Vine spinach

Scientific name of Vine spinach: Basella alba

Name of Vine spinach in different languages:-

English: Malabar spinach, Red vine spinach, Climbing spinach, Creeping spinach, Buffalo spinach.

Sanskrit: Pathra, Upodika

Hindi: Poi पोई

Tamil: Kodip pasaLi-கொடிப்பசளி, Vasalakkirai

Malayalam: Vallicheera-വള്ളിച്ചീര, Pasaly.

Plant description:

Vine spinach is a fast-growing vine reaching up to 10 meters in length, The stem is reddish-purple soft-stemmed, and the leaves are heart-shaped, with a mucilaginous texture and spinach-like flavor. The flowers are small, white, and tinged with pink, born in clusters on the end of branch nodes; the flowering season is November to February. Fruits are berries greenish, change to shining black when ripe, single seed contains the fruit.

Useful plant parts:

leaf, root, stem

Leaf Arrangement

Shape-Heart shaped Margin-Entire Venation-Reticulate
 Margin_Entire  Recticulate

Medicinal uses:

Used in the treatment of diarrhea, an antidote to poisons, swellings, dysentery, a febrifuge, and laxative, boils.

Chemical contents:

Astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, rubefacient.

Ayurveda uses of Vine spinach

Vine spinach, also known as Basella alba, is a leafy green vegetable that is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for various purposes. Here are some of its Ayurvedic applications:

  1. Nutritional Support: Rich in vitamins and minerals, vine spinach is used to provide essential nutrients to the body.
  2. Digestive Health: It is believed to support digestive function and may be used to address digestive disorders.
  3. Blood Building: Due to its iron content, it may be used to help build and maintain healthy blood levels.
  4. Anti-inflammatory: Some sources suggest that vine spinach may have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in conditions where inflammation is a factor.
  5. Aphrodisiac: In some traditional practices, vine spinach is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and may be used to support reproductive health.
  6. Cooling Properties: It is considered to have cooling effects on the body, making it potentially useful in conditions of excess heat or inflammation.
  7. Vision Health: It may be used to support eye health, although scientific evidence for this is limited.
  8. Immune Support: Some traditional uses suggest that vine spinach may help boost the immune system.

It’s important to note that while vine spinach is a nutritious vegetable with potential health benefits, scientific research on its specific Ayurvedic applications is limited. As with any herbal remedy or dietary change, it’s advisable to consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional before incorporating vine spinach into your diet for therapeutic purposes. They can provide guidance on proper preparation, dosage, and potential interactions with other medications or conditions.

It is used as an ingredient to prepare the Ayurvedic medicines like:

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