Basella Alba

Basella Alba is an edible perennial vine, which grows leaves that look like spinach. It is usually found in tropical parts of the world including Asia and Africa. It is used as a leaf vegetable, and you may have heard of it referred to as a 'creeping spinach' or 'vine spinach'. Although it is native to New Guinea and Southeast Asia, it is naturalized in China, Africa and parts of Central and South America. It is a very fast growing vine reaching over 30 feet in length, and the leaves are heart shaped and edible. Although, as mentioned, the leaves look like spinach, it is not in any way related to the true spinach family. Medically, Basella Alba has many health benefits which can benefit bodybuilders and athletes alike.

Fig 1. Basella Alba plant

Use in Food

You may have eaten Basella if you like international cuisine or have family from around the world that cooks different dishes. If you have eaten Filipino food, you may know a dish called utan, which is made with Basella leaves served over rice. It can be used in soups, stir fries, and salads. In the US, if you visit Chinese, Indian, or Korean markets they may carry it.

Health Benefits

We all know that green leafy vegetables are full of vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals, which we need in our diet to be healthy. The healing properties of anti-oxidants will help keep you healthy in the gym and speed up recovery. The extra fiber will keep your bowel movements healthy to prevent stomach issues. Basella has an incredible amount of vitamins A and C, even more than conventional spinach. Minerals such as potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium all help keep organ health strong and the iron helps keep bones and the body strong, so you can keep hammering away in the gym. When running anabolic steroids, it is normal to have organ strain especially with the heart, Basella will help keep your heart stronger, so it is a huge advantage when you run it during any steroid cycle.

Anabolic Steroid Use and HPTA Effects

When a person uses anabolic steroids, their pituitary glands cease releasing LH which is needed to stimulate the leydig cells into producing the male hormone testosterone. This can leave a person depressed with low libido after cycle. In addition, gains will quickly diminish without testosterone, so it is crucial we run a post cycle therapy. Adding Basella to your PCT, you can help speed up recovery.

There are studies done that show that Basella actually helps stimulate leydig cells into producing testosterone in the testes. Leydig cells within the HPTA are like the motor in your car, if it does not work well then your car will stall and break down. Basella Alba will help get the engine roaring again as part of a complete post cycle therapy.

Sexual Benefits

Researchers in one study concluded that the traditional use of Basella in the treatment of male infertility and sexual asthenia helps balance out androgens and estrogens in the male body, thus boosting libido. During post cycle therapy, many steroid users complain that their sex drive craters as the hormones they were taking begin to drop off and the body is left with low amounts of hormones. Basella will help get the person through this critical period without losing their confidence in bed.

Side Effects

Side effects are non existent with Basella Alba. At least so far, no medical data exist to support any issues with long term use.

Supplementing

There are supplements on the market that claim to contain Basella Alba, but in reality contain scant amounts and hide it in small print so the consumer is fooled. That's called dusting and it's regularly done. Thus, it is crucial you choose a reliable supplement with a legitimate amount of Basella Alba. I suggest HCGenerate ES from N2BM, which contains a whopping 200mg per serving. Use on cycle and use during post cycle to maintain libido, boost immune system, keep organ healthy and boost your vitamins/minerals.

References

• Flavonoid glycosides in Malabar spinach Basella alba inhibit the growth of Spodoptera litura larvae
• Improved preparation of vitexin from hot water extract of Basella alba, the commercially available vegetable Malabar spinach ("Tsurumurasaki" in Japanese) and the application to semisynthesis of chafuroside B
• Uptake of pharmaceuticals acts as an abiotic stress and triggers variation of jasmonates in Malabar spinach (Basella alba. L)
• Pharmacognostical Standardization of Upodika- Basella alba L.: An Important Ayurvedic Antidiabetic Plant
• Hypocholesterolemic and Antiatherosclerotic Potential of Basella alba Leaf Extract in Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Rabbits
• A new endornavirus species infecting Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.)