Madd Thoppu

Madd thoppu is a medicinal plant which is grown in Kodagu during  monsoon.The leaves of this plant are said to hold medicinal properties on the eighteenth day of the Kakkada month of the Kodava calendar (July to August). This festival is called Kakkada Padinett. On this day, madd toppu leaves are said to emit a unique fragrance which is not evident a day prior or after that. The leaves are plucked and boiled to extract the liquid which is dark purple in colour and is used to make various delicacies like payasa, puttu etc etc….

Kodava

Madd Thoppu

English

Justicia wynaadensis

Kannada

Moddu soppu

Family

Acanthaceae

Uses

The deep bluish purple color extract with a unique flavor is known to possess 18 medicinal principals useful to improve human health. Leaf and stem possess good antioxidant activity and improves immunity.