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

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