Kurdu: A natural remedy for asthma and kidney stone

Kurdu is a name of the forest plant of which the tender leaves are used by tribal in forests in Maharashtra State during monsoon. It grows abundantly wild in monsoons. Its use as a vegetable is common in some parts of Maharashtra. Botanically it is known as Celosia Argentia. This plant is usually grown on marshy places and on non-usable lands as weed. The tender leaves are used as vegetable while leaves and seeds are of medicinal value. Other species of this plant are known as wool flowers or cockscombs. The species used for vegetable are C. argentea, C. crispate and C. Trigyba which are grown for their edible leaves and shoots. The tribal prepare vegetable by coarsely chopped or crushed groundnuts and kurdu leaves, tender stems with finely chopped garlic and green chilies. Some people prepare vegetable by steaming young leaves and cooked with onion and local masalas.

In West tropical Africa the leaves are eaten as alternative spinach as it is considered rich in protein and vitamins. In Philippines the leaves are not eaten by women during menstruation. In Sri Lanka, leaves used for inflammations, fever, and itching. Seeds used for fever and mouth sores. Ayurvedic physicians recommend the seeds of this plant for treating kidney stones. Powder of seeds is mixed with jiggery and some pills are prepared. One pill is taken twice a day with water to cure asthma. In English, this plant is known as Celosia or quail grass or the white cocks comb.

In Hindi it is kinown as Shitiwar, Bhurundi, Safed Murga, Lal Murga, gadrya, garke, garkha, imarti, kukari, makhamal, surli. In Kannada it is popular as anne soppu, hanne soppu, khadakatheera, mayoora shikhe etc. In Marathi it is known as Kurdu, Mayur Shikha, Mayurshikhar, Morshikha or Morshendi. In Sanskrit it is called as mayurasikha, rudrajata, Mayurchuda, Sunishannaka. In Tamil it is known as makili-k-kirai, pannai keerai, cavarcuttuppannai, kolikkontai, kozhi poo. In Telugu it is known as gurugu, gurugu aaku, panchhettu mayurasikhi. The leaves contain crude fat, crude protein, calcium, iron, potassium and sodium. Pharmacologically the leaves of Kurdu is reported to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-diarrhoeal anti-microbial properties.

Seeds contain saponin of Hyaluronic acid. The seeds act as aphrodisiac, astringent, spasmolytic, cooling and nutritive. Seeds are useful in diarrhoea, dysuria, seminal disease, Kahpa and pittashamak. The stems and leaves bruised and applied as poultice is used for infected sores, wounds and skin eruptions. Poultice of leaves, smeared in honey, is used as cooling application to inflamed areas and painful affections such as buboes and abscesses.

Leave concussions are used to relieve gastrointestinal disorders and are antipyretic. Seeds when in decoction or finely powdered, are considered antidiarrhoeal or aphrodisiac. Whole plant is used for antidote in snake poison while root is used for abdominal colic, gonorrhea and eczema. The seeds are prescribed for haemorrhagic conditions including menorrhagia, haematuria, haematemsis, haemoptysis, epistaxis, acute retinal heamorrhage and bleeding haemorrhoids. Kurdu has sometimes been useful for treatment of disorders like excessive menstruation and leucorrhea. It is also used in traditional medicine for sores, ulcers, and skin eruptions.