Polpala (Aerva lanata) is dried and preserved and used to make herbal tea. In Sanskrit it is Pashanabhedi and in Tamil it is known as Tengappu keerei.

This herb is described as “one of the best known remedies for bladder and kidney stones.
Polpala is effective in the treatment of cough and indigestion and is specially used in the treatment of diabetes and urinary troubles. It is a diuretic and is used as an antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning.

In Sanskrit Polpala has another name Nagajihva. This name refers to the fact that the tap root resembles the tongue of a naga or cobra. It is used either by itself or in combination with other herbs to treat snake bites. Polpala can also be made into paste with cold water cmd used as an application for skin eruptions. Polpala can be cooked as vegetable.