Kuthira Kolalkku (spinach) PRODUCT NAME
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban = Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. SCIENTIFIC NAME
| Common Name: | Kuthira Kolalkku (spinach) |
| Local Name: | Kuthira Kolalkku (Kurumba); Tamil-Vallarai; Hindi-Brahmi. |
| Family: | Umbelliferae |
| Other Species of Same Genera: | |
| Product Description: | A prostrate herb. Flower: In umbels, purplish. Fruit: A mericarp. Miscellaneous: A popular herb in the Ayurvedic tradition, known for its medicinal properties of improving memory. In Tamil Nadu, its leaves are eaten in small quantities as a cooked ‘keerai’ (spinach). It is an ingredient in the preparation of herbal hair oils, along with Nellikai/Amla (Phyllanthus emblica). Plants in the forest have broader leaves and are bitter than the ones growing in the farms. |
| NTFP Classification: | Medicinal, aromatics and cosmetics, Food and food ingredients (plant-derived) |
DISTRIBUTION
| Countries Found: | India |
| Description: | Upto 1600m in moist and sheltered places. Tropics and sub tropics |
USES AND PARTS USED
| Parts Used: | leaves, leaflets |
| Uses: | leaves, leaflets Kurumba people use a decoction of leaves to cure heart burn. Leaves mixed with goat’s milk or goat’s urine is eaten to remove excess body heat. The leaf is cooked and eaten |
| Origin: | |
| Management Practices: | |
| Market Information: | |
| Partners: | Keystone Foundation |
PARTNERS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THIS NTFP
| Duration: | |
| Activity: | |
| External Links: |
