potaki :

General Use:

Pramehaghna, Agni, Vrna, Raktapitta and Visha Shamana, Kaphaja, Shukraja, Stanyaja, Bala Vardaka, Madahara, Sthulyakara, Nidra Alasya kara, Ruchikara, Truptikara, Vishtambhakara, Vidbedhana, Akanthya, Vrunhana

Therapeutic Uses:

According to Charaka Samhita, Potaki prescribe for in retention of urine and faeces. In case Ama is digesting but still the patient suffers from diarrhea passing stool with retention, pain, mucus and tenesmus in small quantity but frequently the patient should be fed with the soup of Potaki.

 Caraka said that Potaki can be used for alleviates necrosis.

 Caraka says that, Potaki cooked with sesame paste causes diarrhea and in Susruta Samhita mentioned Potaki cures piles, which helps easy elimination of urine and faeces.

Systemic Use:

Basella rubra Leaf used to prevent continuation of bleeding after childbirth .

 Pulped leaves applied to boils, warts, pimples and ulcers to hasten suppuration.

 Sugared juice of leaves is useful for catarrhal afflictions .

 Leaf-juice mixed with butter, is soothing and cooling when applied to burns and scald .

 The leaf juice is a demulcent, used in cases of dysentery.

 Stem and leaves are used as mild laxative, diuretic and antipyretic.

 In India have been used Basella leaves and stem for anticancer such as melanoma, leukemia and oral cancer.

 Ground leaves of Basella alba are rubbed on the human hand to introduce the whole preparation into the animal vagina every morning for the treatment of sterility

The seeds are used as abortifacient .

 The fruit provides dark violet color for food colorant

Root and leaves has been used for the removal of placenta, membranes after birth, stomach pains and increase milk production[

Administration:

leaf juice

Pharmacological:

Leaves are used in constipation, poultice for sores, urticaria, balanitis, gonorrhea, antiviral and dyspepsia. It is also used in poultice local swellings, intestinal complaints etc

The plant is febrifuge; its juice is a safe aperient for pregnant women and a decoction has been used to alleviate/ease labour

Dr Mohamed Rifas

A dual country licensed Ayurveda Physician, currently working in Dubai as Head of Ayurveda and Yoga department. He also works as visiting doctor for Dr Hassan Ayurveda Brain and Spine Specialty Hospital. He is specialized in joint issues, brain and spine related issues and gastrointestinal issues with respect to anxiety.
Doctor profile: Click here