Dasapushpam: Kerala's ten sacred plants

Dasapushpam are ten plants with a special place in Malayali ritual and traditional medicine. In the month of Karkidakam, homes and temples used to lay them out on a brass plate. Many are small plants that grow by themselves in our courtyards, yet few people today can name them.

The ten plants

• Karuka (Cynodon dactylon)
• Kayyonni (Eclipta prostrata)
• Mukkutti (Biophytum sensitivum)
• Uzhinja (Cardiospermum halicacabum)
• Cheroola (Aerva lanata)
• Nilappana (Curculigo orchioides)
• Vishnukranthi (Evolvulus alsinoides)
• Muyalcheviyan (Emilia sonchifolia)
• Thiruthali (Ipomoea sepiaria)
• Poovamkurunthal (Cyanthillium cinereum)

Start a Dasapushpam garden

• A one-metre bed is enough; many grow in pots
• Find and protect the ones already growing nearby; do not pull them out as weeds
• Label each plant with its Malayalam and scientific name: children will learn them

Medicinal use: never use any plant as medicine without the advice of a qualified vaidya. The wrong plant, the wrong dose, or a clash with other medicines can cause harm.

Arogya Bharati Keralam helps schools, temples and homes set up Dasapushpam gardens and runs herb-identification walks.