Sathakuppa lehyam

'Shatapushpam' or the 'anethum sowa' is known to have great medicinal and healing properties which play a pivotal role in the postpartum care for women. Special 'lehyam' (medicinal preparation), using traditional recipe, is prepared to restore the health of the new mothers. Satapushpam, in local dialects is also called 'sathakuppa' or 'chatoopa.' Here is how you could make the sathakuppa lehyam at home.

Health benefits

It helps ovulation in women.

This lehyam is consumed as part of the post delivery routine. It helps in strengthening the uterus and making the woman healthier after giving birth.

It cleanses the uterine tract.

More than a medicine consumed during the post delivery period, it actually helps condition the uterus for next pregnancy.

Sathakuppa lehyam can ease the menstrual cramps. Usually water boiled with sathakuppa is used for this. Add a bit of palm jaggery as well while boiling the sathakuppa water. It helps in easing the gastric troubles that are common during this time.

(Information courtesy: Dr R Bhagavathy Ammal,Superintendent at Seetharam Ayurveda Specialty Hospital, Veliyannur)

Ingredients
¼ kg satakuppa or dill seeds
2 coconuts
¼ kg  jaggery
100 gm carom seeds

Preparation
Soak the sathakuppa and ajwain 
Boil and grind them into paste (you could also dry and powder it for future use)
Boil the coconut milk
When the coconut milk begins to bubble up, add the jaggery (you could also use jaggery syrup)
Now add the sathakuppa and ajwain paste
Stir continuously until the oil separates from the sathakuppa paste (2-3 tsp rice flour could be added to thicken it up quickly)
The lehyam should not be too thick or runny.