Herbs from Distant Lands

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Alternanthera sessilis - Sessile Joyweed, Ponnankanni, Mukunuwenna

Polska wersja

PLANT PROFILE

Alternanthera sessilis is a small perennial plant from Amaranthaceae family, common in many wet regions of tropical and subtropical climate zones, all over the world. It's origin is uncertain, but it was mentioned in Indian Ayurvedic texts in around 1000BC, when Charaka was prescribing the whole plant for promoting memory and intelligence, and externally for complexion, also using it as an ingredient in rejuvenating tonic. Nowadays this plant is quite commonly used as a medicinal herb in India, for treatment of ailments of stomach and liver, as well as for improvement of condition of eyes, skin and hair. And in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, it is one of the most popular vegetables, often sold in bundles on local markets. Alternanthera sessilis and it's closely related and similar looking species like Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alternanthera nodiflola and Alternanthera brasiliana, and some of the less similar too, like Alternanthera pungens, Alternanthera bettzickiana, Alternanthera ficoidea and Alternanthera sissoo. Are also used as a vegetables and herbal medicine in many other countries, in Asia, Africa, Americas and in Australia. Alternanthera sessilis likes wet, swampy grounds, but it easily adapt to even very dry conditions. But according to conditions, it's growth habit significantly changes, from more upright, to totally crawling. And it's leaf size and shape vary too, from more ovate to lanceolate. That can often lead to misidentification with similar Alternanthera species (with which it can easily cross-pollinate creating hybrids), but since they are all edible and share the same medicinal values, there is no threat in that.
Red leafed varieties of Alternanthera sessilis and Alternanthera brasiliana are often planted in tropical gardens as an ornamental plants, and they are edible an healthy too. And both green and red leafed varieties of Alternanthera reineckii, are popular around the world as an aquarium plants.
But while Alternanthera sessilis is highly valued as a vegetable and herbal drug, it is also often obnoxious, highly invasive weed in tropics. Especially in wet places like rice fields, near lakes and rivers, where it multiply extremely fast from it's seeds.
The most popular common names of Alternanthera sessilis in english are : Sessile Joyweed, Dwarf Copperleaf, Carpet Weed and Water Amaranth. And here are some of other vernacular names used for this plant in different parts of the world : Brede Chevrette, Magloire (French), Periquito-sessil, Perpetua (Portugal), Rumput Aur, Karemah Bukit, Keremuk, Daun Keremak (Malay), Ponnankanni, Ponnangaani, Ponnanganni Keraai, Ponnannkannikkirai (Tamil), Horngtyang Wu (Taiwanese), Matsyaksi, Matsyaakshi, Matsyagandhaa, Matsyaadini, Minaakshi, Bahli, Gandali, Gartkalambukaa, Vaahlikaa (Ayurvedic names), Machhechhi, Paanachooni (Unani name), Gudari Sag, Garundi (Hindi), Jalajambo (Gujarati), Sanchesak, Salincha Sak, Chanchishak, Haicha (Bengali), Honagonne Soppu, Honugonesoppu (Kannada), Kozuppa, Meenamgani (Malayalam), Kanchari (Marathi), Phakchet (Manipuri), Madsagandha (Oriya), Ponnanganti Koora, Ponnagantikura (Telugu), Mukunuwenna (Sinhalese), Bengroo, Waglon (Pakistan), Daun Tolod (Indonesia), Lian Zi Cao, Bai Hua Zi (Chinese), Tsuru-nogeito (Japanese), Lupo (Panay Island), Bunga-bunga (Tagalog), Abisrana (Illocano), Karitana (Visayan), Mata Kura (Maori), nDatawuli (in Sierra Leone), Tosre, Abanase-abanase (Ghana).
Alternanthera sessilis have quite a few botanical synonyms like : Telanthera amoena, Gomphrena sessilis, Illecebrum sessile, Alternanthera triandra, Alternanthera repens, and Alternanthera denticulata, but nowadays it is hard to find this plant under any of those names.

Here is the video that I've made about Alternanthera sessilis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzyRxaOGDBc

