Omavalli leaves/ Karpooravalli/Doddapatre soppu/Sambrani soppu/Mexican mint is a commonly used leaves as a home remedy for cold and cough. These thick oval shape leaves has strong flavour and this plant is grown in a small pot in our home garden.
Whenever I have cold I will pluck two leaves and wash and chew them for immediate relief. You can boil these leaves with tulsi leaves and have it as kashayam. Inhaling vapour of water boiled with karpooravalli leaves helps to relieve nose congestion.
I got a kashayam recipe for my kid and give this kashayam on the day of head-bath to prevent him from cold. 2 Omavalli leaves, 1 pod Garlic and 1 betel leaf (remove the middle stalk). Crush the above ingredients and boil it in 1/4 cup of water. After straining the kashayam is ready.
I have also seen chutney, rasams, and bajjis made out of these leaves.
Kohl Rabi/Knol-khol/Nool kol (Tamil) also called as German Turnip is packed with loads of nutritional value and has less fat content. As you can see the picture above, it is greenish white coloured vegetable.It is used to prepare variety of dishes in Indian cuisine.
I have tried parathas with this veggie and came out so well, click on the pic to get the recipe.
Always select the tender ones to get tasty and healthy dishes.
Its nutritional value are
Rich in anti oxidant
Low in saturated fat and cholesterol also high in fibre
Contains B-complex groups
C rich veggie
Rich in beta carotene
Health Benefits are
Fights cancer
Clears digestion problem
Increases immunity
Stabilizes blood pressure
weight watchers friend
Manathakkali Keerai (Tamil)/ Black Nightshade (English) is a fantastic green which should be consumed regularly.
I still remember, whenever I get mouth sores my grandma used to give 2-3 leaves to chew in empty stomach. Its pretty hard to eat them raw for their bitter taste but it had miraculous effect in curing my sores.
The plant has white flowers and green berries and they turn to purple colour after they ripe. I cant resist my self from plucking these purple colour fruits fresh from the plant and eat them as it tastes good.
Important health benefits of Manathakkali keerai are
- it helps to heal mouth and stomach ulcers
- improves eyesight
- reduces urinary infections
- helps to cure constipation
Manathakkali keerai can be used to cook as keerai kootu and its green berries are used to prepare vathal. This manathakkali vathal is one of the menu in post pregnancy diet (pathiya sapadu) for lactating mothers.
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| Amla/Indian Gooseberry |
Do you know that "Amla is 20 times Vitamin C rich than an orange?"
Indian Gooseberry/Amla/Periya nellikai contains high amount of Vitamin C than any other fruit or veggies.
Remember our childhood days when our granny used to give raw Amla or Sugar coated amla candy to chew????? But sadly, nowadays we are ready to eat burgers and pizzas and are neglecting this amazing nutrition rich fruit.
Indian Gooseberry/Amla/Periya nellikai gains high privilege in Ayurveda. A better example is Chyawanprash in which Amla is the main ingredient.
Amla based food recipes:
Amla needs to be included in our daily diet to achieve immerse health benefits. Some of the common Amla based ready made food that are available at supermarket or online are, Amla juice, sugar coated amla candy, honey dipped amla and sun dried amlas.
Apart from above, you can buy fresh amlas and try few interesting recipes at home. They are
1) Amla raita
2) Amla pickle
3) Amla rice
How to prepare Amla juice at home?
In season, the market is flooded with fresh Amlas that you can buy and store it in fridge. These Amlas stay fresh for a week's time when refrigerated. Buy few fresh amals and try this juice at home.
- De seed few of the Amlas and grind to fine paste.
- Add enough water to dilute the concentrate.
- Mix honey or unrefined sugar
Your Fresh Amla juice is ready, consuming them regularly promotes healthy living.
How to select Fresh Amlas?
When you buy fresh Amlas, care needs to be taken in choosing them
- Always choose fresh and tender ones with no cuts or blemishes on their skin
- Go for fresh ones than the frozen ones.
Top Health benefits of Amla/Nellikai/Indian Gooseberry:
Nutrition rich Amla not only enhances immunity level but also increases your life span. Let us have a look at top health benefits of Amla
1) High vitamin C of Amla boosts your immunity level. When your immunity level increases then automatically your body starts gaining enough strength to fight against virus and germs.
2) Antioxidants are important for your body since they fight against free radicals, a main cause for ageing. Amla is an antioxidant agent which helps to maintain your youthfulness.
3) Want to achieve lustrous hair the you should definitely include Amla in your daily diet. Since amla promotes hair growth also prevents hair fall. Amla based ayurvedic hair oils are available, try using one after consulting an ayurvedic physician.
4) Vision problem is not a common one among old people but also spreading among children too. This power fruit Amla improves eyesight and cures all eye related problems like itchiness, redness, watering of the eyes, tired eyes, etc.
5) Amla regulates acid levels in stomach, hence cures acidity and digestion problems.
6) Amla Strengthens Respiratory system and fights all the respiratory related problems like cold, sore throat, bronchitis, cough etc.
7) Amla is a blood purifier and increases haemoglobin count.
