Leek (Allium fistulosum L.) is an annual monocotyledon  plant belonging to the Liliaceae family.

The species Allium also includes:

•     garlic (Allium sativum L.)
•     chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.)
•     onion (Allium cepa L.)
•     scallion (Allium fistulosum L.)

These vegetables are consumed both as complements to main courses and as medicinal herbs in which there are useful components for health such as flavonoids, phenolic acids that exert an antioxidant activity.

The major component among the flavonoids is kaempferol (1) known for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective properties.

The leek is among the herbs that have a solid scientific literature for curative effects of hemorrhoids (2).

Although in animal studies, leeks have been shown to exert hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and can be considered a useful dietary supplement in diabetic patients (3).

Leek studies

References___________________________________

(1) The flavonoids of leek, Allium porrum.  Fattorusso E, Lanzotti V, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Cicala C.  Phytochemistry. 2001 Jun;57(4):565-9.

(2) Traditional and modern aspects of hemorrhoid treatment in Iran: a review.  Dehdari S, Hajimehdipoor H, Esmaeili S, Choopani R, Mortazavi SA. J Integr Med. 2018 Mar;16(2):90-98. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2018.01.002.

(3) Effect of hydroalcoholic Allium ampeloprasum extract on oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.  Rahimi-Madiseh M, Heidarian E, Kheiri S, Rafieian-Kopaei M.  Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Feb;86:363-367. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.028.