Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Review Article
Available online at www.JGTPS.com

ISSN: 2230-7346
Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume 4, Issue 4, pp -1248-1256, October-December 2013
A REVIEW ON SOUTH INDIAN EDIBLE LEAFY VEGETABLES
Ashok kumar C.K*, ABSTRACT
M. S. Divya Sree,
The overlapping nutritional and medicinal benefits of green leafy vegetables
A. Joshna, provide a better support for human wellbeing. There are hundreds of edible
S. Mohana Lakshmi, herbs which are used in day to day kitchen in different forms. The usages of
D. Satheesh Kumar green leafy vegetables are limited to a specific geographical location. In South
India, several green leafy vegetables like Allmanianodiflora,
Department of Pharmacognosy, Alternantherasessilis, Amaranthuscaudatus,Amaranthuscruentus, Amaranthus
Sree Vidyanikethan College of tricolor, Amaranthusviridis,Basellarubra,Boerhaviadiffusa, Brassica juncea,
Cassia italic, Celosia argentea, Chenopodium album, Cleome gynandra,
Pharmacy, Tirupati, (A.P.) India.
Coriandrum sativum,Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, Digeramuricata, Hibiscus
cannabinus,Hibiscussabdariffa, Hygrophilaauriculata,Hygrophilaauriculata,
Journal of Global Trends in Menthaspicata, Mirabilisjalapa, Moringaoleifera, Murrayakoenigii,
Pharmaceutical Sciences Portulacapilosa, Portulacaquadrifida, Rumexvesicarius, Sesbaniagrandiflora,
Spinaciaoleracea, Tamarindusindica, Trigonellafoenum-graecumare used. The
chemical constituents present in green leafy vegetables are of great
pharmacological or medicinal importance. Phytonutrients present in green leafy
vegetables produce many common health benefits like protection from eye
problems, oxidative stress, iron deficiency etc., Consumption of green leafy
foods benefits human health by improving nutritional status and reducing risks
of specific diseases like diabetes, cancer and hepatotoxicity. The present study is
on reviewing edible leafy vegetables available in South India and their
pharmacological benefits, essential in this modern world to support the benefits
of their consumption.
Keywords: Green leafy vegetables, Pharmacological activities, Health benefits

INTRODUCTION: within the reach of poor man, being richest in

Green leafy vegetables are used since their nutritional value3. The lack of knowledge
ancient periods as source of food as they especially on the nutritive value of these green
contain many nutrients and minerals which are leafy vegetables among the public in general is
helpful in maintaining human health. The health the main drawback in their lower consumption.
and nutrition of expanding world populations Ethno botanists elucidate the
are major upcoming challenges especially in overlapping roles of plants used have both
developing countries. Plant foods are sources of nutritional and therapeutic context to promote
energy, micronutrients and nutrients essential to health andrespond to disease4. The ingestion of
health, in addition to phytochemicals with phytochemicals found intraditional foods has
further health benefits including glycemic direct implications for the well-being of
control, immuno-stimulation or antioxidant people.Plants used for their medicinal attributes
activity1,2. Man has tremendous knowledge on may contain phytochemicals with
edible plants since before civilization. pharmacological and physiological
Traditional vegetables are valuable sources of activitiesGreen leafy vegetables (GLV),
nutrition in rural areas where exotic sp. are not represent an important proportion offoods with
available. Leafy vegetables hold an important medicinal value. Limitedinformation is
place in well-balanced diets. Green leafy available on the medicinal properties
vegetables are the cheapest of all the vegetables associatedwith leafy vegetable consumption in
Address for correspondence South India. Moreover,most ethno-botanical
Ashok kumar. C. K*, Principal, Sree Vidyanikethan studies on leafy vegetables concentrate on wild
College of Pharmacy, Tirupati, (A.P.) India. andweedy species and do not take cultivated
E-mail: [email protected]
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 Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
and managed species (in home gardens and vegetables (GLV) consumption has been
pots, neighborhood trees, protected in reported to contribute to lowering the risk of
fields)into account5. By documenting the age-related cataract. These are known to contain
traditional knowledge of South Indian green antioxidants necessary in neutralizing free
leafy vegetable foods and by describing their radicals which are known human chemical
importance in terms of consumption, we hazards8.Green leafy vegetables have been
highlight health, nutrition and cultivation identified as good sources of natural
relationships with potential impacts. antioxidants such as tocopherols, vitamin C and
Green leafy vegetables (GLV), either locally polyphenols which are responsible for
gathered or cultivated are diversified sources of maintaining good health and protect against
nutrients and phytochemicals. GLV are sources coronary heart diseases and cancer. GLV are the
of nutrients and micronutrients of great interest major sources of lutein and, in developing
to nutritionists such as iron and vitamin C, countries where access to animal food is
which are lacking from staple foods. In restricted, contribute substantially to fighting
addition, GLV are primary sources of lutein and retinol deficiencies by being rich sources of the
6,7
zeaxanthine , which have been identified as provitamineA, β-carotene, not withstanding
important eye protective agents. Green leafy bioavailability issues.
