Family: Fabaceae
Synonyms: Lotus ambiguous, Lotus arvensis, Lotus balticus, Lotus carpetanus, Lotus caucasicus, Lotus komarovii, Lotus major, Lotus olgae, Lotus ruprechtii, Lotus tauricus, Lotus zhegulensis, Lotus japonicus, Lotus frondosus.
Common Name: Bird’s Foot Trefoil
Local Name: Peula ghaa (पीउला घा)
Peula- ghaa is a perennial herb producing numerous decumbent to ascending stems from a taproot. It is very common plant of Western Himalaya found growing in hills between an altitude of 900- 4000 m. Peula- ghaa can grow in a variety of diverse habitats like open slopes, wet grazing grounds, thickets, scrub, damp meadows, dry hill pastures, grassy places, rocky slopes, ravines, roadsides, abandoned fields, cultivated ground and in Pinus plantations.
Peula- ghaa propagate easily with the help of seeds and grows best in well drained sunny habitat. Leaves are with 5 sessile leaflets, but appear as three because lower two leaflets are present at the base of petiole, like stipules and central three held conspicuously above the two, hence the word ‘trefoil’ may be in common name Bird’s Foot Trefoil of this plant .
Above ground parts and young seed pods of peula- ghaa are edible. Seed pods are eaten both raw or cooked in small quantity. These can be cooked in famous Indian dishes poha, momo’s and sambar along with other vegetables. Above ground plant parts are dried and taken in the form of tea or steeped and thoroughly washed to cook as kachru. Tea made of this plant is considered relaxing. Plant is a good source of mineral ions such as Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, S, Zn and Fats 1.
Peula- ghaa is harvested from the wild for local personal use as a food, fodder, medicine and dye by locals of Western Himalaya. Being a member of Fabaceae, it is efficient in fixing atmospheric nitrogen so, it can also be grown as a green manure and soil improver.
All parts of the peula- ghaa plant contain cyanogenic glycosides (hydrogen cyanide) 2. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. This species is polymorphic for cyanogenic glycosides3. Leaves of fresh plants encloses cyanogenic glycosides. When macerated, these cyanogenic glycosides yield little quantities of hydrogen cyanide. However, usually this is not toxic for humans, because the dosage is very small and our body can metabolize cyanide comparatively rapidly 4. In addition, this plant also contains condensed tannins and these are said to enhance the assimilation of protein in the small intestine 5.
Peula- ghaa Plant:
Plant is perennial, prostate-decumbent, glabrous or sparsely hairy herbs, 10- 15 cm tall.
Leaves are with 5 leaflets; leaflets sessile, obovate oblong, 6-12 to 3-6 mm, glabrous, margins ciliate; lowest pair of leaflets at the base of petiole, like stipules.
Flowers are bright yellow, often streaked with red, 1- 1.5 cm long, in 3-6 flowered, axillary, peduncleate umbels. Calyx bell- shaped, 4-8 mm long; teeth longer than tube.
Pods cylindric, straight, 1.5- 2.5 cm long, sparsely hairy, many- seeded.
Edible plant parts of peula- ghaa can be harvested from spring end to beginning of autumn season. Main edible plant part is seed pod so these need to be harvested in sustainable manner by rotating habitat.
Edible Uses:
Seed pods, dried leaves and flowers of peula- ghaa are edible and taken in small amount. Dried plant is usually taken as tea. Tea is considered relaxing and taken to harness rich medicinal value of peula- ghaa. Fresh and dried flowers and leaves can also be cooked in small amount in to a traditional dish kachru along with basen and spices. It is eaten as an evening snack with tomato ketchup or chutney. Seed pods are eaten both raw or cooked. These are used as an excellent addition in cooking of poha, momo’s or sambar with other vegetable.
Tea:
Ingredients:
Peula- ghaa leaves, 5-8 g; mint leaves, 2-3; water, 2 cup amount; sugar, 2 table spoons; lemon juice, 2 tea spoons.
Method:
Mince peula- ghaa and mint leaves and boil with water. Add sugar to it and simmer in low flame for 10 minutes. Strain into tea cups. Add lemon and serve.
Sambar:
It is a popular South Indian dish made with lentil, mix vegetable, tamarinds, spices curry leaves and other herbs. Recipe is not only healthy and nutritious but also tastes delicious, as it is good source of protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant. It can be served with idli, dosa, vada, plainrice or with chapattis.
Ingredient:
Lentils (Arahar dal plus moong dal), chopped vegetable according to taste ( Carrot, beans, ladies finger, pumpkin or some wild seed pods like Senna tora, Lotus corniculata etc) here pods of peula- ghaa are taken along with other vegetable, 250 g; tamarinds, 1 cup amount; curry leaves, 200 g chopped medium sized onion, 2, red or green chilies, 3-4, ajwain ( carom seeds), ¼ tea spoon, turmeric powder, 1/4 table spoon; black pepper, ¼ tea spoon, mint and coriander leaves,1/2 cup amount; salt according to taste.
Method:
Boil chopped vegetable and steam cook lentils till these become soft. Mesh manually or in a mixer. In hot mustard oil saute meshed vegetable and lentils with curry leaves and spices listed above. Add to it tamarinds and cook for five to 10 minutes. Add garam masala and garnish with chopped coriander or mint leaves and serve.
