Toddy palm (Tal)

Its botanical name is Borassus fiabelliter Linn. The palm tree is extensively cultivated in India for its fresh sweetish juice. The juice of the fresh fruit is refrigerant. The fresh sweetish juice flowing from cuts made on the flowering stalk is cooling, stimulant, antiphlegmatic and antiphlogistic. If taken regularly, it acts as a laxative. It is given in dropsy, inflammatory affections and gastric catarrh. The slightly fermented juice is given in diabetes, and with aromaticsin phthisis. Palm-sugar prepared from toddy is used as a antidote in poisoning; as it is antibilious, it is given in liver troubles and gleet.

Benefit and uses of Toddy palm.

• Toddy palm young roots are diuretic and anthelmintic, and a decoction is given in certain respiratory diseases. The ash of the spadix is taken to relieve heartburn and enlarged spleen and liver.
• The palm bark decoction, with salt, is used as a mouth wash, and charcoal made of the bark serves as a dentifrice.
• Palm Roots of only minor or medicinal uses.The terminal buds of all are sometimes used as salad.
• Commercial palm oils are used for soaps and candles, lubricants, margarine, fuel, feed, and many other purposes.
• Todday palm containing sugars, fibre, proteins, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals, which provide excellent isotonic electrolyte balance, and an exceptional nutritional food source.