Benefits and medicinal use of Thoothuvalai – Botanical Name :- Solanum Trilobatum

Thuthuvalai / Thoothuvalai is otherwise called as climbing brinjal , purple fruited pea egg plan or nightshade.

Thuthuvalai is mainly used to treat for cold and cough. It is a creeper plan with lots of thorns, purple flower, red fruit. It is advised to remove the thorns before using thoothuvalai as it is mildly toxic.

Nature has plenty of resources for the wellness of human being. We can utilise the abundance of resources available to lead a healthy and happy life. In this modern times people are more dependant on English medicines which has proven to have side effects in the long run.

Exploring natural remedies will help us utilise the therapeutical advantage of the nature plants and foods have to offer.

Thuthuvalai is one such plant which contains rich amount of calcium, iron, phosphorus, fat, crude fibre and minerals.

Thoothuvalai Powder:-

Collect the leaves of this plant and was it thoroughly make sure to remove its thorns as it is mildly toxic.

Spread the leaves on a paper towel or a dry cloth and let it dry under sunlight until it becomes crisp.

• Add two teaspoon of thuthuvalai powder and let it boil for few mins. It can be consumed plain or add some jaggery or palm sugar for taste and drink it hot.
• Boil water with crushed coriander seeds, basil leaves or Thulasi leaves and some cumin let the water level reduce for a while and strain and enjoy the drink. This drink is otherwise called Kashayam.

Thoothuvalai is known to have anti inflammatory, anti- microbial ,anti- oxidant and anti Tumor properties.

Thoothuvalai Rasam/ soup:-

Ingredients:-

• Thoothuvalai leaves 10 to 20
• Tamarind pulp half cup
• Pepper corn
• Cumin seeds
• Green chillies
• Tomato
• Coriander leaves
• Mustard seeds
• Oil
• Salt
• Garlic pods

Grind the dry ingredients such as pepper corn, garlic pods, green chillies, cumin seeds and a tomato and make it a coarse powder.

Mix the powder with tamarind pulp along with 2 cups of water. Add salt for taste.

Add the mixture along with the Thoothuvalai leaves and let it come to boil.

Heat 2 teaspoons of oil and temper mustard seed and if needed you can add curry leaves as well once tempered mix it with the boiled rasam. Tada … your herbal rasam is ready ..

This rasam is ideal for running nose , chest congestion, cold and cough. There is no harm in consuming this rasam at least once a week.

Thoothuvalai can be consumed in moderation level including pregnant woman. 1/2 spoon every day or twice a week will greatly improve the immune system.

Thoothuvalai spread:-

Thoothuvalai spread ? Sounds interesting right? .. let’s start With the ingredients needed..

• Olive oil
• Thoothuvalai leaves 10 to 20 removed the leaves alone leaving the thorns and was to remove any impurities
• Green chillies few
• Cumin seeds
• Lemon juice few drops
• Cashew nuts 10
• Salt

Mix all the ingredients except for olive oil and salt and grind it in to a paste . If needed you can add few drops of water bring it to a thick consistency.

Drizzle olive oil and add few drops of lemon juice and salt to taste.

Spread it over your toasted bread or tortillas along with some vegetables and enjoy it.

Powdered Thoothuvalai can be mixed with hot rice along with some ghee is simply awesome.