Healing touchesss....

Healing powers of plants
“You will find something greater in woods than in books.
Trees and stones will teach you
That which you can never learn from masters.”-St. Bernard

Plants are an integral part of nature, which nature in itself reflects the creative powers of a living God. All plants available in this part of the country-Scotland of the East-has in them powers of healing which man has never fathomed. They are bounties of life-sustaining force which we are really not in a position to tap because our attitude towards nature has become distorted.
Modern drugs are not only expensive, but many of them bring about side-effects which are more dangerous than the disease itself.
Here are some plants having with them healing properties widely available in all the seven districts of our state.

· Black Mulberry or (Soh Lyngdkhur in Khasi) is a popular plant in our state growing up to 10 meters high, has medicinal properties in its bark and fruits. While Seri culturists depend on the plant to feed silkworms, its oblong red fruit which turns to purple when ripe is nutritive. Its juice is a grateful drink for convalescents and anaemic, while the bark of the tree is used for expulsion of worms. It cools the body too!
· Castor (Dieng Ryndia) found to grow wild in the city’s wasteland has healing touches in it. While leaves and seeds are for external uses, the oil obtained from its seeds prevents dry wax in ears. Pounded castor leaves are also used for ulcers, wounds and boils. Besides it also helps rheumatism and headaches. So next time you spot it near your homes recognise it from a spiny capsule fruit it has which splits into three one-seeded parts when dry.
· Chrysanthemums (Tiew Jaiaw) the beauty of our homes blooming in around the city in the month of October is also seen with the Kongs in the city’s hub-Police Bazaar. Besides fetching a good price in a flower loving city, it relieves colds and inflamed respiratory tract. This charming beauty can also be used for whooping cough, boils and swelling. Chrysanthemum oil is applied locally in fungal affected areas and abdominal pain-Beauty with a cause!
· Jackfruit (Soh Phan) a large fruit sometimes weighing over 30 kilos is found in almost all the districts of the state. For those who haven’t spotted it, check out for this heavy branched tree with its foliage providing a beautiful shady resting spot along the Shillong-Guwahati road. The jackfruit root is a good remedy for diarrhoea, fever and asthma while the milky latex of the tree can be applied externally for wounds, glandular swellings and insect bites.
· Passion fruit (Soh Brap) a climber plant bearing 2 to 3 inches of fruit in diameter not only makes wonderful drinks rich in vitamin C but also aids in digestion, checks scurvy and takes care of spasms, convulsions and a remedy for weakness. Its leaves are also used in treatment of duodenal and nervous ulcers.
· Sponge-Gourd (Soh Prew) cultivated for use of the ripe fruit having sponge-like fibres and commonly used as bath sponge by all the locals is a herbaceous vine. The young fruit rich in phosphorous, iron and calcium too provides seeds which expels worms from the body. Its stem and leaves are also used for liver diseases, iron deficiency and anaemia.
· Tapioca (Phan Dieng) relished by the local people are cooked and prepared in a variety of ways. Its starch is not only used for making your favourite biscuits, puddings and other confectionery items, but heals the skin rashes and itchiness you’ve been yearning to get rid off.
· The handsome wood-apple tree (Soh Kwit) with fragrant flowers, a cricket-ball sized fruit which tastes sweet and sour is a laxative for fever. If eaten when half ripe it leaves a husky throat. But you have to taste it! For it tones the stomach, helps digestion and a remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.
These were some of the plants that heal. But there are thousands and thousands of plants having in them healing powers that can promote health and alleviate illness. The natural substances in plants whether cultivated, planted or grow wildly when properly tapped are remedies for the service of man.