Medicinal Plants In Wayanad To Benefit Your Health

Wayanad is blessed with a plethora of flora and fauna. With its greenery, there are various types of medicinal plants to cure different ailments. Also, a lot of herbs found in this region have been used for ayurvedic treatment since ages.

Aloe Vera

This plant is widely seen in and around Wayanad. It is well-known for the therapeutic and beauty benefits. Aloe vera soap and gel come loaded with several nutrients like glycerin, sodium palmate, sodium carbonate, sorbitol, etc. These are good for the skin and nourish your skin from within, giving you the skin that glows with health. It is widely used for face pack to enhance moisture on the skin and also has an anti-aging property. It is also used to reduce inflammation and is often added to massage oils.

Toothache plant

Another interesting plant is the toothache plant which is a fast-growing medicinal plant. It is commonly known as Akravu or Pallu vedana chedi in Malayalam. Its leaves and flower heads contain an analgesic agent that may be used to reduce toothaches by chewing its stem or leaf. It is also used to treat Viper snake biting.

Neem

Neem is one of the most beneficial plants seen in Wayanad and other parts of Kerala. It is used as powder, oil or even grounded as a paste to use for treatment. It is widely used in resorts in Wayanad for the ayurvedic spa treatment. Its root bark, stem bark, gum, flower, leaves, seeds and seed oil are used for various medicinal purposes. Moreover, neem oil is used as a pesticide with no side effects. As per Ayurveda neem leaves are internal cleansers. If you are suffering from an irritated throat then just have a neem leaf tea with honey. This has a smoothening effect.

Amla

Another important medicinal plant in Ayurveda is Amla. Amla pacifies vata, pitta, and kapha, though it is especially calming to pitta. It sharpens the sense of taste itself and so it is both stimulating and tonifying to the first stage of digestion. Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is used in many households in Wayanad as a sweet treat. Amla is soaked in honey for around eight months and used as a dessert by the locals of this region. This also can be consumed to alleviate the irritations caused due to conjunctivitis.

Tulsi

Tulsi is worshipped as it is offered to the Gods and is grown in many Hindu households not in vain but for a well-established reason – this humble, inexpensive herb comes loaded with a host of benefits. Tulsi is loaded with vitamin K and is used for treating skin allergies, acne, common cold, fever and also fights cancer. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend the regular consumption of tulsi tea as an essential lifestyle practice. It also reduces stress-related issues.

Long Pepper

Long pepper is a spice but it has been used in various treatments since time immemorial. Like other peppers, the plant bears berries which are long and shaped like an elephant trunk. Long pepper is widely used in Kerala cuisine and also for a therapeutic purpose. It is used for preparing portions for reducing toothache, headache, insomnia, heart problems, piles etc. As Wayanad has a warm climate it is suitable for large cultivation of long pepper.

Betel Leaf Plant

The betel leaf plant is a climber that grows 10-15ft with a supporter plant. Betel leaf is a storehouse of several chemicals that are of much pharmaceutical value and the plant is used in the preparation of medicated oil (Murivenna or Chadavenna). For the treatment of the irritation in the skin caused due spider bite, take the juice of the leaf and apply it with coconut oil. The juice of this plant is used for Nasyam (An Ayurvedic treatment). This leaf is also a remedy for bad breath, by chewing with calcium carbonate(Chunna) and Arecanut(Pakku). It is widely seen in Wayanad and many locals have the habit of chewing betel leaf as an ancient tradition.