Herbs from Distant Lands

Monday, March 21, 2016

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

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
'' Vegetables '' - G. J. H. Grubben, Prota 2004
'' Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops '' - Peter Hanelt, Springer Science & Business Media 2001
'' Maya Medicine : Traditional Healing of Yucatan '' - Marianna Appel Kunow, UNM Press 2003
'' Outlines and Pictures of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria '' - Tolu Odugbemi, Tolu Odugbemi 2008
'' Taiwanese Native Medicinal Plants '' - Thomas S. C. Li, CRC Press 2006
'' 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
'' Pregnancy: Good Health for Mother, Baby and Dad '' - Joseph A. Awoyemi, David A. Salako, Lulu Press 2013

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Monday, February 15, 2016

Stachytarpheta cayennensis / jamaicensis - Porterweed, Brazilian Tea, Snakeweed

Polska wersja

PLANT PROFILE

Stachytarpheta is a small perennial that often appear as just annual herb. It is panatropical, which means it grows all around tropics, and it also can be found in many warm climate regions, but is said to originate from South and Central America. When I first saw this plant growing wild ( in north of the Philippines, where all those photos that I've put here were shot by me ), I have thought that it has to be tropical variety of Vervain ( Verbena officinalis ), and therefore had put much interest on it. Vervain is quite popular herb from Europe, highly esteemed for its many medicinal values. Both plants share same structure of stems and flowers, except that Stachytarpheta have usually wider, toothed but not lobbed leaves, and generally grows bigger and more robust. In fact Verbena name is one of the synonyms for Stachytarpheta spiecies, and one of its common names are Bastard Vervain and Wild Verbena. And so I've found out that Verbena officinalis and Stachytarpheta cayennensis and jamaicensis indeed share also some of its main medicinal values.
A tea made from leaves of S. cayennensis was popular drink in Brasil, and when it reached USA markets it was called Brazilian Tea. It was also added to adulterate Chinese Tea. In Maya's tradition Stachytarpheta is considered as a sacred plant, used to rid of possession by evil spirits. It was brought to cultivation in Asia at the end of 18th century. Stachytarpheta medicinal use traditions seems to develop independently in many distant lands like Jamaica, Brasil, Nigeria, India, Indonesia and Japan. Its apperance in so many areas, very remote from each other, have caused chaos in scientific nomenclature. Since plants that you can see here on photos have the same medicinal values, for which are used interchangeably. Look very similar and easily crosspolinate creating it's hybrids and hybrids of the hybrids. It is of minor importance, what name we will stick to certain plant of those. But from all gathered opinions about right classification and outlook of those plants, the only reasonable segregation for me, is separation into broad leaf and narrow leaf species (but even that might be hard as young robust plants and those on fertile soil, have much bigger leaves, while old plants and those from poor soil will look much different even if both share same genes).
Therefore I consider broad leaf plants, with leaves with shape reminding leaves of Nettle, to share synonyms of Stachytarpheta urticifolia and Stachytarpheta cayennensis. There are many more synonyms of this species like Verbena salisburi, Zappania urticifolia or Cymburus urticifolius, but these have no importance nowadays.
The second type is narrow leaved one, with synonyms Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Stachytarpheta indica. And this species has as well many other synonyms that are out of use, like Valerianoides jamaicense, Verbena americana, Vermicularia deccurens and Zappania jamaicensis. Name Stachytarpheta indica is often used for both of those types as some respected authors claim it to be synonym for S. cayennensis and S. urticifolia, while others called it synonym for S. jamaicensis. Some people even sais Stachytarpcheta urticifolia to be synonym for S. jamaicensis and S. jamaicensis to be synonym of S. cayenensis.
Some of those plants differ also for not having blue, but white flowers. And there are also distinct red or pink flower species from south of North America, called Stachytarpheta mutabilis and S, sanguinea. These are the most often selled plants, of species of Stachytarpheta in nurseries for ornamental purposes, but blue varieties are also appreciated for its look and cultivated in gardens. I've never seen these plants in Europe, and surely it wouldn't survive in any gardens in north during winter. But even though I didn't found any reports of using it as a house plant, I think that it would be easy to maintain in pots indoor an also that it has good potential for shaping into bonsai.

