What is a Stone Flower?
The scientific name of the stone flower is parmotrema perlatum. Its local names are Kalpasi, Chharila, and Phattar Phool. It is a type of lichen. Lichen is a unique organism composed of characteristics derived from fungi and algae. It has a unique flaky structure of blackish-grey. The dry texture of a stone flower is quite similar to a thin bark or dried leaf. A stone flower grows on rocks, barks of trees, and soil, depending on the environment. It is mainly found in tropical and subtropical areas. The nutritional and medical properties of the stone flower make it beneficial. It has various uses in terms of health and hygiene. It is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicines.
What Advantages does Stone Flower Offer?
Eager to know the multiple benefits of stone flower? Let’s get started: stone flowers provide various benefits that make them unique. The stone flower’s earthly aroma and slightly wooden taste are preferred for cooking. Since it can adopt multiple conditions, it can be easily found in common regions of India. Some stone flower benefits for medicinal purposes are:
- It is used to cure digestive disorders due to the presence of natural antimicrobial effects.
- The anti-inflammatory property reduces pain and swelling for arthritis.
- The presence of antioxidants reduces stress and other chronic diseases.
- The antimicrobial properties of a stone flower also helps in fighting against bacteria. It also aids in wound healing.
- The soothing property relieves respiratory issues like colds, coughs, and asthma.
- Stone flowers are highly beneficial for removing kidney stones and reducing urine infection risk.
Stone flowers are a plant-based product with high nutritional content. Therefore, it is used at home to cook food. The bioactive compounds of a stone flower provide many health benefits. The stone flower benefits for nutritional purposes are:
- It adds aroma to vegetable curries and similar cuisines.
- The mineral content is highly advantageous for health.
- Stone flower is a natural content that adds depth to dishes like biryani.
- The low-calorie content makes it healthy and easy to digest.
- It adds taste and increases the nutritional value of meat dishes.
- The stone flower’s dry and roasted content increases the spices’ flavour.
What are the Uses of Stone Flowers?
Stone flower benefits have various uses in medicine and traditional contexts. As it enhances the flavour of the dishes while providing health benefits, it can be adopted in day-to-day life. Its uses include culinary, medicinal, traditional cultural, and other types. Some of the most prominent stone flower uses are:
- It can be used as a natural dye.
- It is used as a spice paste for cooking.
- It is used in conventional Ayurvedic medicines and formations.
- It plays a crucial part in complex spices in specific Indian dishes.
- Stone flower powder can be mixed with warm water to provide health benefits.
- One of the notable benefits of stone flower uses is that they are used for skin care treatment to protect the skin from infections owing to its anti-microbial properties.
- The aroma of the stone flower is used as a natural source for calming and relaxing purposes.
How to Use Stone Flowers?
The theory of modern science illustrates that the stone flower provides nutrients in terms of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The correct usage method can help lower the blood glucose level in the body. It can be easily incorporated into daily life with no harm, even after daily consumption. Here are the steps of how you can reap multiple stone flower benefits in day-to-day life:
- Take a few pieces of stone flower and grind them.
- Add the powder to two cups of water.
- Boil it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Filter the liquid.
- Around 10 to 15 ml of this liquid twice daily can help treat various health issues. Physicians even recommend it as a natural remedy.
Tips and Precautions for Usage of Stone Flower
Stone flower uses are versatile and provide many benefits. Stone flowers have various aspects and offer a culinary experience for use. When used in a small quantity, it tends to overpower other spices. They are also considered a signature spice in the preparation of food. Some practical tips for the usage of stone flowers are:
- Stone flowers have a prolonged taste when cooked on slow heat.
- Excessive use of stone flowers can kill the flavours of other spices.
- To increase the aroma of the dishes, roast them before adding them.
- 1 to 3 grams of stone flower powder daily is enough for consumption.
- Store it in an air-tight container and a dry place to maintain its shelf life.
- To evenly distribute its flavour, grind it with other spices before adding it to the dishes.
- To enhance the taste of your dish, add it with complimentary spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, and black pepper.
Conclusion
The smoke from the stone flower is used to provide relief from headaches. They relax and calm the mind. They do not have any side effects, so it is highly beneficial for skin and hair care. Stone flowers are grown naturally on stones and trees with minimum maintenance. Their mild flavour is used in spices, while other natural benefits are used as traditional medicines. Stone flower uses are quite advantageous to people with weak immunity as it is a natural remedy to boost immunity.
