Paan Ova – पान ओवा
It is a sprawling, perennial, aromatic, succulent herb.
The stem is quadrangular, green in color, fleshy and covered in
hairs.
The leaves are simple, opposite, light green, thick, velvety and
fleshy or succulent. They are broadly ovate to rhomboid in
shape with rounded toothed margin and many hairs on the lower
surface. The leaf contains fragrant essential oil which can be
smelled on crushing it.
The flowers are borne on spike-like verticillaster inflorescence,
wherein flowers are arranged in sessile cymes that are arranged
in whorls. Flowers are small, surrounded by bracts. Sepals are
fused in a bell shape, petals are pale blue to pink in color, fused
and bi-lipped. Stamens are fused to form a tube.
The fruits are small, smooth, pale brown nutlets.
BOTANICAL NAME
Coleus amboinicus Lour
FAMILY
Lamiaceae
FLOWERING
May – October
FRUITING
May – October
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and vegetative cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Whole Plant
COMMON NAMES:
Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage, Mexican Mint, Mexican Oregano,
Spanish Thyme;
Hindi: Paan Ova, Patharchur, Patta Ajwain;
Marathi: Pathurchur;
Kannada: Dodda Pathre Soppu, Hittulike;
Malayalam: Panikkurkka, Kannikkurkka;
Manipuri: Mana Hidak;
Sanskrit: Karpuravalli, Sugandhavalakam;
Tamil: Karpuravalli;
Telugu: Karuvaeru, Vamu Aaku.
USES
The plant is widely cultivated for the leaves that are used as a
spice and a flavoring agent.
They are added to stuffings for meat and specially used in
Caribbean cuisine.
It is also used in traditional medicine for sore throat, cough,
asthma, nasal congestion and inflammation.
It is used to treat rheumatism.
The essential oil has anti-fungal properties and may be used for
food storage.
It is traditionally known as a digestive aid, relieves abdominal
discomfort due to indigestion.
It helps in cases of insect bites.
It is used as a treatment of bloating.
It has anti-microbial properties.