The Indian Borage or Koorkkila is one plant you need to have in your Ayurvedic herbs garden, especially if you have kids at home. Plectranthus amboinicus or Coleus aromaticus, variously known as Koorkkila, Kannikoorkka, Panikoorkka and Navara in Malayalam, and Karpooravalli in Tamil, is a hardy, tropical perennial and is the go to herb for colds, coughs and minor respiratory ailments in children.
Medicinal Uses of the Ayurvedic herb Koorkkila
Although the most popular use of Koorkkila is in treating the common cold and coughs in infants and toddlers, Ayurveda recommends its use for a range of other ailments too.
Koorkkila for Colds
A simple cure for a runny nose would be to pluck a few fresh leaves of koorkkila, warm them over a hot tava, squeeze the aromatic juice out, and apply it on the top of the head and chest. The juice can also be taken internally to relieve chest and nasal congestion, loosen phlegm, soothe throat infections, and coughs. The leaves added to water during steam inhalation clear nasal passages and stuffy noses.
Koorkkila as an Anti-pyretic
The juice of koorkkila is also effective as a fever reducer when taken internally.
Koorkkila for First-aid
Juice from the leaves of koorkkila is applied on insect bites. It relives itching and prevents infection. It also takes care of minor wounds and scratches.
Koorkkila for Lactating Mothers
Koorkkila improves lactation. Moreover, the health benefits are passed on to the babies through the mother’s milk.
Koorkkila for Gastric Troubles
Koorkkila juice is an effective medicine for diarrhea and also treats flatulence.
Culinary Uses of Koorkkila
The richly flavored and aromatic leaves are made into savory bajjis that are more than a simple snack. These bajjis can relieve throat aches and fever too. In certain culinary cultures, the leaves, which are similar in aroma to oregano, are used to add flavor to soups and other dishes.
This is why you need to grow koorkkila in your Ayurvedic herbs garden so that you have some fresh leaves handy to squeeze out the juice the moment you hear your toddler sniffling.
You can find these easy to grow herbs here.
