AYURVEDA AND LIFESTYLE

Monsoons are the seasons when the water intake reduces and the formation

or aggravation of kidney or ureter stones happen. To crush powder and flush

away the stones Nature gifted from its cache the plant Ashmaribhedaka,

which literally means the crusher of stones. Known as Cheroola in Kerala, the

mountain knot grass, as it is commonly known is a native of the tropics

growing across South Asia, Africa and Australia. An annual sprawling, woody,

succulent herb with camphor smelling roots, ash green leaves and dull whitish

green flowers Cheroola grows as a common weed in arable fields and open

patches of ground.

The plant, used as a talisman against evil spirits has got immense medicinal

properties. The whole plant is anti-venomous and accentuated by its diuretic

action is very effective in snake bites. The astringent quality endows the herb

with a styptic action and hence is useful in diarrhoea and bleeding disorders.

The herb possesses internal healing properties and repairs the damaged

internal mucous membranes. It also works against intestinal worms. Water

boiled with the stem and leaves of the plant make an effective eye wash for

pink eye, a viral infection that comes with the onset of rains.

As a member of the Dashapushpam family it is used internally as a monsoon

detoxifying herb and as an ingredient in the monsoon medicated porridge.

The leaves are used as sautéed greens and also added to soups.

A few home remedies with Cheroola

 Collect 200 g of the crushed fresh clean plant including the roots and

puree it in a blender. Boil the puree with four times of water and reduce

to half. Filter and add a pinch of cardamom powder to the filtrate. Take

this tea on empty stomach every morning for 4 weeks as a remedy for

small urinary stones.

 100 g of crushed plant boiled with 200 ml of milk and sweetened with

jaggery is given to expecting mothers from the 28 th week onwards to

facilitate a normal childbirth.

 50 ml of the puree or 20g of the paste of Cheroola also known as Bhadra

is mixed with buttermilk and taken early morning on empty stomach to

reduce blood sugar.

It is a regular habit among us to clear off the monsoon plants during the

gardening tasks of de-weeding and landscaping. They are also done away

with, as part of the local self-governing body cleaning campaigns.

The herbs and plants that spring out of the soils soaked by monsoons are priceless gems

and they deserve attention and conservation. The role they play in the

ecological balance is very crucial and important.

Public awareness in this regard is necessary and each one of us should have an eye to acknowledge

these little angels descended on earth to save us from the maladies of

monsoons and helping us to savour a healthy happy season of rains…….