Offerings To Deities

Karpuravalli

KARPURAVALLI

Plectranthus amboinicus, once identified as Coleus Amboinicus, is a tender fleshy perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with an oregano-like flavour and odour. Known as country borage in English and patharcur in Hindi.

This is a plant that must be grown in homes where there are children. It is very useful in tackling infantile cold, cough and fever, something which has been extensively documented in Siddha literature. The juice of the leaf can be given with sugar candy ( Panna Kalkandu) for cough that affects infants. It is mixed with gingelly oil and sugar and applied to the forehead to stop a runny nose and bring down a fever. The best method to administer it is to extract it from the leaves, boil it well to remove the water and take about ½ tsp to one teaspoon while warm. This is very effective for respiratory infections.

The herb is also "heat producing", a digestive and constipating. It stimulates the functioning of the liver and is given in bilious conditions. Crushed leaves are used as a local application for headache and to relieve the pain and irritation caused by poisonous bites. It is also given to patients with kidney and bladder stones. These leaves can also be are crushed and the juice extracted (heated up for a while) will be mix with honey or sweetened water for infant and children. karpuravlli leaves can be used to make tea using the leaves - add sugar (rock sugar@ kalkandu) and drink.

This plant is very to maintain. To plant this plant, just take 1 stem then plant in a pot and it will keep growing. Try to keep it in the shed. These leaves are loved by Mariamman and Nagamma. You can use these leaves as offering to these deities.