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Alternanthera sessilis is perennial but short living tropical plant, that sometimes appear as an annual. For example in regions with season cold enough to kill it (-1*C), or extremely dry season. It can reach up to 1m in height and well over 1m in width. It is half erect - half creeping or ascending herb. It grows best in rich, moist soil and is even considered to be semi-aquatic (it can grow submerged in water up to 1m deep, but rather periodically than constantly). But surprisingly it can also grow in very dry conditions. It's leaves can be from 2 to 8 cm long, with shape from wide ovate to lanceoate. There is a red leaf variety of Alternanthera sessilis, which is easily confused with red (purple) leafed variety of Alternanthera brasiliana. And variegated forms A. sessilis, with white or yellow lines on the leaves, can also be found in cultivation as an ornamental plants, which are edible just like the green one.
This plant can grow in different types of soil, in different conditions in tropical or subtropical climate regions. But it mostly grow in wet places like swamps, near ponds, margins of rivers, streams, wet meadows and brinks of forests. In drier areas, it can survive short term lack of water, but the less water is in the soil, the slower will be it's growth. So for use as a fresh vegetable, A. sessilis need to have a constant good supply of water, otherwise it's leaves will be small and tough. But even growing with good amount of water but under strong sun, it's leaves will be tough, even though it will grow big. That is why in order to get nice big juicy and crunchy leaves, you need to provide for the plant a good compost soil, a lots of water, half shade and high temperatures. Tops of stems with young leaves, are always more tender and juicy than those older ones, so it is the best to harvest, but it also wilt quite fast. So if there is a long way from the plant to the kitchen, it is better to harvest big long stems or even the whole plant (older tougher leaves are not to good as fresh veggie, but they are still good for cooking). That will keep it fresh for longer time, especially if putted in water.
Even in warm temperature, and even a very short stem, left in water for longer time. Will rather grow roots and new leaves, than start to wilt and rot. This good survival skills of Alternanthera sessilis, are easily noticeable when you are trying to get rid of it from your garden. A tiny broken piece of stem will quickly grow roots near its nodes, when laying on moist ground. And pulled off plants thrown on the compost pile will rather thrive than die under other rotting weeds. That is why in order to avoid thousands of seedlings coming out from every corner of your garden, you better never let this vegetable to flower and spread it's seeds. As it can really easily became obnoxious weed, that will overgrow other small plants is short time.
If you are planing to storage and use this plant in dried form, for example for medicinal infusion. You should actually look for plants that grow in drier, more sunny places. They contain less water, more bioactive compounds, and get dried easily and properly. Without wilting and decaying effect, that may occur if you will try to dry watery and tender young robust shoots.
It is important to collect this herb from wild only from clean environment, as all Alternanthera species easily accumulate heavy metals from polluted soils.
Even though unknown as such, this plant is perfect for indoor pot cultivation. It grows well and is tasty while in shade, it can survive without water even during your longest holidays (even if it get wilt and drop leaves, it will easily recover after watering). And also unlike many leafy vegetables it is perennial, and will never get bolting like spinach or lettuce. Young stems of Alternanthera sessilis can be harvested all year round. So I strongly recommend it for all, especially as a fresh winter leafy veggie for homes in temperate climate regions.

CULINARY USES

Young, soft leaves and tops of Sesile Joyweed, are very nice as a fresh vegetable. It have mild taste, quite like common spinach, and is good to use on sandwiches and in salads. Young stems as well as older, tougher leaves are good for cooking. It is used in sauces and soups, stir fried, added to omelets, or made as a relish. Alternanthera sessilis plays important role in Tamil and Lankan cuisine, usually called as Ponnanganni Keraai and Mukunuwenna, it is often cooked with dhal, used in curries and even added to pizza.

COSMETIC USES

Cosmetic use of Alternanthera sessilis have a very long tradition, as it was recorded around 3000 years ago in Ayurvedic texts. Charaka, often called '' the father of medicine'', was back then prescribing the whole plant, externally for complexion. And the plant's name in Tamil language - Ponnankanni (Pon aagum kaan nee), translates as '' Your body will get golden luster ''. Regular consumption of Alternanthera sessilis, is believed in Sri Lanka and South India, to bring you beautiful golden skin color, just as it is said in Europe about eating carrot. And I have no doubt in those claims, as both of those veggies contains a lots of caroten - orange color organic pigment (In A. sessilis leaves it is covered by green chlorofil, and that is why it don't have a color like carrot root). And this pigment, provided from diet, is getting stored in human fatty tissues. So the more, and the longer you eat caroten rich vegetables, the more golden-orange colour will be stored under your skin, giving it visual change. Caroten have also good antioxidant activity, so it helps to keep your skin healthy. Ponnankanni leaves contains also a lots of other healthy biochemicals (vitamins A1, B2, C, phytosterols, polyphenols), that acts against infections, inflammations, and nurture and revitalize skin. Both from inside of the body when digested, and cleans your blood. And from the outside, when applied on skin as a poultice (fresh smashed leaves) or in form of liquid extracts (pure squeezed plant juice, decoctions, infusions or other).
In Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, Alternanthera sessilis is used to improves hair growth, it is used to made Thailam - herbal hair oil, also used for skin care. In China the plant is used in herbal formula, thick ointment for hair regrowth. In the document of patent aplication for this formula (based on Traditional Chinese Medicine preperation), it's inventor Zhiuan Tian claimes that : '' If extract of alternanthera sessilis is added into cosmetics, it can prevent lipsotrichia [loss of hair], bring you a shinny and black hair [of course he meant Chinese and not blond Caucasian] and has a notable efficacy on treating yellow and white hair, pale complexion and dry skin caused by the lack of vitamin and trace element necessary to the body. Due to the fact that it can still promote the generation of melanin of hair thus it has a good efficacy on the treatment of alopecia areata [spot baldness].''
This herb is also used as an ingredient in traditional Kajal or Kohl tipe eyeliner cosmetics.

