Nal Bhaaji / नळभाजी / Water Spinach / Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.

  • Local Name: Nal Bhaaji / नळभाजी
  • Common Name: Water Spinach
  • Botanical Name: Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Least Concern

  • Habitat: Climber

  • Occurrence: Near waterways

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: Southeast Asia

  • Method of Propagation: Seed and vegetative propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds stem cuttings

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves and Stem

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Roots are sweet and eaten raw. Shoots and leaves are cooked as vegetable or eaten raw as salad.

  • As Medicine: Paste of buds is applied to areas of the body affected by ringworm; juice induces vomiting.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: No

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

  • Pickling: No

  • Brining: No

  • Fermenting: No

  • Drying for later Consumption: No

  • Overall Method: Roots may be eaten raw as a sweet; leaves may be cooked into a sabji or eaten raw in salad.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in ascorbic acid.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Aids to combat heavy metal toxicity in body, diabetes, hypertension, digestive issues and liver ailments

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Paste of buds is applied to areas of the body affected by ringworm; juice induces vomiting.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Wash and chop water spinach. Heat mustard oil, add panch phodan and dry red chili. Add garlic and poppy seeds. Stir and add shak and salt. Cook until moisture evaporates. Serve hot.