Author: Sagar
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Centella and Asiatic pennywort
Thuthuvalai Thuvaiyal Thuthuvalai is used here traditionally in the treatment of fever, common colds and respiratory problems such as tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, sinus and chest congestion. It is essentially anti-inflammatory and also effective against microbes. Often a chutney is prepared from the leaves, and this is known as Thuthuvalai Thuvaiyal. More than just remedial, it…
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Local food celebration with Green Papaya
A reclamation of our cultural identity can happen through eating local foods. There’s a lot of talk about organic farming but it is essential to understand that our cultures have emerged because of a relationship with local foods which include many foods that are not even found in shops. Masanobu Fukuoka says, “A society that…
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Papaya Leaves
One of the ladies who works at the Solitude kitchen has a grandson who had contracted dengue fever, and the doctors were very concerned about his health. We packed her off with a sack of papaya leaves and she went to Chennai to the hospital where her grandson was admitted. There she made him a…
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Nannari Root
Hemidesmus indicus / Indian Sarsaparilla Recently I saw a man digging around in the soil on the farm and I asked him, “what are you doing?” He said he was a doctor, and was researching the effects of Nannari on blood purification and reversal of diabetes. He then went ahead and pointed out to me…
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Growing Pineapples
Planting cutting is a really easy way to start growing your own food. The pineapple is great example to start with. When you are eating a pineapple, just take a moment to keep the head that you will cut off the top of it, because this is potentially a seed for a new Pineapple plant!…
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Coconut yogurt
Yogurt or curd is pretty commonly eaten in Tamil Nadu, and all over India. Our friend Sarah, makes a vegan coconut yogurt that is absolutely delicious. You will not miss dairy for a minute! The coconut yogurt is made with the tender coconut malai, and a little bit of coconut water, to blend it into…
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Kanthari chilly
Kanthari chilly is a weed! It grows on its own without any effort! It grows with very less water and is found in abundance! Kanthari chilly is also listed as one of the top 10 spicy chilies in the world and is a very aromatic and tasty spice! So, if a plant like this with…
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Stir fried Vitamin Plant Greens
Thavasi Keerai Poriyal In southeast Asia, leaves of the Vitamin Plant commonly known as sweet leaf, katuk, are popularly used as a highly nutritious leaf.There is no wonder that it is valued for its nutrition, if one examines the diversity of micronutrients and protein that it has to offer. That a Tamil name exists for…
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Thuthuvalai Rasam / soup
Centella and Asiatic pennywort Thuthuvalai is a climbing plant that grows locally in our Bioregion as a ‘weed’. It has been part of the local Flora since time immemorial. And it has been used traditionally in the treatment of fever and common colds, among other respiratory problems. The leaves are most commonly used as an…
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Thippili / Indian Long Pepper
Piper longum Thippili, or Piper longum, is endemic to India. If you thought that Tomatoes, Peanuts, Chilies and Potatoes were Indian, you would be surprised to know that they all came from South America in the 17th century. Thippili on the other hand is an ancient Indian plant and its relevance in Ayurveda is quite…