In this season, with the monsoons setting in, so many in Goa are interested in their plants. For a state that is undergoing a speedy shift away from its traditional lifestyles, there's indeed a growing concern about plants, trees, seeds, and the like. There are also concerns about the trees and plants that were part of our youth, and are no longer that common. For instance, the tree that offers the adao fruit. The abolim - Goa's state flower, which news reports remind us, now grows in just a few pockets.

In the online world, seed and plant groups, together with those on composting, are linking people from across Goa. Even those from beyond. Often, these comprise people who would have had little or no connections otherwise.

In this context, books related to plants are welcome. But these are few. They do exist, but procuring your own copy might be tough. This is quite in keeping with the Goa-book syndrome - when books are published here, hardly anyone takes note. By the time everyone is on the search for the same, these titles are often unavailable and out of print.

Recently, thanks to someone sharing their old book collection, one came across two books (or booklets, to be more accurate) on medicinal plants of Goa. One came from the Goa Forest Department's Research and Utilization Division. It's called 'Important Medicinal Plants of Goa'. Its date of publication is not mentioned, but it obviously comes from the time when APJ Abdul Kalam was the President of India.

The second is titled 'Some Important Medicinal Plants of Goa' and has been published by the State Medicinal Plants Board. It can be dated to the time when (now Governor) Rajendra Arlekar was the minister of forest and environment in Goa.

Both are fairly well designed, printed in colour, on quality paper. (Which might push up costs, and, in turn, restrict their circulation.) The information given is simple and useful.

Plants are mentioned with their scientific and common names, a botanical description, an explanation of where the plants are available, and, most importantly, their use with potential medicinal properties. Also their parts used and how the plants are propagated.

As is explained in the text: "Goa is a small State on the west coast of India. The State houses a part of (the) Western Ghats within its boundaries, which is one of the mega bio-diversity hot-spots of the world, thus making Goa a State extensively rich in flora including medicinal plants."

For instance, sonamukhi (K) or senna (H) (Cassia angustifolia) is used as a laxative, purgative and in constipation. Or adki (K) and sarpgandha (H), whose roots have been used in the drug Reserpine for relief from a wide range of nervous disorders, its root goes to treat intestinal trouble, stimulates contractions of the uterus, and its leaves have been used to clear corneal opacity. It is also used as a sedative, tranquilising agent and for fever and giddiness.

Other plants listed include the katekuvar (Aloe Barbadensis) which is believed to work in skin diseases and hair fall, is a purgative, aphrodisiac, hepatic stimulant, has a leaf pulp which is cathartic, is used in liver and spleen ailments, and eye troubles, in modern cosmetics and anti-aging creams, and much more.

Goa's wonder bin'na (kokum) is another useful medicinal tree. The bhirand with drooping branches and a linear conical crown is believed to work for colic, heart diseases, piles, sink diseases, thirst, ulcers, improving appetite and digestion, chronic dysentery and diarrhea, the control of cholesterol and in reducing obesity. If you thought that was a long list, it is not even complete.

Other plants whose names we have all heard - like the adulso, avalo, nirgud, tulsi, bel, brahmi, gulvel, jambul, madhunashini, kodunim (neem), ghoting, chandan, harda, vaikhand, sadaphuli, monglee errand, bhui amla, pimpli, brahmi, mosing (drumstick), also feature here.

Unfortunately, initiatives like the Medicinal Plants Board of Goa "which looks after various aspects related to medicinal plants" seldom enters into the news. Perhaps organisations such as this need to go on a more aggressive outreach.

According the Goa Forest Department, it has over 50 species of medicinal plants "in various nurseries" and "many of them are used for planting purposes and for distribution among the public". Of course, plants created and whether available actually can be two different matters. It remains to be seen what has been the experience of citizens wanting the same.

These are useful booklets. Many more readers could benefit from accessing the same. The goal of the government department promoting such work is primarily not to earn profits. Hence, one would hope that such books are digitised and are made freely available online, to whoever desires them.

In fact, the Creative Commons (or some such similar) license could be taken on as a means of disseminating useful government publications. Let's hope such a sharing begins.

Frederick Noronha is an independent journalist and alternative book publisher.