Table 1: List of Green leafy vegetables of south-India and their Pharmacological and Health Benefits

S.
Botanical Name & ( Family) Pharmacological & Health Benefits
No
1 AllmanianodifloraL.(Amaranthaceae)9 Anti-diabetic, Hypolipidemic. Nutritive, appetizer
10,47 Nootropic, Anti-oxidant, Hepato-protective. Nutritive, eye health, appetizer, blood
2 AlternantherasessilisL.(Amaranthaceae)
tonic
3 Amaranthuscaudatus L. (Amaranthaceae)11 Anti-microbial, anti-oxidant. Nutritive, laxative, blood tonic.
4 Amaranthuscruentus L.(Amaranthaceae)12 Anti-oxidant. Nutritive, blood tonic
5 Amaranthus tricolor L.(Amaranthaceae)13 Hepato-protective Nutritive, blood tonic
6 AmaranthusviridisL. (Amaranthaceae)14 Anti-nociceptive, anti-pyretic. Blood tonic
7 BasellarubraL.(Basellaceae)15 Anti-diabetic, Provides beneficial hematological parameters.
8 BoerhaviadiffusaL.(Nyctaginaceae)16 Anti-nociceptive, Hepato-protective, Anti-oxidant, Anti-bacterial, Nutritive
9 Brassica junceaL. (Brassicaceae)17 Analgesic, Hypoglycemic, Wound healing activity, Nutritive, relieves joint pain
Cassia italica(Mill.) Spreng.
10 Anti-oxidant, Nutritive
(Caesalpinaceae)18
Anti-oxidant, Anti-diarrhoeal, Anti-diabetic, Nutritive, increase bile juice, blood
11 Celosia argenteaL.(Amaranthaceae)19,20
tonic
12 Chenopodium album L.(Chenopodiaceae)21,22 Anti-ulcer, anti-nociceptive and Hepato-protective. Nutritive
13 Cleome gynandraL.(Cleomaceae)23,24 Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory. Relieves joint pain
Anti-anxiety activity. Used to increase stamina, it is also recommended to use for
14 Coriandrum sativum L.(Apiaceae)25
Vitamin Deficiency and Disorders.
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne
15 Anti-cancer, Anti-diabetic and Hepato-protective. Nutritive
(Cucurbitaceae)26,48
16 DigeramuricataL. Mart. (Amaranthaceae)27 Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant. Nutritive
17 Hibiscus cannabinusL.(Malvaceae)28 Hypo-cholesterolemic andAnti-oxidant. Blood tonic
18 Hibiscus sabdariffaL.(Malvaceae)29 Anti-nociceptive, Anti-pyretic, Anti-oxidant. Nutritive
Hygrophilaauriculata(Schum.) Hypoglycemic, Hematinic,Anti-oxidant and Hepato-protective. Nutritive, Provides
19
(Acanthaceae)30 body coolness.
