Kongu Traditional Recipes: VALLARAI KEERAI PARUPPU KOOTU

Kongu Traditional Recipes: VALLARAI KEERAI PARUPPU KOOTU: Vallarai is otherwise called as brahmi leaves are well known for South Indian people as brain booster, The leaves are slightly bitter in t...

MANJAL KARISALANGANNI/WEDELIA CHINENSIS/BHRINGARAJ/KANNUNNI

MANJAL KARISALANGANNI is a small herb having slightly broad and thick leaves. The leaves end with a small yellow flower at the top. This herb is not easily available in the market. It can be easily propagated in the kitchen garden. When the greens are fresh, select one or four nodes and plant the cutting with one node in the soil water it profusely. The plant will root within seven days is ready to be plucked in three months. Harvest the leaves at the top level. New leaves will appear again.

wonderful medicinal herb for the treatment of jaundice.
It has wonderful medicinal qualities.These karisalanganni leaves contain calcium, iron and phosphorous and mineral salts. It treats skin problems, eye defects such night blindness. It gives shiny and abundant black hair.

PENNIWORT/ VALLARAI/ BRAHMI

Vallarai keerai is not easily available in the markets. Adding vallarai keerai in our regular diet will render great health service to our body system.

Botanical name of vallarai keerai is Centella Asiatica. People refer it as Centella and gotu kola commonly. Saraswati Aku in Telugu, kudangal in Malayalam, bhrahmi in Marathi and Brahmi booti in Hindi, ondelaga in Kannada.

Vallarai is a brain booster. It improves memory and our parents never forgot to feed us these leaves regularly as a tonic or by sneaking them into other diet items.

This  not only strengthens the nervous system entirely but also improves the digestion and sperm count.

When I bought the vallarai keerai from a street vendor, last week., I notice one leaf with a fine root system.

I plant it in a pot and I am watering the sapling regularly. After one week, only one leaf which laid down in the soil is now erect with freshness. One baby leaf is popping out from the soil now. I feel very happy and excited much. Just like a Mother gave birth to a child. I am sharing the images of that baby herb with you friends in this posting.

It needs less space and a very little care and maintenance. It treats skin problems miraculously.

It enhances memory. It has rich health qualities.But it is said that the pregnant mothers, small children and lactating mothers should not consume these greens.

It prevents aging and  maintains the youthfulness of the skin.

It  provides vigour and strength, it improves the receptive capacity of the mind, voice and stamina. It is said to help in improving complexion. It is also advised by the sidda medicinal experts as the best food and medicine for the diabetic people and the people suffering anaemia. The extracts of these leaves are used in cosmetics such as face creams and anti wrinkle creams.

Here are the images of vallarai herb which I am growing in my kitchen balcony. Do you notice the baby vallarai leaf is popping out!

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MODAKKATHAN KEERAI/CARDISPERMUM HALICABABUM

Mudakkathan keerai is very familiar herbal greens which are known as Kanphatta in Hindi. In English , it is known as Balloon wine plant. In Sanskrit is is called as Indravalli

This plant is identified with the leaves and balloon shaped fruits. It is used for the treatment of joint pains in Siddha vaidyam. Normally in the kitchens of Tamilnadu, it is frequently used as a periodical dish in various versions. We can easily grow this plant in pots or soils. This is a climber and highly appealing ornamental plant.

During our childhood days we enjoying this balloon shaped fruits by bursting it on our forehead.
Actually, we do not know this traditional value at that time. In olden-days it is widely grown in the fence of the garden.

This plant is named as Cardiospermum halicababum in botanical world.  When you visit villages, you can see this herbal climber almost all over the areas.

in Tamil, it is known as Modakkaruthan keerai. Tamil people are highly knowledgeable and their knowledge in herbal medicines are miraculous. They named the plants because of its medicinal use.
Their nomenclature of the herbs is truly meaningful. Modakkaruthan keerai prevents and cures the joint pain like arthritis, joint problems and hence the name modakkaruthan.
It cures dandruff, constipation  also.

In my home garden, I grow this plant in pots.
I use the leaves for making soup, rasam, paruppu kootu.

This herb can be consumed as in the versions of dosai, thuvaiyal, sambar, rasam, kootu or just having it fresh with half cooked twice in a week.

