Kangkong Leaves

 

Kangkong, Kangkung (Ipomoea aquatica) is a semiaquatic, tropical plant that flourishes naturally in water and moist soil. Kangkong is an edible plant harvested as a leaf vegetable. Kangkong thrives in tropical and subtropical regions and is more commonly found in Southeast Asian countries.

Kangkong can grow rapidly spreading through waterways forming floating mats that can block water flow and passage of small water crafts. The USDA categorized kangkong as a “noxius weed” and is included in prohibited aquatic plant list.

Kangkong is a herbaceous trailing shiny vine with milky sap. The stems are hollow, rooting at nodes, usually found trailing in moist soil or floating in aquatic locations. Kangkong leaves are alternate, simple, in the shape of arrow heads about 3–14 cm (1–6 in) long. The hollow vines float on water and the leaves are held above the water line.

Kangkong bears trumpet like flowers whose petals are white or pink-lilac with mauve color at the center. Kangkong has oval or spherical seed pods that contains 1 to 4 gray seeds which may be used for planting.

Kangkong Traditional Medicinal Use

• Kangkong buds, used as poultice to treat skin diseases such as ringworm, athletes foot etc,
  
• Kangkong is used to promote vomiting in poisoning.
  
• Kangkong juice mixed with water are used as cold compress to treat fever.
  
• Juice from boiled kangkong is used to loosen constipation.
  
• Kangkong is also used to treat intestinal worm infestation.
  
• In Indian Ayurveda Medicine, kangkong is used to treat jaundice and liver problems.
  
• Kangkong leaves are used to treat diabetes in pregnant women.
  
• Kangkong is also used as a sedative to promote relaxation and sleep.