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The plant being referred to is Nilavembu (in Tamil) or Andrographis paniculata. Siddha medicine claims that extracts from this plant are potent against infections and insect bites.

In fact, Nilavembu was used as an antibiotic, before the onslaught of western medicine, and ancient healers advocated chewing a Nilavembu leaf once a week (or once in two weeks, in the case of children) to guard oneself against infections. Nilavembu grows best and gains maximum potency when raised in bright sunlight.

The plant grows well in the usual soil mixture of one part sand, one part red earth and one part manure.

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