Floating Touch Me Not (കുലതോട്ടവാടി)

I am so delighted to share with you one of my most thrilling findings during my pursuit for traditional exotic herbs of India.  I came across a Floating Touch Me Not (കുലതോട്ടവാടി) on January 12, 2000, when a friend of mine gave me a chance to accompany him to a forest area in Kerala, India.

Characteristics:  This looks on first look more like a snake floating in water.  It looks on closer inspection like some stem that is chopped off into pieces.  This was found in shallow pools that is surrounded by shrubs and undisturbed by human or animal activity in deep forest.  It does not survive in streams that have water flow.  This is a very delicate and rare as it does not survive even in pools that have fishes thriving in it.  Though it was in the midst of a deep forest, this pool was well sunlit.  One major difference between ordinary land-based touch-me-not is that his water touch-me-not does not have thorns.

Water Touch-Me-Not that wilted after I touched...

Its roots are hairlike and short and float close to the plant.  The stems have air chambers that help the plant to float in water.  The green stem is a chain of air-filled capsules.

Herbal Importance:  The stem and leaves of this plant when wholly mashed is a very potent treatment for hemorrhoids (piles).  Another most valuable use of this plant is for effectively treating obesity when it is consumed along with sprouted green gram (മുളച്ച പയര്).  Consumption of the same post-partum prevents vaginal infections.

Ancient Text:  This plant has been mentioned in Atharva Veda.  This plant is so rare that its qualities are not mentioned even in the Astangahridayam .

I painfully share that many people are trying to establish contact with me with the intention of exploiting the monetary benefits from this plant.  I do not like to entertain such elements, but those who are genuine lovers of Indian flora may contact me at 9995033225.