DASAPUSHPANGAL

"പൂവ്വാംകുറുന്തല്‍ തിരുതാളി

          ഉഴിഞ്ഞ വിഷ്ണുക്രാന്തി             
നിലപ്പന മുയല്‍ച്ചെവി
   ഭൃംഗരാജന്‍
മുക്കുറ്റി ദുറുവ ചെറുള

    കയ്യോന്നികളിതെന്നിതെല്ലാം

പത്തുള്ള പുഷ്പമിവ

ചൊല്ലത് കേള്‍പ്പൂ ഞാനും"

         This wonderful poem shows importances and necessity of DASAPUSHPAS. We have the responsibility to protect and nurture these holy herbs. Kerala has its distinct medicinal heritage. Dasapushpa, Thriphala, Nalpamara, Dasamooli etc. were a part of our heritage. In early times our health conditions depended on Nattuvaidya. Nowadays only a few grandparents have an idea about dasapushpa.

     It is a mixture of ten sacred herbs. On the holy day of karkidaka we place these plants in Poojamury. In the holy month of dhanu, on the day of thiruvathira, women wear dasapushpas on their hair for the benefit of their husbands. Karuka and cheroola are mainly used in traditional practices such as bali tharpana. The bindhi made from mukkutti is used by few people of hindu Religion.

History

       The history of dasapushpas begin from ancient saints . Few parts of ramayana(seetha devi wore dasapushpas) also deals with dasapushpa.The sages who took ayurveda as their upasana knew about the curative properties of many medicinal plants.They identified  and later classified  the ten plants which has devamsam.

                                        Dasapushpas have some distinct characters other than ordinary medicinal plants.Although they have medicinal properties,their presence itself could bring positive energy to our life. they are commonly known as pure plants.They have the property to control the dasavayu in our body. Although they have infinite medicinal properties, no one cares to protect these sacred plants.

1.  UZHINJA

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Family:Sapindaceae

  It is a perennial climber with dentate leaflets and small white flowers.

Fruits are covered with bladder and seeds are globose.

It is well known for huge curative properties. The plant extract has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is used in treating earaches and in relieving swellings. The juice is also used in curing minor wounds. The juice is said to reduce obesity. The herb is also used in hair oil preparations to reduce dandruff and for darkening the hair. The herb also has laxative properties. This used to make "thoran" with coconut

scrapes.

2. PUVANKURUNTHAL
 Vernonia ceneria

The plant has erect and cylindrical stems. Leaves are ovate or lanceolate. The flowers are either white or purple in color and occur in small head inflorescence. New plants grow from the seeds which are dispersed by wind. According to ayurveda the herb has tikta rasa, rooksha guna and ushna veerya.
The herb is known to pacify vata and pitta. The whole plant is useful and has got many curative properties. It is used to cure tonsillitis, stomach ailments etc. the plant is crushed and the juice is made to a decoction by boiling with water which is used to treat fever. The juice extracted from the leaves is mixed with cow's milk and is used to treat conjunctivitis. The juice is also effective in treating poisonous insect bites. The seeds contain fatty oil which is used as an anthelmintic. It is also beneficial in flatulence and intestinal colic. The herb is used to cure problems related to skin like leucoderma and other skin diseases.
It's juice is also used to make kajal

3. MUKKUTTI

 Biophytum sensitivum

The plant belongs to the family Oxalidaceae. It is a flowering perennial herb which thrives well in tropical and sub tropical climate. The plant has a very short unbranched stem and the pinnate leaves with small leaflets on either side arise from the tip of the stem. Flowers occur in and are pale yellow to orange in color with five petals .Seeds is enveloped by a stiff and flexible fleece.
The plant is believed to possesses many medicinal properties. The herb has astringent, antiseptic, antipyretic and diuretic properties. According to ayurveda the herb has tikta and kasaya rasa lakhu and rooksha guna and ushna veerya. The herb is known to pacify Kapha and pitta. It is used to treat conditions like arthritis, sprain, stiff neck etc. It is one of the herbs which is given to women after delivery because of its ability to clean the uterus .It is also used in cases of heavy bleeding in women. A paste made of the leaves mixed with butter milk is used in cases of diarrhea. The whole plant is crushed and the juice mixed with honey is administered in cases of cough and chest congestion. According to latest studies, mukkutti's juice mixed with cow's milk has the ability to control sugar level in blood. The paste made from flower is used as bindhi.

4.  MUYALCHEVIYAN

                                               Emilia sonchifolia

       Emilia sonchifolia belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as cupid’s shaving brush. It is an annual herb with weak or erect stems. Leaves are ovate or obovate. The plant flowers from July to October. The flowers are lavender, purple or pink in color. It occurs in open fields and waste lands. It contains calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and potassium. It contains vitamins like riboflavin and niacin. The herb is used as a folk medicine. According to ayurveda the plant has katu, kasaya and tikta rasa, lakhu and grahi guna healer sheeth veerya.

