A Comprehensive Review on the Nutraceutical, Pharmacological, Ethnobotanical and Commercial Importance of Underutilized Herb - Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott

Abstract

Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott [Araceae], which is popularly known as ‘Bengal Arum’ is an underutilized herb with important nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Ash, Crude Fibre, vitamin-B1 & C, folic acid, sterols, β-sitosterol etc. Fe contents are fairly higher than Spinacia oleracea L. Plant is widely used for its medicinal value (in piles, inflammation, respiratory ailments etc.) and as an ethnobotanically important herb in many parts of India since time immemorial. In West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and some other parts of India, this herb is widely consumed as wild green-vegetable in rural areas. In spite of having wide range of beneficial properties for human, also easily available and pocket friendly vegetable; till date it is a neglected herb in urban areas. So, the present communication fully unlocks its potential as a mainstream dietary component; comprehensively explores nutraceutical & medicinal values and highlights its ethnobotanical importance for sustainable utilization in order to provide a holistic, up-to date understanding; and draw larger attention of local and vulnerable sections of the communities to explore it as a source of food which can combat micronutrient malnutrition to overcome the nutritional disorders and efficiently generate green-livelihood at mass level.