Sal trees are abundantly found in Jharkhand and hold tribal significance. The tribal communities utilise these trees in various ways, including consumption, medical usage, and sustainability. These trees are also exported throughout the globe for their hardness.
Most of these trees are now under government forest areas, but they still hold high cultural value for tribal communities like Santhal and Mundas. Keep on reading to know more about the tree and its essential uses in tribal communities.
Sal Tree And Its Many Uses
Sal Leaves
Traditionally, sal leaves have been utilised to create environmentally friendly bowls (dona) and plates (patravali) across India. They also give food a subtle earthy flavour when used to wrap it for cooking or storage. While the leaves themselves are not eaten, using them in cooking and serving shows a glimpse of culture and roots. This is a typical practice among Jharkhand's tribal groups, demonstrating their resourcefulness and sustainable way of life.
Sal Seeds
One of the main ingredients in many traditional foods, such as rotis and porridges, is flour made from the seeds of the Sal tree. The flour is edible and very nutritional. Sal seed flour, which is frequently combined with other grains, is known for its adaptability. It is an essential component of a daily meal.
Sal Oil
Sal oil is produced from the seeds and utilised in a variety of traditional dishes and especially for frying. Tribal groups eat a substantial amount of fat from Sal seed oil. This oil is also very helpful for medical purposes. The oil is used for application on the body and is believed to cure joint pains and many other health issues.
Dammar
Sal tree resin is used as a flavouring agent in tiny amounts and in traditional medicinal mixtures. The resin is used in very small doses for its flavour and therapeutic qualities, even though it is not usually ingested directly in significant quantities.
Sal Flowers
Herbal teas can be made with Sal tree blossoms. When added to teas, the edible blooms give off a subtle flavour. The flowers have no smell and can also be used for decorations. The skilled people in communities obtain these flowers from tree tops, climbing high. Only the young leaves and twigs bear the flowers in heights.
Sal Bark
Although the bark itself is not frequently eaten, when prepared correctly, it is deemed palatable in medical situations. It is said that the history of Santhal and Munda tribes are carefully scripted and hidden in these bark shavings.
Sal Fruit
When food is scarce, the fruit of the Sal tree can be dried and processed into a powder. Although the fruit is edible in theory, its astringent flavour makes it uncommon as a food source. It turns into a valuable resource in times of need.