SOLANUM TRILOBATUM

 Solanum trilobatum (Thoothuvalai)

family: solanaceae

Solanum Trilobatum commonly called "Thoothuvalai" in Tamil,  is a very important herb in traditional home remedies and has amazing health benefits and medicinal uses.

Thoothuvalai is a creeper with plenty of thorns on stems and leaves. This plant adds elegance to your garden if grown as fence against your wall because of its beautiful purple flowers and attractive red fruits.It should be trimmed and trained peroidically to get dense foliage.

Medicinal value:

 Almost everyone in Tamil Nadu would have heard or used it for treating cough and cold. 

 My Mother in law makes decoction out of  thoothuvalai. This decoction is very effective for chest congestion, cough, blocked nose and even for people who suffer from sinus infection. 

Ingredients:

Solanum  trilobatum leaves : 5

Water     : 1 cup(200ml)
Turmeric powder: 1 pinch
Garlic:1 small pod
Cumin seeds: 1/4 tsp
peppercorns: 1/4 tsp

Procedure:

1.  Remove the thorns completely from the leaves and wash them.
2.  Pound the pepper corns, garlic, cumin seeds in a mortar and pestle 
3.  Add the leaves and pound everything together well. 
4.  Boil water in a pan along with little bit organic turmeric powder.
5.  Add the pounded mixture and boil till the leaves are cooked. 
6.  Strain and decotion is consumed without salt usually.(otherwise little salt can be added)

NOTE:

• The leaves can also be grinded and mixed with dosa /idli batter if the kids refuse to have it as decoction.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Divya Pamuru

PGD landscaping