Both broad and narrow leaf varieties of blue Stachytarpheta share common names like : Porterweed, Blue Porterweed, Brazilian Tea, Snakeweed, Bastard Vervain, Blue Verbena, Verbena Cimarrona, Rat Tail, Horse Whip and Aaron's Rod which seem to be popular common name for this plant but it is also used for other plants mainly for Verbascum species.
And here are Stachytarpheta common names in some other languages : Golondrina, Verbena azul, Piche de Gato (in Spanish), Gervao (Brazilian), Jia ma bian (Chinese), Verveine queue de rat, Herbe a Chenille, Verveine laquerot (French), Oi, Owi (Hawaiian), Nagaboso, Honagaso (Japanese), Louch Beluu (Palauan), Mautofu tala (Samoan), Biron, Karomenal, Jarong (Javanese), Tiaki (Maori), Tsarkiyarkuusuu (Hausa, Nigeria), Agogo Igun (Yoruba, Nigeria), Kariyartharani (Hindi), Seemakongini, Kattupunnuthu, Narivalan (Malayalam), Seemainaayuruvi (Tamil), Kandikandilaan (Tagalog), Bolos Moros (Bikul), Albaka (Panay Bisaya), Mo Mi Scha (Cambodia),

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Porterweed is a tropical shrub that is short lived perrenial, that also appear as an annual in climates with cold or very dry year season. Stachytarpheta jamaicensis usually create wide small shrub up to around 80cm hight and even over 1m width, while Stachytarpheta cayennensis is more robust and can reach well over 1,5 m height. But like I've mentioned above it is hard to distinguish those two species and their many hybrids that often dominate the landscape. And a lot of it's appearance depend on soil and climate conditions too. It's leaves can be from 2 to 10cm long and around 1 to 5cm width.
Stachytarpheta has a great adaptation skills. It can grow in moist rich soils in partial shade (where it is thriving best), acidic soil under strong pine trees shade, on poor, dry, sandy ground under scorching sun and even in saline soils. It can withstand strong heat, but temperatures below 0'C are lethal for Porterweed. With enough supply of water it is fast growing and produce flowers all year round. It is generally free of pests. Stachytarpcheta can be propagated by seeds or from cuttings. Is is reported to be invasive species in Florida. The plant is also good nectar producer, that is attracting beautiful butterflies to the gardens. Whole stems with leaves and flowers can be gatchered at any time (as long as plant is already strong enough and you will leave enough foliage on it), but you can also pick separate leaves and flower stems, saving stems to grow new leaves soon.

CULINARY USES

All parts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis/jamaicensis can be used dried or fresh to make pleasantly tasting infusion called Brazilian Tea. It is also said to be used for brewing foaming drink, similar to Porter kind of beers and thats where the name Porterweed is taken from. It's tiny flowers are edible, it has a bit of mushroom taste and can be used raw as a spice for salads. Other parts of plant are said to be eaten in some regions, boiled as a vegetable, but can be toxic if consumed raw. Whole long flowerspikes are used for flavoring in same way as Bay Leaf.

MEDICINAL USES

Porterweed is used in traditional medicine of many distant, mostly tropical countries from Brasil through Ghana, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, the Philippines to Japan and Hawaii. This herb has so many health benefits that in Dominica decoctions of it is drunk as a cure-all. In recent years there have been many laboratory tests conducted, mostly in India, Nigeria and Brasil, but also in many other countries like Malaysia and Panama. Effects of which confirmed not only medicinal properties of Stachytarpheta, but also that plants with given names of S. cayennensis, S. jamaicensis, S. indica and S. urticifolia can be all treated alike, as it's chemical characteristics are just as closely similar as its looks. It contain : flavonoids (scuttelarein, luteolol 7-glucuronide, apigenol 7-glucuronide, hopidulin, hispidulin), triterpenes (lanostane triterpenoids, pentacyclic friedelin and ursolic acid), monoterpenes (iridoids), sesquiterpenes, steroids, sterols (alfa-stigmasterol, alpha-spinasterol), isosterols, tannins (catechuic tannins), dopamine, glycosides (steroidal glycosides, lantosane glucosides, phentylthanoid glycosides, iridoid glycoside - tarphetalin, stachytarphine), choline, phenolic acids (salicylic acid), chlorogenic acid, alkaloids (ipolamide, beta-hydroxyipolamide, verbascoside (aka acetoside)), saponins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, butyric acid, citral, geraniol. nonacosanen, pentriacontane, triacontanen, tritricontanen and tetratricontanen. Leaves and stems of Stachytarpheta also contain hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic and therefore it should not be consumed in its fresh form, but only in form of decoctions, infusions, tinctures, pills or capsules. All parts of the plant, including roots are used to made these preparations.
Medicinal actions of Porterweed are : anti-inflammatory, antiulcerous, anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, antiviral, antispasmodic (but there are some claims about it to be spasmogenic), anticonvulsant, analgesic (antinociceptive - reduces sensitivity to pain, neurasthemic - reduces nerve pain), sedative, antiplasmodial, antioxidant, detoxyfying, hepatoprotective, cardio-protective, neuroprotective, vulnerary, hypotensive, febrifuge, diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-anaphylatic (reduces allergic reactions), anti-diabetic, stomachic, gastrotonic, antacid, cholagogue, abortifacient, antitumor, anti-asthmatic, bronchidilator, diuretic (antilithiasis), oxytocic, mildly laxative, cooling, galactogogue, vasodilator, antihelmitic, emmenagogue, immunomodulatory, and act as inhibitor of histamine and bradykynin. Some sources are mentioning its emetic and purgative action but to my knowledge and experience with use of this herb I only see possibility for pure raw material to act in such a drastic way if eaten fresh.

