• Kopatya / कोपऱ्या / Sissoo Spinach / Alternanthera sessilis (L.)
1 1

Kopatya / कोपऱ्या / Sissoo Spinach / Alternanthera sessilis (L.)

Local Name: Kopatya / कोपऱ्या

Common Name: Sissoo Spinach

Botanical Name: Alternanthera sessilis (L.)

Kopatya / कोपऱ्या / Sissoo Spinach / Alternanthera sessilis (L.)

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Wet or damp spots

  • Season of Availability: July-January

  • Geography: Tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World

  • Method of Propagation: Vegetative propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Stem cuttings and divisions

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No

  • Ripe: No

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant

  • As Food: Eaten steamed or boiled; eaten raw in small quantities.

  • As Medicine: Used as an ingredient in kajal; helps with treating haemorrhoids.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Add boiled/steamed leaves to curries and daal; raw leaves used in salads.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: High water content.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Helps in Night Blindness and soothes eyes, Fever reducer, Galactagogue

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Used as an ingredient in kajal; helps with treating haemorrhoids.

Recipes

  • Tribal Recipe: Heat coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and dried red chilis. When dal browns, add onions and salt. Saute till pink. Add leaves, wilt, and add coconut. Cook for 2 minutes and serve.