Mangaluru: As we are in the month of ‘Aati’, which is our tradition to consume Aati potion on Aati’s new moon. What is the reason behind this tradition? How did it start? What is the scientific reason behind this? Why it is celebrated in ‘Aati’ period? Which remains a question? Here is the interview with Dr B A Kumara Hegde, HOD of Botany, Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College, Ujire, who shares information about the importance of Aati.

Speaking to Mega Media News Dr Kumara Hegde said “our ancestors tried trial and error method to get rid of the health issues that they were facing during rainy season. Once Charaka and Shushrutha said that there are medicinal properties in each of the plants, some are known and some unknown. Our ancestors found frequent positive results in ‘paale tree’ scientifically known as, Alstonia Scholaris which belongs to the family Apocynaceae.”

It’s a time tested truth where it took myriad period to implement this tradition smoothly. It is one of the herbal medicines. During old days there was no allopathic treatment to cure illness. People had to go behind nature and plants to find a solution for their illness. ‘Aati’ is known for heavy rain. When heavy rain falls then it is natural to fall sick. So the ‘Aati potion’ turned out to be natural and herbal remedy for sickness during rainy season

“The tradition continued every year. A traditional and religious outfit is given to it just to continue the same thing in the future also. As the bitter potion it helps us to stay healthy. The potion is very rich in bio-chemicals which helps to stay away from cold, cough, fever, rheumatic disorders, gastro intestinal disorders, acidity and helps in the improvement of blood circulation,” he added.

Early morning “The bark of ‘Paale tree’ is taken out. It is because the bio-chemical substances which have medicinal properties will be accumulated in the bark in a large concentration which scientifically proved. Then the bark is pasted with pepper, garlic, goosefoot and cumin and consumed as a potion,” he stated.

Further Dr Kumara Hegde said that, there are lot of similarity between paale tree and “Kasarka” Kannada term scientifically known as Strychnos Nux-vomica and there is possibility that people get confused between the two due to their similarity. Kasarka is a neurotoxic plant. Several death cases have been reported after consuming the decoction of Kasarka, he concluded.