# Palankya

> Palankya (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae) family. Recognized as a nutritious vegetable globally; WHO/FAO recognize spinach in dietary guidelines; not in WHO medicinal plant monographs; listed in Ayurvedic dietary texts (Ahara Varga).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Spinacia oleracea L.
- **Family:** Amaranthaceae (formerly Chenopodiaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Recognized as a nutritious vegetable globally; WHO/FAO recognize spinach in dietary guidelines; not in WHO medicinal plant monographs; listed in Ayurvedic dietary texts (Ahara Varga)

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Palankya |
| Latin/Botanical | *Spinacia oleracea L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Lutein](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#lutein) and [zeaxanthin](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#zeaxanthin) ([carotenoids](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carotenoids))
- Beta-carotene
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (patuletin, spinacetin, jaceidin [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides))
- Phenolic acids (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid)
- [Ecdysterone](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#ecdysterone) (phytoecdysteroid)
- Oxalic acid, [folate](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#folate), iron, and vitamin K

## How does it work?

- Ocular health through lutein and zeaxanthin accumulation in macula, filtering blue light and protecting against age-related macular degeneration
- Anti-cancer activity via glycolipid-mediated inhibition of DNA polymerase and anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism through ecdysterone-mediated modulation of NF-kB pathway and phenolic acid-mediated COX inhibition
- [Neuroprotective](/reference/neuroprotective/) effects via carotenoid and flavonoid-mediated reduction of oxidative stress in neuronal tissue

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Cooling and pitta-pacifying (Pittahara) - validated through confirmed anti-inflammatory and [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) cooling properties
- [Laxative](/reference/laxative/) (Bhedana) - confirmed mild laxative effect through dietary fiber and [magnesium](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#magnesium) content
- Blood builder (Raktavardhaka) - supported by high folate and iron content for hemoglobin synthesis (though iron bioavailability reduced by oxalates)
- Eye health ([Chakshushya](/herb/chakshushya/)) - strongly validated through lutein and zeaxanthin's proven role in macular health and AMD prevention

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Akbari F, Mollaei M, Argani P and others 2024. [Spinacia Oleracea: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential in Persian Medicine and Modern Pharmacology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38549540/). *Current drug discovery technologies*. PMID [38549540](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38549540/) · [doi:10.2174/0115701638275971240201060710](https://doi.org/10.2174/0115701638275971240201060710)  
  Bridged traditional Persian/Ayurvedic uses with modern pharmacology; confirmed cooling, laxative, anti-inflammatory, and [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) properties through scientific evidence.
- Roberts JL, Moreau R 2016. [Functional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) phytochemicals and bioactives](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27353735/). *Food & function*. PMID [27353735](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27353735/) · [doi:10.1039/c6fo00051g](https://doi.org/10.1039/c6fo00051g)  
  Documented functional properties of spinach glycolipids, carotenoids, and phenolics for prevention of inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- High oxalic acid content can contribute to kidney stone formation (calcium oxalate); not recommended in large quantities for patients with hyperoxaluria, gout, or history of kidney stones
- Contains significant vitamin K (anticoagulant drug interaction potential); raw spinach contains higher oxalate levels than cooked; nitrate content may be of concern in infant feeding (methemoglobinemia risk)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna, Capsule, Tablet, Cooked food preparation, Spray-dried powder

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20 mL fresh spinach juice daily; 3-5 g dried powder daily; 500 mg - 1 g concentrated extract daily

**Bioavailability:** Iron from Palankya (spinach) has low bioavailability (2-5%) due to high oxalate content which chelates iron and calcium. Vitamin K (phylloquinone) is well absorbed (~40-60%) especially with dietary fat. Lutein and zeaxanthin show moderate bioavailability (15-30%) enhanced by co-administration with lipids. Beta-carotene bioavailability is 10-25%. Blanching or light cooking reduces oxalate by 30-50% and improves mineral bioavailability.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning or afternoon with meals containing fat for optimal carotenoid absorption. Avoid taking with calcium supplements or dairy simultaneously (oxalate interference). Co-administer with vitamin C source for iron absorption.

**Standardized Extract:** Spray-dried spinach extract (20:1 from fresh) with minimum iron 3%, total [chlorophyll](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#chlorophyll) >1%, lutein >0.5%. Low-oxalate processed extract with residual oxalate <200 mg/100g.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: 4-6 hours refrigerated; Dried powder: 12-18 months; Spray-dried extract: 18-24 months; Capsules: 18-24 months

**Storage:** Fresh leaves/juice: 2-8 deg C, use within hours. Dried products: below 25 deg C, RH <40%, nitrogen-flushed packaging to prevent chlorophyll oxidation. Protect from light. Aluminum-foil laminated pouches recommended.

**Marker Compounds:** Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Beta-carotene, Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1), Iron (as non-heme iron), Folate, Chlorophyll a and b, Oxalic acid (to quantify for safety)

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice extraction by mechanical pressing
- Hot water blanching followed by extraction for reduced oxalate content
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (40-60% ethanol) for flavonoid fraction
- Spray drying of blanched juice with maltodextrin carrier
- Freeze-drying for nutrient-dense powder
- Supercritical CO2 for lutein/carotenoid enrichment

### Synergistic Combinations

- Amalaki (Vitamin C enhances iron absorption from spinach)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer for mineral absorption)
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) (blood building and immune combination)
- Mandoora Bhasma (iron supplementation synergy)
- [Nimbu](/herb/nimbu/)/Lemon juice ([citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid) reduces oxalate-iron binding)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/palankya/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.