Health Benefits

Health benefits of Buffalo Spinach

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The scientific name for Buffalo Spinach is Enydra fluctuans. It is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae Bercht. & J. Presl, which is one of the largest flowering plant groups. In this family are plants like sunflowers, daisies, and chrysanthemums, which are all well-known. The plant is native to warm Asia and Africa and has Indo-Chinese roots. It grows in the wild and is sometimes grown in South-East Asian countries. It is very common in Bangladesh, Malaysia, China, and the rest of South East Asia and Tropical Africa. This plant is mostly found in the north-eastern part of India, mostly in the state of Assam. The plant is popular in the Cachar and Barak Valley areas of the state, where there are many different kinds of plants. The plant is also called Buffalo Spinach, Marsh vegetable, and Watercress. The wild leaves of the plant can be eaten, and the plant is also sometimes grown in Java, Malaya, and Cambodia.

Buffalo Spinach Facts

Buffalo spinach Quick Facts
Name: Buffalo spinach
Scientific Name: Enydra fluctuans
Origin Indo-Chinese origin, occurring in tropical Asia and Africa
Colors Blackish colored
Shapes Small, oblong-shaped seed called an achene about 3 millimeters long
Taste Bitter
Health benefits Cures Skin Disease, Treats Acidity and liver Problems, Treat Sleeplessness, Treats Neurological Disorders, For Weight loss, Treats Anorexia, Controls Low Blood Pressure, Low in calories, Improves digestive health, Boosts immunity, Regulates blood sugar levels, Promotes healthy bones, Reduces inflammation
Name Buffalo spinach
Scientific Name Enydra fluctuans
Native Indo-Chinese origin, occurring in tropical Asia and Africa. It is common in all countries of South-East Asia, wild and sometimes cultivated
Common Names Buffalo Spinach, Marsh herb, Water cress
Name in Other Languages Assamese: Helonchi (হেলোংচি), Helchi (হেক্চী), helech
Bengali : Hingcha, Helencha, Hinchashak, Harhach, Helchi (হেল্চী), Helonchi (হেলোংচী)
Bodo: Elashi moigong
Cambodia: Kanting ring
Chinese: Zhao ju (沼菊)
English : Buffalo spinach, Marsh herb
Hindi: Harkuch (हरकुच), Haruch (हरुच), Matsayaakshi (मत्स्याक्षी), Alangshi, Helencha, Harkuch
Indonesia: Godobos, kokoha, ambur
Kinyarwanda: Bugangabukari
Laos: Bungz ping
Malay: Godobos, Chengkeru
Malaysia: Chengkeru, kangkong kerbau
Manipuri: Komprek tujombi, Phak bungrum
Oriya: Hidimicha
Philippines: Kangkong kalabaw
Sanskrit: Matsayaakshi (मत्स्याक्षी), Hilamochika, achari, bramhi, chakrangi, helanchi, hilamochika, himamocika, jalabramhi, mambi, matsyakshi, matsyangi, mochi, rochi, sasasrutih, shankhadhara, trinittaparni, vishaghni
Spanish: Enhidra
Thai: Phak bung ruem (ผักบุ้งร้วม), phakbung-pling, phakpaeng
Vietnamese : Cây rau ngổ, Rau ngổ, Ngổ trâu, Ngổ đất, Ngổ hương, rau ngổ trâu, rau ngổ thơm
Plant Growth Habit Prostrate, spreading, annual or perennial, herbaceous edible tropical herb
Growing Climates Along ditches, swamps, water courses, aquatic areas, margins of fish ponds, rice fields, marshes and stream sides
Plant Size 30 – 80 cm tall
Stem Somewhat fleshy, cylindrical 30 centimeters or more in length and 0.5-1 cm in diameter, hollow, somewhat hairy, sparsely branched, rooting at the lower nodes
Leaf Stalk less, linear-oblong, 3 to 5 centimeters in length, pointed or blunt at the tip, usually truncate at the base, and somewhat toothed at the margins.
Flowering season November-April
Flower Flowering heads are without stalks, borne singly in the axils of the leaves, and excluding the bracts, are less than 1 centimeter in diameter. Outer pair of the involucral bracts is ovate and 1 to 1.2 centimeters long; the inner pair is somewhat smaller. Flowers are white or greenish-white.
Fruit Shape & Size Small, oblong-shaped seed called an achene about 3 millimeters long
Fruit Color Blackish colored
Taste Bitter
Plant Parts Used Leaves, young plant parts
Health Benefits
  • Cures Skin Disease
  • Treats Acidity and liver Problems
  • Treat Sleeplessness
  • Treats Neurological Disorders
  • For Weight loss
  • Treats Anorexia
  • Controls Low Blood Pressure
  • Low in calories
  • Improves digestive health
  • Boosts immunity
  • Regulates blood sugar levels
  • Promotes healthy bones
  • Reduces inflammation
Other Facts
  • It is used for feeding cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, horses and pigs.
  • It keeps the animal in good health and improves reproductive efficiency.
Precautions
  • Excessive use or consumption can be harmful in some health problems/ conditions or diseases.

