Naming |
| 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 |
| Kingdom |
Viridiplantae |
Phylum |
Streptophyta |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
Malvales |
| Family |
Malvaceae |
Genus |
Abelmoschus |
| Species |
esculentus |
NCBI Tax ID |
455045
|
| Organism |
|
|
Characteristics |
| 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: |
(image unavailable)
http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/herb/image/okra_flower.jpg
|
Distribution |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Apis: |
Yes
|
| Pollinator: |
bees; butterflies
|
| Pollen: |
Yes
|
| Pollen Notes: |
abundant pollen; high quality for bees
|
| Nectar: |
Yes
|
| Nectar Notes: |
moderate nectar; attracts pollinator;
|
Other |
| 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
|