![\"Karkidaka](\"https:\/\/img.onmanorama.com\/content\/dam\/mm\/en\/default-images\/default-image.jpg?w=845&h=440\" "\\"Karkidaka")
<\/p>\nThe Malayalam month of Karkidakam begins today. This is a period when you need to focus on complete rejuvenation by healing your body and mind. Due to unique weather conditions, this is generally a season of flu and other viral infections. Your body also loses its strength and has poor digestion during Karkidakam. However, since the sunlight is not intense in this month and it rains often, it\u2019s an ideal period for Ayurveda treatments. You can consume herbal concoctions like karkidaka kanji, and also give your body an oil bath. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the Karkidaka-special health rejuvenation.<\/p>\n
The special kanji
Marunnu kanji or herbal porridge and other ayurvedic therapies boost the body\u2019s immunity while preserving the balance of the three \u2018doshas\u2019 or energies \u2013 vatha (rheumatic), pitta (fire) and kapha (water), according to Ayurveda. The ten herbs or dashapushpam are:
1) poovamkurunnila (little ironweed)
2) karuka (bermuda grass)
3)kayyonni (eclipta prostrate)
4) muyalcheviyan (lilac tasselflower)
5) vishnukranthi (evolvulus alsinoides)
6) cheroola (mountain knotgrass)
7) thiruthali (ipomoea sepiaria)
8) uzhinja (balloon vine)
9) mukkutti (little tree plant)
10) nilapana (euphoria thymifolia)<\/p>\n
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\t \tThe extracts of dashapushpas are added in the karkidaka kanji. Photo: Manorama<\/p>\n
Their extract is cooked with wheat, njavara rice (rose matta rice), yavam (diabeto rice), horsegram and herbs like panchakolam, cumin, ajwain and fenugreek to prepare the herbal porridge.<\/p>\n
How to have karkidaka kanji
1) It\u2019s best consumed in the evening
2) Have it hot and freshly prepared
3) One bowl is the right quantity per day
4) Do not mix it with oily, non-vegetarian or spicy foods
5) Have it for 14 days for the best results<\/p>\n
What to include in diet
1) Green leafy vegetables
2) Tubers like yams and colocasia roots
3) Foods made of wheat, rice and barley
4) Lentils, green gram, cow\u2019s ghee, lean meat
5) Sour and salted vegetable soups
6) Boiled and cooled water
7) Buttermilk
8) Pathila curry<\/p>\n
![\"Pathila](\"https:\/\/img.onmanorama.com\/content\/dam\/mm\/en\/default-images\/default-image.jpg\" "\\"Pathila")
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Pathila curry
Pathila curry, a dish made with ten leaves, is consumed during Karkidakam to boost immunity. The leaves to be included in the curry are:
1) Thaalu (Colacasia stem)
2) Thakara (Cassia tora)
3) Kodithoova (Stinging nettle)
4) Koval (ivy guard leaves)
5) Pachacheera (Green amaranth)
6) Chembu (colacasia leaves)
7) Chena (yam leaves)
8) Payar (Bean leaves)
9) Mathan (Pumpkin leaves)
10) Thazhuthama (hogweed)<\/p>\n