In the past, our ancestors maintained a close relationship with the environment. They knew the value of many plants. One tree that our ancestors preserved is the Mee tree. The scientific name of the Mee tree is Madhuca longifolia. In Tamil, they call it Illupai, and in English, it is defined as Mousey Mi.
This tree has many benefits for mankind, and many people have been interested in preserving it because they believed something about it. However, due to the deforestation that has taken place in the country in the last few decades, the existence of Mee trees has been severely threatened. Today, Mee trees are scarce in Sri Lanka.
Villages
Meegahathenna, Meegahawatta, Meegahakiula, Meegahakotuwa, Meegahapalassa, Meegahapola and Meegasmulla, are some of the names given to villages based on the Mee tree because this tree was so close and familiar to the lives of the people. They were found almost everywhere in the dry zone. The Mee tree also has a package of benefits.
Over the past few decades, farmers in our country have become accustomed to the use of chemical fertilisers on a large scale. Many are now suffering the consequences. For several years now, there has been an argument in society about the importance of using organic fertiliser. Recently, problems have arisen in this regard.
When it comes to organic fertiliser, the Mee tree is a useful plant. The Mee tree is believed to be a plant that provides natural fertiliser. Therefore, it is said that ancient people were inclined to cultivate Mee trees in the vicinity of paddy fields and other plantations.
Bats often roam around paddy fields and plantations during the flowering stages. Bats eat fruits and flowers in nearby fields and paddy fields. Their droppings contain nitrogen fertiliser and many other nutrients required for plant growth.
Therefore, paddy fields and plantations don’t need chemical fertilisers. At that time, fertile fields were found because of the abundance of valuable plants such as the Mee trees in the paddy fields and plantations.
Leaves
Fertiliser can also be obtained naturally when the leaves of the Mee tree fall to the ground and decompose. That is why our ancestors called the Mee tree the “fertiliser tree”.
Chemical fertiliser as well as pesticides have become part of our country’s agriculture at present. But there is no other way to control the pests that live in the fields, so farmers use pesticides indefinitely. People do not like to consume poisonous vegetables and fruits from pesticide-treated fields. Therefore, there is a huge demand for organic vegetables and fruits at present.
Although pesticides are used extensively for cultivation today, the ancient people were accustomed to using natural methods to control pests.
One of the tactics they used was to plant Mee trees near the plantations. Bats and other birds that came to eat fruits and flowers also ate the pests that were a threat to crops. Therefore, it is said that in the distant past, it was possible to cultivate without the use of pesticides.
A plant normally receives carbon dioxide for photosynthesis during the day and releases oxygen into the environment, while plants absorb and release carbon dioxide for respiration at night.
Different
But some plants show different characteristics. It is said that the Mee tree is one such plant. Mee trees are believed to release oxygen into the environment throughout the day and night.
Some parts of the Mee tree are also used to prepare various foods.
Mee tree oil has economic value. It contains several acids, such as oleic acid, citric acid, and linoleic acid. Because of the health benefits of Mee oil, it has been suggested that eating foods prepared with Mee oil may reduce the risk of diseases such as cholesterol and hemorrhoids.
In the past, people used to make various dishes using the fruits and flowers of the Mee tree. They used the flowers from this tree to make Halapa and Konda Kawum.
Hela Wedakama
Various parts of the Mee plant are used in certain treatments in Hela Wedakama and Ayurvedic medicine. The flowers, leaves, bark, roots, and seeds of the Mee tree are used to make medicine.
Mee oil, extracted from seeds, is used as an analgesic to relieve various aches and pains. Also, balms made from oil are available in the market today.
Also, the bark of the Mee tree, which is a good medicine, is used to treat fractures. Mee peel decoction is more beneficial for relieving joint pain. The drink is made from the powder obtained by drying the bark. It is said that drinks made from the seeds of the Mee tree eliminate defects in the male sperm. According to Ayurvedic medicine, honey decoction made from Mee flowers helps in the proper functioning of the female reproductive system.
Constipation
Mee oil is a good medicine to strengthen the nerves and to relieve conditions such as constipation. Mee oil is also used to treat eczema and rashes on the skin. In addition, seeds from the Mee tree are used in the treatment of skin diseases, headaches, and so on.
In the past, oil lamps lit by using Mee oil were used to reduce inflammation in the eye. It is said that it brought relief to the eyes. In addition, the extracts were used to treat snakebites, sore throat, rheumatism, diarrhea, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections.
King
During the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, the felling of certain trees was prohibited. One of them was the Mee tree. In those days, if a person of any rank was caught cutting down a Mee tree, faced the death penalty.
At that time, a Mee tree could not be felled for whatever reason. It is said that even though a branch of a Mee tree falls on to a house, the king provided the owner with land to build a house in another location without cutting that branch.
Boundaries
At that time, Mee trees were also used to mark boundaries. Evidence that the tree was used to mark boundaries of temples at that time is found in the Mahavamsa. In addition, the Dhatuwansa, the Puliamkulam Inscription, and the Mihintale Inscription mention that the felling of Mee trees was banned at that time.
The permission given by the Colebrook Reconstruction in 1833 to cut down the Mee tree, which was protected by our kings, had a great impact on the rapid decline in the number of Mee trees in the country.
As the former chief incumbent of the Thambuththegama Medagama Pirivena, folklore researcher, Rajakiya Panditha Ven. Manewe Wimalarathana Thera said, the Mee tree is a precious tree for Sri Lankans.
The Mee tree is mostly found in the villages. These trees could be seen mainly in paddy fields, lakes, and canals. In the past, villagers used flowers and seeds of the Mee tree as fertiliser. Mee oil was added to the diet of almost every household. The dust that was left over from the Mee oil was used to smoke the mothers after a baby’s delivery. It was a good medicine.
In the past, people used to collect flowers from the Mee tree to make honey.
Oil
The Mee plant is very healthy. Its seeds are ripe and sweet. There are several varieties of Mee plants. Some of them are low in oil, and some are high in oil. One type is the Kuru Mee. Its seeds are small. And there’s a species called the Dakathi Mee. Its seeds are big. Another one is Pathuru Mee. Its seeds are large. There are several different types of this. Some trees are less productive than others, and some are more productive.
The planting of trees are a viable answer to global warming. So planting these types of trees which has a lot of benefits is a solution for a lot of problems.