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant. Nutritive, Mint helps in eliminating toxins
20 MenthaspicataL.(Lamiaceae)31
from the body.Crushed mint leaves helps in whitening teeth and combat bad breath.
21 Mirabilis jalapaL. (Nyctaginaceae)32 Anti-bacterial and Anti-oxidant. Nutritive
Anti-hyperlipidemia, Anti-cancer, Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant. Nutritive laxative,
22 MoringaoleiferaL.(Moringaceae)33
Relieves joint pain, maintains eye health, blood tonic
Anti-ulcer, Anti-microbial, Cytotoxic activity, Phagocytic activity. Curry leaves
23 MurrayakoenigiiL.Spreng (Rutaceae)34 juice keeps body cool. For children it will be good for bonesand eyes. It will reduce
depression and supplycalcium to brain.
24 PortulacapilosaL. (Portulacaceae)36 Anti-inflammatory, Hypoglycemic. Nutritive
25 PortulacaquadrifidaL.(Portulacaceae)35 Anti-ulcer, Nutritive
26 RumexvesicariusL.(Polygonaceae)38,39 Anti-fungal, Diuretic activity. Nutritive, relieves pain of eye infection.
27 Sesbaniagrandiflora(L.) Poir. (Fabaceae)40 Anti-convulsant activity, Relieves joint pain
28 SpinaciaoleraceaL.(Amaranthaceae)41 Anti-inflammatory activity, Nutritive, blood tonic
29 TamarindusindicaL.(Caesalpinaceae)42 Anti-microbial and Anti-helminthic activity Provides Coolness to body
30 Trigonellafoenum-graecumL.(Fabaceae)43 Anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, Nutritive, blood tonic,

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Table 2: Green leafy vegetables – their Vernacular names, Ecological area of availability and their
Chemical constituents

Ecological area
Botanical name Vernacular names Chemical constituents
of availability
Telugu: Errabadhaku, Gurugaku.
Tamil: Kumattikkirai, Groundnut,
Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins,
Kiraikkummatti. tomato, green
tannins, carbohydrate and essential oils,
Allmaniano English: Node flower Allmania. chillies and
steroids, carbohydrates, carotenoids,
difloraL9. Malayalam: Pee-coipa, Pee- other fields,
anthocyanins
tardavel. ponds as weed
Kannada: Hasirubuddesoppu,
Kandubuddegida.
Proteins, fat, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E,
vitamin K, vitamin B9 (folic acid), riboflavin,
Telugu: Ponnagantaku. niacin, thiamine and minerals such as calcium,
Alternanthera Ponds and
English: Sessile Joy weed and magnesium iron, Kaempherol at a Basella
sessilisL10,47. fields as weed
Dwarf Copper leaf. saponins, amino acid such as arginine, leucine,
isoleucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan,
peptide, phenols
Telugu: Koyagura.
Tomato, green
English: love-lies-
chillies,
Amaranthus bleeding, Pendant Glycosides. Saponins, phenols, proteins and
groundnut and
caudatusL11. Amaranth, Tassel flower, Velvet amino acids.
other fields.
flower, Foxtail amaranth, and
quilete.
Telugu: Thotaku.
English: Blood Amaranth, Red
amaranth, Purple
Amaranthus Tomato, other glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins,
Amaranth, Prince's
cruentusL12. fields carbohydrate and essential oils,
feather and Mexican grain
Amaranth. Marati: Shravanimaath
or Rajgira
Proteins, fat, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E,
vitamin K, vitamin B9 (folic acid), riboflavin,
Telugu: Sirraku,
Tomato, niacin, thiamine and minerals such as calcium,
Amaranthus English: Jacob’s coat
groundnut, ragi magnesium iron, Kaempherol at a basella
tricolorL13. Malayalam: Bayammerah,
and other fields saponins, amino acid such as arginine, leucine,
Bayamkadong
isoleucine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan,
peptide, phenols
Telugu: Dantaku, English: Pig Tomato,
weed, groundnut,
Amaranthus Carotenoids, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and
Bengali : Marissag, green
viridisL14. phenolic acids
shaknatey, chillies and
Hindi : Jangalichaulai other fields
Telugu: Bachalaku,
English: Ceylon Spinach, Indian
Saag, Malabar Spinach, Indian Calcium, iron, vitamins A, B, and C saponins
Spinach, East-Indian Spinach, A, B, C, and D, oleanane-type
Slippery vegetable, Surinam triterpenesoligoglycosides, together with
Basella
Spinach, Malabar nightshade, Vine Fields betavulgaroside 1, spinacoside C and
rubraL15.
