Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Plectranthus amboinicus or Doddapatre  Did you know that Plectranthus amboinicus, known popularly as Doddapatre in Kannada language, is a herb with a pungent combination of the aromas of oregano, thyme, and turpentine but with a sharp mint-like flavor? Plectranthus amboinicus, once identified in English as Coleus amboinicus, a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, a succulent perennial herb, with extensive culinary and medicinal uses, has a pungent combination of the aromas of oregano, thyme, and turpentine, and its leaves in particular giving a sharp mint-like flavor. Its leaves are Tikta (Bitter) and Katu (Pungent).  Plectranthus amboinicus, previously native to tropical South Africa from whence it was carried to India and Southeast Asia by Arabs and Portuguese, later to Europe and from there to the New World (majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere). In English, it is also called Indian borage, country borage, French thyme, Indian mint, Mexican mint,...