RAJA KAYU (AGATHIS ALBA)

My friend, Haji Hasnin, bought a piece of wood at one of the booths at the Perak State Herbal Farm when we went there yesterday. He paid RM30.00 for it.

Now what is so special about the wood? He told me that the Malays believe that if one were to keep a piece of it in the home, then the home would not be hit by falling trees or branches. I guess that was when almost everyone lived in wooden houses in the villages and there were plenty of trees around. Anyway, it is said to possess the magical powers to prevent other unwanted objects to damage the house. It seemed that some medicine men and foot reflexologists would use the wood for foot massage.