. But its scientificaly proven medicinal values are mostly unknown and used mainly in traditional medicine.
   It is also called Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach, Climbing Spinach, Vine Spinach, Buffalo Spinach, Saan Choy / Shan Tsoi or Lo Kwai / Luo Kai in China, Alugbati / Alogbati in Philippines, Mong Toi in Vietnam, Tsuru Murasa Kai in Japan, Vel Nivithi or Sudu in Sri Lanka, Paag Prang in Thailand, Gambian Spinach or Amunututu or Seje Soro in Nigeria, Jingga or Gendolak in Indonesia, Remayong in Malaysia, Bertalha in Portugal, in India it is called Poi (Hindi), Bacchali / Bachnali (Telugu), Basale (Tulu), Basale Soppu (Kannada), Basalakkirai or Kodip Pasali (Tamil), Mayalu (Marathi), Poi Ni Bhaji (Gujarati), Poi Saaga (Orija), Pui Shak (Bengali), Vashala Cheera ( Malayalam)

 
      CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

   Basella alba / rubra is perennial vine that likes tropical conditions, but is also cultivated as an annual crop in temperate regions. It can climb up or spread horizontally up to 10m and is fairly fast growing as long as temperatures are high. Even though it is climbing/crawling in nature, Basellas young stems are not to flexible and can become quite hard, so it can be shaped into a small bush. It is heat loving plant that can be hurt by temperatures lower than 5'C, and instantly killed with less than 0'C. Its succulent flesh helps it to easily survive severe and long drought with its water storage. It also tolerates heavy rains and high humidity. It likes full sun, but when planted in partial shade its growth is faster and leaves are more juicy. Malabar Spinach grows best in fertile, acidic soils but tolerates even poor, sandy soils. It tiny flowers appear usually in dry seasons followed by black berries. It can be easily propagated from cuttings and seeds, which for faster germination it is advised to be scarificated (scratch its hard shell with pile or sand paper) or soaked in water for 24h before planting. Since there is no difference in growth or taste between red and green variety, I advice you to put some colours in your veggie patch by planting red one. Basella rubra looks so pretty (older leaves can be whole red, stems are always), that it is worth to be planted for pure ornamental purpose also. Leaves and young shoots can be gathered at any time after plant gain some strength and size.


         CULINARY USES

    Malabar Spinach leaves and young stems are very juicy, crunch and mucilaginous. It can be eaten raw in sandwiches and salads but it's usually steamed, stir-fried or cooked. It can be used in soups and stews as a thickener. Red juice from its fruits is sometimes used as coloring for foods, in China it is sold powderised under name 'Gintjoo' (also used as a dye and ink).

        COSMETIC USES

   Black fruits of Basella alba and rubra are crushed and used for its pigment as a rouge for cheeks and lips.



      MEDICINAL USES

   Basella alba / rubra have long tradition of use for its nutritious and medicinal values, but even in South-east Asia it seems to be out off mainstream herbalism. Even though there have been many scientifical studies that confirmed its healing actions, its traditional medical applications (Ayurveda and Siddha) are mainly forgotten. In South-east Asia it has been consumed for centuries as a treatment for malaria, melanoma, leukemia and oral cancers, catarrh, mouth ulcers, dysentery, stomach pains, anemia, anorexia, haemoptisis, strangury, sexual weakness, irregular periods, to increase milk production in breastfeeding mothers, and applied topicaly in form of smashed leaves on bruises, wounds, burns, skin inflammations, urticaria, sores, scalds, fungal infections, boils, acne, freckles, pruritic skin lesions, snakebites and on forehead for headaches.
   In China it is claimed to reduce fever and neutralize poison. In Nigeria it is used to enhance fertility in women and for hypertension. Juice from fruits is used as eye drops for conjunctivitis. In Kenya leaves are used to treat stomachache and constipation after childbirth. In Cameroon it is taken for malaria. In the Philippines it is used gonorrhea and balanitis.
   Malabar Spinach is rich in mucilage and contain betalains, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols, amino-acids, carotenoids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, K, E and C, niacin, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium. It acts as emollient, demulcent, cooling, diuretic, tonic, mild laxative, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antiulcer, rubifacient, androgenic potential, cytotoxic, anticonvulsant, febrifuge, nephroprotective, haemostatic, lactogenic, sedative. Fresh juice is prescribed to ease constipation in children and pregnant women. Basella alba is used in testosterone-boosting supplements, tests on rats proved increase in production of testosterone, estradiol i aromatase mRNA. It is commonly used mixed with Hibiscus macaranthus to increase women fertility. In Ayurvedic system of medicine it is said to aggravate kapha, allievates vata and pita.









































