Maath Bhaaji / माठ भाजी / Ghetna / Digera muricata (L.) Mart.

Other Names

  • Local Name: Maath Bhaaji / माठ भाजी
  • Common Name: Ghetna
  • Botanical Name: Digera muricata (L.) Mart.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb
  • Occurrence: Disturbed and waste ground
  • Season of Availability: August-September
  • Geography: Eastern Africa through tropical and subtropical Asia to Malaysia and Indonesia
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves
  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No
  • Ripe: N/A
  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant
  • As Food: Can be boiled or made into a sabji; leaf may be cooked as a vegetable.
  • As Medicine: Used internally against digestive system disorders; seeds and flowers are used to treat urinary disorders.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: No
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Yes
  • Pickling: N/A
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Can be boiled or made into a sabji; leaf may be cooked as a vegetable.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Contains vitamin C and vitamin A.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Treatment of Urinary discharges, Digestive ailments

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Used internally against digestive system disorders; seeds and flowers are used to treat urinary disorders.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Saag:
    Boil chopped leaves till they become soft and mesh manually or in a mixer; sauté with hot mustard oil and spices.