spinach., momordinsIIb and Iic, β-carotene, small
French: Baselleblanche, Epinard de amounts of α-carotene s 4-coumaroyl and
Malabar, Brede d'Angola., feruloyl derivatives
Hindi: Poi, Saag.Malayalam:
Remayong, Gendola (Indonesia).
Telugu: Atikimavidaku, Alkaloids punarnavine, rotenoids
Tomato,
Punarnava. (boeravinones A-F), amino acids, lignans
groundnut and
Boerhavia Hindi: Gadha-cand, Shothagn. (liriodendrons), ßsitosterols and tetracosanoic,
other
DiffusaL16. English: Hogweed, Horse purslane, esacosanoic, stearic and ursolic acids.
fields
Pigweed. rotenoids (known as boeravinones (A - F)
Sanskrit: Punarnava, Shothagn, Punarnavoside, a phenolic glycoside, 11,12 C-
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Varshabhu. methyl flavone liriodendrin and
Kannada: Omme. Tamil: syringaresinolmono-β-D-glycoside,
Mukkurttaikkoti. Malayalam: hypoxanthine 9-Larabinose. 15 dihydro iso
Thazhuthama. furoxanthone-borhavine, phytosterols,
Marathi: Gheto, punarnavine and punernavoside, potassium
Ghetula, Punarnava. nitrate, ursolicacid.fatty acids and
Bengali: Punarnova allantoinboerhavin and boerhavic acid,
aegeline, agelinine, rutine, sterol, tannins,
flavonoids, quercetin, volatile oils.
Brassica Telugu: Avalaku, Sassaku. Groundnut Erucic acid, saponins, phenols, fatty acids and
junceaL17. English: Indian Mustard. fields amino acids.
Telugu: Nelathangedu,
Cassia italica Ascorbic acid, saponins, proteins, amino acids
English: Italian senna, Port royal Hills
(Mill.) Spreng18. and minerals.
senna.
Acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and citric
Telugu: Gurugaku, Groundnut,
Celosia acid, solanine, Alpha, β, gamachaconines,
English: Feather cock’s comb, Red tomato, ragi
argenteaL19,20. Minerals, protein and ascorbic acid, oxalic
spinach, Silver cock’s comb. fields.
acid.
Tomato, green
Telugu: Chakrantaku. Alkaloids, apo carotenoids, xyloside,
chillies and
Chenopodium English: Lamb's-quarters, Melde, Limonene (23.2 %), α-terpinyl acetate (13.7
other
album L21,22. Goose foot and fat-hen, %), α- terpinene (12.3 %) and cisascaridole
fields
Hindi: Bathua Orbathuwa (12.2 %)
Telugu: Gabbettaku.
Tomato, Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins,
Sanskrit: Ajagandha,
Cleome groundnut, tannins, carbohydrate and essential oils,
Marathi: Tilavan,
gynandraL23,24. other fields steroids, carbohydrates, carotenoids,
English: Shona cabbage or African
anthocyanins
cabbage.
