Spinacia oleracea Linn./Spinach/Palak – Properties & Dosage

Abstract

Spinacia oleracea Linn. is an annual leafy vegetable of high nutritional and medicinal value, native to Central and Southwestern Asia. It is cultivated primarily for its tender, succulent leaves. Spinach was introduced to Europe in the fifteenth century and has since become an important dietary component worldwide. In India, it is widely consumed as a winter vegetable due to its adaptability to cool climatic conditions. Spinach thrives as a rabi crop and is generally sown between October and February in tropical and subtropical regions. The crop has a short growth cycle of approximately 30–45 days, allowing early harvesting and efficient crop rotation. Nutrient-demanding crops such as maize and pulses are often grown after Spinach cultivation, which benefit from the improved soil fertility and structure resulting from spinach farming.

Classical References Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Bhavprakash Nighantu Shaaka varga
• Raj Nighantu Mulakadi varga

Scientific Classification Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Subclass: Caryophyllidae
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Sub-family: Chenopodiaceae
• Genus: Spinacia L.
• Species: Spinacia oleracea L.

Synonym Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Palakya – The commonly used Ayurvedic name referring to the leafy nature of the plant.
• Vaastukaakaara – Indicates resemblance to Vaastuka (a leafy vegetable), highlighting its edible greens.
• Churika – Derived from Churi (small knife), suggesting thin, soft, easily cut leaves.
• Chiritachada – Refers to tender, delicate leaves that cook quickly.
• Kshurapatrika – Means “razor-like leaves,” indicating smooth, thin, and sharp-edged leaf shape.
• Suputra – Denotes nourishing and beneficial qualities, especially for strength and vitality.
• Snigdhapatra – Means “unctuous or soft leaves,” pointing to the smooth, succulent texture.
• Graamina – Indicates a plant commonly cultivated or used in rural areas.
• Gramyavallabha – Means “beloved of villagers,” reflecting its popularity as a common dietary vegetable.

Vernacular Names Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Hindi name: Paalak śāka, Pala
• Kannada name: Paalakya
• Bengali name: Paalang śāka
• Marathi name: Palakh, Paalak
• Gujarati name: Paalakhani bhāji
• Tamil name: Vāsaiyilakīrai, Pasalai
• Telugu name: Mathubucchali
• English name: Spinach
• Sanskrit name: Chhūrikā, Paalankikā
• Ayurvedic system: Known as Paalankikā
• Unani system: Known as Paalak
• Siddha system: Known as Vasaiyila-keerai

Habitat Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is believed to have originated in Central and Western Asia, with its wild relatives occurring in regions such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. It is a cool-season crop that grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained soils under full sun to partial shade and moderate temperatures. Spinach spread to China by around 600 AD from its native region, and then reached Europe after the 12th century, and subsequently became cultivated worldwide.

Morphology Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

Spinacia oleracea is a glabrous, erect, annual green herb growing about 30–60 cm in height, with a smooth, cylindrical, hollow, succulent stem that may sometimes appear reddish. The leaves are alternate, simple, thick, and fleshy; the lower leaves are long-petioled and ovate to triangular-hastate with acute lobes, while the upper leaves are smaller and short-petioled or sessile, smooth on both surfaces and deep green in colour. The plant bears small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green unisexual flowers and is dioecious. Male flowers are numerous, sessile, and arranged in long terminal and axillary glomerate spikes, having a four-parted calyx and four stamens with large twin anthers, whereas female flowers are axillary, sessile, and crowded, enclosed in a two-lobed calyx with horn-like projections that later form spines. The fruit is a one-celled, one-valved capsule, often armed with two opposite short horns and crowned by the persistent calyx, enclosing seeds that may be smooth or spiny depending on the variety.

Classical Categorisation Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• According to Bhavprakash Nighantu: Shaaka varga
• According to Raj Nighantu: Mulakadi varga

Ancient Verse Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

पर्लक्या वातला शीता श्मेष्मला भेदिनी गुरुः ।
विष्टम्भिनी मदश्वासपित्तरक्तकफापहा ॥
(Bhavprakash Nighantu Shaaka varga 16)

According to the above shloka, Spinach increases Kapha and Vata, cooling in nature, laxative, heavy to digest, and leads to obstruction. It is helpful in alleviating intoxication, dyspnea (breathlessness), disorders of Pitta and blood.

पालक्यमीषत्कटुकं मधुरं पथ्यशीतलम् ।
रक्तपित्तहरं ग्राहि ज्ञेयं सन्तर्पणं परम् ।।
(Raj Nighantu Mulkadi varga 133)

According to the above shloka, Spinach has a slightly pungent and sweet taste and cold potency. It alleviates Rakta-Pitta (Bleeding disorders). This is astringent and good restorative to the body.

