HEALTH BENEFITS OF THEBU (costus speciosus)

We are living in a time period with higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases and lots of us are keen to prevent disease occurrence. The meals you take are a very important part, in the prevention of these diseases. As a result people are right now so much interested to know about healthy foods. Eating green leaves in any form has many health benefits. Thebu Leaves (Thebu Kola) is one of those green leaves which are coming to be popular for its health benefits.

AYURVEDA BENEFITS

You should have already heard that Thebu Leaves (Thebu Kola) is good especially for diabetes patient as it can reduce the blood sugar level. Other than that there are many other health benefits of this plant. Thebu Leaves can stimulate appetite, control phlegm and bile, treat skin issues, and control fever and cough. Ayurveda benefits of Thebu plants are not limited to its leaves. Thebu Plant roots are also edible and have their own health benefits. Particularly Thebu root is used in Ayurveda in treating intestinal worms, constipation, wheezing, skin rashes and it has anti-oxidant properties. Also Thebu plants are beneficial to control inflammatory conditions in liver like hepatitis and in lungs like pneumonia.

Nutritional Value of Thebu Leaves:

In 100 grams of Thebu leaves there are 19% Protein; Carbohydrate 44%, Lipids is 4%. The nutritional fibre content of Thebu leaves is 12%. Other than these it is wealthy with mineral like Calcium (2%), Magnesium (2%), Sodium (2%), Potassium (1%) and many vitamins.

THEBU LEAVES SAMBOL

INGREDIENTS – serves 06

Thebu 15 leaves

Onion red sliced 06 numbers

Maldive fish chips ½ teaspoon

Green chilies chopped 02 numbers

Coconut scraped 02 tablespoons

Lime juice 01 tablespoon

Pepper crushed 1/8 teaspoon

Salt to taste

METHOD

Wash the leaves well shred fine put into a stainless steel bowl and leave in the refrigerator. Ten (10) minutes before serving mix with rest of the ingredients, add salt to taste.

PLEASE NOT: If shredded and kept for too long the leaves taste different, sometimes tastes and smells like bar soap.

MATURED STEMS COULD BE HOME GROWN EASILY IN A POT