STONE CRUSHER FROM NATURE’S TOOLKIT
Monsoons are the seasons when the water intake reduces and the formation
or aggravation of kidney or ureter stones happen. To crush powder and flush
away the stones Nature gifted from its cache the plant Ashmaribhedaka,
which literally means the crusher of stones. Known as Cheroola in Kerala, the
mountain knot grass, as it is commonly known is a native of the tropics
growing across South Asia, Africa and Australia. An annual sprawling, woody,
succulent herb with camphor smelling roots, ash green leaves and dull whitish
green flowers Cheroola grows as a common weed in arable fields and open
patches of ground.
The plant, used as a talisman against evil spirits has got immense medicinal
properties. The whole plant is anti-venomous and accentuated by its diuretic
action is very effective in snake bites. The astringent quality endows the herb
with a styptic action and hence is useful in diarrhoea and bleeding disorders.
The herb possesses internal healing properties and repairs the damaged
internal mucous membranes. It also works against intestinal worms. Water
boiled with the stem and leaves of the plant make an effective eye wash for
pink eye, a viral infection that comes with the onset of rains.
As a member of the Dashapushpam family it is used internally as a monsoon
detoxifying herb and as an ingredient in the monsoon medicated porridge.
The leaves are used as sautéed greens and also added to soups.
A few home remedies with Cheroola
Collect 200 g of the crushed fresh clean plant including the roots and puree it in a blender. Boil the puree with four times of water and reduce to half. Filter and add a pinch of cardamom powder to the filtrate. Take this tea on empty stomach every morning for 4 weeks as a remedy for small urinary stones.
100 g of crushed plant boiled with 200 ml of milk and sweetened with jaggery is given to expecting mothers from the 28 th week onwards to facilitate a normal childbirth.
50 ml of the puree or 20g of the paste of Cheroola also known as Bhadra is mixed with buttermilk and taken early morning on empty stomach to reduce blood sugar.
It is a regular habit among us to clear off the monsoon plants during the
gardening tasks of de-weeding and landscaping. They are also done away
with, as part of the local self-governing body cleaning campaigns.
The herbs and plants that spring out of the soils soaked by monsoons are priceless gems
and they deserve attention and conservation. The role they play in the
ecological balance is very crucial and important.
Public awareness in this regard is necessary and each one of us should have an eye to acknowledge
these little angels descended on earth to save us from the maladies of
monsoons and helping us to savour a healthy happy season of rains…….
