Chathura mulla

A herb used in Ayurvedic medicines

Botanical name:Myxopyrum spilacifolium

Its stem is crushed and boiled with coconut oil is used as a medicine to Migraine in sidha medicines.

Kacholam

Malayalam name:Kacholam

Botanical name:Kaempferia Galanga

Its herb used as carminative. Its roots are used as medicine.

Panikoorkka

Malayalam: Panikkoorkka

Tamil:Karpooravalli, Omavalli

Botanical name:Coleus Aromaticus

Its a well known herb in Kerala. As its name indicates its a medicine to fever. Its a medicine to children. Decotion of its leaves are excellant remedy fever. It has a nice aroma. It can be propagated easily through planting stems.

Eiviral

Kudangal

Botanical name:Centella Asiatica
Malayalam:Kudangal
English: Gotukola/Penny wort
Used in Ayurvedic medicines. Its a medicine for brain disorders.

Puliyarila

A herb used in Ayurvedic medicines. Its an ideal herb for stomach complaints.
Botanical Name:Oxalis Corniculata

Aavanakku

Aavanakku plant
Castor oil plant
Its seeds contain oil. The oil extraced is called castor oil. This is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines and beauty enhancers etc. Its also used to make body ointments and hair colouring. India, china and Brazil are the topmost countries in its cultivation. According to Ayurveda it is mainly used for medicines for Arthritis.

Maruthua mala

Maruthua mala is near Kanyakumari. We can see this on the way to Kanyakumari. The legend behind this mountain is it is a part of the Gandhamadana mountain carried by Hanuman which have a lot of medicines which saved Lakshmana during the war. This mountain still contains a lot of medicinal and herbal plants.
Lal bagh flower show pictures and details from my friend

Picture courtsey:kanyakumari.net.in

Chunda plant

Kurunthotti

Kurunthotti is an effective herb for Arthritis. 'Kurunthottikkum vathamo' (vatham means arthritis) is a famous adage in Kerala. It is a smll shrub with tiny leaves. Its roots, stem and leaves are used for making medicine.

Erukku

A plant is favourite of Sri Mahadeva, this plant is very common in Siva temples. Attractive and peculiar flowers. Its milky juice in the stem and leaves is used as a medicine for leprosy.

Mailanchi

Mailanchi plant
Mailanchi leaves

A shrub very common in Kerala. Its good for the skin and makes hair more attractive. It is the main ingredient of henna. Its a custom in Kerala to apply Mailanji paste on the bride's hand. 'Mailanchi kalyanam' is very special for muslims. Hindus also celebrate mehndi in a colurful way.

Mehndi has now became an instant ritual. We can have it from lady's shops as small cones. But I like the traditional one prepared at home. In my childhood it was a day long process. First we have to collect mailanji leaves, after washing it thoroughly we will make this a paste using 'Ammikkallu'. We can add stem of 'Plavila' for better colouring. After that everyone will draw one's own design in their hand. After one hour we can wash the hands. Then the most interesting portion of the story begins..comparison of colour ...It was very natural and also funny having some friends with a ball of mailanji paste.

In some areas of Kerala Mailanchi is planted as hedges. Its a soothing to see a green fence with lot of cosmetic and medicinal use.

Malayalam name:Mailanchi

English name:Henna

Scientific name:Lawsonia Insermis

Sanskrit:Nakharanjaka

Hindi:Mehndi

Medicinal use of Mailanchi
Dashapushpam

Athachamayam

Thazhuthama

A very common plant in Kerala rich with medicinal properties. Its leaves are rich with vitamins and roots are used to cure Asthma.
My mother will always prepare a dish with thazhutham'thazhuthama thoran'

ashokam

Leaves of Ashokam

Ashoka chethi from my home.
Its a herbal plant. The flowers are orange in colour like chethi but having more thickness. Legend behind this tree is that Sita devi spend her days in the shades of this tree during her stay at Lanka in Ravana's Castle. Hanuman met her at the Ashoka grove after a long search. The flower of this plant is like chethi but having more thickness is used as a medicine for skin diseases. Paste of dried flowers boiled with coconut oil is an effective way to enhance your complexion and a medicine to skin allergies. 'Ashokarishtam' an ayurvedic medicine is for menstrul disorders of women, its main ingredient is Ashoka flower.

jathikka

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

Karinochi and Panikkoorkka- herbal plants

Karinochi-Anti inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic. Medicine for rheumatic Arthritis. Remedy for rheumatic swellings.

