Breynia androgyna, also known askatuk,star gooseberry, orsweet leaf, is a shrub grown in some tropical regions as aleaf vegetable. Its multiple upright stems can reach heights of2.5 meters and bear dark green oval leaves of length5–6 centimetres.
It is native toIndia,Bangladesh,Indochina, southernChina includingHainan,Malesia, andNew Guinea.[2] It inhabits tropical and subtropical humid lowland forests, where it grows on brushy slopes and sunny forest margins from 100 to400 m elevation.[1] It is cultivated up to1,300 m.[3]
It contains high level of provitamin A carotenoids, especially in freshly picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. The more the leaves mature, the higher the nutrient content.[4]
One study has suggested that excessive consumption of uncooked and juiced katuk leaves can cause lung damage due to its high concentrations of thealkaloidpapaverine.[5]
It is one of the most popular leafy vegetables in South and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields andpalatability.[6] It can be cultivated specifically for edible asparagus-like stems using heavy fertilization, this cultivation variant is known as "Sabah vegetable." The stems are otherwise not edible.[7]
In Indonesia, the flowers, leaves, and small purplish fruits ofBreynia androgyna has been consumed and used traditionally since ancient times by the Javanese and Sundanese ethnic groups as the alternative medicine in a form ofJamu (traditional concoction native to Java island, originally formulated by the Javanese) to improve the circulation of blocked breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.[8] Interestingly, according to modern research findings on the efficacy of this herb, indicates that the extract of theBreynia androgyna leaf increases the expression ofprolactin andoxytocin genes 15 to 25 times in breastfeeding mice.[9]
In Vietnam, the shoot tips have been sold in cuisine and used similarly like theasparagus; the locals usually cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make a soup.
Various studies have confirmed thatBreynia androgyna has notable phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities.[10]
Although the exact cause is unknown, an association withbronchiolitis obliterans and the consumption of large quantities of uncookedBreynia androgyna leaves or raw juice leading to lung failure has been reported.[11][12][13]
^abFletcher, Rob."Sauropus androgynus (sweet leaf bush)". The Australian New Crops Newsletter. Archived fromthe original on 5 November 2012.Sauropus has a high level of provita-min A carotenoids, especially in freshly picked leaves, as well as high levels of vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. Nutrient content of the leaves is usually higher in more mature leaves.
^Kao, C.H.; Ho, Y.J.; Wu, C.L.; ChangLai, S.P. (1999). "Using 99mTc-DTPA Radioaerosol Inhalation Lung Scintigraphies to Detect the Lung Injury Induced by ConsumingSauropus androgynus Vegetable and Comparison with Conventional Pulmonary Function Tests".Respiration.66 (1). Karger AG:46–51.doi:10.1159/000029336.PMID9973690.S2CID38378580.
^Padmavathi, P.; Rao, M. Prabhakara (April 1990). "Nutritive value ofSauropus androgynus leaves".Plant Foods for Human Nutrition.40 (2):107–113.doi:10.1007/BF02193767.PMID2385571.S2CID21391484.
^Hutton, Wendy (2004).A Cook's Guide to Asian Vegetables. Singapore: Periplus Editions. pp. 52–53.ISBN0794600786.