MEDICINAL USES

Alternanthera sessilis is one of the plants with the oldest records of it's medicinal use. It's healing properties was described in India in Ayurvedic texts of Charaka in around 1000BCE, Sushruta around 600BCE, and in 16th century Bhava Prakasha. Nowadays this plant is popular as a vegetable and medicinal herb in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. And it is also known for its health benefits in many other tropical countries around the world, and so are it's related Alternanthera species too. Recently, quite fev scientific medicinal studies on A. sessilis have been conducted, in India (majority of publications), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. But even though it's many healing values had been proved, this herb still remain mainly a traditional ayurvedic and folk remedy. Which is probably coused by the fact, that in most of regions of those South Asian countries, this plant is so abundant and widely consumed, that no one would buy there any drugs manufactured from it. And so use of this herb as a cure is mainly ignored by modern medicine money driven world.

In Siddha (traditional system of medicine used in South India and Sri Lanka) literature Alternanthera sessilis is described as Kaya Kalpa drug, which means that it prevents and cures chronic diseases and rejuvenates the body, and therefore is important part of the diet. Charaka was prescribing the whole plant for promoting memory and intelligence, and externally for complexion, also using it as an ingredient in rejuvenating tonic. Sushruta was using this herb with Convolvulus pluricaulis and calcinated gold, in formula that he prescribed for children, for promoting their physical development, strength and intellect. Ayurvedic practitioners describe this herb as bitter, astringent and acrid (but I would say that A. sessilis is mild in all those three qualities), cooling, constipating and febrifuge, useful in vitiated conditions of kapha and pitta.
Alternanthera sessilis in 100g of it's fresh leaves contain 80g water, 11.8 g carbohydrate, 4.7g protein, 2,1g fibre, 0.8g fat, 146mg calcium, 45mg phosphorus, 16.7mg iron, and provide 60 kcal. This plant is also rich in carotene 1926 mcg/100g, chlorophyll A 659.5µg/g and chlorophyll B 261 µg/g, vitamins A and C, and contain ribovlavin, niacin, manganese 87 mg/kg, magnesium 294 mg/kg, sodium 3580 mg/kg, potassium 6240 mg/kg, copper 14.5 mg/kg and zinc 45 mg/kg.
A lots of bioactive chemicals was identified in tissues of Alternanthera sessilis, including : triterpenes alpha-spinasterol, beta-spinasterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, oleanolic acid and its derivatives and saturated (aliphatic) esters, ellagic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoeic acid, oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, phenolic acid, ascorbic acid, alpha and beta tocopherols, nonacosane, handianol, saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, flavonols, triterpenoids, tannins, 24-methylenecycloartanol, cycloeucalenol, 5α-stigmasta-7-enol.
A. sessilis has many medicinal actions, it is named as : hepatoprotective, antioxidant, blood puryfing and detoxicating (potent radicals scavenging activity and metal ion chelating activity), anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, galactogogue, antiulcer, hematinic (stimulate formation of new blood cells), anti-anemic, cholagogue, diuretic, ophtalmic, nootropic (intelect and memory enhancing effect), antihyperglicemic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-allergic (histaminergic - regulate histamine level), wound healing properties, lowering blood temperature, relaxing smooth muscles, in body, in bigger amounts laxative,
Alternanthera sessilis significantly increases blood platelet number, which is very supportive in treatment of thrombocytopenic disorders and dengue hemorrhagic fever, and may help to avoid platelet transfusions.

For medicinal purposes Alternanthera sessilis is usually simply eaten fresh or cooked, but it is also dried and consumed in form of powder, infusion or decoction. It's whole plant is used to treat ailments such as :

- stomach and intestines disorders, indigestion, stomachache, burning sensation, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcers and inflammations. In Ghana decoction with a little of salt added is taken to stop blood vomiting.

- liver and spleen problems, jaundice, hepatitis, splenomegaly (spleen enlargement), biliousness

- lung diseased, asthma, bronchitis, tight chest, tuberculosis, haemoptysis (coughing up blood)

- kidney and urinary tract infections and inflammations, acute and chronic pyelitis, cystitis, strangury,

- eye diseases, hazy vision, ophtalmia (eyes inflammation). In Tamil Nadu, India, this herb is traditionally used to cure night blindness, leaves are cooked and eaten with normal diet for 20-30 days. Popular sayings from old Tamil tradition, is that this plant can bring the clarity of the eyes, to visualize the stars even in broad day light, when it is consumed periodically as mentioned in the traditional literatures. Decoctions of A. sessilis are used as an eyewash.

- infectious diseases, sore throat, cold, fevers, malaria (In Chhattisgarh, India, one cupfull of the whole plant decoction is taken twice a day for three days to cure malaria), carbuncles, leprosy and other obstinate skin diseases. An aqueous extracts of closely related Alternanthera philoxerioides have been proved to inhibit proliferation of the HIV and Haemorrhagical Fever Virus.

