By A.V. Narayanan | 9745770221
Scientific name of Murikku – (Erythrina variegata)
In the olden days, Murikku trees were common in house compounds. Murikku and Moringa were used as support poles for pepper and betel leaf vines. Branches of Murikku are cut and planted. If not planted at the right time (after the full moon of the dark/white fortnight, when the white fortnight begins), worms will come and destroy it. Saplings are also grown by sowing the seeds of the Murikku. For pepper, Murikku poles are mostly used in the pits.
Agastya Murikku has sharp thorns.
Chem-murikku has fewer thorns.
Ari-murikku has fewer thorns, and its seeds are like large beans, plump, black-colored, and small.
Maavu and Murikku were used in the legume category. It is for this that (aged and rotted Murikku) is grown. Female-male Murikku trees produce flowers that resemble human lips and seeds that resemble a fort.
The leaves are large. They are 10 cm to 13 cm long and 6 cm to 7 cm wide.
🪵 Murikku and Moringa were used as support poles for pepper and betel leaf vines. For pepper, Murikku poles are mostly used in the pits.
🌱 Branches of Murikku are cut and planted, and saplings are also grown by sowing the seeds of the Murikku.
⚠️ If not planted at the right time (after the full moon of the dark/white fortnight, when the white fortnight begins), worms will come and destroy it.
According to Ayurvedic principles, its leaves were used as medicine for menstrual, skin, and urinary tract diseases, and for indigestion.
Murikku was also used for relieving menstrual pain, earache, toothache, headache, itching, knee pain, back pain, and sexual problems.
The Murikku is a straight-growing tree. Its roots, which grow over 10 meters long, run parallel to the ground, and there is a high chance of the tree toppling over.
Its wood was boiled and used for bathing cattle. It flowers during the months of Kuda and Minam. The flowers are like those of the Nombu plant.
If a Murikku thorn pricks the body, the remedy is slaked lime.