CITRUS SAPLINGS

GUIDANCE OF CITRUS SUCCESS:

Abundant sunshine, quick drainage soil, infrequent water supply, seasonal feeding are the main factors to grow citrus successfully.

Open up the centre of the citrus so that the free airflow will be there to comfort the tree.

Pruning of the young shoots make the tree into a bush. The citrus should have four branches.

Citrus trees don't need pruning to bear fruits but it must be fit in your home garden. Never use alkaline water or bore water. Fresh water is the best for abundant citrus growth. organic fertilizers like neem cakes, earthworm fertilizers should be fed to citrus.

Main key is copious irrigation of fresh water.

I have two saplings of citrus  and two young trees of lemon. I satisfied with above conditions. All the citrus varieties are being grown healthy with dark green leaves.   Let me see how they yield...

RED ROSE

Red rose is looking silky in morning sunlight. But the leaves are pale I think that the plant needs some nourishment. Earthworm organic manure must be needed. I applied today. Let us see how it turns out..!

ANDRA RED ROSES WITH RAIN DROPS

Roses with rain drops...
Posing with smile dews...
Choosing me to live with...
Thank you rose, my comrade..!

GORGEOUS ROSES

Gorgeous roses in home garden... blooming in the morning. such a sweet fragrance...
Mind blowing smell spreads all over the garden..! love you buddy..! 

MARI KOZHUNTHU IN MY HOMEYARD

I grow marikolunthu plant in my home yard. It grows healthy upto two feet. When we pluck and rub some leaves it gives an amazing aromatic fragrance.

Scientific name is Artemisia Pallens.

I gathered some information about this Marikolunthu:

This plant has its native of Tamilnadu. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. This plant is a small and aromatic herb and xerophytic in nature.

In the regional languages the Marikolunthu is known as Thavanam, marikolunthu in Tamil, Thavanamu in Telugu and davana in Kannada.

It is commercially cultivated for its aromatic oil.

The flowers are small racemose panicles bearing numerous flower heads or capitula but the silky which covering down gives the appearance of foliage of grey color.

It has pinna sect and alternate leaves (the leaves divided into opposite pairs of lobes combined at the bottom gives the flower like appearance.

The most commercial by-product manufactured from Davana plant is Davana perfumery oil.

The oil is not much popular in India but famous and exported to America, France, Germany and Netherland for its aromatic perfume

Davana leaves and flowers are used to make bouquet, flower garland and flower arrangements.

Its cost is high.

The plant seeds are very small and small and tender seedlings should be taken an extra care to cultivate.

When applied to the skin, it will give different smell in different persons.

       

HOW TO GROW CORIANDER GREENS FROM SEEDS?

Coriander seeds and its leaves spice up our food. It must grow in every kitchen garden.  Some tricks to be needed... This post is how to grow coriander seeds in a pot.  We can use trays in which we can grow multiple rows of coriander plants.

Coriander seeds contain two seeds in its shell. when split it increases the germination rate since it is scared. The way I do is, I wear a rubber chappal in my right hand and rub gently the spreading seeds

in the rough floor surface. Try like this...

Now I am going to sow the seeds.  I make the rows by a stick. Simply sow the split coriander seeds in that row and once it is done cover the seeds with sands. Water them and wait to germinate.

Coriander seeds start germinating somewhere between five to seven days.

View the image.

I keep the pot  in a place where the saplings can get the good sunlight. I water it gently without damaging its stem. We should give them  water spray.  In another ten days coriander leaves are ready to harvest.

Try and enjoy..!

Fresh and Emerald green Cilantro in your hands ..

MARUTHANI/HENNA/MEHANDI

This post is about the Henna plant grown in our home garden.

Botanical name for maruthani or henna is Lawsonia Inermis. It is perennial shrub grown in tropical and subtropical climatic regions.

Applied Henna paste to decorate feet and hands for its cooling properties.

This paste is the main sacred thing as a part of marriage rituals for decorating the bride hands and heels.

Maruthani used in medications for its healing properties as a skin healer and cleanser.

It is used to hair as a natural conditioner and colorant and stain the fingers of pharaohs before their mummification.

applied henna or maruthani to be in compliance with religion because it makes the individual  more conscious of the Earth's energies.

