Adakkamaniyan അടക്കാമണിയൻ
Genus: Sphaeranthus
Botanical name: Sphaeranthus indicus
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Mahamundi, Tapasvini, Palankasha
Hindi: Chhagul-nudi, Gorakhmundi
English: East Indian Globe Thistle, Indian sphaeranthus, Seed basil
Malayalam: Adakkamaniyan, Mirangani
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Adakkamaniyan is a much branched, strongly-scented annual herb with winged stem and the wings toothed. Alternately arranged obviate-oblong leaves are narrowed at the base, dentate and serrate, 1-3 cm long. Flowers occur in purple spherical heads, 8-15 mm, consisting of numerous tiny flowers. Flowers are purple and the stamens pale-purple.
The whole plants of Adakkamaniyan is used for Insanity, tuberculous glands, indigestion, bronchitis, spleen diseases, elephantiasis, anaemia, pain in the uterus and vegina, piles, asthma, leucoderma, dysentry, vomating, hemicrania, increase appetite, enriches blood, lessens inflammation, luster to eyes, scabies, ringworm of the waist, disease of chest, cough and toothache.