- venereal diseases, gonorrhoea, leucorrhea

- to alievate pains, headache, toothache, neuralgia, and also pruritis. In Nigeria this plant is pounded and used against headache and vertigo, and leaf sap is sniffed up the nose to treat neuralgia.

- In Taiwan this herb is used to fight depression, in Bangladesh and other parts of Asia to relieve tiredness, laziness, and sleepiness. In China Alternanthera philoxeroides, which is called Kongxinxian is used for treatment of encephalitis B.

- as antidote to snake bite and scorpion sting. In India and Senegal whole stems with leaves are dried and grounded into powder, that is applied on snakebites.

- to increase the production of milk in nursing mothers

- to treat post natal complaints, puerperal fever, prolapsus ani, fistulas ani

- to supress carcinogenesis and as a protective agent against cancer

- in Pakistan, this herb is consumed to improve male sexual potency. In Bangladesh, it is used to treat low sperm count.

- it is also used for treatment of anemia, diabetes, hypertension, piles, blood disorders and against worm infection

Alternanthera sessilis is also often applied externally :

- fresh pounded lesves are applied as poultice on : boils, ulcers, sprains, burns, eczema, acne, erisipelas, acute conjunctivitis, fungal infections, inflammations. A paste is used to draw out any spines or other objects from the body and to cure hernia.

- leaves can also be used as a plaster on wounds and skin diseases

- decoctions are used as wash for wounds and juice is squeezed from leaves directly on wounds.

- medicated lotions are also made from A. sessilis for treatment of beri-beri and fever,

- oil macerations for infected wounds was made from A. sessilis since 16 century in India. Ponnanganni Thailam oil is very famous in Tamil Nadu, it is used for hair and skin care, and to treat excessive body heat and headaches one experiences during hot summer months. It is also added to baths for relaxing body and eyes.

- the plant is also dried, powdered and used as styptic on wounds.

- In Sierra Leone decoction from leaves and stems is used to bathe children, and '' a handful of the decoction is also given orally before every bath '', in order to give them strength.

Some authors have wrote that Alternanthera sessilis is used as an abortifacient. The second or third hand information about use of this plant to induce abortion is inacurate, misleading half-truth. It might cause a fear and avoidance of this plant by pregnant women, which is a big loss consider all the nutrients that this healthy herb-vegetable is providing. But there are not only reports from women, saying that A. sessilis is a good and safe part of regular pregnancy diet. But also information from serious sources [1, 2] stating that leaf of this plant is actually used in Africa '' for retention against threatened abortion '', and that in Ghana '' Poultice of leaves is rolled into small balls; a ball is added to palm-nut soup to be taken by a pregnant woman whose conception is threatening to abort ''. However, the fact that this herb contain phytosterols, of which excess might cause hormonal imbalance, put some concerns about being carefull with its consumption. Especially in the most fragile periods of first and last days of pregnancy.

Alternanthera repens which is quite closely related to A. sessilis, is used in Ghana '' as an enema for abdominal pains in pregnant women; together with certain ingredients, it is abortifacient.'' [1]. S. O. Olagbende – Dada and A. S. Peters have wrote in the document of their study called '' Abortifacient effect of Alternanthera repens in female albino rats '', that: '' Alternanthera repens is one of the plants reported as being used by traditional birth attendants to ease child delivery and procure abortion. Two extracts of the plant were studied in pregnant albino rats at different stages of pregnancy. Result of the studies shows the extracts used possess abortifacient effects particularly towards term thereby attesting to the use as labour aid. ''

In Kenia Alternanthera sessilis is used in veterinary medicine. Crude extract of A. sessilis showed larvicidal effect on mosquito larvae.

ALTERNANTHERA BRASILIANA (syn. Alternanthera dentata) - PURPLE LEAFED VARIETY

ALTERNANTHERA REPENS (syn. Alternanthera pungens) - VARIEGATED VARIETY

Sources

'' Vegetables '' - G. J. H. Grubben, PROTA 2004
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'' Indian Herbal Remedies '' - C, P. Khare, Springer Science & Business Media 2011
'' Indian Medicinal Plants '' - C. P. Khare, Springer Science & Business Media 2008
'' Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Sierra Leone '' - Dr. Cyrus Macfoy, iUniverse 2013
'' Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeial Plant Drugs '' - C. P. Khare, CRC Press 2015
'' Encyclopedic Reference of Traditional Chinese Medicine '' - Yang Xinrong, Springer Science & Business Media 2003
'' Medicinal Plants of the Philippines '' - Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, Katha Publishing 1978
'' Medicinal Plants (Indigenous and Exotic) Used in Ceylon '' - D. M. A. Jayaweera, The National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, Colombo 2006

