Botanical Name
– Hibiscus esculentus
Family Name
– Malvaceae
Identification no :SDACH/HG/304
Vernacular Names
– Hindi: (Bhindi)
– Bengali: (Dheros)
– Tamil: (Vendakkai)
– Telugu:(Benda)
– English: Okra, Lady’s Finger, Gumbo
Synonyms
“भिण्डिका तिक्ततुण्डी च, दीर्घफला सुतिक्तिका।
श्लेष्मला मधुरा पाके, वातपित्तहरा परा॥”
Classification in Ayurvedic Texts
– Charaka Samhita:
– Shaka Varga
– Shramahara
– Sushruta Samhita:
– Patolaadi Gana
– Vagbhata:Classified under Shaka Varga
– Bhavaprakash Nighantu:Shaka Varga
Habitat & Distribution
– Native: Tropical Africa
– Cultivated: Throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
– Major Producers: India, Nigeria, Sudan
Morphology
Plant: Annual herb, 1-2 m tall
– Leaves: Palmate, 5-7 lobed, hairy
– Flowers: Yellow with purple center
– Fruit: Pentagonal capsule, 5-15 cm long
– Seeds: Numerous, round, white/grey
Varieties
1. Green pod varieties
2. Red pod varieties (Anthocyanin-rich)
Substitute/Adulterant
– Substitute: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) calyces
– Adulterant: Artificial thickening agents mimicking okra mucilage
Phytochemicals
– Mucilage(Rich in polysaccharides)
– Flavonoids: Quercetin, myricetin
– Phenolic compounds
– Vitamins: A, C, K
– Minerals: Calcium, magnesium
Rasapanchaka
Rasa -Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Guna – Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctuous)
Virya – Shita (Cooling)
Vipaka – Madhura (Sweet)
Prabhava – Shleshmala (Mucilaginous)
Dosha Shamaka| Pacifies **Pitta* and *Vata, may increase Kapha
Karma (Pharmacological Actions)
– Rogaghnata:
– Demulcentlaxative, anti-diabetic
– Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier)
– Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory)
Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic Uses)
External Uses:
– Wound healing: Leaf paste application
– Skin conditions: Mucilage as emollient
Internal Uses:
– Diabetes:* Regular consumption of okra water
– Gastritis:* Mucilage as stomach coatant
– Constipation:* Mild laxative effect
Part Used
– Fruit (Pods) (Primary), Leaves, Seeds
Dose
– Fresh pods: 50-100 g as vegetable
– Powder:3-6 g
– Okra water:30-50 ml
Yoga/Formulations
1. Bhindyadi Churna (For digestive disorders)
2. Shleshmahara Yoga (As mucilage base)
3. Pramehaghna Kashaya (In diabetes formulations)
IUCN Status
-Not Evaluated (NE)
Research Updates
1. 2023: Journal of Ethnopharmacology – Confirmed anti-diabetic effects through α-glucosidase inhibition
2. 2022: Food Chemistry – Identified novel mucilage polysaccharides with prebiotic potential
3. 2021: Phytotherapy Research – Demonstrated *hepatoprotective* effects against fatty liver disease
