Family • Basellaceae

Alugbati
MALABAR NIGHTSHADE
Other scientific
names
Basella alba Linn.
Basella lucida Linn.
Basella cordifolia Linn.
Basella rubra Linn.
Lo k'uei
Common names
Alugbati (Bis.) Ilaibakir (Ilk.)
Arogbati (Bik.) Libato (Tag.)
Dundul (Sul.) Lo k'uei (Chin.)
Grana (Tag.) Malabar nightshage (Engl.)
Spinach vine (Engl.)

Botany
A succulent, branched, smooth, twining herbaceous vine, several meters in length.
Stems are purplish or green. Leaves are fleshy, ovate or heart-shaped, 5 to 12 cms
long, stalked, tapering to a pointed tip with a cordate base. Spikes are axillary,
solitary, 5-29 cm long. Fruit is fleshy, stalkless, ovoid or spherical, 5-6 mm long, and
purple when mature.

Distribution
Found in settled and cultivated areas, in hedges.

Properties and constituents

Demulcent, diuretic, emollient, laxative, rubefacient.
Study isolated Basellasaponins A, B, C, and D, oleanane-type triterpenes
oligoglycosides were isolated from fresh aerial parts.

Uses
Nutritional
Common market product, a popular leafy and stew vegetable, a good substitute for
 spinach.
The green and purple cultivated varieties are preferable to the wild ones.
Both the young shoots and stems are eaten.
Excellent source of calcium and iron; good source of vitamins A, B, and C, with a
high roughage value.
Folkloric
Roots are employed as rubefacient.
Poultice of leaves used to reduce local swelling.
Sap is applied to acne eruptions to reduce inflammation.
Decoction of leaves used for its mild laxative effects.
Pulped leaves applied to boils and ulcers to hasten suppuration.
Sugared juice of leaves useful for catarrhal afflictions.
Leaf-juice, mixed with butter, is soothing and colling when applied to burns and
scalds.
In Ayurveda, used for hemorrhages, skin diseases, sexual weakness, ulcers and as
laxative in children and pregnant women.
In Nigeria, use for fertility enhancement in women.

Studies
• Anthocyanins / Natural Food Colorant : Study of pigment extracted from fruits of
spinach vine (B. rubra) showed good stability with a potential as a natural food color.
• Antifungal: Study yielded two antifungal peptides with potent antivity against
Botrytis cinerea, Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum.

Availability
Cultivated vegetable market produce.
Wildcrafted.
Seeds in the cybermarket.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings

(1)
Stability of anthocyanin in spinach vine (Basella rubra) fruits / Cien. Inv. Agr. 34 (2):115-120, 2007
(2)
Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
(3)
Medicinal foodstuffs. XXIII. Structures of new oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides,
basellasaponins A, B, C, and D, from the fresh aerial parts of Basella rubra L. / 2001: Murakami T;
Hirano K; Yoshikawa M / Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin 2001;49(6):776-9.
(4)
Novel Antifungal Peptides from Ceylon Spinach Seeds / doi:10.1006/bbrc.2001.5822 / Biochemical
and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume 288, Issue 4, 9 November 2001, Pages 765-770
(5)
Phytochemical, nutritional and medical properties of some leafy vegetables consumed by Edo people
of Nigeria / J.K. Mensah, R.I. Okoli et al,
•
Latest Updated Tagalog and English Lists of Philippine Medicinal Plants

Plant Names
List of Philippine Medicinal Plants with Chinese Names
SOURCES
 Alugbati and its various uses
Alugbati or vine spinach is usually found in South-East Asia and Africa. It can
easily grow up in garden without taking too much care. The general use of this
plant is as vegetable and an important ingredient to make different dishes. But it
may also use as a decorative plant in some province. It is a great source of
antioxidant, vitamins A, B and C, Iron and Calcium. It also contains high
roughage and it's very easy to digest.

The whole parts of plant like leaves, stem and seeds can be eaten.

Research reveals that it’s good for health and works as a soft laxative. The roots
are quite effective in removing redness of the skin. It has been used in dressing
to cover up the swelled area to minimize the puffiness. In case of burn and scald,
apply the mixture of leaf pulp and butter on wound. It produces a cooling effect.
Liquid of the plant is effective for acne eruptions and also eases inflammation.
For child and pregnant lady, the decoction of the leaves make a better laxative.