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS - Archana Borah, R. N. S. Yadav and B. G. Unni
'' Some Medicinal Plant Species of Asamagbe Stream Bank Vegetation, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria '' - Ibadan J.O. Ariwaodo, E.C. Chukwuma and K.A. Adeniji
'' Extraction and degradation of chlorophyll a and b from Alternanthera sessilis '' - M.A.M. Jinasena, A.D.U.S. Amarasinghe , B.M.W.P.K. Amarasinghe and M.A.B. Prashantha
'' GC-Ms Analysis of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Alternantera Sessilis '' - K.S Leela Vinodh, B. Senthil Kumar, Department of Zoology, Thiruvalluvar University, Serkkadu, Vellore-632 001, Tamil Nadu, India
'' Antimicrobial and wound healing activities of leaves of Alternanthera sessilis Linn '' - Sunil S. Jalalpure, Nitin Agrawal, M.B. Patil, R. Chimkode, Ashish Tripathi
SCREENING THE INVITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS LEAVES Vennila V and Nivetha R

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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Solanum torvum - Pea Aubergine, Susumber, Turkey Berry, Pea Eggplant

Polska wersja

PLANT PROFILE

Solanum torvum is a robust bush from solancae family, that produce clusters of berries. These berries are commonly known as Pea Aubergine, Pea Eggplant or Turkey Berry and are used as a vegetable in many tropical countries. It is especially popular nowadays in East Africa and South-East Asia, playing important role in cuisine of Thailand, South India and Ghana and being significant part of local diet as it is a good source of essential minerals and vitamins. The plant is believed to oryginate from Central and South America. But it spread due to vegetable garden cultivation throughout all tropical regions, get naturalized and in many places become even obnoxious weed.
Good nutritious value of Solanum torvum fruits is not it's only value. In many tropical and subtropical countries not only fruits, but also leaves, stems and roots of this plant are used in traditional healing. It become important medicine used by practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha and Traditional Chinese Medicine systems. It is regarded as very useful herb in treatment of many different infections, liver problems, diabetes, cancer and more. Many scientifical studies had been made in many different countries, to indentify chemical constituents of this plant and it's pharmacological actions. Most of it was conducted in India (mostly in Tamil Nadu), and some in Ghana, Cameroon, Japan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Cuba. One of those studies resoulted in isolation from Solanum torvum tissues a chemical structure called solasonine - which become used as a start product in hemisynthesis of cortisone and steroidal sex hormones for oral contraceptives.
In 1998 in Malaysia a post stamp depicting Solanum torvum has been released, as a part o Medicinal Plants of Malaysia series.
In India there is a very similar species called Solanum indicum, it often shares the same common names with Solanum torvum, and it's berries are consumed and used medicinaly (leaves and roots too) in the same way. The main difference between those two species is that S. torvum have white flowers, while S. indicum flowers are violet.
The other popular english common names for this plant and it's berries, beside those that I've mentioned before, are : Devil's Fig, Cherry Eggplant, Wild Eggplant, Thai Eggplant and Gully Bean.
Here are just some of many other vernacular names of Solanum torvum : Susumber (Jamaica), Melongene-diable, Bellangere Batarde, Aubergine Pois (French), Pokastrauch, Teufels-Nachtschatten (German), Belangera Cimarrona, Terongan (Spanish), Jurubeba (Portugese), Morella della Giamaica (Italian), Suzume Nasubi (Japanese), Dian Qie Ze, Ci Quie, Shan Dan Quie (China), Soni, Katai, Kaisurisuri (Fiji), Sundai (India), Bhurat, Bhankatiya (Hindi), Shveta Brihati (Sanskrit), Marang (Marathi), Kaatuchunta, Anachunda, Malamchunda (Malayalam), Chitra, Kottuvastu (Telugu), Sundaikkai, Karimulli, Mulli (Tamil), Bhi-tita (Assamese) Ban Begun, Gotha Begun (Bangladesh), Byako (Arunachal Pradesh), Thibbatu (Sinhala), Tokrakur (Nepal), Terung Rajah Wang, Terung Belanda, Terung Mangas, Terung Belah, Terung Pipit (Malaysia), Top Na Aka (Cameroon), Kantosi, Ama Dweridi, Anona Ntroba, Kwahu Nsusuwa, Abedrow (Ghana), Igba-yinrin-elugun (Nigeria), Yakandroa (Ivory Coast), Brinjal Pea (South Africa), Prendejera (Cuba), Put Nhorng Deum (Cambodia), Ca Dai Hoa Trang, Ca Hoang, Ca Nong (Vietnam), Kazaw-Kha, Hkawhkam- Kaju (Myanmar), Ma Khuea Phuang, Ma Kae, Makhua Phuong (Thailand), Kheengz Faaz (Laos), Shu Qie Zi (Singapore),Takokak, Cepoka, Pokak, Terongan (Indonesia), Guis (Guatemala), Tandang-aso, Talampay, Talongon, Dagutung, Gambol (Philippines).
Solanum torvum have also many botanical synonymes like : Solanum longiflorum, Solanum indicum, Solanum mayanum, Solanum stramonifolium, Solanum daturifolium, Solanum acanthifolium, but none of them or others are used nowadays.

