Thursday, October 31, 2013

Cassia auriculata - Aavaram Poo - Aavarataki


Avarampoo Milkshake flavoured with ellaichi and sweetened with Jaggery



Avarampoo roti with paneer bhurji stirred in ghee


Aavaram Poo Chutney with Keelanelli Chutney
Aavaram Poo Idli with Tomato Chutney, Curry Leaves Podi, Thumbai Chutney, Coconut Chutney

On Plate: R->L Jaangri, Ajwain Parantha, Thumbai Chutney, Snake gourd, Vadai. Katoris: Aavaram Poo Nei Paruppu, Kathrika Sambar, Curd




Medicinal Uses
wiki
Aavaram Poo sambar helps in diabetes it seems
Helps in skin disorders, abdominal disorders, diabetes

It was by accident that mom plucked keelanelli and avaram poo on the same day. Listening to Dr. Valiathan in NPTEL, on how jaundice was cured in atharva veda era. The bhishak had a red cow tied at the foot of the patient and yellow parrots near the head of the jaundiced guy. The idea was restore the colours where they naturally belonged to -  the biliousness of the jaundiced patient to the yellow parrots and sanguinity of red cows to the patient.

It was quite to funny to realize that, i put keelanelli typically used to cure jaundice, with yellow avarampoo. Whatever, everything unto lord. Let him guide my hands and choose the food that i cook, serve and eat.

Leucas aspera - Thumbai - Dronapushpi/Chitrapatrika/Chitrakshup

Leucas aspera/thummi/Thumbai
After mom plucked


Aaduthoda Ghee Roast with Thumbai Corriander Chutney and Tomato Chutney
On the plate: R->L Pudhina Chutney, Okra poriyal, Carrot poriyal, Thumbai Kootu
R->L Whole Green Moong Dal Kheer, Dal, Mudakathan Keerai Rasam, Mor Kozhambu, Curd
It has a very distinct fragrance. Mom was telling about the honey extracted from this flower. Never realized that i would end up cooking this plant, we just passed by as kids.

Medicinal Uses
siddha says it is used for cold, headache, constipation, gastric problems, tonsillitis, menses probs
wiki echoes the same
Review by R.Srinivasan etal talk about various benefits including skin problems
Dronapushpi lists benefits in telugu

2015 Update:
Come december january, the entire stretch is filled with these plants and its tiny fragrant white flowers as far as eyes can see. So mom plucked some, golden fried them in castor oil and i applied that oil to my eyes.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Euphorbia pilulifera - Periamman Pacharisi - Dugdhika/Nagari/Kshira/Nagarjuna

Periyamman Pacharisi

Periyamman Pacharisi thugayal, Tomato Chutney, Jaangri

Medicinal Uses
wiki
Siddha Medicines

There are so many types of ammaan pacharisi - Periyamman Pacharisi, sivamman pacharisi, vayalamman pacharisi etc. The one we found on the road, matched periyamman pacharisi. The thugayal we made with roasted channa and urad dal, with a little bit of coconut shreds, a bit of corriander and curry leaves was quite yummy.

It was quite enlightening to learn, that herbs are male and female. So one should balance and eat them.