       Sources

'' Useful Plants of the Philippines '' Volume 3 - William H. Brown, Acorn Press 1950
'' Indian Medicinal Plants '' tom 1 - P. K. Warrier, V. P. K. Nambiar, Orient Blackswan 1994
'' 75 Exciting Vegetables for Your Garden '' - Jack Staub, Gibbs Smith 2009
'' Handbook of Vegetable Science and Technology '' - D. K. Salunkhe, S. S. Kadam, CRC Press 1998
'' Vegetables '' - G. J. H. Grubben, PROTA 2004
'' Oriental Vegetables : The Complete Guide for Gardening Cook '' - Joy Larkom, Kodansha America 2008
'' CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonus Plants '' - Umberto Quattrocchi, CRC Press 2012
'' Encyclopaedia of Indian Medicine '' - Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao, Popular Prakashan 1985
'' Underutilized and Underexploited Horticultural Crops '' - K. V. Peter, New India Publishing 2007
'' Vegetable Crops '' - T. R. Gopalakrishnan, New India Publishing 2007
'' African Indigenous Vegetables in Urban Agriculture '' - Charlie M. Shackleton, Margaret W. Pasquini, Alex W. Drescher, Routledge 2009
'' Book of Calories and Phytosterols in Foods '' - Mary Curtis, Lulu.com 2013

http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1379753858_Kumar%20et%20al.pdf
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Angelica keiskei - Ashitaba, Tomorrow's Leaf

 Polska wersja  

         PLANT PROFILE

    Ashitaba is plant from genus Angelica, and like many other plants of this genus, from different continents, this Japanese specie is edible, and has a great medicinal value used for centuries. It comes from Japan island of Hachijo-jima, where researchers/local herbalists have claimed connection between consumption of this plant with longevity of local people. Recently, this herb became popular in the Philippines ( where many plant sellers still falsely sell Gynura procumbens as Ashitaba ), it is also known in Taiwan, China and Korea, and introduced to Malaysia, Indonesia and USA. But it is still one of the most valuable yet unknown herbs and vegetables around the world. What makes Angelica keiskei unique among other valuable species of this genus, is its yellow coloured sap that contain vitamin B12 (not found in any other plant) and chalcones - bioactive compounds that are one of the strongest antioxidants.


     
        CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

    Angelica keiskei is one of those plants that usually produce flowers in second year, but it might do it in its first, third or fourth year as well. Soon after the seeds are fuly developed, the plant dies. But you can keep it as perennial if you will cut off its flower buds before opening. It can also grow side shoots. It grows best in partial shade and rich, compost, moist, but well drained soil, but can also cope with full sun ( as long as temperature is not too high ) and more sandy soils. It can stand frost up to  -15'C, but it is going dormant in cold climate winters, that means that its leaves are dying, and new one are appearing from its root in spring. Its leafy part is usually no higher than 80cm, but flower stalk can reach over 1,5m. Leaves can be gathered at any time before it starts to turn yellow. But give it some time for small plants to get stronger before you start to pick their leaves and always leave few leaves on each plant, so it could catch some sun for further strong growth. My advise is also to dry some leaves or flowers only if you have to store them for later. Otherwise, consume it raw whenever you can, as fresh greens have always more healthy bioactive compounds.


