Thumbai (Dronapushpi)

Thumbai is a small, hairy annual herb of the mint family found across India, including Kerala, where it grows in fields, roadsides and wasteland. It bears small, pure white flowers in rounded whorls along the stem, and they are a favourite of the Onam flower carpets.

Known as Dronapushpi in Sanskrit and Thumba in Malayalam, it is used in Ayurvedic and folk practice in traditional preparations that support the respiratory system and in applications for skin care. The whole plant is used.