Medicinal Herbs

Ixora coccinea: Uses and Benefits of the Jungle Geranium

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Ixora coccinea, commonly known as Jungle Geranium, is a vibrant flowering plant revered in Indian tradition. It is also called Vetchi, Kullai, Sindhuram, Sechchai, or Chetharam, in regional languages.

This plant is found almost everywhere in India. The name “Ixora” originates from “Iswara“, referring to Lord Shiva, as the plant holds sacred significance in Hindu culture. 

It comes in red and white varieties, both sharing similar medicinal properties. 

Parts Used: Flowers, Roots 
Taste: Astringent 
Nature: Heating 
Category: Pungent (Karppu) 
Family: Rubiaceae 

Scientific Benefits:

  • The root extract has anti-inflammatory effects, proven in studies on rats. 
  • Leaves contain lupeol, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties. 
  • Flowers contain essential oil (0.5%) with antimicrobial effects and help remove heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) from polluted water.

Therapeutic Actions: 

  • Sedative 
  • Stomachic (improves digestion) 
  • Tonic (strengthens the body) 
  • Intestinal antiseptic 
  • Cholagogue (promotes bile flow) 
  • Astringent 
  • Appetite stimulant

Benefits of Ixora Flowers: 

  • Treats urinary disorders, fever, excessive thirst, and fatigue. 
  • Dysmenorrhea (painful periods), hemoptysis (coughing blood), bronchitis 

வெட்சிப்பூ மேகவழல் விட்டோட்டும் வாசனையாம் அட்சிவழி யாயுயிர்கொள் ளாரணங்கே – எச்சுஞ் சுரமுடனே தாகந் தொலைக்கும் உலகில்
விரைவாய் இளைப்பகற்றும் விள்.
(அ.கு.)

Home Remedies with Ixora:

  • Ixora Flower Herbal Tea (For Fever & Fatigue) Boil Ixora flowers in water with palm sugar. Strain and drink twice daily.  Benefits: Reduces fever, body aches, and fatigue. 
  • For Leucorrhea & Irregular Periods : Grind fresh flowers into a paste, take 1 tsp with buttermilk on an empty stomach.
  • Alternative: Fry flowers in ghee (23g), mix with cumin (520mg), nagapoo (a type of flower), butter, and sugar. Helps with diarrhea, thirst, fatigue, and fever. 
  • Skin Care Oil (For Eczema & Itching) Grind 300g of flowers, mix with coconut oil (½ litre), and heat to make medicated oil. Apply on eczema, rashes, and itchy skin. Massage into the scalp to reduce dandruff and promote hair growth. 
  • For Joint Pain & Swelling: Make a paste of Ixora leaves and apply on swollen areas.Reduces inflammation, joint pain, muscle tears, and nerve damage. 
  • For Fever: Soak flowers in water (30-60ml) and drink 2-3 times a day. 
  • For Diarrhea & Infections: Grind root bark with long pepper (thippili) and consume (1-3g). Also useful for fever and wounds.  
  • For Wound Healing: Dry the root bark, powder it, mix with water, and apply on wounds using a clean cloth. Promotes faster healing. 

Conclusion: 

Ixora coccinea is a versatile medicinal plant with benefits ranging from fever relief, skin healing, digestive aid, to women’s health. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties make it a valuable herb in traditional medicine.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using Vetchi (Jungle Geranium)or any other herbal remedy.

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