Kulekhara-leaves 1
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If you are struggling to increase your hemoglobin level and looking for more information on kulekhara leaves, you are on the right page.

Here in this article, we are going to take a dip in –

  • Nutrition of Kulekhara leaves
  • How kulekhara leaves help to improve the haemoglobin level within weeks?
  • What are the other benefits of kulekhara leaves?
  • How to take kulekhara leaves?
  • Who should not consider this leaves?

Kulekhara  –  The other names

  • Scientific name –  Hygrophila auriculata
  • Synonyms – Hygrophila spinosa T., Asteracantha longifolia (L.) (6)
  • Other names – Gokanta (Sanskrit) , Kokilaksha, Gokulakanta, Vayalchulli (Malyali), Neermulli (Tamil), Talimkhana (Hindi), Koilekha (Odiya), Kulekhara (Bengali)

In Ayurveda, all the 5 parts of kulekhara plant – that is roots, stem, leaves, fruit, and flower are used for making medicines.

However this article focus on kulekhara leaves.

Kulekhara leaves 2

Kulekhara leaves: Nutrition

It is neglected, not so popular. However, kulekhara has multiple health benefits. The nutritional profile of the fresh leaves is quite impressive. Table 1 and Table 3 below will give you details of its nutrients.

Table 1: Macronutrient content of fresh Kulekhara leaves

Macronutrients Content (per 100g)
Carbohydrate 12.2 g
Protein 4.69 g
Fat 0.13 g
Fiber 1.80 g
Energy 58.80 kcal

Source – (1) 

Now this table will tell you nothing unless you compare kulekhara with few other common green leafy vegetables. It has been seen the carbohydrate, protein, and fiber content of this leaves are high compared to spinach, amaranth, fenugreek leaves, mustard leaves.

Table 2: Comparison of nutrient content with common greens

Common greens Carbohydrate (g/100g) Protein (g/100g) Fibre (g/100g)
Spinach 2.9 2 0.6
Amaranth 2.0 3.0 1.0
Fenugreek leaves 6.0 4.4 1.1
Mustard leaves 3.3 4.0 0.8
Kulekhara 12.2 4.69 1.80

Source – (1) 

Kulekhara becomes exclusive for health because of the balance in its micronutrient content. It is rich in iron as well as in vitamin C. It is also a rich source of potassium.

Kulekhara

Table 3: Micronutrient content of fresh kulekhara leaves

Micronutrients Content (per 100g)
Sodium 56.1 mg
Potassium 266 mg
Copper 4.87 mg
Calcium 27.93 mg
Iron 7.03 mg
B carotene 2500 ug
Vitamin C 50.08 mg
Riboflavin 102 ug
Folic acid <1.0 ug

Source – (1) 

Not only for macronutrients, the vitamins and minerals specifically iron and vitamin C contents are very high compared to common greens.

Table 4: Comparison of iron and vitamin C content with common greens

Common greens Iron (mg/100g) Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Fenugreek leaves 1.93 52
Coriander leaves 1.42
lettuce 2.4 10
Spinach 1.14 28
Kulekhara 7.03 50.08

Source –  C. Gopalan, Nutritive value of Indian foods,2016

Besides these nutrients, the study suggests the leaves also contain many phytochemicals – alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, oils, etc – which provide the medicinal properties of the leaves.

How kulekhara leaves help to improve the haemoglobin level within weeks?

Kulekhara Leaves 4

 

As per our National Family Health Survey in India, more than 60% of women and children are anemic. That means they lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen all over the body.

Therefore most of the time they experience fatigue, tiredness, sometimes difficulty in breathing, become pale, etc.

The formation of healthy blood is a complex process like any other biological function. Only an iron-rich diet often does not help to improve the situation.

You need a good supply of vitamin C, copper, cobalt, protein along with dietary iron. Most importantly even if you supply the entire ingredients essential for blood formation through diet, you still need clean proper utensils to cook the dish. That means you also need healthy organs for carrying out the reactions and nutrients available in the body when they are needed.

Here in this aspect kulekhara leaves even surprised the scientists. Studies have shown, how giving this leaf extract for 3-4 weeks has improved the health of anemic test animals in the lab.

Many studies have suggested that the leaf extract has significantly increased the hemoglobin level and red blood cell count in lab test animals within 1-3 weeks’ time.

It was noticed that within 2 weeks of giving kulekhara leaf extract –

  • iron availability,
  • iron circulation,
  • total iron binding capacity,
  • transferring (a protein that binds the iron to transport in blood) saturation,
  • serum copper, cobalt concentration,  
  • all these major indicators were significantly improved.

In fact, the total process of formation of new blood cells was stimulated, all the growth factors needed this time were activated. .(2, 3, 4)

Kulekhara was used to treat anemia traditionally. Now studies have backed up this with scientific evidence.

