Pavizhamalli Plant 

Care tips and Benefits

Dr,N,K,MANOHARAN

 

        Rich in the fascinating legends of Indian mythology, known as the parijata flower, night-blooming jasmine, and coral coriander, its beauty and fragrance are a bittersweet tale of love, longing, and divine mercy. But this is not the Parijata of us Keralites, but this is another plant known as Parijata. Hindu mythology claims that the gods and demons discovered the Parijata tree when they united and crossed the Palazhi in search of the nectar of immortality. Legend has it that this tree was later planted by Indra, the king of the gods, in his heavenly garden of Nandana forest.The tree is known for its unparalleled beauty and divine fragrance, but sadly its flowers bloom at night and fall to the ground in the morning.In another legend, this tree is also a story of love and heartbreak. A long time ago, there lived a princess named Parijataka, who was very famous for her beauty and kindness, and once she fell deeply in love with the sun god. But knowing this love of hers, the Sun God remained indifferent to that love. Heartbroken at this, Princess Parijataka ended her life. Later from her ashes, the Parijata tree emerged, a testament to her eternal love and unfulfilled desires.

That is why it is said that its flowers bloom only at night and fall to the ground when the first rays of the sun touch them. Its flowers, like princesses, move away from the sun's gaze. Apart from this,

There is another story; it is like this: once Lord Krishna visited the heavenly garden of Devedra with Satyabhama. Attracted by the beauty and fragrance of the Parijata tree she saw there, she wanted to have it in her palace. To please her, Krishna uprooted the tree and threw it on the ground. Devendra, who was angry at Krishna's action, asked Krishna a little impatiently. O great benefactor. What a crime you have done. Of course, this is not a good deed. The fragrance and beauty of this Nandana forest have been destroyed by your despicable act. To the enraged Lord Indra, Lord Krishna gently said, Oh King of Gods, if this flower tree grows on the earth, it will bring great happiness to humans, for their happiness, we have done so. But Lord Indra, who understood everything, reluctantly agreed. On his return, Satyabhama planted this tree in his yard and ensured that it would not only bloom in his garden. But seeing this, Rukmini, another wife of Krishna, who was also a devotee of Parijata flowers, told Krishna that she also wanted a tree like that. It is believed that Krishna, in such a predicament, to resolve this conflict between the two, blessed the tree itself so that while it grew in Satyabhama's garden, its flowers would fall in Rukmini's backyard, thus becoming a symbol of love and balance. 

 

The Parijata flower is associated in Indian culture with unrequited love, eternal attraction, divine beauty, and spiritual awakening, and it is often associated with detachment and humility. Used in worship, especially dedicated to deities like Vishnu and Shiva. Even today the Parijata tree is revered in many parts of India. The famous Parijata tree in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, is believed to be the same tree brought to earth by Lord Krishna. It is said to be more than 1,000 years old, standing as a living relic of these ancient legends. Now let's take a look at this tree in the present tense. It is a small tree or shrub in the family Oleaceae. Its scientific name is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis; common names are parijata, night jasmine, harsringar, and shefali; in Malayalam it is called Pavizhamallichedi.

A beautiful and fragrant flowering plant native to South and Southeast Asia. It has medicinal, cultural, and ornamental value. Usually grown in tropical and subtropical climates. Prefers a well-drained, sandy loam soil. Full to partial sunlight is required for good growth. Can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or root suckers. Regular watering is required during the growing season, but reduce watering in winter. Trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage flowering.

Also apply organic fertilizer or compost every two or three months. Use organic pesticides to control pests such as aphids and mealybugs. Also, this plant has many medicinal properties. It is widely used in Ayurveda, Unani, and folk medicine. It contains phytochemicals, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and essential oils. It also contains components such as Nyctantin, friedelin, and arboristroside that are anti-inflammatory in arthritis and inflammatory conditions. It is used as a remedy for many ailments, including antipyretic, malaria, dengue, fever, antioxidant, oxidative stress, liver health, jaundice, worm infestation, asthma, cough, bronchitis, fungal infection, eczema, acne, constipation, loss of appetite, and the body's natural defenses. Another is because of its cultural and religious significance; it is considered a sacred plant in Hinduism, whose flowers are offered to deities. It is a popular choice for gardens and landscaping. It also acts as a natural air purifier. Provides shade and habitat for small birds and insects. The flowers are used to extract essential oils that have therapeutic properties. The stem of the orange flower is used to prepare natural dyes for textiles. It is also known as arbor-tristis because the flowers bloom at night and fall to the ground at sunrise, the name meaning "sad tree."But its flowers are very fragrant and are used in perfumes and potpourris. The plant is drought tolerant and requires minimal care. Moderate use is recommended, as excessive use may cause nausea or irritation. A very important thing. Before using this plant for medicinal purposes, always consult a health professional and follow their advice to use it, or it can be dangerous.

 

See you again thank you for reading.

