There is always a pack of namakatti in our house. Namakatti looks like a piece of chalk, but it’s bit harder than a regular chalk. Namakatti is made of solid clay. In India, we use it to apply tilak on our foreheads. A ‘U’ is drawn on the forehead of men and children as they offer prayers.
This is known as ‘Namam’, the symbol for Lord Vishnu. As Lord Vishnu is a male deity, women do not wear this symbol. Instead they wear a round using kumkum. Namam is a sign that symbolizes that, we have completely surrendered to god. Each time we apply the tilak on our forehead, we are always reminded of that fact.
Apart from religious beliefs, namakatti also serves as a medical aid in treating abscess in eyes. We call the abscess in the eyes “Kankatti/ Kakatti” in Tamil. When a person gets abscess in the eyes, it starts as a small lump in the eyelids and then as the lump gets bigger, the pain also increases.
During hot summer months, it is so common to get abscess in the eyes. To treat it, we rub namakatti in the sandalwood stone along with little water and apply the paste on the abscess on the eyes. Usually this remedy gives good relief.
How To Use Nama Katti for Eye Abscess
METHOD:
1. Clean the sandal wood stone. My sandal wood stone is more than 70 years old. Take a piece of namakatti and start rubbing on the sandal wood stone along with little water.
2. Namakatti rubs quickly into a thick paste. Take the paste and apply it on the abscess on the eyes. This paste doesn’t burn or irritate the eyes. So don’t be scared to try this remedy.
NOTES:
- We get namakatti everywhere. We can order it online too.
- Namakatti doesn’t spoil at all, so you can store it for years.
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I always have this in my medical kit …this really helps…
I liked your helpful tip on sore throat. In my blog also, I have a post on "home remedies for sore throat". You can see the post in http://nithyascorner.com/?p=7710. I am also happy to let you know that I have used your picture in my post and given credit to your blog. Thank you so much for the tips and the picture.-Nithyas Cornerhttp://nithyascorner.com
It s good, i just applied on my eye katti… feels grt
it can also applied for stomach pain or abdomen pain and also for insect bites (specially the one with bumps)-Mano
Hiw should ask in Hindi?
Ask for tilak clay in Hindi….
how do one ask the same in kannada?
I am so sorry, I tried looking for the name of namakkati in Kannada but couldn't. But you can try asking for clay used for applying tilak in country drug stores…
It's called as basuva katti.
Where can I order this online? I'm having a very difficult time finding any.
You can try for tilak online here: https://www.poojashoponline.com/index.php?_route_=Gopi-Chandan-Tilak-Stick
Is there anywhere i can get this online in USA? I didnt find this in Indian retails. I know this is the best medicine for stye. -Suren Shan
I found an online store that sells namakatti, give it a try: http://store.krishna.com/tilak-economy/
How long do we leave it on for before washing it off?
Is ramakatti and naamakatti one and the same?
I love this smell and used to lick this when I was a child