Edible Parts: Leaves  Stem
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[301 ]. Although they have a strong flavour, the leaves are sometimes mixed with grated coconut and spices, and then eaten raw as a side-dish with rice[301 , 310 ]. The minced leaves are steamed and eaten; they can be added to soups; or are mixed with various vegetables and spices, then wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked over a fire[301 ]. Any offensive smell disappears as the leaves are cooked[301 ]. The leaves are valued more for their medicinal virtues than for their flavour![K ]. The sweet stem juice is sucked in Taiwan[177 , 183 ].

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Antiarthritic  Antidiarrhoeal  Antidote  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Antitumor  Antivinous  Astringent  
Cancer  Carminative  Depurative  Diuretic  Dysentery  Restorative  Tonic  
Vermifuge

The leaves are widely used in Asia and South-East Asia, where they are especially valued for treating digestive problems[310 ]. Considerable research has been carried out into the medicinal benefits of the plants, with several active compounds having been recorded[310 ]. Several iridoid glucosides such as asperuloside, scandoside and paederoside have been isolated from the aerial parts of the plant[310 ]. These glucosides have displayed antitumor activity with paederoside displaying the highest degree of antitumor-promoting activity[310 ]. Scandoside has been shown to promote the growth of lettuce seedlings. Paederoside showed a similar inhibitory activity to that of asperuloside and daecetyl-asperulosidic acid in a plant growth inhibition test and in an antimicroorganism activity test[310 ]. The bruised aerial parts of the plant have the fetid odour of indole (methyl-mercaptan). Damage to the tissue releases an enzyme which splits off this sulphur-containing group from paederoside, and is therefore responsible for the unpleasant odour. The most abundant sulphur-containing compound was dimethyl disulphide[310 ]. The presence of alkaloids and an essential oil have also been recorded[310 ]. Monoterpenes such as linalol constitute the major components in the oil[310 ]. In older investigations, decoctions of the plant showed significant anti-inflammatory action against arthritis[310 ]. The decoction also exhibited marked activity against degenerative osteo-arthritis[310 ]. The water soluble fraction of the aerial parts displayed anti-inflammatory activity in oedema[310 ]. It failed to exhibit any analgesic or antipyretic action and showed no ulcerogenic potential[310 ]. An ethanolic extract of the leaves has shown anticancer activity against human epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx[310 ]. A methanol extract of the leaves has shown hepatoprotective potential, being effective in reversing 6 out of 12 common biochemical (enzymatic) parameters assessed[310 ]. Another study has shown that the plant has antidiarrhoeal activity, acting by inhibiting intestinal motility - thus supporting its use in traditional medicine[360 ]. The leaves are anodyne, antirheumatic, antivinous, astringent, carminative, depurative, diuretic, restorative and vermifuge[147 , 218 , 310 ]. They are commonly used for the treatment of intestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, colic, cramps, flatulence and dysentery; and are also used for treating rheumatism and gout[147 , 218 , 310 ]. The leaves are also used to treat infertility and paralysis[218 ]. The leaves and stems are also used as a diuretic for inflammation of the urethra[310 ]. For treating intestinal problems, the fresh leaves are pounded, water added, and the filtered infusion is drunk regularly till convalescence[310 ]. The plant is considered to have great restorative powers, and the leaves may thus be mixed with food, boiled and eaten - in India, they are often boiled in soup to lessen their smell[310 ]. Applied externally, the leaves are used to treat swellings and bruises in general, and are mashed then applied for earache, ulcerations of the nose and swollen eyes[272 , 310 ]. They are used as a poultice for treating a swollen belly, distension, herpes or ringworm; and are used in antirheumatic baths[310 ]. They are applied to the abdomen as a diuretic, and also as a solvent for vesical stones[310 ]. The juice of the leaves is considered astringent, and is used to treat diarrhoea in children[310 ]. The bark and the root are considered to be emetic[310 ]. The juice of the root is prescribed in cases of indigestion, piles, inflammation of the spleen, and pain in the chest and liver[272 , 310 ]. It may help to eliminate poisons collected in the system[310 ]. In some parts of India, the fruit is used to blacken teeth, and it is also considered a medicine to prevent and treat toothache[310 , 360 ].

Essential  Fibre  Insecticide  Plant breeding

Other Uses The stem yields a strong and silky fibre, but it is not commercially exploited[310 ]. An ethanolic extract of the leaves and stem has been shown to be significantly toxic against the aphid Myzus persicae infesting cabbage in India[310 ]

Special Uses