Water Caltrop

Water Caltrop

Scientific name: Trapa natans

Local/Bangla name: Panifol

Taxonomic Position According to Cronquist (1981)

Economic Importance

Used as edible fruit

The important benefits are:

1. Rich in potassium: It has enough amount of potassium, which helps to counter the effect of sodium and good for lowering blood pressure as well as for your heart. 5 raw water chestnuts have 5% of daily recommended of your potassium intake.
2. Alleviate nausea: the drinking of water chestnut juice is helpful in easing out of nausea. Singhara juice is good for jaundice.
3. Lowers cardiac risks: It helps to lowers down the level of cholesterol and discourages the absorption of carbohydrate. 100 grams of it contains 2 g of fiber.
4. Good for sound sleep: The presence of Vitamin B-6 is good for sleeping as well as alleviating your mood. It produces neurotransmitters that are effective for your mood and sleep.
5. Good for measles: Boiled water of water chestnuts is good for measles patients.
6. Good for thyroid gland:  Due to the presence of iodine, it is effective in the proper functioning of thyroid gland.
7. Hair growth: It has sufficient amount of potassium. It is also having vitamins B and E. All these nutrients are good for healthy hair.
8. Control loose motions: It has cooling effects and acts like as coolant.
9. Anti-viral: The presence of anti-oxidants like poly-phenols and flavonoids , it acts as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-fungal.
10. Good for fetal growth: During pregnancy, it is helpful in the growth and development of fetal.
11. Good for skin: It helps to detoxify the body and gives overall good appearance. The paste of water chestnuts and lemon juice is good to cure eczema.
12. Regulates water retention: It has the balancing effects in the body due to the presence of enough amount of potassium and lower amount of sodium thus helps in regulation of water retention.
13. Cure phlegm: Its juice is good in curing of phlegm.
14. Secretion of mother milk: It is good in the secretion of milk by stimulating the mammary gland.
15. Sore throat: Eating the vegetable is helpful to cure sore throat.