View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Ayushdhara (E-Journal) AYUSHDHARA ISSN: 2393-9583 (P)/ 2393-9591 (O) An International Journal of Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems Review Article A CRITICAL REVIEW OF POTAKI (BASELLA ALBA) IN AYURVEDIC TEXTS WITH RECENT STUDIES Sipika Swati1, Prateek Agarwal2* 1M.D, Scholar, Dept. of Stree avum prasuti tantra, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. *2M.D, Scholar, Dept. of Kayachikitsa, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Article info ABSTRACT Article History: Potaki (Basella alba) commonly known as Malabar spinach, is a soft stemmed perinneal vine. It is an edible vine in the family Basellaceae. It Received: 24-07-2015 is found in tropical Asia and Africa where it is widely used as a leaf Accepted: 15-08-2015 vegetable. It is known under various common names like Vine spinach, Climbing spinach, Creeping spinach, Buffalo spinach and Ceylon spinach KEYWORDS: Potaki, Basella alba, among others. It grows well under full sunlight in hot, humid climates Basellaceae, Ayurveda, Health. and in areas lower than 500 metres above sea level. Typical of leaf vegetable, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, C and Iron. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is particularly rich source of soluble fiber. In the Indian system of medicine, the plant has immense potential in androgenic activity, antioxidant, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. The plant has been known to be a demulcent, a diuretic and an *Corresponding Author emollient action. The entire plant is used in Chinese medicine where it is Dr. Prateek Agarwal claimed to reduce fever and neutralise poison. To cure human disease, medicinal plants have been a major source of therapeutic agents since M.D, Scholar, ancient times. The revival of interest in natural drugs started in last Dept. of Kayachikitsa, Faculty of decade mainly because of the wide spread belief that natural medicine is Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar healthier than synthetic products. As per WHO, 80% of the population in Pradesh, India. the world relays on the traditional medicine for treatment of various Mob: 09452350026, 9889501569 disease. Therefore evaluation of rich heritage of traditional medicine is Email: [email protected] essential. In this regard one such plant is Basella alba. INTRODUCTION Potaki (Basella alba), belongs to the family The literary review of the Potaki was started right from Basellaceae, the order Centrospermae. The plants the Vedas upto recent research works to obtain contain specific pigment red-violet betacyanins thorough knowledge of drug. On comprehensive review common name, betalains. Basella alba is an edible of Ayurvedic classics it was found that Kebuka is perennial vine in this family too. A native of tropical described in Charak samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhava Asia and Africa, it is now widely cultivated as a pot Prakash Nighantu, Kaidev Nighantu, Dravyaguna herb. It is a fast growing, soft-stemmed vine. Vijnana, Ayurvediya aushdhi nighantu, Madan Pal LITERATURE REVIEW Nighantu. Properties of Potaki[1-4] Ayurvedic Rasa Guna Virya Vipaka Action Uses References texts Charak Madhura Snigdha Shita Madhura Shlesmavardhn, Vrishya Sutra sthan. (26/93) samhita madaghni Sushruta Madhura Snigdha Shita Madhura Vata Pitta, Balya, Vrishya, Shaka Varga Nasaka, Kapha Sharaka 46/256 pg 205 Janaka Kaidev Madhura Snigdha Shita Madhura Vata Pitta, Balya, Vrishya, Oshadhi Varga Nighantu Picchil Nasaka, Kapha Sharaka, Nidra 656-659 pg 121 Janaka Janak, Sukhra Janak AYUSHDHARA | May-June 2015 | Vol 2 | Issue 3 194 AYUSHDHARA, 2015;2(3):194-198 Ayurvediya Madhura, Guru Shita Madhura Vata Pitta, Stanyaja, Bala, aushdhi Kashaya Snigdha, Nasaka, Kapha Vardaka, Medohara, Pg 327 nighantu Picchil Janaka Sthulyakara, Nidra, Alasya kara Bhava - Snigdha Shita - - Udardha Nashaka, Shaka Varga Prakash Viban Nashaka 9 /8-9 pg665 Nighantu Madan Pal - Snigdha Shita - Vata Pitta, Rakta Pitta Nashaka, ShakaVarga Nighantu Slesmal Nasaka, Kapha Madavikar Nashaka, Pg 149 Picchil Janaka Nidra Kara Dosha Karma Vata- Pitta, shamak, Kapha Janaka1 Plants part used Botanical Classification Roots, stem, Leaves, matured fruits Classical Name : Potaki Properties and Actions English Name : Malabar spinach Pramehaghna, Agni, Vrna, Raktapitta and Visha Latin name : Basella alba Shamana, Kaphaja, Shukraja, Stanyaja, Bala Vardaka, Family : Basellaceae Madahara, Sthulyakara, Nidra Alasya kara, Ruchikara, Truptikara, Vishtambhakara, Vidbedhana, Akanthya, Synonyms: Vrunhana. Sanskrit : Upodika, Potaki, Maalvaa, Uses Amritvallari Hindi : Phooi According to Charaka Samhita, Potaki prescribe Telugu : Bachhali for in retention of urine and