Botanical Name: Eulaliopsis binata
Family: Poaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Genus: Eulaliopsis
Common Names:Bhabhar, Sabaigrass,; Sabai, Babu.
Habitat: Eulaliopsis binata grows in many Asian countries like China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines.It grows on dry mountain slopes.
Description:
Eulaliopsis binata is a perennial, clump-forming grass with leaf-blades 30 – 80cm tall and flowering stems 60 – 90cm tall.
In India, this species is the second-most important raw material for paper pulp after bamboos, and it is much collected from the wild there. In W Bengal and Orissa it is commonly cultivated on marginal uplands as a source of raw materials.
Medicinal Uses:
Root decoction (ca. 10 ml) with long pepper made into paste is given in fever by the Lodhas. Whole plant paste (ca. 5 gm) mixed with 2-teaspoonfuls of honey and leaf juice (ca. 15 gm) of ‘Basak’ (Adhatoda zeylanica) is given 3-times a day to cure bronchitis by the Santals. Aqueous decoction of root (ca. 10 ml) mixed with black pepper (Piper nigrum) seed powder
(ca. 5 gm) is given to reduce the body temperature due to summer heat by the Oraons.
Other Uses:
It is mainly used for the manufacture of writing and printing paper. Pulping is done using soda and sulfate processes.The grass is woven into mats, light shoes etc.The plant is a good source of fibre, which is widely used for making sails, ropes and string. The fibre is suitable for papermaking.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
http://www.crdeepjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Vol-3-3-1-IJBAS.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eulaliopsis_binata
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Eulaliopsis+binata
