Abelmoschus esculentusv Or Hibiscus esculentus: All About Okra or Bhindi
English Names - Gumbo, Lady Finger, Okra.
Ayurvedic Names - Bhaandi, Bhindaka, Bhendaa.
Common Names – Baamiyaa, Vendai, Bhindi, Raamturai.
Health Benefits of Okra (Bhindi):
· Immature pods (decoction) — emollient, demulcent and diuretic (in catarrhal affections, ardor urine, dysuria, dysentery).
· Seeds—antispasmodic.
· Fatty fraction of the fresh watery extract of the seeds causes destruction of cancerous cell growth in vitro. The pods are reported to exhibit antitumour activity. An ethanolic extract of pods was effective against Grampositive bacteria.
· The ripe fruits contain quercetin, hyperin (hyperoside), hydrolysate of precipitated mucilage, proanthocyanidins, D-glucose, D-glucuronic and galacturonic acids.
· Fresh flowers contain flavonol glycosides and anthocyanins.
· Decoction of young okra fruit is used to treat inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially of the respiratory tract, accompanied by excessive secretions.
· Okra juice is used to treat sore throat associated with coughing
· Decoction of okra leaves, fruits and leaves are used to treat urinary problems, such as painful urination and other genitourinary problems including gonorrhea and syphilis.
· Okra leaves and roots used as poultice for wounds
· Okra juice used to treat diarrhea with fever and related abdominal pains
· Okra juice used to treat skin itchiness and as skin moisturizer.
· Okra leaves used for inflammation
· Okra fruits are eaten to treat involuntary discharge of semen
· Roasted okra seeds are used to promote sweating
· Okra seeds are used to treat and prevent muscle spasms
· Decoction of okra is used to treat fever, headache and arthritis.
· Okra is rich in fiber that absorbs water and improves the bulk of stool. Very effective against diarrhea and constipation.
· Okra’s mucilage binds with cholesterol and bile acids and expelled through stool from the body.
· Okra helps in lowering the blood sugar level by blocking the absorption of sugar in the intestinal tract.
· Okra’s mucilage acts as a lubricant and a laxative for the intestinal tract facilitating the easy passage of waste.
· Okra is believed to smoothen the skin and prevent the eruption of pimples and acne.
Nutritional Profile of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentusv)
Okra (raw) | |||
Carbohydrate Factor: 3.57 Fat Factor: 8.37 Protein Factor: 2.44 Nitrogen to Protein Conversion Factor: 6.25 | |||
Refuse: 14% Refuse Description: Crown and tips | |||
Nutrient (Proximates) | Unit | per 100 g | |
Water | g | 89.58 | |
Energy | kcal | 33 | |
Protein | g | 1.93 | |
Total lipid (fat) | g | 0.19 | |
Ash | g | 0.86 | |
Carbohydrate, by difference | g | 7.45 | |
Fiber, total dietary | g | 3.2 | |
Sugars, total | g | 1.48 | |
Sucrose | g | 0.6 | |
Glucose (dextrose) | g | 0.32 | |
Fructose | g | 0.57 | |
Lactose | g | 0 | |
Maltose | g | 0 | |
Galactose | g | 0 | |
Starch | g | 0.34 | |
Minerals | |||
Calcium, Ca | mg | 82 | |
Iron, Fe | mg | 0.62 | |
Magnesium, Mg | mg | 57 | |
Phosphorus, P | mg | 61 | |
Potassium, K | mg | 299 | |
Sodium, Na | mg | 7 | |
Zinc, Zn | mg | 0.58 | |
Copper, Cu | mg | 0.109 | |
Manganese, Mn | mg | 0.788 | |
Selenium, Se | µg | 0.7 | |
Vitamins | |||
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | mg | 23 | |
Thiamin | mg | 0.2 | |
Riboflavin | mg | 0.06 | |
Niacin | mg | 1 | |
Pantothenic acid | mg | 0.245 | |
Vitamin B-6 | mg | 0.215 | |
Folate, total | µg | 60 | |
Folic acid | µg | 0 | |
Folate, food | µg | 60 | |
Folate, DFE | µg | 60 | |
Choline, total | mg | 12.3 | |
Vitamin B-12 | µg | 0 | |
Vitamin B-12, added | µg | 0 | |
Vitamin A, RAE | µg | 36 | |
Retinol | µg | 0 | |
Carotene, beta | µg | 416 | |
Carotene, alpha | µg | 27 | |
Cryptoxanthin, beta | µg | 0 | |
Vitamin A, IU | IU | 716 | |
Lycopene | µg | 0 | |
Lutein + zeaxanthin | µg | 280 | |
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | mg | 0.27 | |
Vitamin E, added | mg | 0 | |
Tocopherol, beta | mg | 0 | |
Tocopherol, gamma | mg | 0.16 | |
Tocopherol, delta | mg | 0 | |
Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | µg | 0 | |
Vitamin D | IU | 0 | |
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | µg | 31.3 | |
Lipids | |||
Fatty acids, total saturated | g | 0.026 | |
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | g | 0.017 | |
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | g | 0.027 | |
Fatty acids, total trans | g | 0 | |
Cholesterol | mg | 0 | |
Phytosterols | mg | 24 | |
Amino Acids | |||
Tryptophan | g | 0.017 | |
Threonine | g | 0.065 | |
Isoleucine | g | 0.069 | |
Leucine | g | 0.105 | |
Lysine | g | 0.081 | |
Methionine | g | 0.021 | |
Cystine | g | 0.019 | |
Phenylalanine | g | 0.065 | |
Tyrosine | g | 0.087 | |
Valine | g | 0.091 | |
Arginine | g | 0.084 | |
Histidine | g | 0.031 | |
Alanine | g | 0.073 | |
Aspartic acid | g | 0.145 | |
Glutamic acid | g | 0.271 | |
Glycine | g | 0.044 | |
Proline | g | 0.045 | |
Serine | g | 0.044 | |
Alcohol, ethyl | g | 0 | |
Caffeine | mg | 0 | |
Theobromine | mg | 0 | |
Flavonoids | |||
Flavonols | |||
Isorhamnetin | mg | 0 | |
Kaempferol | mg |