SCENERY OF KOTLI SATTIAN

The hills, slopes and narrow valleys among the spurs are often extremely beautiful and attractive. Green Pines, Olive and many other evergreen and seasonal trees are found on the lower hills. The lowest hills and valleys contain a luxuriant growth of various trees, bushes and under growths.

The Patriata, Khalabut and Phofandi hills are beautifully wooded and the scenery is exquisite. The panorama view comprises, as it frequently does, a breathtaking picture of a foreground of lovely, lush woodland scenery and a background of the lofty snow clad peaks of the Himalayas. 

many of the lower valleys are extremely picturesque as well, especially the valley between Narrar and Phofandi spurs on the southwest. The tributaries of the Soan River run down with many beautiful, picturesque pools and streams. The numerous fountains, having cool, fresh and health-giving water are found throughout this region. 

The scenery near the western banks of the Jhelum river is often fine, especially below the beetling cliffs of the Narrar mountain. In many cases, small hamlets and little patches of cultivation are found high up on the hillsides and mountaintops. 

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Related Articles
CLIMATE OF KOTLI SATTIAN
BEAUTIFUL PLACES OF KOTLI SATTIAN
PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION OF KOTLI SATTIAN
GEOLOGICAL FORMULATION OF KOTLI SATTIAN
GEOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION OF KOTLI SATTIAN

Reference : A Handbook of Kotli Sattian 

BERBERIS ARISTATA (HIMALAYAN BERBERRY), (SUMBAL)

Berberis Aristata is a thorny shrub belonging to the family Berberidaceae and the genus Berberis. It has yellow root. The flowers are yellow and in corymbose racemes. The fruits are oblong-ovoid or ovoid, bright red berries.

It is widely found in Northern Areas of Pakistan, Mansehra, Balakot, Galyat, Swat and North Waziristan in KPK, Kashmir, Murree and Kotli Sattian hills in Punjab, and also found in different areas of Balochistan.

Berberis Aristata is known as "Sumbal" in local language of Kotli Sattian. Sumbal can treat fatal diseases, including Cancer, Brain tumor, Diabetes, Thyroid glands, Infertility and Arthritis. 

MARPHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

It is a dynamical bush. The old plant is seven to eight feet tall, and It is full of thorns and branches spread around, each thorn is in set of three thorns. Trunk diameter of old plants becomes three to four inches, and the roots are eight to ten feet deep in the ground. This root is used as a herb, its skin is peeled off from the root and then dried in the shade and it’s taste is bitter and colour is yellow. Sumbal flowers flourish in the form of bright yellow clusters, leaves are oblong and sharp-edged, flowers are dispersed after a few days and they are replaced with little green berries, ripening blackish. Its leaves and flowers are eatable with bitter taste. It is used as a treatment of the mouth and throat diseases, and the Powder of Sumbal Root is good for healing cancer patients.

THE FLOWERING AND FRUITING SEASON

Flowering in Berberis Aristata starts from the first fortnight of March and remains in progress up to the end of April. The peak flowering season under Solan conditions was recorded to be from 8-25 April. The fruit start ripening from the second week of May and continue to do so throughout June. They can be retained on the shrub after ripening for quite a long period, but they fall off soon after the onset of rains. The fruiting season, therefore, ends abruptly with the commencement of the rainy season.

The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects and self. The plant is self-fertile.

The small fruits with their seeds are sweet, with a blend of acid. They are slightly bitter and the bitterness is due to the seeds. The taste and flavour of the fruits is good.

SUMBAL HERB NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Botanical name : Berberis Aristata
English name : Tree Turmeric, Indian Berberry, Himalayan Berberry
Urdu name : Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries), Rassaut (Root bark extract), Sumbal, Sumbloo

Arabic name : Ameerbaarees
Persian name : Filzahra (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Baloch name : Zaril, Koroy
Pashto name : Zarilragay, Koroy
Kashmiri name : Rassashud (Root bark extrat), Kaw Dach Mool (Root)
Punjabi name : Rassaut, Sumlu

Pahari name : Sumbal
Chinese name : Huang Lian

German name : Indischer Berberitze

French name : Epine-vinette d’lnde

Hindi Name : Rasaut (Root Bark Extract), Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Nepali Name : Chutro

Cancer (All Types):

Mix the Sumbal and the Turmeric powder in same weight. Fill the mixture in double zero sized capsules. Take one capsule after morning and evening meals, with milk. Cancer of every type will be controlled within a month.

1. Mouth or Breast Cancer: Mix the Kushta Sunkh (کشتہ سنکھ), Sumbal and Turmeric powder in same weight. Use a double zero sized fill capsule 3 times a day, after meals with Dhamasa soaked water.
2. Soak the small piece of Sumbal in a bowl of water in the evening, and drink in the morning, before meal. Similarly soak in the morning and drink in the evening.
   
   

   Brain Tumor:

   Take Siris tree bark, Kushta Sunkh, Sumbal and Turmeric Powder in the same weight. Add sum sugar and fill in double zero sized capsules. Diabetic patients may exclude sugar. Take one capsule thrice a day, after meals with Dhamasa soaked water. Continue it for 3 to 4 months for complete health.

