Corchorus capsularis
StarCorchorus capsularis
Synonyms: Rhizanota cannabina, Corchorus marua, Corchorus cordifolius
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In traditional Indian folk medicine Corchorus capsularis (white jute, 'nalta' / 'Kala shaaka') is used medicinally as well as for food: the mucilaginous leaves are taken as a cooling, soothing (demulcent) preparation for fever, dysentery, piles and urinary complaints and to improve appetite and digestion, and a leaf or root decoction is used against dysentery (comprehensive review of C. capsularis, 2022). The tender leaves and shoots are also widely eaten as a cooked leafy vegetable.
Botanical Description
Corchorus capsularis, white jute, is an erect annual herb of the mallow family reaching two or more metres in height, cultivated across the warm regions of Asia and beyond as one of the two principal sources of jute fibre. The slender, often reddish stems bear alternate, ovate to lance-shaped leaves with finely toothed margins, the lowest pair of teeth at the leaf base typically drawn out into slender bristle-like points. Small yellow flowers with five petals are borne in the leaf axils and develop into the rounded, wrinkled, beaked capsules that distinguish this species from the elongated pods of Corchorus olitorius and give it the epithet capsularis. The capsules split to release numerous small seeds. The bast fibre stripped from the stems is fine and pale, prized for sacking, cordage and textiles. Beyond its fibre, the young leaves and shoots are mucilaginous and are widely eaten as a cooked leafy vegetable, and the plant has a long history of use in traditional Indian medicine.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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