1,517 Malabar Spinach Leaf Medicinal The leaves and stems are cooked and eaten for their laxative properties. The leaf juice is a demulcent, used in cases of dysentery. It is also diuretic, febrifuge and laxative. The leaf juice is used in Nepal to treat catarrh. A paste of the leaves is applied externally to treat boils and sores. 6,481