I offered my baby Hathawariya Kola Kenda as her 55th ingredient and it went really well. But I didn’t prepare it the way I usually make herbal porridge for us at home. I first cooked some rosa kekulu rice in thin coconut milk and, when it was done, added the Hathawariya leaves -picked fresh from the garden- plus more coconut milk to it (I added more rice and less leaves because it was the first time I was introducing it to my baby and also because I wanted the rice pap to be thick enough for me to feed it to her using a spoon). Once the leaves were fully cooked, I took it off heat and puréed the rice and herb porridge (wait until your baby is around 8 months to introduce this particular leaf to her). And that was our Sunday Baby Breakfast Special!
Also known as Asparagus Racemosus or the Queen of Herbs, Hathwariya is well known in Ayurveda for its miraculous healing properties. Although, in adults, it is primarily used to aid the female reproductive system, this rejuvenating herb balances female hormones in all aspects of functionality.
The plant is used to treat neuro-degenerative disorders too. In babies it can remedy diarrhea and dysentery. Hathwariya is a rich source of Vitamin K and Folate and contains potent antioxidant and immune stimulant properties. It is also known for its antidepressant and anxiety-reducing effects. This variety of asparagus leaf helps digestion and is used to reduce pain, prevent restless sleep, fluid retention, cancer, bronchitis, tuberculosis, dementia and diabetes too. Asparagus racemosus is also recommended in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of bladder infections, throat infections, fatigue, hyperacidity, colic, cardiac debility and hypertension.
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