S-(+)-linalool, mono terpenes, hydrocarbons
viz. α-pinene, limpnene, γ- terpinene, p-
Telugu: Kothimeera. cymene, borneol, citronellol, camphor,
Sanskrit: Dhanayaka, geraniol, geraniol acetate, heterocyclic
Coriandrum Kusthumbari. Commercial components like pyrazine, pyridine, thiazole,
sativumL25. English: Coriander, Collender, cultivation furan and tetra hydrofuran derivatives, iso
Chinese Parsley. coumarins, coriandrin, dihydrocoriandrin,
Hindi: Dhania, Dhanya coriandrons A-E, flavonoids, pthalides,
neochidilide, digustilide phenolic acids and
sterols.
Cucurbita maxima Telugu: Gummadaku. Tannins, saponins, polyphenolics, alkaloids,
Fields
Duchesne26,48 English: Pumpkin, Winter squash. lignans, essential oils and steroids
Telugu: Chenchulaku. Hindi :
Latmahuria, Lesua
Sanskrit : Aranya, Aranyavastuka,
Kunanjara, Kuranjara Groundnut,
English: False amaranth. tomato and
Digera Phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins,
Tamil : ToyaKeerai, KaatuKeerai other
muricataL. Mart27 terpenoids and minimum for saponins.
Kannada: Chenchalisoppu, Goraji fields
playa, Kankalisoppu
Marathi : Gitana, Getna
Bangali : LatamouriFul, Gun
Gutiya
Groundnut,
tomato, green
Hibiscus Telugu: Gongura. Tannins, saponins, polyphenolics, alkaloids,
chillies and
cannabinusL28. English: Kenaf. lignans, essential oils and steroids
other fields.

Telugu: Bendlaku.
Hibiscus Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and tocopherol
English: Indian Sorrel, Red sorrel, Near forests
sabdariffaL29. (Vitamin E), flavonoids, polyphenols.
Jasmine Sorrel.
Telugu: Gorimitaku.
Hygrophila Minerals, protein and ascorbic acid, oxalic acid
Hindi: Gokshur.
auriculata Ponds ,tocopherol and lipids. Ca,Cu , Fe, Mg, K, Na,
Sanskrit: Chattraka, Bhadrakanta.
(Schum.)30 Zn, Lipids, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol
English: Marsh Barbal.
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Mentha Telugu: Pudina. Commercial Phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins,
SpicataL31. English: Spearmint. cultivation terpenoids and minimum for saponins.
Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins,
Telugu: Suryakantamaku.
Mirabilis tannins, carbohydrate and essential oils,
English: Clavillia, Four-o’clocks, Gardens
jalapaL32. steroids, carbohydrates, carotenoids,
Jalap, Maravilla
anthocyanins
4-(4'-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)
Telugu: Munagaku.
benzylisothiocy-anate, 4-(α-L-
English: Horsh-radish tree
rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl isothiocy-anate,
Malayalam: Kacangkelo, Gardens and
Moringa niazimicin, pterygospermin,
Merunggai, ramungai, Lembungai, fields.
oleiferaL33. benzylisothiocyanate and 4-(α-L-
Pemanggai, Sajina, Kachangkelok,
rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl glucosinolate
Kachangkulu, Kachangkelang,
carotenoids (including β-carotene or pro-
Buahkelentang
vitamin A)
Telugu: Karivepaku.
Murraya English: Curry leaf tree. Alkaloid, volatile oil, Glycozoline,
Gardens
koenigiiL.Spreng34 Sanskrit: Kalasakh, Kaidaryah, Xanthotoxin and Sesquiterpine
Surabhini-nimba, Girinimba
Omega-3 fatty acids, gallotannins, kaempferol,
Telugu: Pappaku, Pavillaku.
quercetin, apigenin, α-tocopherols, ascorbic
English: Purslane,
Portulaca Groundnut and acid and glutathione, free oxalic acids, β-
Verdolaga, Pigweed,Little
oleraceaL35. other fields Carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, coumarins,
Hogweed, or Pursley and Moss
flavonoids, mono terpene glycoside and
rose
anthraquinone glycosides
Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins,
Telugu: Chavatapayilaku.