The plant pacifies Kapha, vata and is effective in treating fever, tonsillitis; juice is a natural for eye diseases. It is also good in conditions like worm infections and allergy. Whole plant is crushed and the juice is extracted and is used to cure intestinal worms. The paste of the plant is useful for bleeding piles. A decoction of the plant is good in bringing down fever. The herb is useful in treating cough and bronchitis. Applying a paste on the thyroid region helps to cure the swelling in is sometimes used in cases of diabetes. Leaves  are used to make thoran with coconut crapes.

                                     5.  KARUKA

                                    Cynodon dactylon

      The plant belongs to the family Poaceae. The plant grows in warm climate all over the world. The plant has creeping stems bearing roots at the nodes. It grows and forms a dense mat helping to prevent soil erosion. The leaves are grayish green in color and flowers are very small and are in spikes. The grass is considered important in Hinduism and is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. It symbolizes purity and prosperity. It contains crude proteins, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium and potassium.

The plant has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. The plant has been suggested for treatment of urinary track infections, skin diseases, blood disorders, dysentery and prostatitis .Recent studies shows that the herb is able to reduce blood sugar level in blood. The juice is cool, sweet and palatable and is nutritious. The whole plant is medicinal and used externally and internally. The plant extract is used to relieve discomforts caused due to phlegm. The cooling property of the plant enables it to mitigate thirst and burning sensation. It works as a detoxifying agent when taken in empty stomach. The herb mixed with curd is used in leucorrhea. In general it is a good tonic for the body.

  It grows and forms a dense mat helping to prevent soil erosion. The leaves are grayish green in color and flowers are very small and are in spikes. The grass is considered important in Hinduism and is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. It symbolizes purity and prosperity. It contains crude proteins, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium and potassium.

The plant has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. The plant has been suggested for treatment of urinary track infections, skin diseases, blood disorders, dysentery and prostatitis .Recent studies shows that the herb is able to reduce blood sugar level in blood. The juice is cool, sweet and palatable and is nutritious. The whole plant is medicinal and used externally and internally. The plant extract is used to relieve discomforts caused due to phlegm. The cooling property of the plant enables it to mitigate thirst and burning sensation. It works as a detoxifying agent when taken in empty stomach. The herb mixed with curd is used in leucorrhea. It helps in curing minor cuts and wounds. In general it is a good tonic for the body.

                        

                                          6. NILAPPANA

                                           Curculigo orchiodes

     The plant is a perennial herb which belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. It occurs commonly in temperate climate and is commonly seen in south India. The plant is widely used in folk medicine. The rhizome of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. The herb has madhura and tikta rasa a, guru guna and sheeta veerya. It increases kapha and reduces vata and pitta.

It is used in digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive problems. The herb is found to be beneficial in cases of cough and asthma. It works and a stimulant and aids digestion. It is also used in cases of vomiting and diarrhea. The herb is widely used in treating erectile dysfunction and to increase the sperm count. The plant is beneficial in treating piles and blood related disorders. It is also good in skin related ailments.

                                       7.  VISHNUKRANTHI

                                               Evolvulus ulcinoides

 

          The herb belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is an annual creeper and grows in open grassy places throughout India. The leaves are small and are covered with fine hairs. The plant pacifies pitta and is katu and tikta in rasa, rooksha and teekshna in guna and ushna in veerya. The flowers are blue in color. The fruits appear in small capsules.

The herb has astringent properties and is believed to improve intelligence and memory power and is considered as a brain tonic. It is also considered as a pshycostimulant and tranquilizer. The herb is used externally and internally. The juice of the plant stimulates appetite and is also used as a mild laxative. It is effective in treating premature graying and falling of hair. A decoction of the herb with cumin and milk is found to be beneficial in cases of fever. In general it works as a good tonic for the body.

      8. KAYYONNI

        Eclipta alba

 

       Eclipta alba which is commonly known as Bhringaraj and kayyoni belongs to the family Asteraceae. It grows in moist places and has week steams. Flowers are white in color.

The whole plant is considered of medicinal value. It is useful in cases of Kapha and vata imbalances. It is effectively used in treating conditions like premature graying and hair fall .Regular application of oil prepared using this herb renders the hair black and luxuriant. It acts as a powerful liver tonic and is also useful in jaundice and spleen disorders. It is also used against anemia and eye diseases .The extract of Eclipta and honey is used in cases of respiratory congestion. It is also used to enhance the memory and as an anti ageing agent. It is also effective in treating minor burns and cuts.

                                            9. CHEROOLA

                                                Aerva lanata

          The plant is a woody, perennial herb belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. It is a common weed and grows widely in plains. It has tikta rasa, lakhu and snigda guna and sheeta veerya. The plant is known to pacify pitta.A healthy porridge is prepared from its flowers. Leaves are used to make thoran with coconut scrapes.

The plant is said to posses diuretic properties and is used as an anthelmintic. It is used to cure sore throat. The herb consists of phenol acids and alkaloids. Roots are used in headache. The leaves are also used as a vegetable.

                                10. THIRUTHALI

                                    Ipomia obscura

     The plant belongs to the family Convolvulaceae.It is a small climbing herb with a bell shaped flower. The plant posses cooling and aphrodisiac properties. Juice of the plant is used as a diuretic and deobstruent. The juice is also used as a herbal shampoo. It is also used as an antidote for arsenic poison.

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