Buffalo Spinach – Incredible Health Benefits and Uses of Enhydra Fluctuans
Introduction
The world is filled with a large number (about 2,50,000) of plant species. And among them almost 80,000 species possess medicinal qualities. The uses of these medicinal plants are based on folk beliefs continuing since ages. Enhydra Fluctuans is one of these kinds of medicinal spice. From early times, Buffalo spinach has been used for its health benefits as medicine for the treatment of many types of disease.
What are Buffalo Spinach/Enhydra Fluctuans?
Buffalo spinach is a type of herbal plant mostly grown in wetlands. It is an annual plant.
Locality
Buffalo spinach is usually found in areas like- tropical, wetlands, river side and pond side. This plant is indigenous to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and South-east Asia. In many parts of Assam also this plant can be seen. It is generally used as a medicinal herb and supplement food.
Appearance
Enhydra Fluctuans can grow up to a height of 30-40 cm. Its stems are fleshy, hairy and divided in sections. Its leaves are thick, linear, rectangular and 3-5 cm long. The flowers are small and white in color. This plant tastes bitter.
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Uses
The benefits of Helencha Shak is used to treat many diseases; especially constipation, asthma, bronchitis, nerve diseases, joint pain, skin problems, hand-feet inflammation etc. This plant has a special position in Ayurvedic treatments. It is used for its medicinal properties. In Ayurveda this plant is used in the purification of blood, to increase appetite and it is considered as an antibacterial agent. Ayurvedic doctors recommend the use of this herbal plant to reduce skin problems or risk of diseases and to maintain a good healthy skin. Regular consumption of this herb may increase the amount of hemoglobin level in blood. The benefits of Buffalo spinach can also be seen in case of cancer because of its antioxidant properties. If regularly consumed, this herb may lower the sugar levels in blood. Thus it affects diabetes.
Nutritious Elements
Every 100 gm of Buffalo spinach contains the following nutrients –
- Meat substance – 2.1%
- Fat – 3.2%
- Sugar – 5.5%
- Salt – 2.2%
- Vitamin A – 63%
- Vitamin C – 71%
- Sodium – 41mg
- Potassium – 330mg
Beneficial health properties
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-Oxidant
- Anti-diabetic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-diarrheal
- Analgesic
- CNS depressant
- Hepatoprotective
- Neuropharmacological etc.
Chemical substances of Enhydra Fluctuans
- Saponins
- Myricyl
- Alcohol
- Kaurol
- Cholesterol
- Sitosterol
- Glucoside
- Sesquiterpene lactones
- Germacranolide
- Enhydrin
- Flantuanin and Fludin
- A number of Diterpenoid Acid and their Isovalerate and Angelate Derivatives
- Stigmasterol
- Gibberellins A9 and A13
Various lingual names of Marsh Herb
- Hindi : Harkuch, Haruch, Matsyakshi
- Sanskrit : Hilamochika
- English : Buffalo spinach, Marsh Herb
- Bengali : Helencha shak, Hilancha, Hingcha, Hincha
- Odia : Hidimica
- Indonesian : Godobos
- Manipuri (Meitei) : Phak bungrum
- Chinese : Zhao ju
Scientific Classification of Buffalo Spinach/Enhydra Fluctuans
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Division : Magnoliophyta
- Class : Magnoliopsida
- Order : Asterales
- Family : Asteraceae
- Genus : Enhydra
- Species : E. Fluctuans
- Scientific name : Enhydra Fluctuans
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Uses and Benefits of Buffalo Spinach/Enhydra Fluctuans
- Cures Skin Disease:
Buffalo spinach is beneficial in preventing skin problems. This herb contains many Antimicrobial elements which help the body fight against skin problems causing bacteria and flushes out all the harmful substances from the blood. It helps to reduce Eczema problems, skin allergy, pimples, blisters etc. using this herb may make your skin glow.
- Treats Acidity and liver Problems:
Buffalo spinach can help to treat acidity and other liver problems. Soup made of Helencha Shak can reduce problems like- acidity, gastritis, heart inflammation, indigestion etc. It improves liver and intestine health.
- Treat Sleeplessness:
The benefits of buffalo spinach are seen in case of insomnia. It controls the release of stress hormones and eases muscles. This positively affects sleep disorders.
- Treats Neurological Disorders:
Enhydra Fluctuans is beneficial in case of nervous dysfunction. This herb helps to treat diseases occurs from this problem; such as Alzheimer’s
- For Weight loss:
This herbal plant also helps to reduce body weight. People who are taking special diet plans to lose weight may consider this herb as an effective agent. This herb contains protein and antioxidant elements which provide the body a perfect amount of necessary nutrients.
- Treats Anorexia:
Anorexia nervosa is a distinct neurological disorder in which people don’t want to eat properly and in this case, their weight decreases abnormally. This health condition makes the body and mind unable to consume proper amounts of food. The elements present in buffalo spinach regenerate the metabolism and increases appetite.
- Controls Low Blood Pressure:
Buffalo spinach is beneficial for people having low blood pressure conditions. Consume 2 teaspoons of Enhydra Fluctuans juice mixed with the same amount of kalmau leaf juice and honey every morning for 1 month. This will help to regulate blood pressure.
* Though this herbal plant is full of health benefits, you must consult your doctor first before using it for medicinal purposes (especially if you are suffering from any lethal or serious health condition).
How to use Buffalo Spinach/Enhydra Fluctuans?
- Apply Buffalo spinach juice diluted with a little amount of water to get relief from skin problems caused by sweat.
- To remove white patches from the tongue, consume warm Enhydra Fluctuans juice for a few days.
- In case of itching problems in the rainy and autumn season, consume 2 teaspoons of Buffalo spinach juice mixed with raw milk. This will help in this matter.
- Daily consumption of 30ml Enhydra Fluctuans juice mixed with 50ml cow or goat milk can normalize the amount of bile production. This process also helps in Gonorrhea conditions.
- In case of lower abdominal pain/cramp and other nerve problems, you may consume Enhydra Fluctuans juice on a regular basis to get relief from the health issue.
- Apply Enhydra Fluctuans paste or poultice on your forehead, this will cure headache.
- In the case of two or three lumps occurring in the body, consume 2 gm of sandalwood powder mixed with half cup of Enhydra Fluctuans leaf juice in the first stage.
- Buffalo spinach leaf juice is consumed with sugar to treat kidney stones.
- The whole plant of Matsyakshi is used as medicine to cure/ treat constipation.
List of Enhydra Fluctuans Products
Side effects of Buffalo Spinach/Enhydra Fluctuans
As a herbal medicinal plant, there are no proven side effects of Buffalo spinach. Although, excessive use or consumption can be harmful in some health problems/ conditions or diseases. Therefore, consider using the herb in a limited amount and with the advice of a doctor or specialist before using it in any kind of serious or lethal diseases.
Conclusion
From the above article you must have come to know about Matsyakshi till now. The article includes the chemical and nutritious elements carried by buffalo spinach along with its health benefits, side effects, different lingual names and its localities. We hope the information provided by the above article will help you in different ways in various health problems or diseases. Thank You!