Indigenous treasure vegetables, Rumput Israel (Asystasia gangetica)

Rumput Israel is an indigenous treasure for vegetables.  Based on information from the world vegetable centre, they mention that Rumput Israel (Asystasia gangetica) is one of the promising vegetables for the world. It may come to the reason of high nutrition content from its species. 

According to avrdc.org, mention that Rumput Israel has extremely beta-carotene content if the leaves.  Other health values are high content of vitamin E, vitamin C, Iron, and medium content in riboflavin and calcium.  The Leaves of Rumput Israel also have anti-asthmatic properties.

Some information about Rumput Israel as indigenous treasure vegetables

Local names

Asystasia gangetica has some local names in Indonesia.  Rumput Israel is the most common.  The other names are, Rumput Nyonya, Ara Sungsang, Akar Jalar, and Ruas-Ruas.

Habitat

Rumput Israel can grow almost anywhere in the lowlands, such as roadsides, gardens, parks, forest edges, to residential areas. This plant can also vining in the supporting vegetation. They will grow optimally in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight.

Rumput Israel is invasive species

Popular as weed and one of the invasive species in Indonesia.  Rumput Israel also become an important weed in oil palm and rubber tree plantations.  But sometimes the invasiveness is also useful for groundcover in the plantation.

Indigenous treasure vegetables but known as a forage

People in South East Asia use the leaves as forage for cattle, goats, and sheep.  Goat like the soft and crunchy texture. But, excessive feeding for goats will cause bloat.

Nutrition and phytochemicals content

According to information from uses.plantnet-project.org, 100 grams of Rumput Israel leaves contain 6250 g of beta carotene, 0.19 mg of thiamin, 0.21 mg of riboflavin, 1.0 mg of niacin, and 42 mg of ascorbic acid. The extracts of Rumput Israel also has analgesic and anti-asthmatic properties.

Some studies also reported that the plant contains many active phytochemical compounds. Such as carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, steroidal saponins, flavonoids and triterpenoids, megastigmane glucoside, and asysgangoside.

Medicinal benefits

The phytochemicals compounds of Rumput Israel have anti-inflammatory activity compound. People also use it to treat asthma, bronchitis, stomach problem, cough, and rheumatic symptom.  While the sap is useful to stop a nose bleeding and to relieve of sore neck.  Other study also mention that Rumput Israel also may help to relieve the symptom of arthritis and become anti-diabetic.

Rumput Israel is an indigenous treasure for vegetables

Almost all parts of Rumput Israel is edible.  But people usually use leaves, shoots, stems, and flowers as vegetables.  Even though the root is also edible, but this part is also as the potion for some diseases.  As vegetables, the upper parts are usually boiled or steamed.  Add with the spices or mix with some others vegetables.

Muryanto Paiman

always love to learn from nature.  Passionate on studying plants in some aspects: the DNA, Identification, propagation, and their uses