In this modern era, Maruthani is applied in

temporary tattoos, henna nourisher or hair conditioner, skin care products, natural hair dyes, body decoration, Henna Hair tonic and henna essential oils.

Maruthani leaves are beneficial in the treatment of prickly heat. The leaves ground with water are applied over the affected skin area.

Henna flowers cure headaches caused by the heat of the sun.

Fresh leaves mixed with water and ground paste adding line juice in the feet to treat burning feet.

It is said to be varicose vein disease treatment.

Maruthani leaves are very effective in the treatment of skin disorders like boils and burns. Coarsely ground leaves applied to the boils. it treats with rheumatic joints, inflammatory swelling, bruises and leprosy. It also treats with vitiligo pale patches on the skin where pigment is lost.

It contains natural ingredient that bonds with the hair structure as it serves to penetrate, cleanse, and thicken the hair shafts thus improving its quality.

It has coloring agent and fights against dandruff. It acts as a natural dye.

As far as morphology of the plant concerned, it is a middle sized shrub with lot of branches. It yields white or pinkish fragrant flowers in large terminal branches and small round fruits.

Ayurvedic researchers reveal that the bark of the plant is very effective in the treatment of liver disorders like jaundice and enlargement of liver.

Using mustard oil boiled with henna leaves promotes healthy hair growth. 250 gms  mustard oil is boiled with 50 to 60 grams of henna leaves and heated . The oil is then filtered through a cloth and stored in a bottle. Regular massage with this oil produces abundant hair.

It suppresses hair fall, sweating and hair thinning hence it is a natural nourisher.

It combats epilepsy.

It cures dental ailments like scurvy., bleeding of gums and oral ulcers.

Gargles done using henna leaves is curing throat infections.

it is a good herbal remedy for the treatment of nervous disorders namely leprosy and tetanus.

It is used to treat with bronchitis and cough and other breathing discomforts.

It keeps Tuberculosis at bay.

It calms the abdominal pain post delivery.

It helps i n treatment of obesity and overweight.

It curbs digestive complaints like acidity.

It mitigates muscular and joint pains in rheumatism.

It counters menopausal troubles like heavy bleeding and irregular menses.

It counteracts leucorrhoea vaginal discharge.

it is the best treat treatment for grey hairs.

Mix the powdered henna leaves coconut oil and apply it regularly to avoid gray hair.

Making the henna leaves paste and apply on the hairs and leave it for six hours and wash.

Grind henna flowers to make a paste and intake of one teaspoon once a day will treat the insomnia.

from google source.

Vow.. !!!!!!

I learned and  collect and  save the abundant uses of Maruthani/henna/mehandi leaves and flowers.

The entire parts of the maruthani plant is highly beneficial for mankind. Why can't we grow and

maintain and care about this divine plant in our home garden, in pots and terrace garden and teach our children bout the medicinal herbs such as Mehandi, Tulsi,  (Indian borage) karpooravalli etc.

Let us view this Henna plant in my home garden. It grows two feet height. One plant is being grown in the pot. One is grown in th soil. Both are looking healthy and good.

WHAT SEEDS CAN BE SOWN AND SUITABLE TO GROW WELL IN April of every year

Onion, Amaranthus, Coriander, all gourds, Okra, Tomato, Chilly are the seeds that can be germinated well in the hot summer i.e., April and May.

I am going to sow the above seeds in my home garden. Today evening I have to set the pots and soil to sow the seeds. I think that this is the right time to harvest the veggies in the forthcoming month end of June 2016.

RASTALI VARIETY OF BANANA IN OUR HOME GARDEN

No much effort. No fertilizers. No pesticides. I manage water supply two days once.The banana was growing well.

Banana blossom was very beautiful. I  plucked the bell shaped flower  after it completes the production of female flowers. We have to cut off the bell then only the mother plant restored her energy to develop growth of fruits. I cooked banana flower porial and consumed. It was very tasteful. 

It took nearly two months to begin ripe. It developed the raw fruits in big size. I gave the support of bamboo ladder to the mother plant carrying the heavy bunch of raw fruits.

I harvested the banana fruits when one fruit ripened and turned into yellow color. In normal room temperature the raw fruits began to ripen cluster by cluster. 

It has its unique flavor and great taste.