Chenopodium album L.
Vernacular name: Lamb’s quarters, Bathua (Hindi: बथुआ)
Species Name: Chenopodium album L.
Family: Amaranthaceae
Habit: Annual erect herb
Stem: Erect, branched, 30-150 cm tall, mealy-farinose, grooved.
Leaf: Alternate, triangular-ovate 2-10×1-5 cm, petiolate, irregularly toothed, farinose beneath.
Flowering: Summer-autumn
Flowers: Bracteate axillary spikes/panicles; 5 green petals (absent – 5 sepals petaloid), 5 stamens (anthers oblong), superior ovary (horizontal, compressed).
Fruit: Utricle 1-1.5 mm enclosed in perianth, black horizontal seed
Uses:
- Young leaves and seeds serve as nutrient-rich potherb high in vitamins and minerals and also become a good resource of fodder for livestock and poultry.
- In Nepal, leaves are used to make “masaura” that is used in curries.
- Whole plant provides anthelmintic, laxative, and blood-purifying remedies making it useful to treat intestinal ulcers and constipation.
- Anti-inflammation property help its decoction to soothe arthritis and rheumatism on external application.
- Ayurvedic Vastuka for spleen disorders; European famine food; Hindu ritual cleanser