Plant Description

Buffalo Spinach is a leafy plant that grows slowly and spreads. It can be an annual or a perennial. It usually grows to be between 30 and 80 cm tall. The plant usually grows near water, like in ditches, swamps, streams, rice fields, marshes, and the edges of fish ponds. The plant’s branches are hollow, cylindrical, and a bit fleshy. They have a diameter of 0.5 to 1 cm and are at least 30 cm long. They have few branches, and the bottom nodes are where roots grow. The plant has opposite leaves that are closely oblong or linear-oblong in shape and almost don’t have stalks. Most of the time, they are 2–6 cm long and 4–14 mm wide, with a broad, truncate or subcordate base and a narrow, angled tip. Most of the time, the edges are serrated and toothed, and the leaves have small glands on both sides and a blunt or pointy tip.

Flowers & Fruits

Small flower heads that don’t have stems grow in the spaces between the leaves. If you leave out the sepals, the flower heads are less than 1 centimeter across. The outer pair of bracts that circle the flower are oval and about 1 to 1.2 centimeters long. The inner pair is slightly smaller. The flowers are usually white or white with a greenish tint, and they bloom from November to April. When the pollen gets to the flowers, they make a small, oblong-shaped seed called an achene. The achene is about 3 millimeters long, and its surface is smooth. It has a thickened palea around it that works as a floater. The achene is blackish and does not have a pappus.

Health benefits of Buffalo Spinach

Buffalo spinach is a very healthy and versatile green that can help you in many ways. If you eat Buffalo spinach, it can help improve your gut health, boost your immune system, and help keep your bones healthy. By adding Buffalo spinach to your meals, you can improve your health and general sense of well-being.

1. Cures Skin Disease

People think that buffalo spinach can help keep skin problems at bay. This plant has a number of chemicals that kill bacteria that can help the body fight off skin-problem-causing bacteria. Also, it can help get rid of dangerous toxins in the blood that can cause skin problems. Using Buffalo spinach may help make skin problems like acne, skin allergies, pimples, and blisters less likely to happen. Adding this plant to your diet may also help your skin look better.

2. Treats Acidity and liver Problems

People think that the ingredients in buffalo spinach can help treat acidity and other problems with the liver. If you eat soup made from Buffalo spinach, it may help with acidity, gastritis, inflammation of the heart, and heartburn. It may also be good for your liver and intestines.

3. Treat Sleeplessness

Buffalo spinach is a natural way to treat sleepiness that changes the game. This super food is full of nutrients that help reduce stress by regulating the release of stress hormones and calming muscles. By doing this, it provides a safe and natural way to treat sleep problems and help people get a good night’s sleep. So, if you’re tired of counting sheep and taking pills to get to sleep, try buffalo spinach and see for yourself how it can change your life. Say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to sweet dreams!

4. Treats Neurological Disorders

Enhydra Fluctuans is a very useful herb for healing problems with the nerves. This amazing plant has been shown to be effective against a number of diseases and conditions that come from this problem, including Alzheimer’s disease. Enhydra Fluctuans is a safe and natural way to improve nerve function and improve general health. It does this by using its powerful properties. So, if you’re looking for a natural way to help you deal with nervous dysfunction and other problems related to it, give Enhydra Fluctuans a try and see what it can do for you.

