Leafy vegetable diversity and their ethnomedicinal uses against gastrointestinal disorders in the Balasore district of Odisha, India

Abstract

With an ever-increasing demand for food due to the population explosion, leafy vegetables play a significant role in mitigating the starvation of the human population. The present study was undertaken to explore the diversity of leafy vegetables consumed by the inhabitants and to document their use for gastric disorders in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. A total of 126 leafy vegetables belonging to 93 genera under 43 families were recorded, which revealed that the local communities consume many wild leafy vegetables. Twenty-five species were reported for their ethnomedicinal claims against gastrointestinal complaints, implying their role in maintaining the good gut health of the local populace. Oxalis corniculata L. is the most cited ethnomedicinal leafy vegetable for gastrointestinal ailment and diarrhea, with a fidelity level of 93.83%. The Factor of informant consensus value was found to be maximum (Fic value 1) in the disease category of peptic ulcer. The findings of the present study reveal that leafy vegetables not only meet the nutritional requirements but also have the potential to fulfill the medicinal demands of humankind. It can be recommended that further investigation could throw light on their efficacy as a suitable nutraceutical.