Kale
Brassica oleracea L.
Brassicaceae
Location in our garden



Overview
Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala is a popular cruciferous vegetable originating from Central Asia, and is well known for its abundant bioactive compounds. Kale is a leafy green vegetable that has been grown in Europe since the Middle Ages, and has gained a great popularity as a “superfood” in recent years, due to its anticancerogenic and antioxidant potential. Furthermore, it is an important vegetable crop in traditional farming systems, grown for their leaves and flower buds. Kale, however, boasts a wealth of nutrition and is fat-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, and exceptionally low in sodium and calories. It contains so many vitamins and nutrients that can contribute to supporting many health benefits.The leaves can be eaten fresh or as a cooked vegetable and are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and vitamin B6.
Vernacular Names
No found data on this. Need further research.
Agroecology
Kale can be found in highland areas. Grows best in full sun, with a soil pH between 6-7. This crop requires cold temperatures, and by this environmental conditions it will produce sweeter kale.
Morphology
- Root - taproot.
- Stem - erect, light green.
- Leaves - produce a rosette of elongated leaves with wavy to frilled margins, green in colour.
- Flower - yellow in colour, and can be white.
- Fruit - dry capsules known as siliques, containing seeds.
- Seed - small oval or ellips, brown to blackish, smooth surface.
Cultivation
Generative propagation is by seed.
Chemical Constituents
Polyphenol, glucosinolate, terpenoid, carotenoid (lutein, betacaroten), phenolic compound, ascorbat acid, folate acid.
Benefits
- Kale supports eye health and reduce your risk of macular degenaration and other age-related eye diseases.
- It reduces the risk of heart disease by helping lower LDL cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol”.
- Can help lower blood pressure naturally.
- Can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a common disorder in which the bones grow fragile and become prone to fractures.
Simplisia
Not yet documented.
Plant Parts Used


Traditional Recipes

1. 1. Menurunkan kolesterol
- Siapkan 15 g daun kale segar, lalu cuci hingga bersih.
- Kukus daun kale sampai setengah matang.
- Makan sebagai lalapan.
- Bahkan, sebuah studi menunjukkan bahwa kale yang dikukus memiliki potensi yang sama dengan cholestyramine yaitu obat penurun kolesterol tinggi.

2. 2. Meningkatkan kadar kolesterol baik (HDL)
- Ambil daun kale segar secukupnya cuci hingga bersih.
- Blender atau haluskan daun kale beri sedikit air.
- Minum jus kale setiap hari selama 12 minggu mampu meningkatkan kadar kolesterol baik (HDL) hampir 30% dan menurunkan kolesterol jahat (LDL) sebesar 10%.
Reference Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2021). Kale vegetable. https://www.britannica.com/plant/kale. 04-01-2022.
- Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. (2021). Plants of the World Online: Brassica oleracea L. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:279435-1. 04-01-2022.
- Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. (No date). Brassica olerace. https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/brassica-oleracea/?lang=en. 04-01-2022.
- Poveda, J., et al. (2020). Brassica oleracea var. acephala (kale) improvement by biological activity of root endophytic fungi. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77215-7. 04-01-2022.
- WebMD. (2005). Health Benefits of Kale. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-kale#2. 04-01-2022.