Here is my video about Solanum torvum - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2XSvFRVrA0

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Solanum torvum is a perennial bush that grows naturally in tropical and subtropical climate regions, at elevations from sea level up to around 2000m. It can reach around 4m of height and spread around 3m wide. It usually have prickles on stems and midrib of leaves, but in there are also thornless cultivars. Leaves are 10-20cm long, and their surface is velvety, just like it's young stems too. Fruits have 1-1,5cm in diameter, with structure of a berry, and is yellowish when ripe but quickly turn brown. Solanum torvum like moist, acidic, fertile soils, but can grow also on pore and dry lands. It can withstand well heavy seasonal droughts and also slight frost. It like sunny or slightly shaded areas.
This plant can easily become invasive weed, as it is spreading fast from seeds, esspecialy in disturbed soils, near roads, etc. It can regrow from the root after fire. It's seeds require sunlight for germination. Cuttings are better for propagation of S. torvum, due to preservation of characteristic features and phytochemicals content (which is very important when planted for consumption and medicinal use of Pea Aubergine, as toxic strains and hybrids of this plant with related species are reported to cause poisoning).
It sometimes may suffer from diseases and pests affecting other solancae crops plants, like Early Blight (Alternaria solani ) and Eggplant Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. melongenae), the Rust (Aecidium habunguense) and aphids, leucinodes, leaf hoppers and caterpilars. Solanum torvum is used in intercropping cultivation to control bacterial and fungal diseases of S. melongena in Indonesia. It is sometimes also used as a rootstock for tomatoes and aubergines, where it conveys resistance to bacterial wilt and nematodes.
In tropical climate Pea Aubergine flowers and produces fruits all year round. The fruits can be consumed fresh or dried, and are picked when unripe but fully developed (green, not very hard and not smaller than 1cm). It is gathered by cutting off the whole clusters, and sold in the in such a form, which make them keep fresh for longer time. Make sure you have a sharp tool, as fruits cluster stem is tough and will not brake easily from its branch. Leaves, whole stems or roots, can be gathered at any time for medicinal purposes, and used fresh or dried in shade.

CULINARY USES

Pea Aubergine fruits are important ingredient in Thai, South Indian and Ghanian cuisine, appreciaten not only for it's flavour and texture, but also it's for nutritious and medicinal value. It is used unripe, usually fresh, but also in dried form. It have a bitter taste but with a bit of sweet note, some cultivated varieties are less bitter. It is cooked in soups, sauces, stir-fried, braised, grilled, baked, pickled, turned into chutney, or just munched raw as an appetizer.
I get to know this vegetable a few years ago, when I found it in food shop specialized in asian and african food, in Milton Keynes, England. It was the most expensive vegetable aviable there, and never I saw it again neither in Britain nor anywhere else in Europe. The owner of the shop wasn't able to give me any informations about how to use it. But his customer, woman born in Ghana, have told me that Pea Aubergine tastes bitter, and they usually chop it and add to stews in moderate amounts.
The whole fruits are commonly added to spicy Thai curries, and pounded added to sauces to balance the spiciness. In Sri Lanka dried fruits are fried with spices , grounded into powder and added to rice. In Tamil Nadu, India, the fruits soaked in curd are dried and later fried in oil, such a product is called Sundaikkai Vattral and it is avaiable in Tamil supermarkets.
Solanum torvum leaves and fruits decoctions have many health benefits. But when I first made it to use as a rinse to combat tootchache caused by gum infection, I was really suprised how good it tastes. As I had expected it to be just like many other of those healthy but unpalatable bitter drinks. Who knows, maybe it was not strong enough (two leaves and two clusters of berries, fresh and chopped, shortly boiled in two teacups of water, it helped with the pain and inflammation anyway), but thanks to that I've discovered another decoction that matches my taste as a beverage tea, and is truly a good tonic. Leaves and flowers of Solanum torvum are used to made syrup taken as a treatment for colds.
Make sure you have your Solanum torvum fruits from reliable source. If you had gathered it yourself, from wild growing plants that noone particularly recomeded to be fully safe. Than you have to be extremly carefull with trying it. As there are strains of this plant, that bears toxic fruits that looks just like the edible ones.

COSMETIC USES

In one blog I have read an information, that fruits and leaves of Solanum torvum are eaten as a salad or cooked in curry, to enlarge breasts. The author Nancy Chan, have claimed to read this on the plant information display at Malaysian Herbal Garden - Taman Herba Negeri Perak. I haven't found any other source to mention this particular use, but in Ghana and Nigeria, women eat Pea Abergine fruits to induce and improve lactation.