Poha:
Poha is a quick morning breakfast or evening snack prepared from beaten or flat rice flakes, greens. spices, onion, potatoes, peanuts/groundnuts and veggies according to choice.
Ingredients:
Beaten rice flakes, 3 cup amount; finely chopped young leaves, 250 kg; groundnuts,1/2 cup amount; veggies (Seed pods of peula- ghaa, Peas. carrot etc.) , 1-2 cup amount; boiled potato,1-2; mustard oil, 2 table spoons; coriander powder, 1 table spoon; fenugreek powder, ½ table spoon; cumin seed ¼ table spoon; turmeric powder, 1/4 table spoon; curry leaves,1/2 cup amount; red chilies, 2-3; chopped onions 2-4; garlic, 4-5 cloves; ginger paste ½ table spoon and salt according to taste.
Method:
Take flakes in a strainer, pour water over them and rinse quickly. Drain water completely, rinse once more and set aside to soften. Heat oil in a pan and fry peanuts/groundnuts. Remove these and set aside in a plate. Now sauté spices in hot mustard oil in same pan and add peula- ghaa seed pods, cubed potatoes and veggies according to choice. Sauté for a minute. Cook till these are soft. Add poha mix well and cook on a very low flame until turn hot. Squeeze lemon juice. Garnish poha with roasted groundnuts or peanuts and serve with chutney.
Kachru or sosaru:
For preparing a kachru, ingredients required are 250 g above ground parts of peula- ghaa and other greens, 1/2 kg besan (black gram powder) or corn flour. 1 cup amount fresh coriander leaves,1/2 table spoon ajwain, 3-5 green chilies, ½ table spoon turmeric powder, 2-3 chopped onions and salt according to taste
Method:
Make a paste of leaves, flowers, besan or corn flour and spices.
Heat some oil on a flat heating pan. Put this paste over a pan and cook for 15 to 20 minutes then kachru will be ready to serve.
Seek professional advice before treating this plant medicinally.
Medicinal Uses:
Carminative, febrifuge, hypoglycemic, restorative, vermifuge 6. The flowers are antispasmodic, cardiotonic and sedative 7. The root is carminative, febrifuge, restorative and tonic3. The plant is used externally as a local anti-inflammatory compress in all cases of skin inflammation 7.
Other Uses:
Peula- ghaa is used as a fodder and forage plant, It can also be grown as an ornamental plant for its beautiful flowers and as a green manure and soil improver due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. An orange-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers 8. The plant’s extensive root system makes it useful for binding the soil and preventing erosion 9. The plant can be used as bioremediatory to reduce boron and selenium levels in contaminated soils 10.
References:
- https://herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Lotus-Corniculatus-Cid4712
- Cooper, M. R., & Johnson, A. W. (1984). Poisonous plants in Britain and their effects on animals and man. HM Stationery Office.
- Duke, J. A., & Ayensu, E. S. (1985). Medicinal plants of China (Vol. 2). Reference Publications.
- Scriber, J. Mark (1 January 1978). “Cyanogenic Glycosides in Lotus corniculatus. Their Effect upon Growth, Energy Budget, and Nitrogen Utilization of the Southern Armyworm, Spodoptera eridania”. Oecologia. 34 (2): 143–155.
- http://www.grassland.org.nz/publications/nzgrassland_publication_492.pdf
- Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating. - Chiej. R. (1984). Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Komarov, V. L. E. (1936). Flora of the USSR. Flora of the USSR., (6).
- http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home 418
- Banuelos, G. S., Cardon, G., Mackey, B., Ben‐Asher, J., Wu, L.,Beuselinck, P.& Zambrzuski, S. (1992). Boron and SeleniumRemoval in Boron‐Laden Soils by Four Sprinkler Irrigated Plant Species. Journal of Environmental Quality, 22(4), 786-792.
I’m now not positive where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent info I was in search of this information for my mission.
Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.
Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Hello there, You have performed a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Hey there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.
Hello there, You’ve performed an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.
Currently it sounds like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just cool and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Cheers
I believe this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to commentary on few basic things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Good activity, cheers
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
I’ve been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours today, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the internet can be much more useful than ever before.
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a really good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
Currently it looks like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Hi there, You’ve performed an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone that truly knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular given that you surely have the gift.
May I simply just say what a comfort to discover an individual who truly knows what they’re discussing over the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people should check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.
Currently it appears like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Hi there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover somebody that truly knows what they’re talking about online. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
May I simply just say what a comfort to find a person that actually understands what they are discussing on the web. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.
Hey there, You’ve performed an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a very good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never manage to get anything done.
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a really good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
May I simply say what a relief to find a person that actually knows what they are discussing on the internet. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you are not more popular given that you most certainly have the gift.
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover someone that genuinely knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people really need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
Right now it appears like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Right now it seems like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Hi there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and for my part suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this site.
Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody who genuinely understands what they are discussing on the net. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people ought to look at this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
May I simply just say what a relief to find an individual who truly understands what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
Hi there, You’ve performed a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
Hey there, You’ve performed a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone who truly understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you certainly possess the gift.
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
At this time it appears like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a top notch article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover an individual who genuinely understands what they are discussing on the web. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular given that you certainly have the gift.
I do consider all of the ideas you have offered on your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please extend them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say excellent blog!
At this time it sounds like Drupal is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Hello there, You have done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and for my part recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.