faeces. In case Ama Marathi : Mayalu is digesting but still the patient suffers from Tamil : Vaslakkirai diarrhea passing stool with retention, pain, Bengali : Pui Shak mucus and tenesmus in small quantity but Oriya : Poi Saaga frequently the patient should be fed with the Sinhala : Vel Niviti soup of Potaki. English: : Malabar spinach, Malabar Caraka said that Potaki can be used for alleviates nightshade, Red vine spinach, necrosis. creeping spinach Caraka says that, Potaki cooked with sesame Morphology paste causes diarrhea and in Susruta Samhita It is a fast growing, succulent, branched, soft- mentioned Potaki cures piles, which helps easy stemmed, twining herbaceous vine, reaching 10 m in elimination of urine and faeces. length. Chemical composition Stem : Green Leaf : The chemical composition of the leaf Leaves: : Green in colour, glossy surface, extract include: proteins, fat, vitamin A, somewhat fleshy, ovate or heart- vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin shaped, 5 to 12 cm long, stalked, B9 (folic acid), riboflavin, niacin, tapering to a pointed tip with a thiamine and minerals such as calcium, cordate base. magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Flowers: : The inconspicuous bisexual pinkish Kaempherol is the flavonoid present in white or violet cluster flowers are Basella at a concentration of 1. borne on spikes or branching 4mg/100g[5]. It contains peduncles. Spikes are axillary, solitary, Basellasaponins amino acid such as 5 to 29 cm long. Flower type is Arginine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Lysine, hermaphrodite about 4 mm long. Threonine and Tryptophan[6], Peptide, Fruit & : Fleshy, stalk less, ovoid or nearly Phenolic compounds in various Seed spherical, 5 to 6 mm long and purple extracts[7]. when mature, It is a simple true fruit Fruits : Basella fruit contains Gomphrenin with many seeds derivative which is Betalain pigment[8]. Habitats The seeds were found to be rich in [9] A native of tropical Asia and Africa, it is now Oleic acid . The fatty oil from seeds widely cultivated as a pot herb. Its occurance in forests was found to contain Palmitic, Oleic, and shady places is rather rare, it is mainly confined to Linoleic and Linolenic acid. The the drier regions. proteins revealed presence of Lysine, Threonine, Valine, Methionine and AYUSHDHARA | May-June 2015 | Vol 2 | Issue 3 195 Sipika Swati, Prateek Agarwal. A Critical Review of Potaki (Basella Alba) in Ayurvedic Texts with Recent Studies Leucine[10]. b. Roots Seeds : Rich in Oleic acid In Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, the root of Poya Nutritional value (Basella.) is used as an anti-fertility agent after [18] Excellent source of calcium and iron. Good menstrual periods . source of vitamins A, B and C. Daily consumption of Root and leaves has been used for the removal of Basella has a positive effect on total-body vitamin A placenta, membranes after birth, stomach pains stores in men. and increase milk production[19]. Medicinal properties c. Fruits and seeds a. Leaves and stem The seeds are used as abortifacient[20]. Basella rubra Leaf used to prevent continuation The fruit provides dark violet color for food of bleeding after childbirth[11]. colorant[21]. Pulped leaves applied to boils, warts, pimples Whole plant and ulcers to hasten suppuration. Used for Malnutrition, Fistulae, Pustules, Sugared juice of leaves is useful for catarrhal Inflammatory tumors, Syphilitic ulcers, Cooling, afflictions[12]. Digestive disorders. Leaf-juice mixed with butter, is soothing and Used for the treatment of anemia[22]. cooling when applied to burns and scalds[12]. Sap is applied to acne eruptions to reduce The leaf juice is a demulcent, used in cases of inflammation. dysentery. The plant is febrifuge; its juice is a safe aperient Stem and leaves are used as mild laxative, for pregnant women and a decoction has been diuretic and antipyretic. used to alleviate/ease labour[23]. In India have been used Basella leaves and stem Basella mucilage has been used in Thai for anticancer such as melanoma, leukemia and traditional medicine as topical application for oral cancer. irritant, bruise, ringworm and labouring. Ground leaves of Basella alba are rubbed on the In India, it has been used for antipruritis and human hand to introduce the whole preparation burn and has been used in Bangladesh for acne into the animal vagina every morning for the and freckle treatment[7]. treatment of sterility[13]. Basella alba is administered orally for the Leaves are used in constipation, poultice for treatment of anal prolapsed or hernia[28]. sores, urticaria, balanitis, gonorrhea, antiviral and dyspepsia. It is also used in poultice local swellings, Basella alba has been used for the treatment of intestinal complaints etc[14].