Green/Red Malabar aka basella abba, basella rubra
GROW
Propagate : Cuttings , Seedings
Light : Sunny
Water : Once a day
Soil : good drainage
Fertilizer : twice a month The pH of the soil should be slightly alkaline, or around 7-8. Provide a trellis or twine for it to climb on
USES
Like other leaf vegetables - Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and a good source of chlorophyll.
It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie.
The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber.
Astringent - the cooked roots are used in the treatment of diarrhea.
The cooked leaves and stems are used as a laxative.
The flowers are used as an antidote to poisons.
A paste of the root is applied to swellings.
The plant is febrifuge, its juice is a safe aperient for pregnant women and a decoction has been used to alleviate labor.
The leaf juice is a demulcent and used in cases of dysentery.
The leaf juice is used in Nepal to treat catarrh.
A paste of the leaves is applied externally to treat boils.
