Leucas Espera(English)
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Thumbai

Other names:
Scientific name: Leucas aspera
Family: Lamiaceae
Habitat: Grows as a weed in deserted areas and wastelands.
Habitat: Medicinal
Speciality: A plant with medicinal properties. Other thumbas found in Kerala are Karinthumba (Anisomeles malabaria) and Perunthumba (Leucas cephalotes). The tip of the leaf of thumbas with square stems is pointed
Use:
- The stem, leaves, flowers and roots of this plant are used for medicine. It is included in the Dasapushpa.
- This plant is said to be used for the treatment of eye diseases, infections, colds and poisoning.
- Grinding the thumbas leaves and applying them to the area where a scorpion has stung relieves the poison.
- It is good to take a bath in boiled water soaked in thumbas to prevent infection after childbirth.
- Thumba is the main ingredient in Dronadurvadhi oil.
- For eye diseases, it is good to grate thumba leaves and pour its juice on the eyes.
- Water boiled with thumba leaves and turmeric is good for colds.
- Water boiled with thumba roots and pepper is good for deworming.
Significance of celebration
- Thumbaboo and thumbakudam have an inextricable link with Kerala's national festival, Onam. It is believed that the most favorite flower of Thrikkakarayappan is the thumba, which is a symbol of humility. The ceremony of making a cake with thumba flowers on Onam night and offering it to Onam thappan is practiced in some parts of central Kerala. This is called poovada.
- Thumba flowers have been offered as prasad at the Parassinikkadavu Muthappan temple in Kannur since ancient times.
| Leaf |
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| Flower |
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KERALA FOREST AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT KOATTAYAM-DIVISION |


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