Plectranthus esculentus vs Lens culinaris medicinal

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Plectranthus esculentus

Nutritive

Lens culinaris

Nutritive

Description

African edible tuber used as food and medicine by Zulu and other Southern African peoples.

Ancient staple legume used in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for digestive health, anemia, and nutritive support.

Active Compounds

diterpenoids, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid

iron, folate, proteins, flavonoids, polyphenols

Traditional Uses

Food source in Southern African tradition, Digestive support, General tonic

Anemia in Unani medicine, Digestive support, Nutritive tonic, Food for convalescence

Modern Uses

Nutritive food source, Digestive tonic

Iron-rich nutritive, Antioxidant, Blood sugar regulation, Digestive prebiotic

Adult Dosage

Tubers cooked as food

Cooked lentils as food regularly

Contraindications

None significant

Gout - purine content, Kidney stones - oxalate

Side Effects

None documented

Bloating, Purine accumulation in gout

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E