5. For Weight loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, you might want to try this herbal plant. Not only can it help you lose weight, but it also has a lot of other benefits that are good for your body. This plant is a great source of important nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. It is full of protein and antioxidants. So, if you want to lose weight and are looking for a natural and effective way to help, adding this plant to your diet plan could be just what you need. Try it out and see for yourself how it works.

6. Treats Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a unique neurological disease that causes people to lose weight in a way that isn’t normal. It is caused by a lack of interest in proper nutrition that lasts for a long time. This situation can hurt both the body and the mind, making it hard to eat enough. Buffalo spinach, on the other hand, is a natural remedy that can help ease the symptoms of this disease. Buffalo spinach can help the body get the nutrients it needs again because it is full of important nutrients that speed up the metabolism and increase hunger. So, if you or someone you know is suffering with anorexia, try adding buffalo spinach to your diet and see for yourself how it helps.

7. Controls Low Blood Pressure

If you have low blood pressure, eating wild spinach could help relieve some of your symptoms. You can easily control your blood pressure by taking 2 teaspoons of juice combined with the similar quantity of honey and kalmau leaf juice each morning for a month. This powerful mix of natural ingredients helps your blood move well and keeps your blood pressure in a healthy range. So, if you want a natural and effective way to control your low blood pressure, try adding buffalo spinach to your daily routine and see the results for yourself.

8. Low in calories

Want to lose weight or keep your weight at a healthy level? Buffalo spinach could be just what you need to add to your diet. It tastes great and has few calories, which makes it a great choice for people who want to stay fit and healthy. This leafy green is full of vitamins and nutrients, like iron, calcium, and vitamin C that are important for keeping your body fit. Also, it has a lot of fiber, which makes you feel full and happy for longer. So, whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to live a healthy life, you should try buffalo spinach.

9. Improves digestive health

If you want to improve your gut and keep from getting constipated, adding buffalo spinach to your diet might be the answer. This leafy green has few calories and is full of important vitamins and minerals. It’s also a great source of fiber. Because it has a lot of fiber, buffalo spinach can help keep your digestive system working well by keeping you regular and stopping you from getting constipated. So, if you have digestive problems, try adding buffalo spinach to your meals as a tasty and healthy way to help your gut health.

10. Boosts immunity

Enydra fluctuans can help you get the best health and happiness possible. This natural wonder can help your body fight off infections and diseases by making your immune system stronger. This will make you feel strong and healthy. By adding Enydra fluctuans to your daily routine, you can take care of your health and enjoy life to the best. Don’t miss out on the amazing health benefits of this amazing plant. Add Enydra fluctuans to your daily health habit today.

11. Regulates blood sugar levels

If you want to keep your blood sugar levels in check and eat something tasty and healthy, wild spinach is the way to go. This superfood is full of chemicals that have been shown to help control blood sugar. This makes it a great choice for people who have diabetes or are worried about getting it. Buffalo spinach is not only a tasty addition to any meal, but it also helps your digestive system and boosts your defense system, among other things.

12. Promotes healthy bones

Want a natural way to keep your bones strong and stop osteoporosis? Buffalo spinach is what you need. This leafy green is a great addition to any diet because it has a lot of calcium and vitamin K in it. Calcium is known for helping to make bones strong, and vitamin K helps to keep calcium in the bones where it goes. Together, these nutrients keep your bones healthy and strong, which lower your risk of breaking a bone or having other problems with your bones.

13. Reduces inflammation

Want a natural way to reduce inflammation and avoid chronic diseases? You might want to eat some wild spinach. This leafy green is full of chemicals that have been shown to be very good at fighting inflammation. By lowering inflammation in the body, buffalo spinach can help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other long-term illnesses. Buffalo spinach is not only a tasty addition to any meal, but it also has a lot of health benefits, such as making digestion easier and giving your immune system a boost.

Traditional uses and benefits of Buffalo Spinach

Ayurvedic health benefits of Buffalo Spinach

Culinary Uses

References:

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/ENYFL

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Kankong-kalabau

https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Enydra_fluctuans_(PROSEA)#Synonyms

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-134747

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Buffalo%20Spinach.html

https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Enydra+fluctuans

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ENFL

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