Medicinal Plants

Brassica rapa L.

Pakcoy

Brassicaceae

Location in the garden Vegetable
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Brassica rapa (Pakcoy) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Brassica rapa (Pakcoy) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Brassica rapa (Pakcoy)

Summary

Pakcoy (Brassica rapa) is a biennial herb up to 20-40 cm tall of the Brassicaceae family, native to mountainous areas near the Mediterranean, popular in China before spreading to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. This leafy green is rich in vitamins A, C, and K essential for body health. Pakcoy is believed to help maintain eye and bone health and prevent anemia.

Agroecology

Grows well in lowlands and highlands at elevations of 5-1,200 m above sea level. Pakcoy is suitable for loose loamy, sandy loam soil containing organic matter. Grows optimally in soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Requires an open location with good water drainage and adequate sunlight.

Morphology

  • Root a taproot, root branches elongated round-shaped spreading in all directions.
  • Stem short and jointed.
  • Leaves oval, smooth, green in color, leaf veins resemble mustard greens, thick, stiff, and white petiole.
  • Flowers yellow, long stalk, many-branched. Has 4 petals, sepals, stamens, and 1 pistil.
  • Fruit an elongated hollow pod.
  • Seeds round, small, blackish-brown in color

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (seed).
  • Early-maturing cultivars are harvested at 40-50 days after planting, other cultivars up to 80 days after planting.

Chemical Content

β-carotene, sinapine thiocyanate, afforded β-sitosteryl-3β-glucopyranoside-6-O-fatty acid esters, β-sitosterol, chlorophyll, phytyl fatty acid esters, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, lutein.

Benefits

Boosts immunity, maintains eye and bone health, aids digestion, maintains heart and liver health, prevents anemia, and anticancer.

Local Names

Sawi sendok.

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Preventing anemia in pregnant women from Pakcoy

1. Preventing anemia in pregnant women

  • Take 2 pakcoy heads, 3 garlic cloves, ½ tsp sesame seeds, mineral water as needed, 2 tbsp cooking oil, salt as needed.
  • Cut pakcoy 5 cm long then wash thoroughly, then mince the garlic, sauté with cooking oil, once cooked add the pakcoy, sesame seeds and water, sauté until cooked and ready to eat.
Traditional recipe Juice for bone, eye and digestive tract health from Pakcoy

2. Juice for bone, eye and digestive tract health

  • Wash thoroughly 1 pakcoy head, 1 apple, 1 sunkist orange, 1 tbsp honey.
  • Put all ingredients into a juicer and add the honey.
  • Drink the juice directly without straining.

Reference Sources

  1. Fu R, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Peng T, Chen F. 2016. Hepatoprotection using Brassica rapa var. rapa L. seeds and its bioactive compound, sinapine thiocyanate, for CCl4-induced liver injury. J. Functional Foods 22: 73-81.
  2. Komarudin I. 2018. Pengaruh dosis bohasi ampas tahu dan konsenterasi poc urin kelinci terhadap pertumbuhan tanaman pakcoy (Brassica rapa L.) varietas white dengan sistem vertikultur. UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.
  3. Liantri F. 2018. Pengaruh lama penyinaran dan intensitas cahaya lampu light emiting diodes (LED) pada fase persemaian terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman pakcoy (Brassica rapa L.). Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim. Riau.
  4. Rakow G. 2016. Species Origin and Economic Importance of Brassica, Brassica pp 3-11. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry book series (AGRICULTURE 54). Springer.