Unique 'lonely' banana tree - a miracle drug of Thai people in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - People in Tri Le commune, Que Phong district often call a native banana variety "lonely" banana and consider it a miracle drug.

"Lonely" banana tree in Cam village, Tri Le commune, Que Phong district. Photo: Ho Phuong

The "lonely" banana, in Thai, means "with willow". This banana variety is 2-3 times taller than normal banana varieties and has a longer life cycle.

It does not grow in clumps or branches, but only on one plant, which is why the locals call it the “lonely” banana. People cultivate bananas by sowing seeds from its fruit. Each seed develops into a banana plant that eventually flowers, bears fruit, and dies.

From afar, the "lonely" banana tree looks no different from a normal banana tree. Photo: Ho Phuong

The Thai people in Tri Le commune consider the "lonely" banana as a panacea, curing many diseases. People use banana trees to treat rheumatism or hemiplegia... And especially to treat poisoning. Banana fruits and seeds can be soaked in wine to treat diseases such as aching bones and joints, and to increase vitality for men.

To cure poisoning, people use banana stems, slice them thinly, crush them and squeeze out the juice for the patient to drink. In particular, it is used by men in the news when they have too much to drink.

The flowers of this banana species are completely different from those of the common banana species. Photo: Ho Phuong.

The flowers of this banana are also different from the usual bananas, they grow in a circle, and each petal usually falls off only when the fruit begins to ripen. Each bunch of bananas is not usually distinct from each other but they grow very closely together, intertwined.

Local people cut this banana stem to make an antidote. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Ha Van Toa (born in 1976), residing in Cam village, Tri Le commune (Que Phong) said: "Currently, the whole Cam village only has 4-5 trees. The "Co lieu" banana variety is considered one of the 'miracle drugs' of our mountain people. Many people even believe that it can cure poison from aconite leaves. However, no one dares to risk testing it."

Ho Phuong