MEDICINAL USES

Solanum torvum fruits, and also leaves and roots have been used as a medicine for a long time, by many different cultures that it was brought to threw cultivation, from Central or South America. It is used in Ayurveda, Siddha (traditionan system of medicine in Sri Lanka) and Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the same way as very similar species - Solanum indicum, which is native to India and have been used in the region as a cure since ancient times. In many tropical countries, Solanum torvum is becoming nowadays less of a folk medicine, and more of an official herbal drug. Many modern scientifical tests, have proved it's effectivnes in treatment of particular diseases. And fitochemical studies resoulted in recognition of it's many chemical constituents. One the chemicals isolated from S. torvum tissues is solasonine - which is used as a start product in hemisynthesis of cortisone and steroida sex hormones for oral contraceptives. Fruits, leaves, stems or whole aerial parts and roots, are often mentioned to share the same medicinal uses, used both fresh or dried. Nonetheless I've decided to keep seperate the informations about medicinal aplications of particular parts of the plant.

FRUITS

Fruits of Solanum torvum are very nutritious, containing important vitamins and minerals that improve body functions. 100g of fruits provide 47cal. Pea Aubergine possess a very high moisture content (80-86%), it contain carbohydrates 7.03%, proteins 2.32%, fats 0.27%, ash 0.14% and crude fiber 3.99%. It is rich in essential metals like iron 76mg/kg, manganese 19mg/kg, copper 2.6mg/kg and zinc 21mg/kg. It also have a lots of vitamin C (2.686 mg/100g), B-complex (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin), vitamin A (0.078mg/100g), vitamin E and calcium 221mg/kg.
The fruits contains bioactive organic compounds : sitosterol D-glucoside, carpesterol, glycoalcaloids (solamargine, up to 1% solasonine), phenols (phenol 2,3,5 trimethyl), flavonoids, isoflavonoids (torvanol A), isoflavonoid sulfate, steroidal glycosides (torvosides), jurubine, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, methyl caffeate, chlorogenone and stigmasterol (in seeds).
Just like with many other of edible and medicinal Solanaceae species, it is important to be very carefull with Solanum torvum, if you are not 100% sure if its safe. There are hundreds of Solanum species, many of which looks very similar and easily crosspolinate creating hybrids, also mutations happens that may create a toxic strain. Chemical composition of those plants also vary due to environment, soil, weather, polutions etc. There had been recorded cases of poisoning with fruits that looked just like regular Solanum torvum berries, but later tests showed unusual toxic elements in it. Some of reported cases patients had substantial neurological disfunctions like : dizziness, slurred speach, facial paralysis, ataxia, weakness, also hypertension, confusion, gastrointestinal distress. Couple of cases was severe and required intensive care admission, with respiratory failure, requiring emergency ventilation. Therefore it is best to use only S. torvum from reliable supply and grow plants only propagated threw cuttings (for its oryginal genes preservation). But if you want to check yourself unknown Pea Aubergine-lookalike wild plant, be extremly cautious.

Solanum torvum fruits acts as : anti-inflammatory (properties comparable to hydrocortisone), antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-diarrhoeal, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nefroprotective, cardioprotective, diuretic (as compared to standard drug Furosemide), sedative, analgesic, tonic, haematopoietic and erythropoietic (support new blood cells formation), anticancer, immunomodulatory (regulate immune system activity), carminative and vermifuge. Water fruit-coat extracts shower antibacterial activity comparable to commercial antibiotics - Chloramphenicol and Streptomycin. Seed extracts of S. torvum have showned interesting antidepresant potential. The fruit is also said to strenght nervous system and improve memory.
Pea Aubergine fruits are used, eaten fresh, dried or cooked, and also it's decoctions are drunk for treatment of diseases like : liver and spleen enlargment, cold, cough, bronchial asthma, fever (it is said to increase white blood cells number during fever), malaria, stomachache, diarrhoea, microbial infections (like Candida albians, Streptococcus faecalis and herpes simplex virus type 1), intestinal worms, leucorrhoea, arterial hypertension, for headache and other pains relief, insomnia, rheumatism, leucoderma, and also used as poison antidote.

Solanum torvum fruit is widely used in Indonesia as cure for prostate disorders (fresh unripe fruits are eaten every day). Water extracts of fruits and roots of Solanum torvum have proved to be very effective against breast cancer. In Sierra Leone fruit decoction is given as a cough medicine for children. Fried fruit is also taken for cough. In India Pea Aubergine fruit is used to improve eyesight and consuming fruits is belived to cure paralysis. In Indonesia the berries are mashed together with the leaves of Curcuma domestica (Turmeric) and applied to the eyes to treat trachoma. Nepalese use S. torvum flower juice with salt water as an eye drops. In Cameroon, fruit juice is used to treat skin infections like abscesses, jigger (parasite) wounds, ringworm, athlete's foot, and also skin problems in animals. The fruit juice is also applied locally to ease the irritation of ant bites. Fruit juice or decoction is used as gargle fo mouth ulcers. In Arunachal Pradesh in India crushed fruits are aplied to gums to get relief from gum infection and toothache. In Ghana unripe fruits and leaves of Solanum torvum are used against tuberculosis, fruits are also eaten to stop palpitations. In Sri Lanka powdered fruits are drunk in water daily as a treatment for groins infection, for controling blood sugar fruits are eaten for 4 days in a week, fruits are also eaten raw for strenghtening bones. The fruit ripe or unripe is said to have strenghtening, tonic effect and help increase the amount of blood in the human body, that is particulary uesful in post-partum and anemia. Solanum torvum fruits increase milk secretion, and are part of the diet of women after childbirth.

