Red Ant Chutney Has Kept Covid At Bay, Believe Tribals In Odisha’s Gajapati

Gajapati: Red ant, domestically often called ‘kai’, may simply be one other bug for 90 per cent of the human inhabitants, however for scores of tribals in Odisha it’s a common food plan. Dive deep into the truth, the kai chutney is likely one of the most popular conventional meals consumed by folks of all age teams in lots of tribal belts within the State. Reason, they consider it has umpteen medical advantages.
The knack of preparation and consumption of the kai chutney by the tribals in Gumma block of Gajapati district is a living proof.
The course of is herculean. First, they accumulate the crimson ants from the hives in branches, leaves or the tree trunks in forests, and boil the ants to show it right into a paste. A mixture of grounded inexperienced chillies, ginger, garlic, onion and salt is then blended with the boiled crimson ants, and the top results of the combination is ‘kai’ chutney. It is commonly served with ‘Pakhala’, finger millet (mandia), and whoever has savoured it is going to always remember the style, say tribals.
They consider kai has medicinal properties which assist in curing joint ache, imaginative and prescient issues, flu, respiratory & digestive points, plus it boosts immunity. “Eating them (red ants) improves vision and there are other health benefits. After collecting the ants, we prepare their chutney and consume it,” stated an area of U-Sari.
Red antsNot simply in U-Sari village, the peculiar custom is being adopted since many years in lots of tribal-dominated areas in Gumma block due to the medicinal properties.
What has come as a shock is the deadly coronavirus hasn’t hit the realm, and this purpose has given these tribal folks an awesome sense of perception that it’s due to consumption of ‘kai’ chutney that Covid couldn’t come nearer to them.
“Many countries and states were severely hit by Coronavirus. Touchwood, the infection could not extend its tentacles to our village. Our ancestors have been consuming kai chutney, and we have also been eating it. It is maybe due to this, Covid spared us. We are not completely sure but it definitely is good for health.”
Preparation of crimson ant chutneyHowever, the age-long conviction that the kai chutney has many medicinal properties, is but to be accepted by the medical sciences. Experts have opined that there is no such thing as a point out of ‘kais’ having medicinal values, in science or any of the books. The crimson ant just isn’t a meals, consuming it may upset the abdomen to a excessive diploma, declare specialists.
“This is completely a superstitious belief. So far, there is no scientific evidence that this kai chutney is a remedy for Covid-19, nor is this a preventive measure,” stated Dr Surendra Kumar Rath.
Last month, a PIL was filed within the Orissa High Court on the proposed use of the crimson ant chutney for remedy of Covid-19. While listening to the matter, the High Court on December 24, 2020, requested Ayush Ministry and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct a analysis on the efficacy of the chutney for Covid remedy and take a choice on this regard inside three months.
Only time will inform whether or not crimson ant ‘kai’ chutney can truly maintain Covid-19 at bay.

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