What is Bathua

Bathua

Also Known As: Lamb's quarter, Pigweed, Wild spinach, Melde, White goosefoot, Manure weed, Fat-hen, Vastukah (Sanskrit), Bathuwa (Hindi, Oriya), Paruppukkirai (Tamil), Pappukura (Telegu), Chandanbethu (Bengali), Kaduoma (Kannada), Vastuccira (Malayalam), Chakvit (Konkani), French: anserine blanche; farineuse; chenopode blanc; Portuguese: acarinha-branca; catassol Local Common Names Brazil: ancarinha-branca Denmark: hvidmelet gaasefod Italy: farinaccio; selvatico Norway: meldestokk Japan: akaza; shiroza Finland: jauhosavikka Germany: Gemeiner gansefuss; Weisser Gansefuss India: bathu; bathua; chandan bathua; jhil; kulf; pappu kura; parupu kire; vastuk Netherlands: luismelde South Africa: withondebossie Sweden: svinmalla; vitmalla, Spanish: campo; cenizo; salado; quniqua del quniquilla; yuyo blanco, chual;

Technical Name: Chenopodium album

You can pick from Texas Gaushala.

Description

Bathua is a common weed found in India, as well as in Australia, South Africa, and America. The plant is fast-growing and has arrow-shaped, ridged leaves. The leaves have a wax-like coating on their surface, with a whitish-coloured coat on the underside. In India, especially in the north, bathua leaves are consumed much more, especially during the winter season. The seeds are also valued for their nutrition and are consumed like grains. Bathua has been a food source for several ancient civilizations. Bathua has been popularly consumed since ancient times in Europe, China, and India.

Health benefits

• Bathua leaves are rich in fiber and are considered beneficial for treating digestive conditions such as constipation and hemorrhoids.

• The leaves are beneficial in dealing with dental problems like bad breath and bleeding of gums.

• The leaves contain blood-purifying properties that seem beneficial in treating skin conditions like acne.

Selection Guide

While purchasing Bathua leaves, choose the younger leaves. and also make sure they are firm and dense. When plucking the leaves from the plant, it is best to avoid those growing around commercial farms, as they may be coated with pesticide residues.

Note

Bathua leaves are rich in oxalic acid, which tends to bind with calcium, thereby decreasing the availability of calcium from the diet. Bathua seeds can cause abortion, hence should be avoided during pregnancy. People allergic to pollen may develop allergies to bathua, as it produces a lot of pollen that can result in hay fever.