Portulaca Near ponds and tannins, carbohydrate and essential oils,
English: Akulikuli; Hairy
pilosaL36. sandy lands steroids, carbohydrates, carotenoids,
Portulaca
anthocyanins
Fields and
Portulaca Telugu: Esukapayilaku. Alkaloids, astragalin, brevifolin, carboxylic
sandy waste
quadrifidaL37. English: Chicken weed acids, corilagin, cymene, saponins
lands
Minerals, protein and ascorbic acid, oxalic
Rumex Telugu: Chukkaku. Commercially
acid, tocopherol and lipids. Ca, Cu , Fe, Mg,
vesicariusL38,39. English: Bladder Dock grown
K, Na, Zn, Lipids, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol
Acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and citric
acid, solanine, Alpha, β, gamachaconines, and
alpha, beta gamma solaninesSolanidine,
Telugu: Avisaku.
Solanine, beta 2-solamargine, solamargine and
Sesbania English: West Indian Pea, White Commercial
degalactotigonin. five non-saponin namely 6-
grandiflora Dragon tree cultivation &
methoyhydroxycoumarin, syringaresinol-4-O-
L.Poir.40 Bengali: Agusta, Bagphal, Bak, gardens
beta-D-glucopyranoside, pinoresinol-4-O-beta-
Bake
D-glucopyranoside, 3, 4-dihydroxy benzoic
acid (IV), p-hydroxy benzoic acid and 3-
methoxy-4-hydroxyienzoic acid
Spinacia Telugu: Palakura. Commercially Tannins, saponins, polyphenolics, alkaloids,
oleraceaL41. English: Winter Spinach. grown lignans, essential oils and steroids
Telugu: Chintaku.
Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins,
Tamil: Amilam, Puli,
Tamarindus Forest & hilly tannins, carbohydrate and essential oils,
Puliyamaram.
indicaL42. areas steroids, carbohydrates, carotenoids,
Hindi: Amli, Anbli, Imli, Tamrul.
anthocyanins
English: Tamarind.
Amino acid, fatty acid, vitamins, saponins,
folic acid, disogenin, gitogenin, neogitogenin,
homorientinsaponaretin, neogigogenin, and
trigogenin, 4, 5[delta]-cadinene(27.6%), [á]-
Trigonella
Telugu: Menthaku. Commercially cadinol, palmitic acid, linoleic acid oleic acid
foenum-
English: Fenugreek. grown and stearic acid, hexanal, 2-methyl-2-butenal,
graecumL43.
3-octen-2-one, flavonoids, saponins,
polysaccharides, fixed oils: trigonelline,
choline, Quercetin, galactomannan,
polysaccharides.

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MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF GREEN pathway, if any, between GLV consumption
LEAFY VEGETABLES and cataract prevention10.Age-related cataract is
Green leafy vegetables (GLV) offer a cheap but responsible for more than 40% of the world’s
rich source of a number of micronutrients and blindness and occurs principally in developing
other phytochemicals having antioxidant countries. 44% of blindness is attributable to
properties. The potential of 30 GLV in the raw cataract. Common Compounds and minerals
and cooked form as natural antioxidant present in green leafy vegetables that avoid eye
supplements for vegetarian diets was problems are Ascorbic acid (vitamin C),
assessed44.They are the rich sources of pro- Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinol and
vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and minerals provitamin A), Lutein and zeaxanthine,
like calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and Lycopene, Folate, Riboflavin, Niacin,
potassium. Free radicals are generated under a Molybdenum, Selenium and Zinc.Hence it is
number of conditions such as drinking alcohol, evident that diversity of Green leafy vegetable
smoking and exercise. They are, however, often consumption is related with age-related cataract
produced in normal cellular metabolism due to prevention11.A majority of pharmacological
oxidation of bio-molecules for the production of studies on consumption of green leafy
energy to fuel biological processes. However, vegetables reported that the leafy vegetable
the uncontrolled production of oxygen-derived intake is good for health; it acts as a blood
free radicals is involved in the onset of many tonic, joint pain reliever and helps in eye
diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, problem prevention. Xerophthalmia caused by a
cirrhosis and arteriosclerosis as well as in severe vitamin A deficiency is described by
degenerative processes associated with ageing. pathologic dryness of the conjunctiva and
Green leafy vegetables are known to contain cornea. The conjunctiva becomes dry, thick and
antioxidants necessary in neutralizing free wrinkled If untreated, it can lead to corneal
radicals which are known human chemical ulceration and ultimately to blindness as a result
hazards45. of corneal damage. This eye problem of
Signs of blood deficiency include vertigo, xerophthalmia is treated by consumption of
blurred vision or spots before the eyes Green Leafy Vegetables which are rich in
('floaters'), fatigue and lassitude, insomnia, poor vitamin A content.
