Herb · Asia
Palmyra palm
Borassus flabellifer
Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling and restorative; sap diuretic, cooling, stimulating, anti-inflammatory; for hiccups, gastric catarrh, syphilis, gonorrhoea, bile and liver complaints, enlarged spleen, diabetes, tuberculosis.
Safety notes
Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Preparation
Tea 14–28 ml; palm sap (toddy) 56–112 ml; ash preparation (kshar) 1–3 g; palm sugar.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Tala. The palmyra palm is the state tree of Tamil Nadu and provides sweet sap (neera), palm sugar (jaggery), toddy and leaves that were written on for centuries: many Tamil and Sanskrit manuscripts are palm-leaf manuscripts.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Root cooling and restorative; sap diuretic, cooling, stimulating, anti-inflammatory; for hiccups, gastric catarrh, syphilis, gonorrhoea, bile and liver complaints, enlarged spleen, diabetes, tuberculosis.
Preparation and amount
Tea 14–28 ml; palm sap (toddy) 56–112 ml; ash preparation (kshar) 1–3 g; palm sugar.
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)