 

Discover the Power of African Senna

Medicinal Uses, Cultivation & Benefits

Dr.N.K.MANOHARAN

        I noticed this plant on my way home. I have passed by it many times before, but I saw it today, and the reason I noticed it was because of its beautiful flowers. Moreover, I felt a curiosity to know what kind of plant this is. Maybe some of you know about it or have seen it, so if you share what you know about this plant in the comment box, it will be useful to all who watch this video. This is a plant on the side of Elappara Kattappana road in Idukki district. At the time this video was taken, there was a strong January wind blowing, and it was sunny, but that didn't deter me from my efforts, as you can see from watching the video. African Senna is a medicinal plant used as a good natural laxative. Today's article covers the botanical characteristics, chemical composition, cultivation methods, medicinal uses, side effects, and economic importance of African Senna. Those who are interested can read this article till the end without skipping. It is our right to be aware of the world around us and the living things in it.

African Senna, whose scientific name is Senna Alexandrina, is a popular herb in the Fabaceae family native to northern Africa, including Egypt and Sudan. It is cultivated in India, Pakistan, and parts of the Middle East. Also known as African Senna, Popcorn Senna, Candelabra tree, and Peanut butter cassia, in Malayalam it is known by many names like Ana thakara, African thakara, etc. African Senna is one of 249 species in the Senna genus of the Fabaceae family. Although this is an African plant, it is found in a variety of habitats across the continent. Known for its nutritional properties, this plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is cultivated in many other parts of the world as an ornamental, cover crop, and green manure, but it is considered a weed in Indonesia, Australia, Mexico, and some parts of California, Florida, and Hawaii in the United States. African Senna is a shrub that usually grows to a height of about five to nine meters. It has a distinctive smell, and the pods are flat, brown, pea-like pods up to twelve centimetres long, each containing sixteen seeds up to one centimetre long.

Although African Senna is poisonous, this plant is distinguished by its leaves and pods, which contain anthraquinones and sennosides, which confer medicinal properties. Constipation can be effectively treated by stimulating bowel movements. It is commonly used in herbal teas and over-the-counter laxatives. But it helps to some extent in colon cleansing, which is often used before medical tests like colonoscopy. You can also temporarily lose weight by eliminating waste. It helps to reduce the inflammation of skin diseases like acne, ringworm, and even minor ailments, including antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria. However, improper or prolonged use of African Senna can sometimes lead to adverse effects. Its excessive use can lead to loss of potassium and essential electrolytes. As well as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to excessive bowel movements, long-term use may lead to bowel dependence, and the rare possibility of skin rashes and respiratory problems cannot be ruled out. Another important point is that long-term use may affect liver function. Women should avoid this during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. It is never recommended for children under the age of twelve. A doctor's advice should be strictly sought before prolonged use or persistent constipation.

It exhibits antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract as well as skin and hair protection and is used topically for skin diseases such as acne and fungal infections. It is included in cosmetics and hair care products for its cleansing properties. Moreover, in Ayurveda and Unani, it is used in the traditional treatment of fever, haemorrhoids, and menstrual disorders. Although African Senna is effective, it should be used responsibly to avoid adverse effects. Apart from its medicinal uses, its leaves are also used in the cosmetic industry, as well as green manure to increase soil fertility. Also, this plant is traditionally used in many rituals and some medicines in Africa and the Middle East. African Senna is a valuable medicinal plant with a rich history of use. Although its benefits are well documented, always consult a healthcare professional before using Senna-based products to ensure safe and effective use. The primary parts used for medicinal purposes are the leaves and pods. African Senna is widely used in traditional and modern medicine. Common side effects include abdominal pain, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance, as prolonged use can lead to loss of potassium in the body. Long-term use may cause a decrease in natural bowel function.

Some studies suggest that diarrhoea caused by excessive consumption can lead to fluid loss, allergies, skin rashes, respiratory problems, intestinal obstruction, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis. The low-maintenance African Senna is thriving well in hot, dry climates, in tropical and sub-tropical climates, and in a wide variety of habitats, from grasslands to riverbanks and woodlands. Well-drained sand or clay loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH favours this plant; moderate irrigation is sufficient, but it can tolerate some drought. The plant is highly adaptable and can grow in a variety of soils, making it a resilient species in the challenging environments of Africa. It needs six to seven hours of full sunlight per day. It is generally propagated by seeds, but the seeds should be specially prepared for this, and these seeds should be soaked in warm water for twelve to twenty-four hours for rapid germination. Only after that can the seeds be sown directly in the soil or sown in pots. Reduce the amount of water to prevent the plant's roots from rotting. Add organic compost to enrich the soil. Remove weeds regularly to prevent competition for nutrients. This plant is relatively easy to grow, making it an excellent addition to herb gardens in suitable climates. This plant is drought tolerant and adapts to dry areas by preventing soil erosion. It can also be used as a good green manure.

 In addition to its medicinal uses, African Senna is often cultivated for ornamental purposes, making it an integral part of garden ecosystems due to its spectacular flowers' ability to attract bees, butterflies, and birds. African Senna plays a critical role in its native habitat. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it benefits nearby plants by accumulating nitrogen and increasing soil fertility. Another benefit is its robust root system, which helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion in vulnerable areas. The plant provides nectar for pollinators and serves as a habitat for various insects and small animals. Embracing the interrelationship of nature, culture, and science, it shows how the plant can influence ecosystems and support livelihoods, as well as African Senna being a major export product to countries such as Egypt and India. It is widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, economic and ecological importance, and contributes to the local economy, and this is what we have to share with you today.