Mukkutti / മുക്കുത്തി
It is an important flower for the people of Kerala both for its medicinal values and cultural importance. Mukkutti has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat numerous diseases.In Ayurveda this little herb Mukkutti is described as a good medicine.**Mukkutti is used as a tonic and stimulant**It is used for chest complaints , convulsions , Cramps and inflammatory tumours .** It’s ash is mixed with lime juice and given for stomach ache .**Leaves and roots are styptic , decotion of leaves is given for diabetes , asthma and phthisis.**Arthralgia, Arthritis, Back Pain, Bone Spur, Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cervical Spondylosis, Degenerative Joint Disease, Degenerative Neck Disease, Fibromyalgia, Leg Cramps, Leg pains, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sprains, Stiff Neck, Tendonitis and Tennis Elbow are also treated using mukkutti in Ayurveda.**Mukkutti herb is very useful in treating Varicocele. The leaves of this herb (20) need to be boiled in 300ml of water for 40 mins. Strain and cool this potion and drink it two times daily for a month and complete relief would be accorded in a month.** It is also used for treating heavy bleeding seen in women.Therefore it is also called “Teendanaazhi”.**Its leaf well grinded in butter milk is used in treating dysentry.**It is a good medicinal herb to clean the uterus after delivery.
Henna / मेंहदी / മൈലാഞ്ചി
Very good for itching and for dandruff treatment
Asiatic pennywort- Centella asiatica / കുടവനെല
Gotu kola is also used for fatigue, anxiety, depression, psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and improving memory and intelligence. Other uses include wound healing, trauma, and circulation problems (venous insufficiency) including varicose veins, and blood clots in the legs.
Aloe Vera / കറ്റാർ വാഴ
Aloe Vera is extensively used in beauty products and It’s got antiviral and antibacterial properties, and the ability to help treat everything from constipation to diabetes. The aloe vera plant is about one or two feet tall with prickly and bitter leaves, which act as a defence to keep animals and insects from feeding on the plant. The leaves hold a gooey translucent gel, also extremely bitter, and known all over the world for it’s unbelievable healing properties. This translucent gel is made up of around 96% water, some organic and inorganic compounds, a type of protein which contains 18 of the 20 amino acids found in the body and lastly, Vitamin A, B, C and E. Another part of the aloe vera plant which is used is the ‘sap’, a yellow-coloured liquid stuck to the skin of the plant from the inside. When dried and purified, the powdered aloe is often used as a laxative, though it’s effectiveness is questionable.
Betel Leaf (Paan Ka Patta) വെറ്റില
This leaf is very good for the following ailments;Analgesic,Eases Constipation,Improves Digestion,Reduces Gastric Pain,Increases Hunger,Promotes Oral Health,Treats Respiratory Problems,Relieves Cough,Eases Bronchitis,Antiseptic Benefits,Antifungal Benefits,Relief From Back Pain And Muscular Tensions,Treats Water Retention And Urination,Heals Wounds And Infection,Improves Alertness,Acne Cure And Other Skin Disorders,Stops Earache,Vaginal Hygiene,Prevents Body Odour,Nose Bleed,Treatment of Inflammation,Refreshes Breath.
Noni Fruit / നോനിപഴം
Noni is sometimes applied to the skin. It is used as a moisturizer and to reduce signs of aging. The leaves are used for arthritis by wrapping around the affected joint; for headache by applying to the forehead; and for burns, sores, and wounds by direct application.
ലക്ഷ്മിതരു / Simarouba glauca / Paradise tree / Sourga Maram
The bark is used as medicine. People take simaruba for diarrhea, dysentery, malaria and colitis and used externally for wounds and sores., water retention (edema), fever, and stomach upset. It is also used as a tonic.
Cancer Cure
Simarouba decoction is also used in traditional medicine in the treatment of cancer and tumors. Simarouba leaf decoction when taken in limited amounts can raise the immunity, reduce appetite loss and increase quality of life in cancer patients. It can also be used to complement modern cancer treatment. Simarouba Glauca has very good anti-bacterial, anti-tumorous properties. Hence Simarouba is very effective in reducing the size of tumors and secondary infections in cancer patients. It is very effective in curing cancer of first/second stages, whereas in later stages it can considerably increase the quality of life.
Soursop / Graviola (മുള്ളാത്ത)
It has super fruit-healing properties as a high-antioxidant food due to its vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorous and even some iron that it contains. These vitamins and minerals are why soursop benefits include potentially helping reduce eye disease, treat infections and potentially even fight cancer, among others.1)Filled with Beneficial Antioxidants that May Help Reduce Eye Disease. 2)Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties. 3)Treats Infections.
May Help Fight Cancer
Research published in Food & Function reports that bioactive components of graviola leaf extracts may have a positive cancer-fighting effect due to the free radical scavenging abilities and antioxidant enzymes it contains, thus helping eliminate cancer cells. (5) It’s believed that the graviola leaves kill cancer cells by blocking ATP production. ATP, aka adenosine triphosphate, is a usable form of energy for cells. This energy is contained within a chemical bond that, if released, can be used to foster other activity within the cells. (6)
However, the graviola leaf extract can help block this activity, which may reduce the impact of the cancer cells by breaking them down until they fall apart. This is known as apoptosis or programmed cell death. Additionally, scientists at the Tepic Institute of Technology (Instituto Tecnológico de Tepic – ITT) in Mexico discovered acetogenins in the soursop fruit, which hold chemotherapeutic properties. (7)
Potentially Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Graviola extract has shown an ability to help kill numerous types of cancer cells, specifically pancreatic cancer cells. A study conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that the extract can greatly reduce pancreatic cancer. Because cancer cells have more glucose, cell growth is typically enhanced as well as tumor growth. However, in this study, cells that were treated with graviola extract decreased their glucose uptake when compared to untreated cells. This decrease can make it difficult for the bad cells to live and multiply, which is a good thing.