Koovalam (Aegle mermelos) is a sacred tree to Indian Hindus. It is related to citrus and has many names in India. Koovalam (kuvalam) or vilmam are Malayalam names, while Bel or bael in Hindi, Kuvalum in Tamil, and Kumbala in Kannada. They are also known as golden apple, stone apple and such names in English.

It is used while offering prayers to Lord Shiva. It is also planted in the premises of temples.

It grows in almost all climatic conditions in wilderness. The tree is slow growing and reaches a maximum height of 8-9 meters. The pale green leaves are aromatic. The fruits can be oval or spherical and has the size of a large orange. Koovalam fruits are edible. People eat it either raw or make a good jam.

The bark of the tree is toxic. It can kill freshwater fish.

Koovalam fruit has astringent properties and regulate digestive functioning. It is also used in curing diarrhea and dysentery.

Koovalam is also known as Kovalam, Bael Fruit Tree, Bilva, Vilva, Siriphal, Baed and Bel.

Aegle marmelos belongs to the family rutaceae.

Kuppacheera (Amaranthus viridis) was used as a vegetable similar to spinach in different parts of Kerala, but the use of this plant as a vegetable is largely diminishing. The leaves are the edible parts. Kuppacheera literally means spinach from rubbish.

Kuppacheera is an annual plant that reaches the height of 10-14 inches. Its flowers are similar to that of spinach. It grows in wastelands and almost all types of reasonably drained soil.

In Ayurveda medicine, decoctions prepared from kuppacheera are used in the treatment of diabetes. Different medicine systems also suggest the use of this plant as an astringent and vermifuge. It is also used in treating dysentery and inflammation.

Propagation is through seeds, which have less than one mm diameter.

Amaranthus viridis belongs to the family Amaranthaceae.

 

Sida rhombifolia is an Ayurvedic herb, used in the treatment of a variety of conditions including female infertility. Maha bala or mahabala is the Hindi-Sanskrit name of Kurunthotti (or kurumthotti – Malayalam word for sida). It is a very small perennial plant. Leaves, stem, bark and roots are usable parts.

Kutaj is an Ayurvedic herb used mainly to cure amoebic dysentery. Its Latin name, ‘antidysenterica’ suggests its prime use as a cure to dysenetery. The herb is also beneficial in treating other gastric disorders. The bark is the main usable part in treating dysentery.

Its flowers and seeds too have medicinal properties. While the flowers give appetite, the seeds are astringent, cooling and appetizing.

Kutaki (picrorhiza kurrora), the Ayurvedic herb is beneficial for general health condition of the lever. It cures several liver problems. It is also beneficial in treating asthma. It can act as a cardio tonic, laxative, etc. The herb is useful in promoting appetite and cures different problems to blood, jaundice, etc.

The northern part of India is a fertile ground for lemongrass. Lemon grass is used as a condiment in baked food items. Lemon grass oil is used in aromatherapy and in perfumes and cosmetics. It also is used in herbal tea.

Cymbopogon Citratus is in the plant family poaceae.

Mailanchi (Lawsonia inermis) also called mailanchy, mailanji or mailanjy is a woody shrub reaching a height of up to 10 ft.

The leaves when made into a paste and applied on the skin (henna) form a temporary skin decoration. Mailanchi is also used to give a brownish red color to skin.  It is also used in coloring such fancy items like bags and hats.

Mailanchi is a world renowned herb, but in a different name – henna. Henna is essentially Mailanchi leaves dried and ground. It forms a mud like skin application when mixed with lime juice or some acidic liquid. It is then applied to skin or hair and left there until dry.

Mailanchi is used in the treatment of certain skin disorders. It is also used as a hair vitalizer.

Lawnosia inermis belongs to the family lythraceae.

Malathangi pacha (Cissampelos pareira) is a woody wine found in the forest regions of Kerala.

It is used in different Ayurvedic medicines. The roots are diuretic and purgative. It is used in the treatment of different conditions ranging from back pains to Parkinson’s disease.

Cissampelos pariera belongs to the family Meispemaceae.

Manjishta is usually found in high altitudes like the Himalayas and the hill stations in India.

Manjishta is used for cleansing and regulating the functions of liver, spleen, pancreas and kidney. It can also be used to treat diarrhea. Manjishta also helps in blood purification and regulation of blood circulation. It can also against cancer.

The popular names of manjishta are madder, manjati, gandhari, etc. Manjista can also be spelt manjistha.

The useful parts are roots and fruit.

Rubia cordifolia is in the plant family of rubiaceae.

Manjal or turmeric in Ayurvedic medicines gives several medicinal benefits. There are two main types of manjal they are small sized turmeric (curcuma longa or curcuma domestica) used for almost everyday kitchen use and kasthuri manjal (curucuma aromatica). Another type (curcuma zedoaria), native of north-east India resembles curcuma longa (turmeric – manjal) but has larger size.

Manjal is a perennial herb, a member of ginger (zingiberaceae) family.

Different studies have provided data about the effectiveness of curcuma longa. It has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-carcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties. It also protects liver.

In traditional Kerala cooking, manjal has a prominent place as a spice. It has detoxification effect. When cooking meat, fish, and most vegetable dishes, manjal is an important ingredient. Thus the people of Kerala following traditional food habits need not take extracts.

Girls and women also applied home-made manjal paste on their faces and body. Men generally donÂ’t use manjal as it can hinder the growth of facial hair. Manjal paste also gives the girl a certain facial glow, which is hardly mistakable.

It has prominent use in Ayurveda, as an anti-inflammatory agent, as a wound dressing etc. it is also used to alleviate mensutraual difficulties, hemorrhage, etc.