Ten Weeds And Ten Wonders

Karkidaka month is here. A synonymn for Ramayana and Karakidaka kanji. A month, considered as inauspicious for any important functions, and the houses are immersed in chants of Ramayana and aroma of medicinal herbs.

Karikidaka month receives the heaviest rainfall during the year. This month is supposed to be a period in which diseases are more prominent and the body has little resistance against diseases. So our ancestors, who followed agrarian culture, devoted their time in prayers and medicine. Generations passed, customs were labeled as superstitious but some traditions continue to be followed.

I was searching for “Oushadakanji” recipe and I happened to land on information about “Dasapushpam” (ten flowers). These are weeds that prop out during the first shower in the season. As part of tradition, women in Kerala wear these flowers for better health.  Further reading on these plants, I found that they are treasures in ayurveda. The ten wonder herbs are as follows:

1.       Biophytum Sensitivum or Little Tree Plant (Mukkutti) : This herb has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat numerous diseases. It is used as astringent, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-pyretic.
2.      Vernonia Cinerea or Little Ironweed (Poovam kurunnila ): This herb is a known diaphoretic, alterative, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, antidote.
3.      Emilia Sonchifolia or Lilac Tasselflower (Muyalchevi or Muyalcheviyan): This herb is an excellent remedy for eyes, ears and throat complaints. It is used as anti-septic, anti-diarrhoeal, anthelmintic, febrifuge.
4.      Cynodon Dactylon or Bermuda Grass (Karuka): As per Hindu mythology, this herb is considered holistic. It is used as astringent, diuretic, styptic, anti-diarrhoeal.
5.       Curculigo Orchioides or Golden Eye-grass (Nilappana): This herb used as tonic, diuretic, aphrodisiac and carminative
6.      Eclipta prostrata or False Daisy (Kaiyonni): This herb has antihepatotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.
7.       Evolvulus alsinoides or Dwarf Morning Glory (Vishnukranthi): This herb is used to treat mental and cognitive disorders as it is considered a nootropic.
8.      Aerva Lanata or Mountain Knot-grass (Cheroola): This herb has an excellent diuretic and lithontriptic properties.
9.      Ipomoea sepiaria or Purple Heart Glory (Thiruthali): The herb is used in treating sterility in women, urinary retention, constipation, and gynecological disorders.
10.   Cardiospermum halicacabum or Balloon Vine (Uzhinjha): This herb is used to treat arthritis, inflammations, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

After reading this, I went to my garden and found that most of the weeds out there. So, I am not de-weeding my garden this year as I fear destroying such immense treasure.
Now, am I going hysterical?