This article is very informative. However, how to identify the plants. Is
there any website which has pictures of these plants?


"Sambar Idli" wrote in message
...
Some cultivated and wild Plants of Singapore
used in the
Siddha Medicine of The Tamils.

R. Sabapathy
Consultant Horticulturist
Siddha Landscapes, Singapore

A few thousand years ago, long before the the term Ayurveda was
coined, the Tamils practised an ancient system of medicine - The
Siddha Medicine. The practitioners of Siddha Medicine - the Siddhars
or men with power (siddhu) were excellent literarians too. They had
written many texts that covered a wide range of topics related to
medicine and health. In their rythmic verses, the Siddhars explained
the uses of many plants for healing.

Because the ancient Tamils have been on preventive measures rather
that curative measures, they lived a much healthier live. Rather than
eliminating an ailment after it has set, it was considered wise to
keep the body fit - as Thirukkural (written 31 B.C.) says.

Yet there are many cures cited in the texts!

And as Thirukkural refers to "scholars who've written medicinal
books", it is obvious that some Siddhars lived before its author,
Thiruvalluvar.

'Mikinum kuraiyinum noiseyum noolor
valimuthala enniya moondru."

'The learned books count three, with wind as first; of these,
As any one prevail, or fail; 'twill cause disease'
- Kural 941

Another group benefited from the Tamil Siddha Literature - the
botanists. Over 3000 Tamil names of plants are mentioned in the texts.
Botanical names such as Kandelia rheedi, Aquilaria agallochi, Santalum
rubrum, Michelia champaca, Zingiber officinalis, Curcuma longa,
Moringa olifera and many more, are derived from the Tamil originals -
kanthal, akil, santhanam, chanpagam, inji, koovai and murungai
respectively. Siddha literature has a lot more than just names to
offer the modern world.

Many plants mentioned in Siddha literature are found in Singapore too.

But because a great deal of effort had been put into the building and
greening of Singapore, some medicinal plants are no longer common.
Wild flowering weeds like the Solanum nigrum (manathakali) and Leucas
aspera (thumbai) have given up their space to planted grass. The Vitex
negundo (nochi) and the Ervatamia coronaria (nanthiyaavattam) are all
gone with the kampongs and only grannies talk of their uses and
appearance. It is comforting, though, to spot such plants in some
neglected plots of land or private dwellings.

But wait! Cassia fistula (sarakondrai) and the Lagerstromia indica
(pavalakurunji) along road dividers, Thevetia nerifolia (manjal alari)
and plumeria rubra (ilatharali) on traffic islands, Canna indica
(kalvaalai) and Erythrina glauca (kalyaana murrukan) in Changi
Hospital, Areca catechu (paaku) lining the frontage of Yew Tee
Community Club, Saraca sp. (asokam) and Calophyllum inophyllum
(punnai) in MacRitchie Reservoir Park, are just a few of the large
number of Siddha medicinal plants introduced by our urban planters for
their ornamental value.

And probably because there are always more plants than space in
Singapore, even the bridges are creeper covered - with Ficus pumila
(kodi athi). Bauhinia purpurea (manthaarai) and Mimusops Elengi
(magilam) are common on town council lands. Delonix regia (mayil
kondrai) and Averrhoa carambola - the star fruit (thamarathai) are
found in many public schools. Planted at neat intervals and standing
over 8 metres tall along the Central Expressway are the majestic
Caryota no (koonthal panai). On the reclaimed land along the eastern
shores of the island stand Anacardium occidentale - the cashew nut
trees (munthiri) and the Casuarina equisetifolia (savukku). Cassia
alata (pon aavarai) in full bloom can be spotted at the brighter areas
of the Mandai Night Safari. Adenanthera pavonia (aanai kundrimani),
Pterocarpus marsupium - the angsana (uthira vengai) and the
Enterolobium saman (aamai vaagai) are common wayside trees.

While fulfilling the intended role in making Singapore a garden city,
these and many other cultivated plants present themselves as fine
living exhibits for the Siddha Medicinal plant searcher.

Many plants found in Singapore were used by the Siddhars as 'Kaya
Kalpa' herbs. Kaya Kalpa herbs perform these functions - they cure
degenerative diseases, prolong life, retain youthfulness and prevent
diseases.

Just a few examples of these our kaya kalpa plants that the Siddhars
mentioned are given below. While giving the readers an insight in
Tamil Siddha literature and the uses of some plants that surround
them, this article may also provide a lead to those looking for new
drugs for certain ailments. Who knows?

1. Acorus calamus - sweet flag (vasambu)
- Siddhar Theraiyar Venba

2. Solanum nigrum - black nightshade (manithakkali)
- Siddhar Theraiyar Venba

3. Cissus quadrangularis - bone vine (pirandai)
- Siddhar Agathiyar Kunavaagadam

4. Phyllanthus niruri - pick-a-back (keelanelli)
- Siddhar Agathiyar Kunavaagadam

5. Eclipta prostrata - white heads (karisalankanni)
- Siddhar Thirumoolar Karukkadai

6. Leucas aspera - parrot weed (Thumbai)
- Siddhar Theraiyar Venba

7. Acalypha indica - green pearl (kuppaimeni)
- Siddhar Theraiyar Venba

8. Cardiospermum halicacabum - balloon vine (mudakkatraan)
- Siddhar Agathiyar Kunavaagadam

9. Phyla nodiflora - purple lippia (poduthalai)
- Siddhar Agathiyar Kunavaagadam

10. Azadirachta indica - neem (Vembu)
- Siddhar Boghar Muthal Kaandam

References:
Heritage of The Tamils - 1983 International Institute of Tamil Studies
Chennai,

Indian Medicinal Plants Vol I - V
1994 Orient Longman Limited, Chennai

The Concise Flora of Singapore - gymnosperms & dicotyledons
Hsuan Keng - 1990 National University of Singapore

The Concise Flora of Singapore - monocotyledons
Hsuan Keng - 1998 National University of Singapore