KJC Medicinal Garden

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Basale soppu
Basella alba


Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Basellaceae
Genus: Basella
Species: B. alba
Common Names: Malabar spinach, vine spinach and Ceylon spinach
Native to Tropical Asia and Africa

Other plants of the same genus with medicinal properties

    Basella rubra
    Basella cordifolia
Morphology:
  • Perennial twining herb, fleshy stem, stout at base with slender upper branches.
  • Leaves: are axiallary, dark green, broadly ovate in shape and acute.
  • Flowers: sub sessile, white, pink or red coloured and closed at anthesis. Scaly and small Bracts.

Uses in Tradition systems of medicine

  • Identified as Upodika in Ayurveda.
  • Ayurveda recommends Basella in anemia &dysentery
  • The mucilage present in Basella alba is reported to have hypoglycemic activity. It has been attributed with gastro-protective activity, ulcer healing, anti-inflammatory activity, wound healing activity. And is also reported to improve testosterone levels in males, thus boosting libido.
  • Decoction of the leaves is recommended as a safe laxative in pregnant women and children.
Nutritional Properties
  • Energy- 79 kJ (19 kcal), Carbohydrates- 3.4g, Fat - 0.3g, protein- 1.8g.
  • Calcium 109 mg, Iron 1.2 mg, Magnesium 65 mg, Manganese 0.735 mg, Phosphorus 52 mg, Potassium 510 mg, Zinc 0.43 mg.( Per 100g )

Suggested Medicinal Properties

  • Astringent, diarrhoea.
  • Rubefacient
  • Laxative
  • Demulcent, dysentery
  • Antidote to poisons
  • Febrifuge
  • To treat conjunctivitis

Active Phytochemicals

1. Alkaloids
2. Glycoside
3. Saponin
4. Tannin
5. Terpenoids
6. flavonoids
7. Phenolic compound
8. Arginine
9. Leucine
10. Isoleucine
11. Lysine
12. Threonine
13. Tryptophan
14. Aspirin alteres ulcer conditions, percentage of ulcer inhibition, gastric pH, pepsin content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.

15. lipid hydro peroxidases, SOD, GPx, CAT, GSH, vitamin C, and vitamin E can also be restored by the treatment of Basella alba leaf extract.

References

Ibrahim TA, Ajongbolo KF and Aladekoyi G. "Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Crude Extracts of Basella alba and Helianthus annuus on Selected Food Pathogens." Research & Reviews: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. URL- https://www.rroij.com/open-access/phytochemical-screening-and-antimicrobial-activity-of-crude-extracts-of-basella-alba-an-27-31.pdf

Dr. Shubhashree M.N. "Less known facts about the health benefits of Basella alba." Central Council For Research In Ayurvedic Sciences. URL -http://ccras.nic.in/content/less-known-facts-about-health-benefits-basella-alba#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20attributed%20with,in%20pregnant%20women%20and%20children.

"Basella alba". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). URL- https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=6531