Trees ,Banyan Tree,Tulsi,Turmeric,Cultural importance

Trees

Trees occupy the important place in the history of India. Trees have always been associated with wisdom and immorality in India. Hindu literature describes a celestial tree as having its roots in the heaven and its branches in the underworld that unites and connects beings of every kind. Banyan is the National Tree of India. Peepal, banyan (Bodhi tree), banana, and Tulsi are some of the plants that holds special cultural and religious significance in India. Indian Rosewood, Kikar, Aleo Vera, Ashwagandha, Cork, Brahmi, Sal, Khair and Garden Asparagus are some of the popular trees grown in India. Banyan is the National Tree of India. It has the widest reaching roots of all known trees, easily covering several hectares. It is said that at one time more than 10, 000 people can sit under its shade at one time. Peepal TreeHundred of trees are protected as living natural monument in India and Peepal is one of them. It is popularly known as the Bodhi Tree in India, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the sacred tree of India. Neem Tree
Neem tree is popularly known as the Miracle Tree. It is a useful tree in rehabilitating the waste land areas. Even today Neem Tree is the focal point of village life and the village council meetings under the shade of this huge tree Arjuna TreeArjuna is the large size deciduous tree. Terminalia Arjuna tree is common throughout India especially in the sub Himalayan tracts and Eastern India. In Indian mythology, Arjuna is supposed to be Sita's favourite tree. Aloe VeraAloe Vera is the popular herb with the botanical name of Aloe barbadensis. Aloe Vera is used as the source of medicines for thousand of years. It is believed to have been used for the preservation of the body of the Jesus Christ
Tulsi is the sacred plant of India dearer to the Lord Vishnu. Tulsi symbolises purity. Many people wears the Tulsi beads, which is said to have certain physical and medicinal properties. It is known as Holy Basil in English and Tulasi in Sanskrit. Medicinal and other uses : Tulsi is taken as the herbal tea. The oil extracted from the Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used in the herbal toiletry. Its oil is also used against the insects and bacteria. The Rama Tulsi is the effective remedy for the Severe acute Respiratory Syndrome. Juice of its leaves gives relief in cold, fever, bronchitis and cough. Tulsi oil is also used as the ear drop. Tulsi helps in curing malaria. It si very effective against indigestion, headache, hysteria, insomnia and cholera. The fresh leaves of Tulsi are taken by the million of people everyday. For over the centuries Tulsi (the queen of herbs) has been known for its remarkable healing properties. Many people wears the Tulsi beads, which is said to have certain physical and medicinal properties. Its wood is considered as more powerful than any other gem that helps in protecting one from the negative influences. One can also buy several handicraft jewellery items made of Tulsi wood.
Cultural Importance : Tulsi is the sacred plant dearer to the Lord Vishnu. Tulsi symbolises purity. It is considered as the holy plant in the Indian Subcontinent. Tulsi got its name from Tulasi Devi, who was one of Lord Krishna's eternal consorts. In India people grow Tulsi as the religious plant and worship it. Its leaves are used in temples for the worship purposes and also on the several occasions such as marriage. A Hindu house is considered incomplete without the Tulsi plant in the courtyard. Tulsi is belived to promote longevity and life long happiness. Hindus perform special Tulsi puja in the Kartik month which starts after Sharad Poornima. It is the time of the Tulsi vivah (marriage). On this day Tulsi is decorated and coloured as a bride.Even today people in India maintain a potted Tulsi plant. The womens water the plant, light up the diya near it and worships it daily. The stems, leaves, seeds and even the soil is considered as holy. According to the ancient texts Tulsi is glorified as the one who helps in bringing people closer to the divine. Amla PlantAmla is the wonder plant, a unique gift of the mother nature to the mankind. Its fruit is the richest source of Vitamin C. It holds the special reputation of being the most powerful rejuvenating herb. It is popularly known as Indian Gooseberry AshwagandhaAshwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows up to the height of 0.5 m to 1.5 m. Ashwagandha is the powerful herb that is believed to increase health and longevity. One can find this medicinal plant in the Ranthambore National Park in India Brahmi is the small creeping herb with the numerous branches. Herpestis monniera is the other known specie of Brahmi plant. It is rich in Vitamin C. Brahmi is the name derived from the Lord Brahma. Brahmi represents the creative energy of this earth. EucalyptusEucalyptus is the tall evergreen tree. There are more than 700 species of Eucalyptus all over the world. Eucalyptus is mainly used as the pulpwood in the manufacture of the paper as well as raw material. Indian MahoganyIndian Mahogany is a fast upright growing tree with a broad rounded symmetrical crown. Swietenia mahagoni is the scientific name given to the Indian Mahogany. It is mostly propagated through seeds. Indian Rosewood holds many medicinal properties. Indian Rosewood is mostly propagated through the root suckers and seeds. Many people in India grow Rosewood because they believe harvesting the wood denudes the rain forests.
The plant of Turmeric is a herbaceous perennial, which is 60 -90 cm high. The powered rhizome of this plant is used as an condiment and as an yellow dye. The rhizome of the turmeric plant is highly aromatic and antiseptic
Cultivation methods : Turmeric plant is planted in the month of September to October. It grows in light black, black clayey loams, and red soils in irrigated and rainfed conditions. The rhizomes are planted 5 7 cm deep. This crop is planted by the small rhizomes with one or two buds. It is harvested after 9 -10 months of planting. The lower leaves turn yellow and fall with age.
Medicinal uses : It is taken as the blood purifier and is very useful in the common cold, leprosy, intermittent, affections of the liver, dropsy, inflammation and wound healing. The rhizome of the turmeric plant is highly aromatic and antiseptic. It is even used for contraception, swelling, insect stings, wounds, whooping cough, inflammation, internal injuries, pimples, injuries, as a skin tonic. Sweetened milk boiled with the turmeric is the popular remedy for cold and cough. It is given in liver ailments and jaundice.
Other uses : The powered rhizome of this plant is used as an condiment and as an yellow dye. Its is used to colour and flavour the foodstuff. It is used in the preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. It is even used in the cosmetics.
Cultural Importance : For thousand of years it has been used in the Hindu religious ceremonies. It is the common belief among the the Hindus that Turmeric improves fertility. The dry turmeric root is considered as the symbol of purity and prosperity. It is used in Indian rites and rituals. Turmeric mixed in water is poured on the God and Goddesses. The dried turmeric roots in betel leaves are given to the women during the ceremonies as they are considered as fertile and bring good luck. Turmeric power is applied on the main entrance of the Indian Houses. The priests in the temples put tilak on the forehead with the turmeric power. Married women in India has to put Sindur a vermilion paste (mixture of turmeric with camphor).