Parkia roxburghii, as an important vegetable and medicinal plant

Abstract

Parkia roxburghii is an medium-sized erect rainforest tree. It is an underutilized leguminous medicinal plant and also used an important vegetable in some regions belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is commonly found growing abundantly in the North-eastern regions of India. It is distributed in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Bangladesh, Burma and the Malaysian region.  It is commonly found growing in every house yard, jhums and forests. Parkia roxburghii is an important tree having multidimensional applications, commercial and ecological significance. The flowers, young as well as mature pods, and seeds of this tree are all edible and are all important vegetables. Parkia roxburghii is very beneficial for human health. They are a good source of proteins, fats carbohydrates and minerals and have low fats content with high fiber content.  They have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-proliferative activity, etc.  Parkia roxburghii has several therapeutic properties and are being utilized for treating various ailments.