All those actions of Stachytarpheta cayennensis/jamaicensis mentioned above are the reason
why it is widely used in many different systems of traditional medicine for following ailments :

- diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, muscular dystrophy, also drunk as a cooling tonic and blood cleanser

- it is commonly used for many kinds of infections (including amebic) like cold, flu, cholera, dysentery, malaria, yellow fever as it is not only antimicrobial but also reduces fever and promotes perspiration (also used for anhidrosis). I myself had used decoction of fresh stems with leaves of Stachytarpheta and Bougainvillea, when I had dengue fever and it cured me immediately.
- used for many kind of respiratory problems like allergic respiratory conditions, cough, asthma and bronchitis
- for all kinds of inflammation including pharyngitis, eczema and rheumatism
- it depress central nervous system, act as a sedative, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and is used for neuralgia, nervous disorders, nervousness, stress, anxiety, migranes, depression, insomnia and as a nerve tonic. In Ghana, leaf extract is employed for the management of mental illness.
- it relieves pain (by acting in both central and peripheral pathways as a analgesic, and antiinflammatory agent), elevate pain treshold, and is used for many types of pain from headache, body ache, rheumatic and arthric pains, painful joints, also as a antispasmodic it is used to relieve cramps
- it protects liver and is consumed for hepatitis and cirrhosis, effectivenes of Stachytarpheta in liver protection is proved to be comparable to Liv-52 drug
- it is said to promote production of bile and in the same time reduce acidity level in stomach. It is widely used for stomach and bowels complains like : heartburn, ulcers, acid reflux, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, bacterial infections, diarrhoea, constipation, poisoning
- stimulate urination and improve kidney functions, therefore is used for many ailments like water retention, dropsy, urinary tract infections, stones, oliguria,
- it is used for human worms like ascaris
- used extensively for women complaints like many types of menstrual disorders, to promote menstruation (in amenorrhoea), to regulate hormones, ease menopausal symptoms, stop dysmenorrhea (painful periods), vaginal discharge, to increase milk production in nursing mothers, the tea is drink by women after childbirth to restore the uterus to its position and restore health and strength, decoction of roots is used to cause abortion
- to treat veneral diseases like gonorrhea, syphylis,
- externaly decoctions and infusions are used to wash skin inflammations and alergic iritations, wounds and cuts (it increases level of collagen), ulcers, pyoderma, erysipelas, leucoderma, vitiligo, alopecia, smashed leaves are applied as a poultice on wounds, sores, ulcers, boils, sprains and bruises, also dried powdered leaves are used as a styptic for wounds
- fresh juice is used as eyewash for inflammations, conjuctivitis, trachoma, ophtalmia and against cataract, it is also applied on ear-sores
- it is also mentioned to be used for tumors

Porterweed should not be used during pregnancy and by people with low blood pressure or allergy to aspirin, as it is abortifacient, hypotensive and contain salicylic acid. Some studies on animals suggest mild toxicity of systematical consumption of Stachytarpheta tea, but most of studies and traditional knowledge sources claim it to have hight safety level. It is traditionally given to children for worms, for mothers after birth and added for herbal bath for infants. However no doubt that like every other substance it can be unhealthy if consumed in excess. All parts of this plant except its tiny flowers should not be consumed raw.