What are the other benefits?

  • Kulekhara leaf extract helps to reduce the blood glucose level. Therefore if you are diabetic you may consider taking this on a regular basis. Studies showed that kulekhara extract increases the level of glutathione –  a chemical that improves insulin sensitivity –  in the body. (5, 6)
  • These leaves have anti-inflammation properties. It helps to prevent and cure inflammation in our bodies. (5)
  • Regular consumption of leaves helps to destroy parasitic worms. The leaf extract has strong antihelminthic activity. (7)
  • The study suggests kulekhara leaves also have antibacterial properties. It can prevent bacterial infestation. (7)
  • It also relieves pain because of its strong analgesic properties. So next time you suffer from any pain, try having some kulekhara leaves.
  • Traditionally kulekhara leaf extract was used to cure diarrhea and dysentery. This has also been proved scientifically. (8)
  • The leaf extract has been shown to possess significant antioxidant properties. Various studies have been conducted with different parts of kulekhara plant. However, it is clear that the leaf extract can be very effective in diseases where free radicals play a crucial role. (9)

How to consume?

Don’t expect that the leaves will taste nice. The leaves are bitter in taste. Therefore be prepared for it and keep no expectations for the taste.

Knowing the endless list of benefits is not enough. If you are actually interested to make a difference, here are 3 easy ways to incorporate these fantastic leaves into your diet.

Kulekhara leave juice –

Kulekhara juice
Kulekhara juice

Items required –

  • Kulekhara leaves
  • Honey
  • Electric mixer/ Mortar pestle
  • Strainer
  • Glass
  • Spoon

How to make?

  • Take one bunch of leaves.
  • Separate it from the branch
  • Wash thoroughly under running water
  • Discard the leaves having white spots at any side
  • Chop the leaves
  • Take a clean electric mixer and put the chopped leaves in it.
  • Add little water to it and grind well
  • Strain the green juice
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the juice in a cup of water
  • Add a tsp of honey to it and serve

How much to kulekhara juice to consume daily?

Take 15-20 ml (1 tablespoon) of this juice twice a day for 2-3 weeks.

Advantage –

Fresh juice therefore very effective to ensure the benefits

Disadvantage –

Time-consuming. It may not be possible to prepare every day.

Have no time? Not getting Kulekhara in the market? Buy Kulekhara juice online following the link –

https://amzn.to/3D2QvI8

Kulekhara tea –

Kulekhara tea
Kulekhara tea

Items required –

  • Kulekhara leaves
  • Water
  • Pot
  • Honey
  • Stove/ gas

How to make?

  • Take one bunch of leaves.
  • Separate it from the branch
  • Wash thoroughly under running water
  • Discard the leaves having white spots at any side
  • Boil a glass of water
  • Add the cleaned leaves to it (3-4 leaves)
  • Boil for few minutes until the water volume reduced to half
  • Strain the water
  • Add 1 tsp of honey to it and serve

How much kulekhara tea to consume daily?

Drink a small cup of tea twice a day.

Advantage –

It is easy to prepare. It will take a maximum of 5 minutes.

Disadvantage –

Vitamin C is heat sensitive. So little nutrient loss is obvious.

Kulekhara leave powder

Kulekhara powder
Kulekhara powder

Items required –

  • Kulekhara leave
  • Clean cloth
  • Pot
  • Gas/ stove
  • Electric mixer

How to make?

  • Take one bunch of leaves.
  • Separate it from the branch
  • Wash thoroughly under running water
  • Discard the leaves having white spots at any side
  • Keep the leaves on a clean cloth for sun dry
  • Allow the leaves to dry for 2-3 days
  • Roast the dry leaves (optional) during monsoon
  • Grind the dry leaves using a mixer.
  • Sieve well  and repeat the grinding process for large leaf particles
  • Collect the powder and store in a clean glass jar

How to use kulekhara leaf powder?

Add half tsp of leaf powder to a cup of water. Add half a teaspoon of honey and drink twice a day.

Advantage –

It is a onetime work then you can have it any time. It can be stored for more than 2 months.

Disadvantage –

It takes some time and patience to prepare a batch of powder.

  • Boiled leaves
  • Leaf powder
 
When not to have Kulekhara ?

Ayurveda suggests, not consuming kulekhara during pregnancy and lactation period.

Bottom line

Local herbs have many nutritional as well as medicinal benefits. Therefore don’t underestimate them. Consider consuming kulekhara leaves for fixing anemia, diabetes, preventing worm infestation, and many more. Try any of the recipes mentioned above at your convenience.

Footnote

Photo courtesy – Ms. Chitralekha Mukherjee, Ph.D. Scholar, University of Calcutta


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Dr. Soma Chakrabarty is based in Hyderabad. She has 15 yrs of working experience in nutrition. She guides people to modify eating behavior and achieve goals for wellness. She believes in a practical diet that helps people to live rather than survive.