Panikkoorkka-Fleshy aromatic leaves. It is used as an antipyretic. Medicine for headaches and cough. This plant is used as remedy for cough and cold in children. My ammoomma always say to paste a leaf of panikkoorkka to the centre of the head (uchi) of my infant.

Fruits of Kerala
Tap the hidden energy in you
Kattar vazha

Thulasi

Karpoora thulasi leaves

Rama Thulasi-Images from Thammanam, Kochi.

Rama Thulasi has a very special fragrance.

Krishna thulasi

Krishna thulasi poo(thulasikkathir)-'Oru krishna thulasi kathirumay ninne njan ennum pratheekshichu ninnu, neeyithu kanathe pokay? neeyithu choodathe pokayo?

Leaves of Kattu thulasi. Kattu thulasi is also used in lotions and cleaning liquids. Shots from Kasimadom, Perunnai.

Karpoora thulasi -effective way to repel mosquitos:This plant is from a friend's home at Thammanam.

Krishna thulasi -From my home's Thulasithara at Perunnai.

Thulasi -Most of the homes in Kerala had a 'Thulasithara' (a specially made platform) to plant Thulasi in the courtyards. Thulasi has medicinal properties and also considered as a 'devatha'(goddess) according to Hindu culture.

10 medicinal properties..

1. Thulasi is a remedy for eye disorders:ailments dueto Vitamin A like sore eyes and night blindedness. The juice of black Thulasi can be put into the eyes.




2. Insect bites: Fresh juice of the leaves may be applied to the affected area and repeat this in an hourly basis.




3. skin disorders: Juice is a remedy for ringworm




4. Coughs-It is an important constituent of all Ayurvedic cough syrups




5. Flu and Cold-Excellant remedy for flu and cold




6. Respiratory disorder




7. Heart disorder-It reduces the level of cholestrol




8. Teeth disorders-Powder made from the dried leaves can be used to brush the teeth



9. Mouth infections:A few leaves can be chewed ill reduce the irritations




10. Kidney stone:The juice of leaves and honey taken in a regular basis will expel the stone through urine.




11. Thulasi juice with pudina juice and lime juice will remove your pimples

Plants from Kerala-Aadalodakam

Aadalodakam(adalodakam)- Best medicine for cough, used as an expectorant
Steam the leaves after washing and squeeze it to get the juice mix it with equal quantity of honey. Immediate remedy for cough. This may be used for children also. I had given this to my elder son. My husband who is an adamant ayurvedic follower will always take this medicine. This may also use with Jeerakam. Dry this leaves and crush it with Kalkandam, Chukku and Jeerakam. This powder is also very effective. It is very hard to swallow this juice due to its bitter taste. But its really an 'ottamooli' to cough.

Used for the treatment of chronic bronchitis and Asthma. The juice of the leaves is also used to cure diarrhoea and dysentary.

For children's pictures

Kattar vazha

Some plants from Kerala-having medicinal value Shankupushpam

White shankupushpam flower
Blue shankupushpam flower

Leaves of Veppu

Manja Thechi(yellow thechi)
"Thechi mandaram thulasi pichaka malakal charthi
guruvayoorappa ninne kanikanenam"


Arya veppu(veppu)(Neem) used as a germ killer...Beauty enhancer and blood purifier.
Purify blood. It is Antiviral, Anti bacterial, Antidandruff and Antidiabetic properties. Powder of Aryaveppu with coconut oil is a good remedy for Dandruff. Mix Neem powder, Curd and red sandal wood powder in equal proportion is a good medicine for Pimples





Shanku pushpam-A lovely flower mostly found in Kerala. Used in Temples. This is also found in white and Rose colours. It has medicinal properties. Its roots, leaves and the plant itself are used for medicines in Ayurveda. Every malayalee will remember this flower through the nostalgic voice of Yeshudas 'Shanku Pushpam Kannezhuthumbol Shakunthale ninne orma varum.....'

In Ayurveda it is considered as the greatest herb for the mind power. It enhances your beauty. It is also beneficial for your nervous system. An ayurvedic article related to the medicinal use of shanku pushpi for the memory loss is mentioned below.
http://www.allayurveda.com/topic_month_august2002.htm



yellow chethi

Photo of manja chethi