BASELLA RUBRA

Common name: Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red vine spinach, Vine spinach •Hindi: Poi पोई • Manipuri: Urok Shumban • Konkani: Valchi Bhagi • Tamil: Vasalakkirai • Kannada: Bansali • Marathi: Velbendi • Gujarati: Valchi Bhagi • Malayalam: Vasalaccira • Sanskrit: Upodika •Bengali: Pui Shaak

Botanical name: Basella alba var. rubra    

Family: Basellaceae (Basella family)

Introduction Malabar Spinach is not really a spinach at all, but the taste is similar and it is better suited to summer growing than real spinach. The large meaty,leaves are spinach-like in flavor and is very heat tolerant. The flowers, which are small, white, and tinged with pink, form in small clusters on the end of short stems at the nodes. Pea-size, dark purple, juicy fruits follow the flowers, which adds another ornamental dimension. The berries are fleshy and purplish black and the juice is sometimes used as a dye.This is a fast growing vine great to cover an ugly spot in a hurry, should be planted where it can climb. Will do fine in the shade but the leaves will not turn purple/red the stems will still get red but not as much as they do in full sun.

Chemical constituents: Basella alba is good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B9 (folic acid), calcium, magnesium, iron and several vital anti oxidants in the plant. also has proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, ash, calcium, vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. The plant consists the essential amino acids such as arginine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan alongwith several vitamins, minerals and a low percentage of soluble oxalates.

Medicinal uses

Wound healing activity, Antimicrobial activity, Antiviral activity, Anti inflammatory activity, Anti ulcer activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Antidiabetic activity