From Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness by Gene Bruno, C.N.
"As a matter of fact,
the Kani people have a history of using trichopus prior to
undertaking strenuous work. They do this to help fight stress
and increase energy, although this unique botanical also has
a reputation for stimulating the immune response. The director
of one of India's largest think tanks has gone so far as to
state that the plant is similar to cocaine in terms of its
energy boost, but not addictive."
From
The December 2000 Issue of Natural Foods Merchandiser
by Chris Kilham
"Two of us from the Tropical
Botanical Gardens were hiking in the Agastya Hills with a
couple of members of the Kani tribe back in 1987. The conditions
were a bit difficult, with steep climbing. We were finding
it very difficult to keep going, but the tribespeople did
not seem even the slightest bit fatigued. We asked them how
they kept their energy going, and they showed us some small
green berries which they said gave them energy. We had seen
our guides chewing these along the way. I chewed a small handful,
and right then I felt a sudden flush of energy and strength."
From
the November 15th, 1998 Issue Vol 7, No 12 of Down to Earth
by Max Martin
"Scientists
are only now finding out the Kanis' knowledge of herbal remedies.
The most outstanding find so far is arogyapacha."
From
Environmental resources - 26th March, 1999 SCIENCE / ENVIRONMENT
STORY OF THE DAY
"Kani
tribe wins battle to harness ŒArogyapacha¹:The Kani
tribals of Kerala have won a long battle for their right to
harness a rare herb, ŒArogyapacha¹, which attracted
global attention by virtue of its medicinal value."
From
The Hindu - Tribals rewarded for sharing herbal secret Date:
23-03-1999 By T. Nandakumar
"In
a path-breaking venture attracting global attention, the Tropical
Botanic Gardens and Research Institute at Thiruvananthapuram
has firmed up a benefit-sharing project to reward the Kani
tribals in the verdant Agasthyar hills for their traditional
knowledge which led to the development of a herbal drug with
huge commercial potential...
"A
team of scientists attached to the All India Coordinated Research
Project on Ethnobiology had stumbled on this plant during
the course of their expedition in the Agasthyar hills in 1987.
The tribal guides accompanying the scientists revealed the
secret of the herb which they claimed to have miraculous powers.
In a project spanning eight years, the institute went on to
refine and validate the medicine." |