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33 Comments

Avarage Rating:
  • 0 / 10
  • Udai Manas Thakur , 10th January 2022 @ 11:53 am

    Very useful..many thanks for educating us..Is it useful for CKD patients…

  • Anjan Joshi , 19th March 2022 @ 12:09 pm

    Is dry leaf have same medicinal value as compare to fresh leaf.

    • Dr. Soma Chakrabarty , 21st March 2022 @ 1:22 pm

      No, the fiber and mineral content increases to many folds in dry leaves.

      • edward quaye , 30th July 2022 @ 10:20 am

        Very educative, will give it a try and also reap the plethora of health benefits and give my testimony later, many thanks Dr. Soma

  • Bikramaditya Roy , 5th July 2022 @ 8:59 am

    KULEKHARA CAN BRING DOWN SUGAR LEVEL AND WEAKEN BODY FOR FEW MINUTES 10-15 MINUTES AFTER CONSUMPTION. I SEEM TO EXPERIENCE IT THAT WAY. I attributed it to Kulekhara. Ami I RIGHT?

    • Dr. Soma Chakrabarty , 5th July 2022 @ 9:26 am

      Every human body is different. One may be sensitive towards a particular food. In that case altering the dose and frequency may help.

    • Anonymous , 12th October 2022 @ 2:05 pm

      Can I drink kulekhara tea on empty stomach?

  • T majumder , 3rd September 2022 @ 5:58 pm

    Can i boil kulekhata leaves for juicing
    And preserve in the fridge

  • Veena , 5th September 2022 @ 1:13 am

    My father is recovering from cancer ,his Platelets and hb are low .can he use the juice you have shared in the link as i have no access to fresh leaves.Thankyou for the information.

  • T majumder , 10th September 2022 @ 5:15 pm

    Does kulekhara reduce bp and sugar

    • Dr. Soma Chakrabarty , 20th September 2022 @ 4:40 pm

      The overall diet and lifestyle modification helps the most to control blood sugar and blood pressure.

  • Lopamudra Shil , 15th September 2022 @ 10:49 am

    During this Covid19 second wave, my entire family got effected, 3 members (Except me). Doctor told there is less hope for survival. Got no admission in hospital.

    The entire self help medical journey at home of those 20 days, if I describe in details. it can be like a book. Three of them are now safe touch wood.

    During this period one Remedy daily, I’m repeating the word ‘Daily’, I use to prepare with this great herb ‘Kulekhara’ gone awesome.
    The recipe –
    Ingredient: Kulekhara Branches as a hole, garlic, butter, water & salt.

    Process: Take Kulekhara Branches as a hole | cut into peaces | Boiled with water & little salt in a pressure cooker or in a pot | Cool it | make it a smooth paste by using grinder | Now take a soup making pot & heat it | add one cube butter to melt | add one tea spoon chopped garlic into it & little fry it for 30 sec | add the kulekhara paste into it | add required qty of water to serve as a thin soup | Boil for 2 minutes & serve hot.

  • Jay ry , 18th October 2022 @ 7:16 pm

    Mam can i consume kulekhara daily? Kulekhara How helpfull for constipation?

  • Anuj gupta , 28th October 2022 @ 11:09 pm

    Is it safe for kidney transplant patients

  • S M , 4th March 2023 @ 6:55 pm

    Gynaecologist suggested kulekhara for my wife who is in her first trimester amd has hemoglobin level of 8.6. However here it shows to avoid. Kindly clarify of possible.

  • AD Roy , 15th April 2023 @ 12:25 pm

    Is it safe for CKD patients who are on dialysis? Please suggest.

  • Sukanta , 8th May 2023 @ 9:05 am

    Mam,
    Can i consume kulekhara leaves raw juice in my whole life & how much?

  • Twinkle Mallik , 19th May 2023 @ 12:26 am

    Ma’am can my 80 yrs old grandfather have kulekhara leaf juice once daily for improving his hemoglobin deficiency?? Although he doesn’t have any issues with his kidneys but just for the safety I’m asking you that would it be safe for his kidneys if he drinks once daily

  • Sushmita Chandra , 21st July 2023 @ 9:24 am

    Does Kulekhara cause constipation like other iron supplements?

  • Priti j nair , 21st August 2023 @ 11:50 am

    Can fatty liver patients consume kule khara ? Is it safe

  • Nisha , 21st September 2023 @ 4:03 pm

    Can Thalassemia trait, consume this leaf?

  • Priyanka Madhukar , 14th February 2024 @ 10:00 am

    My mother is suffering from kidney disease…her haemoglobin is low as 6 and urea is high…can I give this juice?

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