Scientific Name: Smilax ferox
Local name: Shiahkrot
Family: Smilaceae
The humble uses and healing properties of the Shiahkrot
Shiahkrot (Smilax ferox) is a wild plant found in the forests of Meghalaya in Northeast India. There are two varieties of the shiahkrot namely baheh and barit, meaning “big one” and “small one”. It is mostly found close to riversides, preferably on steep slopes. In East Khasi Hills, it is found amidst the rich biodiversity of the sacred forests of Law Kyntang Bniah. However, traditional belief restricts the collection of plants from these forests to protect the cultural landscapes and dignify the spirits believed to still be present in these protected areas. In 2014, NESFAS’s nomination listed 20 items to the Ark of Taste, from which Shiahkrot, Sohniamtra (the Khasi Mandarin) and Lapunei (a variety of wild herb), were accepted as passengers of the Ark.
Shiahkrot is rich in nutrients and medicinal properties, though, unlike other medicinal plants, it is slightly sweet and fruity in taste. More importantly, it is a medicinal plant that has long been used by herbal practitioners to cure various stomach troubles, thanks to its antibacterial properties. For the same reasons, mothers apply shiahkrot to the navel of newborn babies to prevent bacterial infections.
Apart from being used in its pure form, the root is mixed with ginger to make a tasty hot beverage. This is a new idea that has come up in food festivals organised by NESFAS to revitalize some forgotten foods like sha shiahkrot (shiahkrot tea) and a local ginger variety called sying bah. Though available throughout the whole year, indigenous farmers prefer to collect it in October when the roots are found in abundance. In those areas where it is permitted to collect the plant, the collector can use a traditional tool called the lyngka, a piece of iron with a sharpened top that allows cutting even through hard soil. Harvesting the roots is a very decisive moment, as the collector must carefully extract only the amount of the root that he requires and leaves the remaining bit in the soil to ensure that the plant will not die off, but remain to grow for future generations.
After being washed and dried, the roots are stored inside the house in a bamboo basket and preferably transferred to a particular bamboo board that hangs in suspension above the fireplace in traditional houses. This closeness to the smoke preserves the root naturally as no mold or other fungi can grow. Presumably, this storage also gives the plant its subtle but pleasant “smoky” aroma that has been described when tasting it. Through this method of preservation, shiahkrot can be stored for many years without losing its taste and medicinal properties.
Currently, shiahkrot can be purchased only in one village in extremely small quantities, and most communities oppose the commercialization of the crop. The major threat to shiahkrot today is the massive deforestation that is taking place due to large-scale cash crops, coal mining and firewood exploitation. Also, the lack of proper education and instruction on how to harvest shiahkrot from the forests without killing the entire plant contributes to the risk of extinction of this plant. One small community in Mawlyngot has started to market shiahkrot at a very small scale. This initiative has been taken up since April 2013 with significant success and demand. It would, however, be important to implement a market strategy and control that prevents the over exploitation of this product and to ensure the sustainable use of this medicinal plant.
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