        CULINARY USES

    All parts of Ashitaba can be eaten as a vegetable, raw or cooked. Fresh leaves have a unique, slightly bitter, a bit celery taste, and leaves stalks are more sweet when young. Both are excellent addiction for salads, sandwitches, or smoothies. It can also be added to soups, stews, stir-fries, sushi, dumplings and even sweets and ice creams. Roots and stalks can be pickled. It can also be dried and made into a tea, but fresh, well chopped Ashitaba can be used for infusions as well.


       COSMETIC USES

    Angelica keiskei thanks to its highly antioxidant, antiseptic and antiinflammatory properties can be used as an anti-ageing skin tonic. In form of poultice (fresh smashed plant parts), juice or cosmetic preparations like creams and oils it can be applied on minor wounds, insect bites, acne, rashes, cysts, boils, pustules, smallpox, and on painfull muscles and joints to alleviate pain.

 
       MEDICINAL USES

   Ashitaba has so many health benefits that it is often considered as a general tonic and profilactic  panaceum, bringing longevity when consumed fresh constantly.
It strenghtens immune system and cleanses the blood, regulates cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improving circulation and reduces high blood pressure, improves visual acuity. It posses antibacterial, antiviral (even anti-HIV), antiinflammatory, laxative, diuretic and anticancer properties ( especially for skin and lung cancer ). It also stimulate new nerve growth. Angelica keiskei is traditionaly used for stomach, spleen and kidney problems, arthritis, hypertension, diabeties, smallpox, carcinoma, menstrual problems, edema and to increase milk production in breastfeeding.
   It can be eaten raw, boiled (all parts included roots ), dried and used in form of infusions or tincture, or used as a poultice for wounds, skin infections, and muscle, joint and nerve pains.
Most of health benefits of Angelica kiskei are effects of chemical actions of chalcones, which are ultra strong antioxidants. These polyphenols are not found in forms present in Angelica keiskei in any other plant  ( xanthoangeol, xanthoangelol E, 4-hydroxyderricin ). Other unusual compound in this herb is vitamin B12, which can't be found in any other plant (only in animals, bacterias, algae, seaweed and some mushrooms), and is necessary for healthy nervous system and formation of blood. That makes this plant especially valuable for vegetarians and people suffering aenemia. It also contain coumarins ( psoralen, imperatorin, columbiangin ), glycosides ( isoquercitin, ruteorin, angelic acid, bergapten), saponins, significant amount of melatonin and provides many healthy vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, vitamis C, K, B1, B2, B6, calcium, magnesium, iron, germanium, zinc and potassium.

   












































     Sources

'' Plants for Fighting Cancer '' - Spiridon E. Kintzios, Maria G. Barberaki, CRC Press 2004
'' Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, Tom 39 '' - Atta-ur-Rahman, Newnes 2013
'' Issues of Biochemistry and Biophysics Research, Edition 2013 '' - Q. Ashton Acton PhD,        Scholarly Editions 2013
'' Hajijo : isle of exhile '' - Shigeo Kasai, Tsune Sugimura, Weatherhill 1973

http://www.ashitabagreen.org/
https://maykingtea.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ashitaba-herbal-info.pdf
http://simplenewz.com/2014-08-23/Mainstream/feed/29439
http://www.ecellgen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=31
http://www.stuartxchange.com/Ashitaba.html
http://www.ashitabaplant.com/2012/10/how-ashitaba-beautifies-your-skin-and-complexion.html#.VSybwfmsWuI
http://www.ashitabaplant.com/2012/10/how-ashitaba-beautifies-your-skin-and-complexion.html#.VS3bO_msWuJ
http://www.sadgurupublications.com/ContentPaper/2010/73_8(1)2010.pdf
http://www.ashitaba.com/.sc/ms/cat/FAQ--More%20......#What is Ashitaba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgWs4Z4pMWI
http://www.mb.com.ph/the-real-ashitaba-now-here/
http://www.mb.com.ph/observations-on-growing-ashitaba/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-ashitaba-75807.html
http://www.jbsl-net.com/english/products/products03.html
http://www.ashitababeauty.com/
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