Koovalathila

More about Koovalam

Poovam tree and its attachments

An evergreen tree of Kerala. My school play ground has a very old Poovam tree. Under the tree there will be a carpet of fallen leaves and its fruits. It was a very big tree. Not only humans but trees, some flowers or some smells can make us nostalgic. 'A girl in white shirt and blue skirt with rose ribbons in hair' is the image attached with the Poovam tree in my mind. Still its there without branches. We gathered there during our drill period.

In English its known as Ceylon Oak. Oil extracted from its seed is used for ayurvedic medicines. Its wood is very hard.

Koovalam has also such an image...My father's home had a very big Koovalam with plenty of fruits. The 'asthithara' of my appooppan and ammoomma was kept there. That tree is also have a fixed place in my mind with the background of the ancient house with lot of 'Verandhas'. That was a typical Kerala home with 'Naduthalam' may be living room , ara'wooden store room' and Nilavara'underground store room'. It was in Kuttanadu. Nelkrishi was the main thing there. There was a big 'erithil' means cow shed there. We can see 'Vaikkol koona' or 'kachi thuru' as a fodder in each house.

'Mulaku chembarathi' a type of hibiscus flower will always remind me my ammoomma, she was bedridden for several years. Then I was in first or second standard, these flowers from the hedges ,the pungent smell of 'Kuzhambu' are still in my memories . When my father talk with her I will pluck these flowers and play with them. Thus these flowers became the thumb nail images of the sufferings of that good old lady.

Kattar vazha,loobikka(ololikka),Koovalam

Koovalam(Aegle marmelose) -Considered as a Sacred plant and it has medicinal value. In Sanskrit it is called as Vilva.This tree is an old one pictured from Mazhuvancherril family, Vadayar. Koovalam fruits regulates digestive functioning in humans. Leaves can be used to cure diabetis, inflammation, Asthma and Cough. The leaves are used as remedy for diarrehea, intestinal parasites and dysentry. It is a good remedy for constipation.

Specially used for the poojas of Lord Shiva. The garland made of Koovalam leaves are very special to Lord Shiva. Koovalam tree is connected with our culture. The word Koovalam can be seen in lot of film song lyrics

"Oru kumbilil niraye koovala mottukal korthu menangu..."The song is from the film 'Fast Track'.

"Neela koovala poovukalo" from an old malayalam movie. "Koovala kankalil karimazhi ezhutham" from the movie 'Gajarajamandiram'. "Neela koovala poovukalo valittezhuthiya kannukalo" Lyrics of vayalar. "Ilayay piraviyundenkil koovalathilayay thalirkkum njan" from the movie Thattakam. "poovum prasaadavumilaneer kudavumaye kavil thozhuthu varunnavale thamara valaya kaiviralalolu koovala thila enne choodikku" I don't know the film. "Iruneermizhi than koovala malaril" from the film "Azhiyatha Bandhangal".

Ripe Ololikka or Loobikka or Lovalolikka -Ripe fruits are pure red in colour and sour. This fruit is used to make pickles and jam.

Scientific name:Flacourtia Jangomas

Family:Flacourtia peac

Picture is taken from Mazhuvancherril house, Vadayar.

Kattar vazha -In my child hood days I had heard a lot about this wonderful plant. In that days most of my friends used this leaves with coconut oil to nourish their hair. I have not yet tried these leaves. Recently most of the beauty related products contain the Aloe vera like soaps, shampoo and cosmetics. Aloe vera can be used as a moisturiser and in hair oils. It is considered as a lucky plant. This plant is used to enhance the beauty of the skin. In sanskrit it is called Ghritkumari.

The leaves contain a gel like substance and it a good moisturiser, heal wounds, burns and ulcers. The oil prepared with the kattar vazha gel and cocont oil is a good remedy for hair loss and the hair will become more black.

Some benefits of this lucky plant ..

1. It lightens the dark spots on the face
2. Prevents the ageing of the skin act as a skin nourisher.
3. Used in lip sticks, facial masks, Anti wrinkle creams, skin conditioners
4. Used for various skin disorders like Eczema, psoriasis and wounds.
5. Healing agent for dry and cracked skin
6. Medicine for liver and spleen disorders
7. Promotes hair growth
   
8. This plant is called as 'women's friend'- It regularises the mensus and eases the menopause troubles
9. It purifies the blood

To read more http://keralaarticles.blogspot.com/2007/09/aloe-vera.html
About a book explaining the healing powers of Aloe vera http://www.aloe-yourmiracledoctor.com/

You can buy an Aloe vera plant this moment itself from http://www.amazon.com/gp/homepage.html/103-4648619-5495030

From this time I had not even thought that this plant has such medicinal qualities. We have to watch the nature and nurture the nature to save our earth.

enjoy the life