Upodika / Malabar spinach / Basella Rubra – Classification, Ayurvedic Properties & Dosage

Description

Malabar spinach (Upodika) is an Ayurvedic herb helpful in the treatment of anemia, cough, dysentery and diarrhea. Also, it shows Anti- diabetic, Anti- cancer, Anti- ulcer, Anti- microbial, Anti-oxidant, Anti- inflammatory, Anti- pruritis properties. In Ayurveda, it is used either alone or in combination for mada (intoxication), anidra (insomnia), paadadari (cracked feet), jvara (fever), pravaahikaa (dysentery), arshas (hemorrhoids), siatapitta (urticaria), varnasotha (inflammatory), arbuda (tumors), raktapitta (bleeding disorders).

Upodika, Malabar spinach, Basella Rubra, Classification, Ayurvedic Properties, Dosage, Vernacular Names, Taxonomical Classification, Habitat, Chemical Composition, Ancient Verse

Synonyms

Poi
Potaki
Maalvaa
Amritvallari
Madaghni
Vrinthaka

Other Vernacular Names

In Hindi – poi ka saag
In English – Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach
In Malaysia – Bunga siam
In Gujarati – Ganthalo khar
In Bengali – Puishaka
In Konkani – Valchibhaji
In Marathi – Bhajyacha vel, mayalu
In Oriya – Poi saga
In French – Epinard d’lnde Baselle, Epinard Malabar
In Germany – Malabarspinat

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom – Plantae
Phylum – Trachaeophyta
Class – Magnoliopsida
Order – Caryophyllales
Family – Basellaceae
Genus – Basella
Species – Basella rudra (red stem) Basella alba (green stem)

Habitat

Native plant of tropical Africa and Asia, now cultivated as pot herb. A hot, sun-drenched climate is suitable for plant cultivation. Soil with a high organic matter content, moisture and proper drainage system is required for plant growth. Growth is slow in cold regions.

Morphology

It is a heat tolerant, fast growing soft stemmed perennial vine, wildly cultivated as a cool- seasoned vegetable. The plant is a succulent, branched, twinning, and herbaceous vine reaching 10 meter in length. The stems are green (Basella alba) or purplish (Basella Rubra) in color having heart shaped (cordate) leaves with a mucilaginous texture. Fruits are fleshy, red or black, stalk-less, ovoid. Seeds are tiny, numerous, and remain viable up to four years.

Chemical Composition

Irimeda has various phytochemicals due to these compounds, it shows a variety of pharmacognostic activities. These are:

Phytochemicals	Compound Name	Properties
Alkaloids	β cyanine (Anthocyanidins)	Antioxidant, Anti inflammatory
Flavonoids	Acecetin, Kaempferol, Rutin	Anti cancer, Anti plasmodial, Inhibits cell proliferation, Anti neuroinflammation
Steroids	β- sitasterol, Stigmasterol	Hypercholesterolemia, Anti osteoarthritic
Other Bioactive chemicals	β carotene, Ferulic Acid, Lupeol, Syringic Acid, Basellasaponins	Provitamin, Inhibits melanin formation, Lowers Cholesterol level, Anti endotoxin effects, Constipation and anti inflmmatory
Vitamins	A, B9,C,E, K
Minerals	Iron, Calcium, Magnesium
Essential amino acid	Arginine, Lysine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Threonine

Classical Categorisation

Bhavaprakash nighantu: Shaka varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu: Aushadhi varga
Raja Nighantu: Mulakadi varga
Shodala Nighantu: Guduchyadi Varga

Ancient Verse

Shloka – 1

पोतक्युपोदिका सा तु मालवाऽमृतवल्लरी |
पोतकी शीतला स्निग्धा श्लेष्मला वातपित्तनुत् |
अकण्ठ्या पिच्छिला निद्राशुक्रदा रक्तपित्तजित् |
बलदा रुचिकृत्पथ्या बृंहणी तृप्तिकारिणी ||७||

Reference – Bhavprakash Nighantu / Shakvarga / Shloka no. 8-9

Interpretation of Shloka – Potaki is also called Upodika, Maalva and Amritvallari. It is sheeta (cooling potency), snigdha (softness), Increases kapha, decreases vata and pitta. It is not used for throat problems, having mucilagous substance, nidrada (improves sleep), shukarda (increases semen), rakhtapittajith (relieves bleeding disorders), balada (increases strength), ruchikrth (improves taste).

Shloka – 2

उपोदकी कलम्बी च पिच्छिला पिच्छिलच्छदा |
मोहिनी मदशाकश्च विशालाद्या ह्युपोदकी ||१३६||
उपोदकी कषायोष्णा कटुका मधुरा च सा |
निद्राऽऽलस्यकरी रुच्या विष्टम्भश्लेष्मकारिणी ||१३७||

Reference – Raj Nighantu / Mulakadi varga / shloka no.136 -137

Interpretation of Shloka – Upodaki is known as Kalambi and Mohini. It is a sweet herb with astringent and hot potency. It induces sleep and lethargy and improves appetizer and digestive process. It increases kapha and vistambha.

Ayurvedic Properties

In Ayurveda, Upodika is known for its cooling properties helpful in healing skin infections, digestive disorders, and improving sleep. It is also used for the treatment of bleeding problems in women during pregnancy and healing wounds. It is rich in minerals like iron and calcium, helps in anemia and strengthens in bones

Practical Uses / Benefits

There are following uses or benefits of Upodika:

Decoction of the leaves is a good laxative for pregnant women and children.
The mucilaginous leaf is administered externally to cure fungal diseases like Eczema, ringworm and general skin infections.
In traditional medicine, it is used to treat sexual asthenia and infertility in men.
Flowers are useful for removal of kidney stones, gonorrhea and headache.
Daily consumption of pureed leafy vegetables has a positive effect on vitamin A stores in populations at risk of vitamin A deficiency.
Root decoction is given in intestinal disorders.
Leaves are used for enema followed by manual removal of the hard faeces in ethnoveterinary animals.
Red dye from the fruit is used for rouge and official seals.