#kulekhara

The Kulekhara Plant - Nature's Green Gift. Kulekhara (Hygrophila auriculata) is an extraordinary medicinal herb which is widely distributed in India, particularly West Bengal. Kulekhara is well known for its use in increasing hemoglobin levels and is thus helpful for people with anemia. It is also well known for strengthening the liver and purifying blood. This hardy green plant prefers moist soil and needs little attention, making it ideal for home gardens. In herbal medicine, the leaves are traditionally boiled for a tonic. At Gachwala, we offer you the Kulekhara plant and seeds so that you can enjoy the benefits straight from your garden. Support your health naturally with this timeless herbal treasure.

It has been often observed that the deficiency of certain important elements has a considerable effect on the overall working of the human body.Iron is an important element which is required by almost all living organisms to function properly.The function of Iron in our body is multi- dimensional. It helps the red blood cells to transmit oxygen to all parts of the body. It is also necessary for transporting electron and synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid. About 70% of iron present in the body is found in hemoglobin and myoglobin. Moreover, a large number of enzymes in our body requires iron as a cofactor to operate properly. ( www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999603/)

History reveals that even in the ancient time’s people had recognized the importance of iron in the proper functioning of the human body.In the year 1932, it was finally proved that iron was needed for hemoglobin synthesis.It was always regarded as one of the most common causes of anemia.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999603/)

Iron deficiency is a condition that results from too little iron in our body.Iron deficiency is a concern because: • Iron deficiency can lead to delay in normal motor function in infants • Deficiency in iron can cause fatigue, memory and even affect mental functions • Overall fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath • Poor appetite, cold hands, and feet are also common sign of iron deficiency

There are, however, many common reasons for the people to need iron like: • Children in their growing up years need more iron than what is available from their normal diet • Pregnant women are also advised to take iron supplements • Sometimes people lose iron from their body because of some chronic disease and are in need of iron.

How is iron deficiency treated?

To correct the deficiency of iron in the human body, certain strategies need to be adopted. • Food Diversification: Some crucial dietary changes like consuming iron rich fruits and vegetables. Dark green leafy vegetables, cereals and bread with extra iron, meat, and pulses should be consumed to increase the intake of iron. • Consuming food reach in Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid helps in the absorption of iron in the intestines. Thus eating foods enriched with vitamin C can help in the prevention of iron deficiency. • There are various herbs available naturally that bring about wonderful results to the human body. • Branolia Chemical Works uses herbs like Kulekhara, Ashwagandha, Nagkesar is few of the best-known antidote available naturally to fight iron deficiency. The herb Kulekhara (Hygrohila Spinosa), was tested and was found to increase red blood cell count and WBC in rodents. (Gomes, Manika Das an SC Dasgupta, Department of Physiology, the University of Calcutta, Published in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 39, April 2001, pp 381-382, “Haematinic effect of Hygrohila Spinosa on experimental rodents”.)

Steps to control iron-deficiency in Odisha

Kulekhara herb is a missed opportunity for bringing in nutrition security to the poorest and the marginalized. Kulekhara grows in the wild in most parts of the country and is a very hardy plant. However, despite its easy availability and high nutritional value, Kulekhara remains unknown and unheralded to the majority of Indians despite its potential. It’s almost akin to relegating Einstein to teach mathematics in a primary school.

Kulekhara or, Hygrophila auriculata is known by local names; In Bengali, it is called kulekhara, In Sanskrit Ikshugandha, Kokilaksha and in Hindi Talimakhana. It is a spiny bush and is common throughout India. Though the whole plant has been used medicinally root & leaves are used more. Ayurveda texts cite its efficacy in skin diseases, dropsy, and sleeplessness. It is found useful against renal stones too. The plant is used as a demulcent, aphrodisiac, diuretic, urinary tonic and hepatoprotective substance. Its biggest claim to fame is using for increasing Haemoglobin in blood.

A.Gomes et al. (2001) studied the effect of ethanolic extract of Kulekhara leaves on male albino rats. The result of this study showed the significantly increased of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC and total WBC counts and the Total Iron Binding Capacity in male albino anemic rats.

Mukherjee and Dutta De (2017) in a seminal piece of work studied the mineral content in Kulekhara leaves. These results confirm Kulekhara’s pre-eminent position as high on nutrition levels.

When we compare Kulekhara with other more popular leafy herbs like spinach, Ipomoea, bottle gourd and amaranth leaf, Kulekhara emerges as a clear winner on many counts. A comparison of the mineral nutrient content of Kulekhara as compared to other herbs is given below:

Spinach is a household food item with many recipes based on Spinach being available. However, Kulekhara in many of the nutrient content is better than Spinach. For iron, copper and vitamin C, Kulekhara beats Spinach hands down. Unfortunately, Kulekhara has not achieved the required importance in the kitchen of Indian households to the extent Spinach has.

We at Branolia strongly believe that including Kulekhara in the midday meals of schools and Anganwadi (ICDS) centers across the country may be seriously considered. It grows everywhere, it is cheap and it is a great source of micronutrients, which is required for brain development in the growing years of children.

Branolia’s Kulerron packs the goodness of Kulekhara leaves and root, to bring to you not only micronutrients of the leaves but nutrients found in the Kulekhara root including alkaloid, Phytosterol, Potassium Salt of Oxalic Acid, Diastase, Protease and Essential Oil.