“Fence plant” that Thai people are familiar with, has many properties, but in foreign countries it is classified as a “dangerous weed”.
“Fence vegetables” that Thai people are familiar with are food and medicine with various properties. However, in foreign countries, they are classified as “dangerous weeds”.
Ivy gourd ( Coccinia grandis) is a plant that many Thai people are familiar with. The stems creep up the walls. The flowers are white and star-shaped. The young fruit is green and will change to bright red when ripe. Many houses like to plant it along the fence because the leaves, shoots, and fruit can be used in various dishes.
But did you know that in foreign countries, this เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย type of morning glory is considered an “ invasive weed ” that causes severe damage to the ecosystem?
Morning glory: an exotic weed that grows day by day
In tropical areas, such as Hawaii , the red-fruited ivy has become an invasive weed that causes significant problems. In a single day, it can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. It is a fast-growing vine that tanglees other plants and blocks out sunlight with its dense canopy of foliage. Its deep, tuberous roots are difficult to eradicate and do not respond to common herbicides.
The plant is easily propagated from roots, stem cuttings or cuttings, and birds can carry the seeds far from the planting area. It grows in almost any type of soil, even along roadsides and in wastelands. It can grow without natural enemies, making it an invasive weed in non-native areas. Today, biological control methods from its native Africa have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands to control the plant. This is why ivy gourd has become a natural threat in many countries.
For Thai people, morning glory is a top-quality herb.
Although it is considered a threat in some countries, in Thailand, morning glory is considered a local vegetable with many properties, both delicious and beneficial.
- Young fruit : Crispy, delicious, tastes similar to cucumber. Used in curry or soup.
- Ripe fruit : can be eaten raw or stewed with other vegetables.
- Young leaves-young shoots : blanched, boiled, stir-fried
Benefits of Ivy Gourd
10 Possible Health Benefits of Morning Glory
- Control blood sugar levels. Lowering blood sugar levels is important in managing diabetes and reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Morning glory contains alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes and beta-carotene that work together to lower blood sugar.
- The dietary fiber in ivy gourd helps slow down the absorption of glucose, preventing a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
- Animal studies have found that pectin in ivy gourd helps increase glycogen in the liver, which stores sugar, and also slows down the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase, which breaks down glycogen into glucose, thus releasing less sugar into the bloodstream.
- Helps in weight management. Proper calorie control helps in weight loss .
- Morning glory is low in calories.
- The dietary fiber in ivy gourd helps you feel full, reduces your appetite and controls the amount of calories you consume.
3.Antioxidant properties Oxidative stress damages cells, especially free radicals, leading to diseases such as inflammation, aging, and cancer or heart disease.
- Morning glory is high in antioxidants due to its high content of glycosides and flavonoids.
- These substances help protect cells from damage.
- Research has found that extracts from ivy gourd can slow down the division of certain types of cancer cells.
- Anti-inflammatory properties Chronic inflammation is associated with diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Ivy gourd contains many natural anti-inflammatory compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars and triterpenoids.
- There is evidence that a 60% methanol extract of Ivy gourd fruits has a stronger anti-inflammatory activity than diclofenac.
- Promotes Liver Health: Consuming ivy gourd may help reverse early stages of liver damage, such as stage 1 fatty liver.
- Animal studies have found that ivy gourd protects the liver from harmful chemicals.
- It has a positive effect on liver enzyme levels, bilirubin and antioxidants and reduces oxidative stress.
- Protect your brain from Alzheimer’s disease. The active compounds in ivy gourd are believed to protect the nervous system.
- There is some evidence that ivy gourd may help reduce the severity and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The enzyme acetylcholinesterase is the main target for treatment of this disease.
- Phytochemicals in Ivy gourd, such as β-sitosterol, pectin, retinol, and taraserone, have the ability to efficiently bind to this enzyme.
- Antibacterial properties: Ivy gourd contains antibacterial agents from flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids.
- Research shows that extracts from the fruit of Ivy gourd can inhibit the growth of several pathogenic bacteria.
- Support the use of morning glory in herbal formulas to treat infectious diseases.
8.Eliminate worms : Morning glory has the effect of eliminating worms such as tapeworms and roundworms.
- Research has found that morning glory can paralyze and kill parasites.
- Traditional medicine has long used ivy gourd to eliminate parasites.
- Relieves coughing. Morning glory has anti-cough properties.
- Traditional medicine practitioners often use ivy gourd to relieve coughing and calm the respiratory tract.
- The fruit of the Indian gooseberry contains flavonoids, saponins and tannins, which help reduce coughing and relieve respiratory irritation.
- Prevent constipation. Morning glory helps improve the digestive system.
- The dietary fiber in morning glory helps increase the bulk in the intestines and promotes regular bowel movements, reducing the problem of constipation.
Morning glory and Thai wisdom in herbal medicine
In traditional Thai medicine, morning glory has many medicinal properties.
- Leaves – Relieve heat, remove toxins, relieve itching, eye pain, red eyes, prevent anemia.
- Roots – Treat eye diseases, treat inflammation.
- Vine – used to remove toxins and treat eye diseases.
- Whole plant – Cures skin diseases, cancer, heart disease and lowers blood sugar.