Survey of Leafy Vegetables / SAKA / SAAG Used in and around Gandhamardan Hills, Nrusinghnath, Bargarh District, Odisha

Food is considered as the ultimate medicine while treating diseases. Green leafy vegetables are inseparable part of Indian food. Saka verga is the Sanskrit name for a group of medicinal plants classified as pot herbs/leafy vegetables which are used as a food supplement /food. These plants are good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers and are inseparable part of Indian diet. The local tribal population around Gandhamardan hills use these leafy herbs as food as well as medicines in various conditions. Most of these Saka verga plants are rich source of Calcium, Manganese, Potassium, Zinc and phosphorous along with multivitamins1. Here an attempt is made to enlist and document every possible saka/leafy vegetable used around Gandhamardan Hills.