Kendu Leaf:
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Kendu Leaf is a species of flowering tree in the family Ebenaceae.
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It is native to India and Sri Lanka.
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The states producing Kendu leaves in India comprise mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
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Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha.
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It is a nationalized product, like bamboo and the sal seed.
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It is one of the most important non-wood forest products in Odisha.
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The Kendu leaves are used to wrap bidis, a popular smoke among the locals.
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Tribals living in remote forests, pluck the Kendu leaves and sell them in the market to earn their livelihood.
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Traditional medical practitioners use Kendu Leaves to treat malaria, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Due to their antimicrobial properties, the leaves are applied to cuts and bruises as well.