Scoparia dulcis L.

Scoparia dulcis L., commonly known as Kallurukki and traditionally referred to as “Rishi Bakshanam” or “Muni Bakshanam” (“Food of Sages”), is a medicinal herb belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. It is a small, erect, and branched plant that grows naturally in open habitats. The species is distinguished by its opposite to whorled serrated leaves, delicate white flowers borne in the leaf axils, and small capsule fruits containing numerous seeds. It grows well in exposed, well-drained soil and propagates easily through seeds. It is widely recognized in Ayurvedic medicine, Scoparia dulcis possesses significant antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties. Traditionally, the plant has been used for the treatment of diabetes, digestive and liver disorders, fever, cough, and urinary stones and ailments. The species is maintained in the Green Ahalia Thematic Garden, Arogyavatika as part of the medicinal plant collection, where it contributes to the promotion of traditional healthcare knowledge and the conservation of medicinal plant diversity.