Odisha tribals eat black wild ants, claim it as medicine against coronavirus

Some research scholars and doctors have also claimed that the medicine against the Coronavirus can be prepared from these wild black ants. They also claim that the black ants have useful medicinal qualities and one can be cured of cold, cough and throat infection by consuming these.

Mayurbhanj: Tribal people are known for their unique culture, lifestyle and food habits. The tribals of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district eat ants and their eggs believing they have medicinal benefits.

One of the tastiest foods of the tribal people is a sauce prepared from one kind of big-sized wild ants called black pismire or locally known as 'Jandakai'.

Some research scholars and doctors have also claimed that the medicine against the Coronavirus can be prepared from these wild black ants. They also claim that the black ants have useful medicinal qualities and one can be cured of cold, cough and throat infection by consuming these.

Villagers grind them into a paste to make a chutney known as kai-chutney. After the ants are captured they are transported to the kitchen to be crushed in a pestle and mortar with chilli, ginger and salt. The bodies of ants contain formic acid believed to have useful medicinal qualities to fight against cough and cold disease, sources said.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, a research scholar, Nayadhar Padial said, "The mystery of overcoming the challenge posed by coronavirus is available in the wild black ants, but since it is not yet proved scientifically. I have initiated an effort in this regard and I claim that coronavirus can be cured by the black ant.

"I had written a letter to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to arrange higher research in this regard and already received a reply from that organization. Dr Madhumati, a scientist working under the ICMR division has expressed her interest in this and had advised me to submit the available facts in this connection to the research agency Council of Science and Research which is functioning under the ‘Ayush’ Ministry,' Padial said.

Nayadhar has also pleaded with the Prime Minister, Union Health Minister and Chief Ministers of 13 states for undertaking a clinical trial on this sauce prepared by ants.

On the other hand the intelligentsia, as well as ayurvedic doctors, opine that there should be a clinical trial to manufacture Corona medicine from these wild black ants.

"We have been eating wild ants and their eggs for generations. Consuming ants cures acidity and enhances eyesight and its eggs help to keep the body cool and prevent sunstroke," said a local.

"Apart from the medicinal benefits as claimed by the doctors, it is a staple diet for these forest-dwellers. The ants and eggs are also sold at weekly markets in the tribal areas. They are in high demand," the local added.