Nadukali / नडुकली / Nadukali / Pavetta indica L.

  • Local Name: Nadukali / नडुकली
  • Common Name: Nadukali
  • Botanical Name: Pavetta indica L.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Shrub

  • Occurrence: Primary and secondary forests; in sunny places.

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: Indian subcontinent

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds dispersed by birds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Flowers

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Fruits are eaten raw when ripe and are added to desserts; flowers are eaten raw or cooked into parathas.

  • As Medicine: Leaf decoction is taken after childbirth and for fever; also poultices for boils and ulcers; root is used for various conditions like constipation, jaundice, headache, and dropsy; stem bark is used topically for hemorrhoids, and the wood infusion is taken for rheumatism. Bark decoction is also used to ease visceral obstructions especially in children

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

  • Pickling: Yes, fruits in vinegar

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Fruits are eaten raw when ripe and are added to desserts; flowers are eaten raw or cooked into parathas.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in protein and carbohydrates.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Diuretic, Diarrhoea, Urinary tract ailments, Jaundice, Helps to ease Visceral Obstructions

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Leaf decoction is taken after childbirth and for fever; also poultices for boils and ulcers; root is used for various conditions like constipation, jaundice, headache, and dropsy; stem bark is used topically for hemorrhoids, and the wood infusion is taken for rheumatism.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Kachru: Make a paste of flowers, besan and spices (coriander, ajwain, chili, turmeric). Heat some oil on a tava. Put this batter over a pan and cook for 15 minutes.