A REVIEW ON NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF SHIGRU LEAVES (Moringa oleifera Lam) AND PUNARNAVA (Boerhavia diffusa L. nom.cons.)

Across classical texts of Ayurveda detailed description of different vegetables are mentioned under Shaka varga. The nutritional properties, therapeutic uses and indications of Patra (Leafy vegetables), Pushpa (Flowering vegetables), Phala (Fruiting vegetables), Nala (Stalked vegetables), Kanda (Tuber vegetables) are delineated in Shaka varga. Only a few among these vegetables are being used in day-to-day practice, the reason might be due to the lack of availability or lack of awareness about the nutritional values and therapeutic potential. This article is focused to show the potentiality of Shigru (Moringa oleifera Lam) pa-tra and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L. nom.cons.) which are under-utilised in today’s dietary practice even they are abundantly available.