Support our state tree - Panai Maram

Palmyra palm trees (Brassus flabelifer) called as Panai Maram is the

official tree of Tamil Nadu. Palmyra palm trees share a glorious past with

the Tamil people and have been hailed as Karpagam vruksham (divine

trees which offer everything one asks for) since no part of it goes

waste. In spite of its tremendous benefits, Palmyra palm trees were

felled indiscriminately as firewood and sold as low as Rs 100/- for a tree

which can yield Rs 25 lakh in its lifetime of 100 years.

Why should we protect Palmyra palm trees?

Every part of the plant from roots to leaves can be used to prepare over

80 food products and hundreds of crafts.

Palm trees provide a variety of food products:

ü Neera (Padaneer, Palm Juice)Neera also known as palm nectar is a

sweet non-alcoholic nutritious drink tapped from the spathes of the tree

that is amazingly rich in vitamins and minerals.

ü Palmyra palm fruit seeds (called as nungu in Tamil): Palmyra palm fruit

seeds have excellent hydration properties, a good balance of minerals

and sugar for the body.

ü Palmyra palm Sprouts: It is known as Panai Kizhangu

or Panangkizhangu in Tamil. Sprouts are high in protein content, rich in

dietary fiber, folate and other vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium,

zinc, and magnesium,

ü Palm Jaggery: Palm Jaggery is the most beneficial and nutrient-rich

variety of raw jaggery. Palm jaggery is rich in iron. Its regular

consumption increases hemoglobin level and treats anemia.

ü Palm sugar: Palm sugar is a natural sweetener made by boiling the sap

from Palmyra palm flowers until it is reduced to sugar crystals. Palm

sugar suitable for diabetics due to its low glycemic index 35, compared to

honey at 55 and table sugar at 68.