Have you ever heard of Entada Scandens? And how does STEF use this vine to help elephants?
Entada Scanden, otherwise known as the St Thomas bean or elephant creeper is an evergreen woody vine that grows regularly in the forests of Thailand. It’s yellow-white flowers and thick twisted trunk make this plant pleasing to look at and highly recognisable in the thick undergrowth. Large round seed pods hang from long stems along spiralling branches that meander through the forest. However, this isn’t just another plant here. This special vine has many uses.
The seeds of the plant are soaked for up to 12 hours and roasted before being consumed but are poisonous if eaten raw. The leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked, along with the sap and juices which can be turned into oil or a coffee substitute. Its oil can also be used to fuel oil lamps and its seeds are often dried and turned into necklaces or baby rattles.
Sangdao being scrubbed with entada scanden.
However, Entada Scanden also holds many medicinal properties. The juice from the stem can be drunk to relieve joint and muscle pain, the juice of the root is given for ulcers and headaches, the kernels are ground down to treat colic, whilst the fruit is said to be an effective contraceptive.
The plant also secretes a chemical called Saponin, which has anti-inflamatory, antibacterial and immune boosting properties. Traditionally these plants can be used as a wash to treat a wide range of skin disorders and can also be used for washing hair. The vine is cut into lengths and then pounded into thin, flat strips. The strips are then dried and when re soaked create a soapy lather. This lather can then be used to rub onto the skin or hair.
Here at STEF, Entada Scanden is beneficial to assist with skin infections and also acts as an excellent insect repellent, deterring insects that may lay larva under the skin surface on the elephants. At the elephant hospital our expert vets not only use modern medicines and innovative treatments to heal sick and injured patients but they also rely on cultural knowledge and traditional medicines to ensure that every elephant receives the very best of care.
