Herbs and medicinal plants used in Manipuri dishes

Every dishes of each state or country  has its own unique specialty, a very unique taste and a very different way of cooking. Manipur also has its own way of cooking. Manipur dishes are full with healthy food. Different types of herbs and some medicinal plant were used while making dishes, dishes are incomplete without them.

Highlighting  those herbs are required so that everyone knows it. So here are some of the herbs and medicinal plant used in Manipuri dishes:

1.       Peruk ( Indian Penny wort)-

Medicinal plant known from ancient time. Helping to retard aging process, good for brain etc

 Dishes where it is used: peruk kangshu,morok metpa, singju, champhut etc

2.       Sa maroi or awa phadigom (thorny coriander)-

It is reach in calcium, iron, carotene and riboflabin. It helps to combate fevers, stimulate appetite, improve digestion and stomach pain.

Dishes where is used: yen thoungba (chicken curry), fish curry, sagol hawai thongba (black Dal), mairen thongba (pumpkin curry) etc

3.       Nungsihidak (mint)-

Mint is very useful for improving oral health. It cleanses the mouth and prevent oral ulcer. Mint refreshes the body and arrest cough.

Dishes where it is used: nungsihidak kandsoi (mint stew), khamen kanghou, khajing kanghou, morok metpa etc.

4.       Mayangton (Haori Basil):

Mayangton is  an herbal remedy for diseases related to the brain, heart, lungs, bladder, and kidneys.

Dishes where it is used: mairen thongba, erolba, sebot kanghou, morok metpa, bora etc.

5.       Tuningkhok (chameleon plant)-

The whole plant is antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antimicrbial, antiphlogistic, antiviral, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, laxative and ophthalmic. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of many ailments including cancer, coughs, dysentery, enteritis and fever. Its use is said to strengthen the immune system.

Dishes where it is used: it is mainly used for a garnishing purpose in dishes and snacks like erolba, morok amet, cheng asuba etc.

6.       Phukpai (false mint)-

It is also used as a garnishing purposes in laphu erolba, morok ametpa. Its taste is just good and smells so sweet.

There are also lots of herbs and medicinal plant apart from which are mention above . If it goes on mentioning  it than I think it will be too many. Those mention are the common herbs used by Manipuri  people for everyday in day today life.