Water spinach is also known as ‘kangkong’ or ‘swamp cabbage’. In India it is known as ‘paani palak’. Water spinach is full of nutrients and is very beneficial for your skin and brain. It is loaded with water, Vitamin C, iron, Vitamin A and other nutrients. You can have it in the cooked form or raw form in salads and other dishes. Juice of this plant is also consumed. Water spinach is excellent for your health as well as the skin and hair.
Benefits of Water Spinach for Skin:
Anti-ageing benefits:
This vegetable is rich in antioxidants, which can fight against the free radicals that can damage the cells of the body. As a result, the cells become healthy and they have the power to withstand damage caused due to exposure to sun. It also reduces wrinkles and fine lines on the skin, making you look younger.
Treatment of skin diseases:
The buds of this vegetable can be used for treating ringworm, athlete’s foot and so on. Water spinach is also good for treating skin cancer, eczema and psoriasis.
Healing properties:
The healing and detoxifying properties of his vegetable make it very effective for providing relief from itching of the skin and insect bites. Add salt to this vegetable and grind to get its powder. Dab it on the affected area and you will get instant relief.
Rejuvenates skin:
By drinking water spinach juice, you can rejuvenate you skin by flushing out harmful toxins from the body. It is also good for removing pimples and acne. You will have a radiant and healthy skin by consuming this vegetable regularly.
Benefits of Water Spinach for Hair:
Healthy Hair Growth::
To have a healthy scalp and hair, you need to consume a well-balanced and nutritious food. Water spinach is rich in nutrients and therefore beneficial for your hair. It improves hair growth and also improves the quality and texture of your hair.
Spinach Drink for Hair Growth:
By mixing spinach and lettuce juices you can make a drink that will help you get healthy and lustrous hair. Grind spinach and lettuce leaves with a lemon and sieve it to get the juice. Make it tastier by adding lemon juice or spices. Black pepper is good for your hair and also enhances the flavor of the drink. Drink one glass of this juice daily for getting maximum results.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Water Spinach:
Reduces cholesterol:
Consuming water spinach is very beneficial for those who want to reduce cholesterol and lose weight in a natural way. Research made on rats has shown that water spinach can reduce cholesterol levels and triglycerides.
Treatment of jaundice and liver problems:
Water spinach is used in ayurvedic medicine for curing jaundice and problems of the liver. Research has shown that the extract of water spinach has antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties, and offer protection to the liver from chemical induced liver damage due to its modulation of detoxification enzymes.
Useful for treating anemia:
Consuming tender leaves of water spinach is very beneficial for those who suffer from anemia and for the pregnant women who need extra iron. This is because these leaves are rich sources of iron. Iron is a mineral that is very essential for the body as t helps in the formation of hemoglobin.
Treatment of indigestion and constipation:
Water spinach is a rich source of fiber and this makes it great for aiding digestion and preventing various digestive disorders. It has mild laxative properties and this makes it good for those suffering from indigestion and constipation. The juice you get by boiling spinach is very beneficial for loosening constipation. This plant is also good for getting rid of intestinal worms. The latex contained in it is used as a purgative agent.
Anti-diabetic:
By consuming water spinach regularly, you can fight against the oxidative stress caused by diabetes. It is also beneficial for the treatment of diabetes in pregnant women.
Protection against heart diseases:
Water spinach is rich in Vitamins A and C and also in beta-carotene. These are powerful antioxidants and reduce the free radicals that are present in the body. As a result, the cholesterol is prevented from getting oxidized. Oxidized cholesterol may stick to the walls of the blood vessels and can cause blockages in the arteries, leading to heart attack or stroke. This vegetable also contains folate, which has the power to convert homocysteine, which is a chemical that can cause heart attack or stroke when present in high amounts. Magnesium present in water spinach is also good for the heart and helps in lowering blood pressure and `the risk of heart diseases.
Prevention of cancer:
Water spinach is packed with 13 different types of antioxidant compounds. So it is great for preventing cancer. These antioxidants can remove free radicals from the body and help in altering the conditions that are favorable for the multiplication of the cancer cells. As a result, normal cells become stronger and develop well. This vegetable is particularly beneficial for preventing colo-rectal cancer ad stomach cancer, as well as skin and breast cancers.
Good for the eyes:
Vitamin A, carotenoids and lutein are present in high amounts in water spinach. These are very beneficial for the health of the eyes. Spinach is also good for increasing the levels of glutathione, which has an important role in the prevention of cataracts.
Boosts immunity:
This leafy vegetable is loaded with nutrients and is an inexpensive way for boosting your immune system. So, consume this vegetable regularly to increase your immunity power and also for the bones to become strong and healthy. It also removes toxins from the body and provides you a healthy body.
Other benefits:
Other than those mentioned above, water spinach is also good for treating menstrual cramps, ulcers, toothache, nosebleed, launched urination and so on. If you suffer from insomnia, have this vegetable and it will act as a sedative, providing you good sleep. You can treat fever by mixing the juice of this vegetable with water and using this as a cold compress. In case of poisoning, you can use this vegetable to induce vomiting because of its anti-venom properties.
