Kanjiram Tree Secrets: The Poison Nut Tree With Folklore, Fruits and Forgotten Uses

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By A.V. Narayanan
Phone: 9745770221

Kanjiram poison nut tree Strychnos nux-vomica growing as a large deciduous tree in a rural farming landscape

Scientific Name: Strychnos nux-vomica Linn (Poison Nut Tree)
Family: Loganiaceae

A cow tied to the Kanjiram bark. A hut nestled in the lap of goodness are either the same or one is better than the other. The Kanjiram bark has good moisture. It is harsh for the above-mentioned saying to come into existence. The meaning is that cows feel as comfortable on the Kanjiram bark as a baby does in the lap of goodness.

Kanjiram is also something interesting with serene beauty.

🌳 Botanical Identity

To the ignorant, Kanjiram is bewitching. It grows into a large tree, about 12-20 meters tall. Kanjiram. There are two types. The tree Kanjiram and the vine Kanjiram. This is a deciduous tree. It may also have thorns.

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Scientific name
Strychnos nux-vomica Linn

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Family
Loganiaceae

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Growth
About 12-20 meters tall

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Types
The tree Kanjiram and the vine Kanjiram

🕯️ Old Customs Around Kanjiram

When a disease comes. The graveyard of those who died from it. Kanjiram is near where they are buried. There was a custom of planting it in the past.

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The old saying connects Kanjiram bark with comfort, moisture and shelter, comparing the comfort of cows on the Kanjiram bark to a baby in the lap of goodness.

🍯 Fruits, Seeds and Past Trade

Honey yellow Kanjiram fruits and dried poison nut seeds traditionally collected for sale

Kanjiram produces a lot of fruits. Inside the honey-yellow fleshy Kanjiram are seeds with ‘medorithan’. In the past, collecting Kanjiram fruits was a profession.

The fruits were collected, their shells removed, and the seeds were dried and sold to shops. This was exported to foreign countries.

🪵 Strong Wood and Traditional Uses

The wood of Kanjiram is very strong. For making houses with "kattapporumenna". For making scales, set squares, boards, etc. It was also what was available before.

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Making houses with "kattapporumenna"

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Making scales

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Set squares

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Boards

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"pidi", "vella", and platform "upputhara" for the "thenmavu"

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Magazine racks from thin and long planks attached with "unakkamadakkiyil"

⚠️ Poison, Weariness and Medicinal Notes

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Caution: This tree is identified as the Poison Nut Tree. Its sap and parts should not be used. Just standing around the tree would cause dizziness and fainting.

Kanjiram is also used as a weapon to kill enemies. Weariness in many things.

This grows and flourishes like a channel for germs. The ‘asali’ of Kanjiram. ‘Ilakkudan’ is very sour. Hunger is important. Asafoetida, the cause of hunger.

From the bark, leaf, fruit, seed, all these are medicinal. Tulasi, Brahmi, Curry leaf, Henna, Pranan, Lemon, Jackfruit, Prandan, Neem – Kanjiram has the medicinal properties of these as well. It seems that this happens. In the olden days, for various diseases, one drop of Kanjiram root used to be given along with a decoction.

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The article records traditional knowledge and old practices, while the plant name itself reminds readers to treat Kanjiram with serious caution.

FAQ

What is the scientific name of Kanjiram?

The scientific name of Kanjiram is Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. The article also identifies it as the Poison Nut Tree. Its family is Loganiaceae, and it is described as a deciduous tree that may also have thorns.

How tall does the Kanjiram tree grow?

Kanjiram grows into a large tree, about 12-20 meters tall. The article mentions two types: the tree Kanjiram and the vine Kanjiram. It is also described as a deciduous tree, and in some cases it may have thorns.

What are Kanjiram fruits and seeds known for?

Kanjiram produces many fruits. Inside the honey-yellow fleshy Kanjiram are seeds with ‘medorithan’. In the past, collecting Kanjiram fruits was a profession. The shells were removed, the seeds were dried, sold to shops, and exported to foreign countries.

What was Kanjiram wood traditionally used for?

The wood of Kanjiram is described as very strong. It was used for making houses, scales, set squares, boards, the "pidi", "vella", and the platform "upputhara" for the "thenmavu". Thin planks were also made into magazine racks.

Why was Kanjiram planted near graveyards in the past?

The article records an old custom connected with disease and death. When a disease came, Kanjiram was planted near the graveyard where those who died from it were buried. This is presented as a past practice associated with the tree.

Is Kanjiram considered poisonous?

Yes. The article names Kanjiram as the Poison Nut Tree and warns that its sap and parts should not be used. It also says that standing around the tree would cause dizziness and fainting, so Kanjiram should be treated with caution.

Does the article mention medicinal uses of Kanjiram?

The article says that the bark, leaf, fruit and seed are medicinal, and that in the olden days one drop of Kanjiram root was given along with a decoction for various diseases. At the same time, it clearly presents the tree as poisonous.