Some Plants of Jenukurubar

1. Some Plants of Jenukurubar Presentation by Rayson K. Alex Chikkayya, who belongs to Kebbepra settlement of Jenukurubar, took us (Rayson K. Alex and S. Rajasekar) around the Community Digital Archive premises showing us some plants he knew about.

2. When we saw Chikkayya in the Office, we asked him to show us some “medicinal plants” in the premises. But he went around and showed us also plants that are not “used” by Jenukurubar. It is then we realised how “use-oriented” is to call a plant medicinal; to call a plant “useful” or “useless.” We realised that Jenukurubar did not believe in such classifications of plants. Whether a plant is useful to human being or not, it has qualities and it has the right to live. Chikkayya pointed out some plants and said, “lot of birds feed on the fruits of this plant.” “This plant purifies the air.” “This tree is very important to us (Jenukurubar) because lot of birds live on this tree.” “It is in this tree that our spirits live.” Being with him, we were not only learning but also changing our perspectives.

3. “I do not remember this plant in my child hood days. This came from some where else. Now it is ruling our fields. It grows quick and immense. This is a poisonous plant. We call it ‘isaasoppu’. In Malayalam it is called ‘paarthaniium’.”

4. “This tree is called ‘neerulumara.’ This bears violet colour fruit. This is not forest neerulimara. In Malayalam it is called ‘njaavalmaram.’ This has medicinal qualities. Its fruits are eaten by human beings, birds and animals. It is good for stomach ache, throat infection. Some people make paste of the fruit and preserve it for medicinal uses.”

5. “We call this tree ‘unissemara.’ In Malayalam it is called ‘vaalanpulimaram.’ It is used for making sambar. In many of our dishes, the fruit of this is used. It is also dried and preserved. Consuming it is good for digestion. If we make juice out of the fruit and add some salt and drink it, it will clear and clean the stomach.”

6. “This plant is called ‘barade.’ There are different varieties of barade. It usually grows on trees. There are some barade creepers that are capable of killing the tree. After pregnancy, the tuber of the plant is smashed, mixed with ‘jeeraka’ powder and ‘veluthulli’ paste, and given to the mother. This will increase milk in her breasts.”

7. “This is called ‘sullimara.’ Birds eat its fruits. Its tender leaves, aracanut, lime and betel leaves are mixed to prepare a paste, which can be applied on cut parts of the body to cure it in 2-3 days. As soon as the paste is applied, the cut will stop watering.”

8. “We call it ‘chaattasulli.’ In Malayalam it is called ‘communist chedi.’ This has the same properties as sullimara. This plant is good for the soil. It gives aeration to the soil.” Chikkayya showing chaattasulli plant

9. “This plant is called ‘peruvathamele’ or ‘peruvathakendi.’ The seed of the plant is dried and used for making oil. The powder of the dried fruit and the fruit of ‘bevumera’ is mixed to make medicine for bruises in the body. The sap of the plant is used for medicines to cure fever and chest pain.”

10. “This is called ‘sannakkaare.’ This plant has spines on its stem. It has beautiful flowers. There are other varieties which has other colours of flowers. This plant takes poison out of the body. The root of the plant is taken, cleaned and smashed and drank with water. There are other plants like sannakkaare, namely, ‘balliyakkaara’ and ‘maggaara’ which takes poison out of the body.”

11. “‘Medekalli’ is used for fencing.”

12. “This is called ‘athimera.’ Its fruits are tasty. From roots we get liquor. When you dig in the foot of the tree, the third root that you see will be cut and inserted into the mouth of a pot. The pot is then closed with a cloth. After two days, the pot will be full of liquor.”

13. This is called ‘ongyemera.’ The forest guards made saplings of the tree and sell. The bark of the tree is peeled to make medicines for vomiting and diahrea. The bark of ongyemera, pappaya (parangisakke) and roots of ganja (bindisoppu) are mixed to make a paste, which can be applied on the body to avoid skin diseases.

14. “This is called ‘manthakkalli.’ This plant has fleshy leaves. The juice of the leaves are taken and applied on the body, which cures body pain, especially joint pains.”

15. “The plant is called ‘ummaatha.’”

16. “The plant is ‘sundemele.’ The fruit of the plant is used for making sambar. The roots of the plant are used for making medicines to cure boils on skin. It is also used for cleaning the stomach.”

17. “This is called ‘baralkhandi.’ The plant has strong stem, so it is used to make broom. Ayurvedic doctors buy these plants in tons. But I do not know how do they use it.”

18. “‘Thakathekhandi’ or ‘thakathesoppu’ is used to make curry. Usually used in sambar.”

19. “‘Seebimera’ in Malayalam is called ‘peerakka.’ Its fruits are eaten by us, birds and animals. A person who is drunk could be brought back to senses if he is given the juice of the tender leaves of this tree.”

20. “The plants that I know are all in the forest. Many, I have forgotten.” Photographs: Rayson K. Alex