Commonly used as a food plant in Asia (PIER, 2003). Popular among some recent immigrants as a common potherb from the homeland and has been studied in Florida as a vegetable crop. This is because the plant of its rich iron content (Langeland K.A. & Burks K.C, 1999). I. aquatica is relatively rich in S-methyl methionine (Vitamin U) and is used traditionally to treat gastric and intestinal disorders. Furthermore it has been found to have insulin-like properties acting as an anti-hyperglycaemic (Malalavidhane, Wickramasinghe & Jansz, 2000).