Kola Kanda

 Kola Kanda is a kind of porridge made of cereals mainly raw rice and coconut milk as the liquid, with leafy vegetable. It is not generally prescribed as a healing medicine, but it is considered an important part of the morning meal.

In ancient Sri Lanka it was the special food taken before solids were taken for breakfast. The rice and the coconut supplied the carbohydrates while the leaves supplied the vitamins and minerals. Generally more than one kind of leaf was not added to the Kola Kanda.

 Today we consume many kinds of food for their taste rather than their nutritious value. Sometime these foods are actually harmful to the body. Ancient food habits on the other hand emphasised the importance of taking a balanced ,nutritious  diet.

         Much of the knowledge of our forefathers, of the right kind of food to eat was derived from their study of Ayurveda. The main theme in Ayurveda is keeping the body healthy, and preventing the onset of diseases by sane and rational living. This is something we have forgotten In the modern world.

        One of the methods chosen by our ancestors to keep healthy was in the choice of food. The selection of food was naturally dependent on seasonal and environmental changes, and the requirements of individual constitutions.

        In Ayurveda  cangee or rice water has an important place. Herbal kanda is Prepared with appropriate herbs in order to cure certain illnesses,this Kanda is Kola kanda called Beth Kanda or medicinal Kanda.

Kola KandaHow to prepare Kola Kanda?

Boil raw rice. Grind together some scraped coconut and the green leaves. Squeeze out the milk and leaf juice. Add to  the rice and keep stirring the Kanda when it is on the fire and add salt to taste.

Kinds of Kola Kanda

Gotukola

      Gotu kola (Centella- Asiatica) leaf is used frequently in indigenous medicine and it is a diuretic and alternative.Gotu kola is said to improve the power of the memory.It is general tonic and relies mental fatigue. It induces sound sleep. It can be taken regularly when person suffer from sinitis, Catarrh, Bronchitis, Diabetes,

Epilepsy. It is also a healing agent for eczema and other skin conditions, when it can be used both externally and internally.
 Read more:Gotu kola(Centella asiatica)

It is given as a home remedy to children they have bowel problems and when there is vomiting due to the presence of intestinal worms. It cures hoarseness, gives relief in urinary and rheumatic complaints. It is a plant which has a cooling effect on the body when taken regularly.

Polpala- Aerva lanata(Balipoovu)

Polpala is the common leaf used in Kola Kanda, which is botanically named Aerva lanata. It is small plant , and generally it has an erect stem,its branches are covered with cottony hairs. Polpala is effective in the treatment of cough and indigestion and is specially used in the treatment of diabetes and urinary troubles. It is a diuretic and is used as an antidote in case of arsenic poisoning. Polpala is used either by itself or in combination with other herbs to treat snake bites. Polpala can also be made in to paste  with cold water and used as an application for skin eruptions. It can be cooked as vegetable. It could be dried and preserved and used to make herbal tea.  

Penela wel (Cardiospermum  halicacabum) is a cheap and well known plant. It is very common in the law country and generally in the tropics.

It is delicate smooth wiry climber. The roots and leaves are commonly used in medicine.A decoction made of the roots is given in cases of bleeding piles.

The leaves are used as an infusion for rheumatism, nervous diseases, hemorrhoids, and chronic bronchitis. The juice of the leaves is put into the ear ache .Welpenela leaves are used externally for pain full  swellings. Ayurvedic physician treating fractures make use of the plant in their remedies.It relieves pain caused by sprains and contusion.

Read more:Wel-penela-Cardiosprm

Iramusu -Hemidesmus indicus (Indian sarsprilla)

 This herb is a diuretic. A fermentation with its leaves relieves rheumatic pains and it cures boils since it is a blood purifier. Its effect on the human system is cooling, so it can be taken as a cool drink. 

Read more:  Eramusu(Hemidesmus

Hatawariya-

Hatawariya is  cooling ,a diuretic, a tonic and an aphrodisiac. Apart from its use in Ayurvedic  medicine , its roots can be used a preservative. It is effective in the treatment of menstrual disorders and is said to help in overcoming barrenness in women. It is used in remedies for urinary complaints.

Mugunuwanna

Mugunuwanna (Alternanthera sessilis) is a leafy vegetable which is eaten very often in Sri Lanka people.It is used often in the preparation of medicinal oils. It can be made in to hair wash. In the treatment of mental patients a plaster of Mugunuwanna leaves is applied on the head for its cooling effect .It is very highly recommended for eye diseases.

      Kola kanda keeps the system cool and it promotes energy.It helps to balance the imbalance in the threeforces vata,pita kappa.Kola kanda is usually taken with a piece of jiggery.