Naming |
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| Botanical Name: | Abelmoschus esculentus | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Names: | okra; Lady's Fingers; Gumbo; Bhindi; Bamia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Key Name: | Okra | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Parts Used: | pods; seeds; leaves; roots | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sister Plants: | Hibiscus sabdariffa; Gossypium herbaceum; Alcea rosea | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Comments: | Annual herb cultivated for edible Pods; rich in mucilage; used in various cuisines and traditional medicines | ||||||||||||||||||||
Taxonomy |
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Characteristics |
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| Identifying Character: | Tall herbaceous plant up to 2m; palmately lobed Leaves; large yellow flowers with red centers; elongated green Pods with ridges | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stem: | Erect; branched; 1-2m tall; slightly hairy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leaves: | Alternate; palmately lobed; 5-7 lobes; serrated edges; hairy underside | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Flowers: | Solitary; axillary; yellow petals with dark red center; 5-8cm diameter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit: | Elongated capsule; 10-20cm long; ribbed; contains many seeds; green turning brown | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taste: | Mildly Bitter; Mucilaginous | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Odour: | Mild; earthy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Root: | Taproot; fibrous | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Image: |
Okra
Wikipedia
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Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Native to Africa; widely cultivated in tropics and subtropics; Asia; Americas; Middle East | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cultivation: | Warm season crop; well-drained sandy loam; full Sun; pH 6-7; seed sowing in spring; spacing 30-60cm | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Harvest: | Pods harvested 50-60 days after planting; when 5-10cm long; regular picking to encourage production | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Allopathic: nutritional supplement; Herbal: Demulcent; emollient; Diuretic; Laxative; TCM: Clears heat; moistens intestines; Ayurvedic: cooling; pacifies pitta; Naturopathic: supports digestion; blood sugar regulation; HOMEOPATHIC: Anti-inflammatory | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Uses: | Allopathic: management of Diabetes; constipation relief; Herbal: treatment of Dysentery; Ulcers; respiratory issues; TCM: for dry cough; constipation; Ayurvedic: for Urinary disorders; inflammation; Naturopathic: cholesterol lowering; Immune support; HOMEOPATHIC: for skin conditions; joint pain | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituents: | Mucilage; Polysaccharides; Flavonoids; quercetin; Kaempferol">Kaempferol; vitamins; vitamin A">vitamin A; Vitamin C; vitamin K">vitamin K; thiamine">thiamine; folate; minerals; magnesium; potassium; Calcium; Iron; fiber; protein">protein; Lectins">Lectins; Tannins; Saponins | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Solvents: | Water; alcohol; for extracts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dosage: | Pods: 100-200g fresh daily; Decoction: 10-20g dried root/leaves; Consult practitioner; for specific uses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Administration: | Eaten fresh/cooked; decoctions: infusions; capsules from seeds | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Formulas: | Often combined with marshmallow; in herbal teas for Demulcent effects; In TCM: with licorice; for throat issues. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contra Indications: | Allopathic: none major; Herbal: avoid in Kidney Stones due to oxalates; TCM: caution in spleen deficiency; Ayurvedic: not for kapha excess; Naturopathic: monitor blood sugar; HOMEOPATHIC: individualize | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preparation: | Allopathic: dietary intake; Herbal: Decoction; infusion; powder; TCM: stir-fried; soup; Ayurvedic: juice; paste; Naturopathic: steamed Pods; supplement; HOMEOPATHIC: tincture | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese: | Deng Huang Kuo; clears summer heat; moistens dryness | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Veterinary: | Allopathic: nutritional; Herbal: for Digestive upset in livestock; TCM: cooling for heat stress; Ayurvedic: not specified; Naturopathic: fiber source; HOMEOPATHIC: for Colic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeopathic: | dilution for inflammatory conditions; Digestive aid | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pollinator: | bees; butterflies | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pollen: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pollen Notes: | abundant pollen; high quality for bees | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nectar: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nectar Notes: | moderate nectar; attracts pollinator; | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | fiber production; ornamental | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Culinary Uses: | Pods in soups; stews; gumbos; fried; pickled; seeds roasted as coffee substitutes; | ||||||||||||||||||||
| History: | Originated in Ethiopia; spread via slave trade to Americas; cultivated for 3000+ years; staple in African; Indian; Southern US cuisines | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference: | Herbs For Health [AI correction]: Wikipedia, USDA Plants Database, Botanical.com [AI correction]: Herbs For Health, Wikipedia, USDA Plants Database, Botanical.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
| URL: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abelmoschus_esculentus | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Share: | Public | ||||||||||||||||||||
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