Ayurvedic Properties Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Taste (Rasa)- Slightly Pungent (Katu), Sweet (Madhur), Astringent (Kashaya)
• Physical property (Guna) – Heavy (Guru)
• Potency (Veerya )- Cold Potency (Sheet)
• Effect on tridosha– Increases Vata and Kapha dosha and balances Pitta Dosha

Therapeutic Indications Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Bhedini – Possesses a laxative or purgative action, helping in bowel evacuation.
• Mada – Helps in alleviating intoxication or toxic effects in the body.
• Shwasa – Useful in managing respiratory disorders, especially those associated with aggravated Pitta.
• Raktapitta – Beneficial in bleeding disorders caused by the vitiation of blood and Pitta dosha.

Systemic Actions Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

Internal Uses

• Digestive System: It is beneficial in the management of constipation due to its laxative properties. It is also effective in hepatomegaly, jaundice and intestinal problems.
• Excretory System: It is beneficial in the management of stones.
• Circulatory System: It helps in the case of bleeding disorders.

Chemical Composition Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• Flavonoids: Spinacia oleracea is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, patuletin, spinacetin, jaceidin, and various flavone glucuronides, including 4′-glucuronides and methylenedioxy flavones, contributing to its antioxidant potential.
• Phenolic Compounds: The plant contains important polyphenols like para-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and ortho-coumaric acid.
• Carotenoids: Spinach is a good source of carotenoids, including lutein, β-carotene, violaxanthin, and 9′-(Z)-neoxanthin.
• Vitamins: Spinacia oleracea possesses high levels of vitamins A, C, E, and K, along with folic acid and oxalic acid.
• Minerals: Spinach contains essential minerals such as magnesium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, and potassium.

Actions And Properties Of Various Chemical Constituents Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

Hepatoprotective Activity

Spinach supports liver health through a synergistic action of its specific bioactive compounds. Flavonoids and phenolic acids such as gallic acid, luteolin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid exert strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by scavenging reactive oxygen species and suppressing inflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, thereby reducing liver inflammation and fibrosis. Carotenoids, including lutein, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin, help modulate lipid metabolism, limiting hepatic fat and cholesterol accumulation associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Spinach is also a natural source of glutathione, which enhances hepatic detoxification and cellular protection. Vitamins ascorbic acid (vitamin C), α-tocopherol (vitamin E), and phylloquinone (vitamin K) further reinforce antioxidant defence and support normal liver function, particularly blood coagulation. Additionally, spinach polyphenols activate the NRF2/HO-1 signalling pathway, increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, thereby protecting liver cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Laxative Properties

Spinach promotes healthy bowel movement through the combined action of its fiber, minerals, and high water content. The insoluble dietary fiber, mainly cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, adds bulk to the stool and accelerates intestinal transit, while soluble fiber such as pectin and mucilage absorbs water to form a gel-like mass that softens stools and facilitates easy passage. The presence of magnesium acts as a natural osmotic agent, drawing water into the intestinal lumen and stimulating peristaltic movement of the gut. High water content in spinach supports proper hydration of faecal matter, preventing dryness and hardness. Together, these components improve stool consistency and bowel regularity.

For Intoxication

Spinacia oleracea helps in the management of intoxication through a synergistic detoxifying and antioxidant mechanism driven by its bioactive constituents. Flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin, patuletin, and spinacetin scavenge reactive oxygen species generated during toxic exposure, thereby preventing cellular and hepatic oxidative damage. Phenolic acids, including p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid, exhibit strong anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective actions that reduce toxin-induced tissue injury. Carotenoids like lutein and β-carotene further neutralise free radicals and protect liver cells from oxidative stress. Antioxidant vitamins ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and retinol precursors from β-carotene enhance the body’s endogenous defence systems. Additionally, essential minerals and glutathione directly support detoxification pathways, facilitating toxin elimination and protecting vital organs from intoxication-related damage.

Practical Uses / Health Benefits Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

• A decoction of the whole plant is traditionally used to manage fever associated with inflammation.
• Leaf juice or leaf decoction of palak is consumed in cases of urinary calculi (ashmari).
• The seeds exhibit laxative and cooling properties.
• Palak seeds are used in conditions such as liver inflammation and jaundice.
• The seeds are also beneficial in managing difficulty in breathing.

Incompatible Foods

According to Ayurveda, spinach should not be consumed with milk or taken close to milk intake, as green leafy vegetables are considered incompatible with milk.

Parts Used Of Spinacia Oleracea Linn./ Spinach/ Palak

Conclusion

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable valued for its rich content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and carotenoids. It supports digestion, liver health, detoxification, and antioxidant defence while contributing to overall metabolic and immune balance. From an Ayurvedic perspective, palak exhibits cooling and laxative properties and is traditionally used in conditions like inflammation, urinary disorders, and liver ailments. When consumed appropriately and in compatible combinations, spinach serves as a wholesome dietary component that promotes health and vitality.