Connecting Traditions with Science: 3. CEDARS OF GODS

Trees Sacred for Hindus, Muslims and Christians

Cedrus deodara (Himalayan Cedar, Devdaar, Devdaaru) is sacred in Hinduism. It is considered to be associated with many deities. People in some areas of Uttrakhand also associate Lord Shiva with this magnificent tree. The plant name Devdaar is itself made up of two words- Dev (God) and Daar or Dyaar (Wood), meaning wood of the God. This tree has many reported medicinal properties besides being sacred to the Hindus.

 

Ghatotkach Temple under a Devdar Tree (Cedrus deodara) in Manali near Hidimba Mata temple

 

Another Cedar, Cedrus libani ( Cedars of Lebanon) is mentioned in Holy Kuran and Holy Bible. It is known as Arz al-Rab (Arz of the God) or Shajaratul -Allah (Tree of the Lord) or Arz al-Lebanon in the Arabian countries. It may be Sidrah of Holy Kuran (Consult Dr. Mohammed Iqtedar Husain Farooqi' s book on Plants of the Quran). The Cedars of Lebanon are mentioned in the Holy Bible (Old Testament) over 75 times.

Cedrus libani  growing in the Forest of the Cedars of God (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Kadisha Valley, Bsharri District, Lebanon (Photo Source: Wikipedia)  

Female Cone of Himalayan Cedar 

Towering Devdaars in Shimla

Medicinal Uses of Himalayan Cedar

The wood of Devdaar is considered carminative, diaphoretic and diuretic. It is reported to be useful in fever, flatulence, heart palpitation, paralysis, pulmonary troubles, and urinary diseases^[1,2].

References

1. Chauhan NS. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publ. Co., New Delhi, 1999.

2. Khare CP. Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2007.