PJB-2024-233
THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF WILD EDIBLE VEGETABLES OF NORTH-WESTERN TEMPERATE HIMALAYAS: A REVIEW
Farkhanda Altaf
Abstract
In the realm of nutritional science, the pivotal role of wild vegetables in human diets has endured the test of time, with a burgeoning consensus on their capacity to assuage hunger and offer therapeutic benefits. The present review meticulously examines 17 distinct wild vegetables deeply embedded in the traditional diet of the Kashmiri populace in India, elucidating their noteworthy nutritive values and therapeutic potential, drawing insights from research articles, books, and web-based sources. Despite the agricultural strides witnessed, these wild vegetables, characterized by their cost-effectiveness and ready availability, remain underutilized yet harbor substantial promise for human nutrition and health. These wild vegetables serve as abundant reservoirs of antioxidants, anticarcinogenic agents, antimicrobial compounds, hepatoprotective substances, anti-diabetic elements, and immune enhancers. Integrating and promoting these plant species into human diets could prolong their use and subsequently enhance health outcomes. These wild vegetables are instrumental in addressing different health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatism, dysentery, dyspepsia, gastritis, and urinary disorders. Abundantly available in natural habitats, these plants offer a cost-effective and nutrient-rich source comprising proteins, carbohydrates, iron, essential minerals, and other secondary metabolites. In the context of the present review, an additional focus is placed on investigating the nutritive values of these wild edibles. This facet enhances their significance as a potential alternative source for both medicinal and nutritional requirements. Through a systematic analysis of pertinent research literature, the proximate and mineral compositions of these 17 distinct plant species are vigorously analyzed, thereby shedding light on their therapeutic attributes and delineating the intricate web of nutritional constituents.
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