It is said in the book of Dr.N.Ramaswamy pillai that this herp is described as one of the important household medicinal plant in Purananooru an ancient literary work in Tamil.It is a common weed found in the rainy season.It is a small,hairy,sticky strong smelling plant.Leaf is palmately compound with five unequal leaflets.Flowers are white.The leaf is slightly bitter and acrid when raw and slightly bitter when cooked.Leave paste can be applied on boils.It is also used to eliminate intestinal worms in children.It is used in the treatment of body pain and nervous debility.
vela keerai cut 2 cup
urud dhal 1 tbs
red chilli 4 [as the keerai has bitter taste the hotness may be increased]
asafoeida
tamarind 1 small lemon size
salt
coconut grated 1/4 cup [optional] but tastes better.
oil

Take kadai pore oil.Fry, urud dhal asafoeida,red chilli and coconut grated last
vela keerai.saute. remove from fire.when cool grind with tamarind and salt.
very tasty to consume with idly,dhosa and rice,buttermilk sadam.
My mum used to do this chammanthi after rainy season as this herp is easily available in the front yard of our house when we were in Kovipatti,tamilnad.