Me outside the locked gate of the Herb Garden
The guard who was kind enough to let me in is at the back
The NILAM plant
I went to the Perak State Herb Garden to look for a special plant for my school on Saturday. The name of the plant is NILAM (pogostemon cablin benth) or Patchouli. However, when I reached there I discovered that the Herb Garden was not open during the weekend. Luckily for me, the guard who was on duty was kind enough to let my mum, aunt and me in to look for the plant. He introduced me to the gardener who managed to get me the plant. This plant is used in traditional medicine to treat asthma and cough. The scent of the Nilam is used to induce relaxation. Nilam is usually made into patchouli oil. In Malaysia, Nilam is used as an antidote for venomous snakebites. In Chinese medicine, this herb is used to treat headaches, colds, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Me with the Nilam plant that I bought for the school Herb Garden
With the Patchouli or Nilam leaves
My mum and aunt said that things went so smoothly because we had gone and performed prayers to Tai Sui before we went to the Herb Garden in Batu Gajah. The Chinese believe that with Tai Sui on our side, our journey through the year would be aided by the Grand Duke Jupiter (another name for Tai Sui).
Ms Cheah
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for the Patchouli plant but can't find it in KL. COuld you post a close up view of the plant and leaves?
Thanks
Try clicking on the last picture to get a bigger view of the patchouli leaves.
ReplyDelete