Thumpa

Thumpa

Scientific name : Leucas aspera

Family :lamiaceae

Habitat : Annual herb

Thumba is a small herb native to southern part of India,mainly Kerala & Karnataka. The whole plant is used for different medicine in Ayurveda.. Thumba is a flower of Kerala ,it signifies purity & simplicity.The flowers has religious importance too.It is believed that Lord Krishna loved this flower.During Onam Thumba flowers are used for floral rangoli(athapo).It is also used as an offering to dead people during special rite called  bali(karkkidaka vavu bali).     

 Remedies:                                 

1. Throat pain or tonsillitis:  Grind some Thumba leaves, few black pepper &  garlic 
2. Fever: 20 gms juice of Thumba leaves&10 gms black pepper powder, take it for 3-4 days             
3. For Jaundices,small foreign bodies in eyes use 2-3 drops of thumba leaves juices
4. Diabetic: Take daily 10 gms thumba juice with 2 black pepper.
5. Throat infection for small children: 1spoon thumba juice with honey

This plant is used for snake poison  also. Thumba leaves are excellent mosquito repellers. The juice of leaves with honey is a medicine for indigestion and stomach ache. In ayurveda it is known as 'Dhrona pushpi'. It is an excellent antipyretic. The flowers with honey is effective for coughs and cold in children.

Juices of the plant is applied externally for psoriasis , chronic skin eruptions and painful swellings . Flower is given with honey for coughs and colds . Herb is used as antipyretic.