Shadow Benny/Chadon Beni/Cultrano Benefits

Shadow Benny (Guyana), Chadon Beni (Trinidad & Tobago),Cultrano is a herb that is native to Central and South America and Mexico. It’s a popular herb in the Caribbean that is used in many cuisines and has many medicinal and culinary uses.

But did you know this humble herb has nutritious benefits?

According to an article published by Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, this herb has many uses and has been used by various cultures for remedying certain ailments.

Here are five things to know about chadon beni:

Chadon beni is said to be rich in calcium, iron, carotene, and riboflavin. Not only that, the leaves are said to be a good source of vitamin A, B2, B1 and vitamin C.

2. Makes a good tea

Chadon beni has also been used in teas. In some cultures, chadon beni tea has been used for constipation, fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea and even diabetes. The name fitweed is purportedly from its anti-convulsant property.

3. It grows easily

Growing up, many might remember accidentally stepping on a flowering chadon beni with its spiky seeds. Needless to say, chadon beni grows naturally in shaded, moist soils near cultivated areas. Hence why chadon beni may be found growing in the shade of other plants and fits perfectly into one’s kitchen garden.

4. It has diverse uses

Chadon beni is typically used for seasoning dishes and meats, however it’s also a critical ingredient in chows, chutneys and other zesty dishes.

5. It has to be fresh

The humble chadon beni is a much-loved herb that’s best when fresh. According to a 1991 study, unpackaged cilantro became “unmarketable within four days of storage regardless of temperature”.

The study noted freeze-drying the leaves might extend the shelf life (whether we would eat frozen chadon beni leaves is another story).