Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Potential of Fagopyrum esculentum (Linn.) Moench.

Buckwheat is a gluten-free pseudocereal grown annually in hilly regions of India. It belongs to family Polygonaceae and genus Fagopyrum. Buckwheat is adaptable to extreme cold temperature, stress conditions of water making it a sustainable crop. In India, twenty species of buckwheat are cultivated across various hilly regions. Out of these only nine species have desirable nutritional value and two are commonly grown. They are Fagopyrum esculentum (Common buckwheat) and Fagopyrum tartaricum (Tartary buckwheat). Buckwheat has good amount of nutrients and many health benefits. Buckwheat has been used in the gluten free diet for those suffering from celiac disease. It can be used for the prevention of obesity and diabetes as they have high total dietary fibre and soluble dietary fibre. It is commonly used grain in the name of Kuttu in Indian society during fasting. The present study aims at establishing the Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical utility of potential alternative to conventional food grains as mentioned in the contemporary texts.