Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree pictures from my friend's house at Perunnai.

May flower

I don't know the exact name of this flower. We call it as May flower because the plant sprouts in the month May. Shots from my home at Perunnai.

Some plants common in Kerala

Chembu

These pictures are from my sister in law's home at Kattappana. Chena stored for planting in the next year . Cow dung and compost are the main manure for this tuber.

Chena known as elephant foot yam is the most popular tuber vegetable of Kerala.

Chena leaves-'chenathandum cherupayarum' (Elephant yam). Most of the homes have a few chena plants which will meet their needs. Chena mezhukkupuratti(chena upperi), chena thoran, chena cherupayar kari, chena erissery and chena masala are the most common dishes made by this tasty vegetable. In Ayurveda chena can be used with any medicines. Chena is rich with fiber. Its easy to digest and nutritious too.

Leaves of Tapiocca(Kappa). Kappa is a delicious food rich with starch. Dishes made by Kappa are mouth watering. Kappa puzhukku, Kappa Chenda muriyan, Kappa upperi, Kappa pappadam, Kappa parippuvada, Kappa uppumavu and Kappa Masala are some of them. Kappa is my favourite food too. Children also like its taste.

Omana thingal kidavo.... the famous lullaby of Kerala for your little one....

Kochi, the queen of Arabian Sea is expanding as a Metro, your children have a lot to enjoy in this wonderful city, have a ride with them through these places and have a memorable summer vacation. Children's hub in Ernakulam.

Today's tip: Ramacham can be used as a scrub in your bath, it assures a mild fragrance around you for the whole day....

Shots from my chitta's veg garden

Muringa Ila-(Leaves of Drum Stick)
Vazhuthana (Kathrikka)-Brinjal
Ramacham -Herbal plant of Kerala. Its roots have cooling effect. It prevents dryness of skin and burning sensation in hot summer days. Ramacham roots can be put in water which will become cool and its a healthy drink too. Ramacham is used in making herbal soaps and beds.
Pacha mulaku -Chilli

Poombatte....some nursery rhymes..

Mazhithandu

Its name has no connection with its nature. 'mazhi' means ink and 'thandu' means stem. This herb, very common in Kerala is used to clean slate in my childhood days. The stem of this plant contains a lot of water. When we go to school we will collect these mazhithandu to rub the slate. I don't know if there is any other usage for this plant.

But my children doesn't know its name because they are using pen and pencil instead of slate and kallupencil. Its special smell always remember me of the primary school days and my innocent friends.

Flowers

Aanthoorium

Mukkutti poo

Jamanthi

For any queries about the herbal plants cultivation
contact Mr. Prasad P Pallattu, Herbal consultant of Kerala
Phone: +91 09447158307

Chethi

Chethikka

Different varieties of chethi from my home.

This song may be very familiar to every malayalee evoking nostalgic memories of the cortyards of our home rich with chethi, chembarathi, mandaram and thulasi.

'Chethi mandaram thulasi pichaka malakal charthi guruvayoorappa ninne kani kanikanenam

mayil peeli choodikkondum manja thukil charthikkondum manikkuzhaloothikkondum kanikanenam

agathiyamadiyante asru veenu kuthirnnoree avilpothi kaikkolluvan kani kanenam

vakacharathu kazhiyumbol vasanapoo aniyumbol gopikamar poojikkunnorudal kanenam'

Chethi flower has many medicinal qualities also. To make special oil for hair massaging this flower is also added with thulasi. This flower is used to make garlands in temples.

In neelamperoor padayani festival petals of this flower are used to decorate the big swans.

Kudachethi is the most common variety. Manja chethi and vella chethi can also be found in Kerala.

Related links:

Mandaram

Pichi

Thulasi

Changalam peranda and Amruthu

Leaves of Amruthu

Changalam Peranda

Its a medicinal creeper plant. Used in Ayurvedic medicines. Its a favourite food for elephants.

Kanthari penne...

Different types of Kanthari from Kerala. Kanthari is a special type chilli. They are extremely pungent. Kanthari chammathi is a special side dish with Kappa(tapiocca).
kanthari is also used to make pickles.
Kanthari is home remedy for your blood pressure. Its known as Bird's eye chilli.

Mandaram

Dry fruits of Mandaram plant

Mandara poo moolee....
Pooppathram-Vessel used to carry flowers to temple

Leaves of Mandaram