Lady finger – 10 Health benefits of Green vegetable Okra

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Among all the vegetables; Green vegetables is regarded as the most nutritious one and are beneficial for everyone’s diet. Vegetables contain various medicinal and therapeutic agents. There are a large array of laxatives, sedatives and soporific in the vegetable kingdom. Even doctors and dietitians also advise to add ample amount of green vegetables in your diet. They are rich in trace metals, dietary fibres, vitamins, minerals and many other nutritive elements. Here, our concerned topic is on a green vegetable itself. It is none other than Lady finger also called ‘Okra’.

Introduction of Lady finger

Lady-finger is a green vegetable which resembles like a slim finger; that’s why it is called ‘Lady finger’. Commonly, it is also called Okra. It is an annual perennial plant which grows up to 2 metre tall. It blooms as a yellowish-red flower which gets matured into the fruit. The stem and branches are hairy and bears leaves which are 10-20 cm long and broad. It is cultivated throughout the temperate and warm regions. It is widely consumed in India and it abroad regions too. Lady finger is considered as the secret weapon for many kinds of ailments and illness.

Nomenclature of Lady finger

Plant-of-Lady finger
Plant-of-Lady finger

English name- Lady finger Hindi name- Bhindi, Bamia Kingdom- Plantae Botanical name- Abelmoschus esculentus Family- Malvaceae

Nutrition’s in Lady finger

Flower-of-Lady finger
Lady finger-flower

Lady finger is laxative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory in nature. It has many nutritive elements in it as listed below-

  • Sugars
  • Dietary fibres
  • Carbohydrates
  • Water
  • Zinc
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Protein
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, K
  • Magnesium and many more.

Uses of Lady finger

Lady finger is used in various edible way; some of them are listed below;

  • Tender lady fingers are widely used to prepare pickles; after the completion of process its colour turns into yellow and softens.
  • In Japanese culture, slices of Lady finger is often served with sushi.
  • In Indian culture, variety of dishes are prepared using Lady finger like stuffed okra, okra fry, okra gravy and many more.
  • Raw okra is widely used due to its medicinal values; many also prefer it in the raw form .
Stuffed-lady finger-recipe
Stuffed lady finger-recipe

Now,lets move to the most important part of our topic which is; Medicinal values. We prefer this very vegetable as curry, fry and in many other forms. But many of you must not be aware of it medicinal values. This small vegetable contains lots of curative properties in it. Some of them are listed below-

1Good for Diabetes

Diabetes which is also called Blood Sugar or Diabetes Mellitus; is a disease in which the sugar level in blood rises. Lady finger or Okra is a very effective remedy for this. Firstly, Okra being rich in fibres helps to normalize the blood sugar; it absorbs the excessive sugar from blood and balances the level. THere is a remedy which you can apply in case of diabetes which is given as follows;

  • Take 2 tender Okras and cut its head.
  • Take a glass of lukewarm water and dip it from the head side for overnight.
  • Next morning, take out the okras and drink the water.
  • Perform this process on a daily basis; you will observe the result of your own.

2Good for Intestinal disorders

Most of diseases occurs from stomach and intestines. Many are even such which are really incurable. One should include Okras in their daily diet. It is like a nectar for them. Okras acts as a detoxify agent. It binds up the cholesterol and other disorders which helps to keep our intestines safe.  The sticky thing present in Okras lubricates your intestines and keeps it safe and protected from infectious agents. It balances the pH level and also keeps away disordrrs like constipation, acidity, heart burning and many more.

3Friendly for Good Bacteria

As we know, there are two types of bacteria present in body; one results in good consequences whereas other one is simply the harmful one. Okra is like the friend for good ones. It strengthens the amount of good bacteria thus strengthens our immune system. It is very god for a build-up immunity thus it keeps your body safer from all kinds of hazards and ailments.

4Good for Urinary tract

Many of us suffers from ailments and infections related to excretory system or urinary tract. One of the most common is burning sensation while urination. Many of us thinks it as the normal one; but sometimes it can be the symptom of some fatal disease. To cure the burning sensation, one must opt for Okras. It avails frequent urination which simultaneously aids in this very problem. One suffering from this should avoid spicy and heavy foods.

5Lady finger Helps to grow appetite

Those who are internally weak, lean and fatigued; should have okras on a daily basis. It provides you energy and revitalize the body system. If you have just recovered from some illness and feeling weak then under the physician’s advise have okras on a daily basis. It is also good for those suffering from stress and depression. Lady finger is a very good, inexpensive and natural medication for such diseases.

6Good for Joint related disorders

As we cross the age of 50, many of us suffers from joint pains and disorders like that. In such cases, okra remedy works a lot. As discussed earlier, Okra vegetable is rich in Calcium and many other trace metals which are really good for joints. It avoids rickets and osteoporosis and keeps your skeletal system fit.

7Good for Respiratory disorders

Monsoon season has arrived and brings lots of flu’s and illness with it. In Respiratory category, Bronchitis, Asthma and other are common and seen among all. In such cases, one should consume Okras daily. The vitamins and minerals present helps to neutralize the cough and phlegm deposition in throat. Thus it aids in all kinds of respiratory disorders.

8For Bouncy and soft hairs

Okra vegetable acts as the natural hair conditioner. Its regular consumption makes your hairs oft, silky and bouncy. One should include okra in their daily diet in limited amount.  There is also a massaging technique with okras which is very helpful-

  • Take tender okras with 1 litre of water.
  • Boil it till it softens.
  • Now, squeeze lemon in it and apply on your hairs as the hair mask.
  • It conditions your hair and make it look just wow!

9For a Bright skin complexion

Everyone wills to get bright and beautiful skin. for this, we rely to many cosmetics and beauty products still the condition remains the same. In this case, Okra can be very beneficial and useful to you. To keep your skin soft, acne-free, bright and glamorous; add Okra in your diet.

10For Ophthalmic disorders

In the present date, ophthalmic disorders are common among all; even the school kids are also seen with spectacles! Vitamin A is heavily found in Okra vegetable which is very good for eyes. You must have noticed, those who are having weak sight are advised to have ample amount of okras. In many cases, okras are such effective that it treats cataract like problems also. So, everyone should have Okras in there daily diet.

So, in this way we saw how can this cute and little vegetable Lady finger can be so useful. Have it in your daily diet in a limited amount. Take care and live well!

2 Comments

  1. Mohamed nur November 3, 2016
  2. Avatar of Sanjeev Jaiswal Sanjeev Jaiswal July 1, 2019

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