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This is the Ixora coccinea flower. Used extensively in Hindu temples for making garlands, this is a must for all worships especially for the Goddess of Durga. May be the redness of the flowers is what would have made the choice on this flower. In Malayalam this is known as the Thechi and there are many colour variations, though the red one is what is used in Ayurvedic medicine preparations and for household medications.
Various parts of this plant - roots, stem, flowers etc.- are used for treating skin diseases, colic, flatulence, diarrhea, indigestion, ulcers, wounds, and also used as antiseptic. This plant is also believed to have anti-cancer properties probably because of its effectiveness against ulcers. Though there is a long list of other diseases for which this plant is used, I am not going into the details as one can do a google search for Ixora and find out them.
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What is particularly interesting is that again its relationship to our childhood. This plant has a red berry which is edible and as children we used to collect the berries from hillocks. Also the honey which you can suck from the flowers is another attraction for children.
I have seen the orange ones here.
ReplyDeleteI like it the way you highlight its medicinal values.
Thats another healing plant.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful with the nice red color :)
Nice shot !!
Fortunately, more and more people know about the healthy properties of plants.
I personally love many homeopathy I use it self :)
I used also http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm
its all makes from flowers :))))
i can only think of this song -- Thetti mandaram thulasi pichaga maalagal charrthi guruvayurappa ninne kani kaananam... deepa H Ramakrishnan
ReplyDeleteYes, Deepa, this also happens to be a song sung by the Hindi singer Lata Mangeshkar and it was a hit even today. Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post on a beautiful flower and therpeutic too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful capture with lot of useful info.
ReplyDeleteWatch Lata Mangeshkar song Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha Checkout full video here
ReplyDeleteHi please tell me if this is an edible flower ?
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