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As soon as the rain comes, the thorny green vegetable seen in the markets is considered a treasure of health. The tribals call it the boon of rainy. According to Ayurvedic expert Dr. Sriram Vaidya, Kantola is 50 times more powerful than meat and chicken. Protein, fiber, folic acid, calcium, iron and magnesium are found in plenty in it.
Kantola is a vegetable that is found only during the monsoon days. As soon as the rain showers fall, this thorny green vegetables grow in the fields, hills and forest bushes. Tribals and villagers sell it in their haat-market. Its specialty is that it is available only for a few weeks a year. Because of this, people consider it a boon of rain.
Housewives call the vegetable which makes Kantola quickly. There is also no need to add onion-tomatoes to it. This vegetable is prepared by adding just a little garlic buds and dry spices of the house turmeric, red chillies, coriander. It is light bitter but crushing in taste and its fragrance gives special freshness to those who eaters.
According to Ayurvedic beliefs, the amount of protein in Kantola is so high that it is considered 50 times more powerful than meat, beef and chicken. It contains elements like fiber, folic acid, calcium, magnesium and iron along with protein. This is the reason why tribal people definitely include it in their daily plate.
Kantola is considered a panacea for diseases like health diabetes and obesity. The natural fiber present in it maintains digestion and controls weight. It helps in removing toxin from the body and strengthens immunity. During the rainy days, when infection and seasonal diseases spread, then Kantola works to protect the body from them.
Villagers and tribals believe that Kantola not only gives strength by eating, but it has the ability to neutralize even snake poison. This is the reason why they consider this vegetable to be a medicinal plant and are making it a part of traditional food for their generations.
Nowadays protein powder is being sold at expensive prices in the market. But this indigenous vegetable present in the plate of tribals is no less than any Ayurvedic superfood. Kantola is not only cheap and local but is completely natural and full of health. This is the reason why it is called the desi superfood of the rainy season.