LEAVES

Solanum torvum leaves are rich in essential minerals, iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium, vitamins B6, B12 and C. It contain glycoalkaloids (0.0039%), derived from solasodine, solasonine (0.0043%) and solamargine (0.0028%), alkaloids, sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and steroids, glycosides, flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, kaempferol), isoflavonoids (isoquercetin, torvanol A), tannins, saponins, aminoacids, 2- Hexadecen-OL,3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl, 9,12,15 octadecatrieonic acid, tetratriacontanic acid, triacontanol, elemene, steroidal lactone saponins, spirostanol glycosides, henriacontane, neochlorogenin, neosolaspigein and solaspigenine.

Leaves of S. torvum have following actions : antihypertensive, haemostatic, anti-platelet aggregation, cardiovascular, sedative, digestive, antioxidant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, larvicidal, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anticancer, anticonvulsant and antispasmodic.
The leaves are usually consumed in form of decoction or infusion, but alcoholic tinctures are also made, to treat conditions like : colds, coughs, asthma, fever, malaria, rheumatism, epileptic seizure, liver and spleen enlargment, gonorrhoea, thrush, gastralgia, gastric ulceration, dropsy, prostate disorders, wound infection, arterial hypertension, blood stasis, leukoderma, to improve lactation and convalescence, and are also used as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers or tooth decay,
Externaly leaf decoctions are used as a wash and for compress, on sores, pimples, scabies, bleedings, wounds, burns and rashes. Cubans apply the leaf juice on pimples. Pounded fresh leaves of S. torvum are also used as a poultice, aplied on cuts, wounds and injuries, and dried, powdered leaves are used as a styptic to stoop bleeding. Decoctions of leaves can be also used to bathe the body to cool the sore and itching. In Santa Lucia fresh leaves are rubbed on the foot to treat athlete's foot. Haitians massage crushed leaves and seeds to correct fever.

In Papua New Guinea, juice is extracted from fire-heated leaves, then diluted with water and drunk for headaches and malaria. In Ghana a cupful of decoction from roots and leaves of Solanum torvum is drunk before meals for treatment of malaria. In India the leaf juice is used to reduce body heat, dried leaf powder is taken as a medicine for diabetes, leaf paste is used to bath a newborn baby in order to protect it from infections. Leaves and flowers of Solanum torvum are used to made syrup taken as a treatment for colds.
In Ivory Coast, Anyi-Ndenye women use Solanum torvum leaves during 2-3 trimester (4-9 month) of pregnancy, in form of '' therapeutic meal ''. Although it is also noted to be used traditionaly as a abortifacient in South India - '' 3-5ml leaf extract is given orally for 5 days ''. Other scientific document, from Medical College in Tamil Nadu, states that S. torvum leaves are traditionally known to be useful for '' recuperation and rejuvenation during pregnancy ''. In India roots of closely related Solanum indicum are used to treat infertility in women. As these are the only informations aviable, about safety of use of this herb during pregnancy. You might assume that Solanum torvum leaves are only harmful at early stage of pregnancy (first trimester), but it is better to be cautious with it.

ROOTS

There is not much research on chemical composition of Solanum torvum roots, but steroidal glycosides (astorvosides A-G) and jurubine have been isolated.
The roots are reported to act as anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. And it is used usually in for of decoction for stomachache, indigestion, amenorrhea, rheumatism, cystitis, veneral diseases (gonorrhea, urethritis), tuberculosis and malaria. And externally applied on sores, wounds, bleeding, burns and rashes.
In the Philippines Solanum torvum roots decoctions are drunk as an antidote for poisoning, and are given to women after childbirth to prevent blood loss. In Malaysia pounded roots are aplied to heal cracks in the feet. In Indonesia, a tincture made from chopped root steeped in rice alcohol for two weeks, is taken nightly (mostly by slender young women) to promote weight gain. In Bangladesh, combination of S. torvum root and leaf juice is used for treatment of asthma, diabetes and hypertension. In Brasil root juice is used for treatment of liver diseases, tuberculosis and as a anti-anemic. Nepalese use root juice to stop vomiting due to weakness. The pounded root is inserted into the cavity of a decayed tooth to relieve toothache. In Tripura region in India, ashes of dried roots are applied locally for curing condyloma. Solanum torvum root (300 ug/ml) strongly inhibited the melanin production of B16 melanoma cells without significant cytotoxity.