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.
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 |
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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.
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:
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.
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