Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.
Botanical Details:
• Family: Pandanaceae
• Genus: Pandanus
• Species: amaryllifolius
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Common Names:
• English: Pandan, Screwpine, Pandan Leaf
• Malayalam: Malayalam: Biriyanichedi, Rambha
• Tamil: Rambha, Biriyani kaitha
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Botanical Description:
• Plant Type: Perennial, clump-forming herbaceous plant
• Height: 1 to 2 meters tall
• Leaves: Long, narrow, linear, dark green, with prominent parallel veins; they grow in a spiral or helical arrangement from the stem.
• Flowers: Pandanus amaryllifolius is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The flowers are small, yellow-green, and are not typically showy.
• Fruit: Small, ovoid, and typically orange to red when ripe.
• Root system: Aerial, with prop roots that help support the plant.
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Uses of Pandanus amaryllifolius:
1. Culinary Uses:
• Flavoring agent: The leaves are highly aromatic and are commonly used in Southeast Asian and South Asian cuisine to infuse a sweet, fragrant flavor. They are often used in rice dishes, desserts, and beverages. For example, in Thailand and Malaysia, they are used in pandan rice (nasi pandan), pandan-flavored sweets, cakes (such as pandan chiffon cake), and drinks.
• Pandan paste: The leaves are crushed to extract a green paste, which is used to color and flavor foods.
• Traditional dishes: Used in both savory and sweet dishes, such as pandan chicken, pandan-flavored coconut milk, and kueh (traditional Southeast Asian cakes).
2. Medicinal Uses:
• Antioxidant properties: The leaves contain flavonoids and other antioxidants that may help in combating oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Digestive aid: Pandan leaves are sometimes used to treat digestive issues like indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
• Anti-inflammatory: Traditionally, Pandanus amaryllifolius is used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties, helping with muscle and joint pain.
• Relieving anxiety: In some cultures, the aroma of pandan is used for its calming and stress-relieving effects.
• Pain relief: The leaves are used in poultices for treating headaches and general body pain.
3. Aromatic and Fragrance Uses:
• Essential oils: The leaves are used to extract pandan essential oil, which is utilized in perfumery and aromatherapy for its sweet, pleasant fragrance.
• Air fresheners: Dried pandan leaves are sometimes used as natural air fresheners in homes, offering a mild but refreshing fragrance.
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