muscle tone, muscle tightness and cramping,
numbness in the extremities, pallor, dry skin DISCUSSION:
and hair, pale tongue (also lips and nailbeds), Consumption of herbs is as old as human race
poor memory, PMS scanty, difficult or no itself. Green leafy vegetables represent an
menstrual periods, a persistent feeling of cold, excellent component of the habitual diet in the
heart palpitations, and anxiety / nervousness46. tropical and temperate countries. Green leafy
Note that not all of these symptoms need to be vegetables in our country are known to be the
present for the diagnosis of Blood Deficiency to most inexpensive source of several vital
be accurate; often, groups of these symptoms nutrients. Leafy vegetables are appreciated
will appear simultaneously. Iron or blood because they not only supply the protective
deficiency causes anemiawhich is a nutritional nutrients and add variety to a monotonous diet,
disorder afflicting large population groups in but also have an alternative taste, pleasing
the world. It is prevalent amongst vulnerable appearance and aroma20.Oxidative damage
infants, adolescent girls and pregnant women being an important feature of age-related
particularly in populations subsisting largely on cataract. Thexanthophyll, lutein and
plant food sources. Anemia is not having zeaxanthine primarily found in GLV have been
enough iron in the blood. Iron is important since associated with preventive properties. Green
it carries oxygen through the blood to organs, leafy vegetables are also used to combat the
helps produce red blood cells and helps in problem of Iron deficiency or anemia which
general health. Green leafy vegetables help may cause many symptoms like vertigo, blurred
increase iron in the diet and in the blood. vision or spots before the eyes ('floaters'),
The biochemical analysis of lutein and fatigue and lassitude, insomnia, poor muscle
zeaxanthine content of Green Leafy Vegetables tone, muscle tightness and cramping, numbness
will improve the understanding of the causal in the extremities, pallor, dry skin and hair, pale
Ashok Kumar. C. K et al/JGTPS/Volume 4, Issue 4, October-December 2013
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 Journal of Global Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
tongue (also lips and nail beds), poor memory, Nutrition, in press. Johns T, & Sthapit, B. R
PMS, scanty, difficult or no menstrual periods, (2004).
a persistent feeling of cold, heart palpitations, 3. Kuhnlein, H. V., &Receveur, O. (1996).
and anxiety/nervousness27. Dietary change and traditional food systems
Free radicals accumulate when the mechanism of indigenous peoples.Annual Review of
Nutrition, 16, 417- 442.
of antioxidant protection becomes unbalanced.
4. Moeller, S. M., Jacques, P. F., & Blumberg, J.
However, available evidence indicates that B.(2000). The potential role of dietary
reparative processes do not fully eliminate free xanthophylls in cataract and age-related
radical-induced damage of biological macular degeneration.Journal of the
macromolecules27.Thus, a more effective way is American College of Nutrition, 19 (Suppl)(5),
the prevention of oxidant induced damage by 522-527.
reducing the levels of reactive chemical species 5. Palozza, P. &Krinsky, N. I. (1992). Beta-
with unpaired electrons (free radicals) to the carotene and alpha-tocopherol are synergistic
barest minimum and reinforcing natural antioxidants. Archives of Biochemistry and
antioxidant action29.Along with common health Biophysics, 297(1), 184-187.
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