Kaili / कैली / Smithia purpurea Hook

  • Local Name: Kaili / कैली
  • Common Name:
  • Botanical Name: Smithia purpurea Hook

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Moist sunny areas

  • Season of Availability: August – October

  • Geography: Western Ghats

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Tender Shoots

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Leaves eaten raw; otherwise used medicinally.

  • As Medicine: Herb used as a laxative and for billiousness, fertility in women, and rheumatism; externally applied to ulcers.

  • Cooking Method: Leaves eaten raw; otherwise used medicinally.

  • Preservation / Curing Technique: N/A

  • Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: No

  • Souring Agents Required: N/A


Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: N/A

  • Medicinal Benefit: Acts as a laxative; helps cure rheumatism and billiousness.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Herb used as a laxative and for billiousness, fertility in women, and rheumatism; externally applied to ulcers.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Entire herb is crushed and applied to ulcers externally.