Kurinji Land’s Kuravar Tribals:
Kuravars belong to the ancient Tamil community. Kuravars are also called Vader or Veduvar. Kuravars are different from Narikuravar. They lived in the mountainous regions of Kurinji land, one of the five lands. They are a close relative of the ‘princess’. What I am referring to as ‘princess’ here is the Kurinji flower that blooms once in 12 years. Let's see about it in detail.
The princess is the Kurinji flower:
Kurinji plant or Neelakurinji is a plant that grows widely in the Western Ghats of India. Due to the blue flowers that bloom in it, this mountain range appears blue in colour, so this mountain range in South India got the name Nilgiri Hills. Kurinji plants belong to the shrub family.
Special Flower:
This flower is considered to be the most important of the flowers. As it blooms once in 12 years, we have missed its glory. It grows mostly in the Western Ghats of India. This Kurinji plant's growth is about 6-20 feet. It continues to bloom from July to September.
Why does it bloom once in 12 years?
Generally, the first requirement for flowers to bloom is pollination. Researchers say that Kurinji flowers bloom later to protect themselves from other organisms. Also, some herbivores eat them, so they bloom much later. That's why it takes 10 to 12 years to flower.
Kurinji Honey:
Researchers say that the honey extracted from this flower is delicious. Birds and all other animals seek them out. That is why Kurinji flowers have this adaptation to escape from animals and birds. Also, it has been calculated that there are an average of 1,768 flowers on a single plant.
The Greatness of the Honey:
Honey extracted from the flower is very delicious. That's why once they start blooming, bees will surround them. If this honey is used for medicinal purposes, it will be more beneficial. Moreover, it is a solution for skin diseases and skin problems.
For skin diseases:
Whatever we eat today, some kind of disease comes to us. Moreover, the development of diseases on our skin is increasing. Some raw materials in the flower can cure skin lesions, allergies, itching etc.
For joint diseases:
Kurinji flower is an excellent remedy for rheumatism, muscle spasms, joint pains, bone diseases etc. Adivasis in ancient times squeezed this flower and applied it to the painful area.
To cure inflammation:
These flowers are very helpful in correcting sudden inflammation in the body. Squeezing these flowers and applying them to the affected area will reduce the swelling. This is what doctors used in traditional medicine. The Chinese and Japanese also use it in their medicine.
Kurinji Root:
Even the roots of this flower are mentioned in ancient medicine as having medicinal properties. Its roots are used to cure fever, cold, cough, and some major ailments related to the throat. Its leaves are poisonous. However, historical records suggest that the foothill tribals used it in their medicine.
When did it last bloom?
A very rare type of 'Blue Kurinji flower' has previously bloomed in Kodaikanal, Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, and Munnar Hill located in the Western Ghats in Kerala in 2018. Then after a gap of 12 years, it will bloom the next year 2030. This flowering season lasts till October.
This article is created as a part of the Adivasi Awaaz project, with the support of Misereor and Prayog Samaj Sevi Sanstha.