   Cancerous Sore:

   Use half filled double zero sized capsule of Sumbal Powder thrice a day with fresh water or milk. The sore will be healed within 20 days.

   Mouth Disease:

   Sumbloo can also be used in mouth or sore throat. Hust keep small piece of Sumbloo in mouth and sleep. The bitter Sumbal water goes through mouth and throat and patient is healed within a night.

   Toothache:

   Take half-filled double sized capsule of mixed powder of Sumbal, Galingale (پان کی جڑ) and Jujube (عُناب) in same weight, twice a day, after meals.

   Pawn Ribs or Neck Pain:

   Take half-filled, double zero sized capsules of Sumbal powder, twice a day, after meals.
   Best Toothpaste: Mix Sumbal Powder equal to half the quantity of a good toothpaste, Now use it like a toothpaste.

   Thyroid Glands:

   Mix the Kushta Sunkh, Turmeric, Sumbal and Arsenic Powder No. 2 in the same weight and fill it in double-zero sized capsule. Take one capsule twice a day, with milk, for two to three months. You can also keep a small piece of Sumbal in mouth at night will also help healing Thyroid.

   Chronic Wounds:

   Just sprinkle the Sumbal powder on chronic wounds, to cure them, and also take a small quantity of it twice a day, with water or milk.

   Diabetes:

   Take small quantity of Sumbal twice a day with milk. You can also drink Sumbal soaked water twice a day before meals. To get rid of diabetes, soak a small piece Sumbal in a bowl of water at night and drink in morning. Similarly, soak in morning and drink before night meal.

   Arthritis:

   Take small quantity of Sumbal powder with milk, at night. Pain will be relieved within two or three days.Boil the two or three pieces of Sumbal, and drink. The joint pain will be removed.

   Infertility:

   Fill the double zero sized capsule with Kushta Sunkh, turmeric and Sumbal powder in equal weight, and take thrice a day with milk, for at least six months.

   Broken Bones:

   Mix Sumbal Powder in white part of eggs and apply on broken bone. Also bind strongly if possible. the bone will rejoin in 20 days.

   Hepatitis:

   Soak one piece of Sumbal in a bowl of water in the evening and drink in the morning before meal. Again do the same in the morning and drink in the evening before evening meal.

   Enlargement of Liver or Spleen:

   Prepare green tea of Sumbal and take before meals, twice a day.

   Stomach Worms:

   Take a small quantity of Sumbal powder early morning with water to get rid of Stomach Worms, within two to three days. You can repeat the process if needed.

   Diarrhea and Cramps: Mix Sumbal and dried Ginger powder in same weight and take thrice a day with milk or water.

   Side Effects :  Sumbal is safe for use but because of the berberine it contains, it must not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women and should not be administered to newborns.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Reference : Watt (1889)
                      Healthy Manners
   
   Research : Anjum Satti

PINE SAP, RESIN AND TURPENTINE

Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. It's more of a liquid, like honey or less viscous than honey. Sap is the sugary secretion from plants as well as trees. Sap is known as "Jaygun" in local language of Kotli Sattian.

Sap is not to be confused with latex, resin or cell sap; it is a separate substance, separately produced, and with different components and functions.

Sap is like the lifeblood of a tree. It helps carry nutrients through the tree to where they are needed most. Roots are constantly pulling in water, minerals and other nutrients that need to be spread throughout the tree, especially to the leaves. Leaves, meanwhile, are producing simple sugars and need a way to transport through the tree fibers and get rid of their waste products. Sap is used to carry these compounds to where they are needed. It moves much slower than blood does, and is of a much thicker consistency.

                          Pine Sap is dripping out after trimming the tree in Kotli Sattian

                               

Pine resin or pitch is the secretion from pine trees caused by cuts in the tree trunk or from broken limbs. The trees secrete the resin to seal up any cuts or damage to the tree.
In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a "solid or highly viscous substance" of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. They are often mixtures of organic compounds, principally terpenes. Many plants, particularly woody plants, produce resin in response to injury. The resin acts as a bandage protecting the plant from invading insects and pathogens.

                                                               Pine Resin 
                                                     

Pitch: think of an intermediate between a liquid and a complete solid. Pitch is like that crystallized honey you find in your pantry after it’s been there for quite a while.

Difference between Sap and Resin

Sap is more of a liquid that is less viscous than honey. Resin is a sticky solid form of secretion that is highly valued for their chemical properties and associated uses. Sap is made of sugar and water carried in the xylem and phloem cells of the trees. Resin is a liquid found in the outer cells of the trees.

Turpentine, a substance characteristic of pine trees and other conifers, is composed of a mixture of resins and volatile oils. Turpentine is the volatile oil distilled from pine resin, which itself is obtained by tapping trees of the genus Pinus. 

Turpentine (also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine and colloquially turps). It is mainly used as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.

Turpentine oil is made from the resin of certain pine trees. It is used as medicine. Don't confuse turpentine oil with gum turpentine, which is the resin. Turpentine oil is applied to the skin for joint pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, and toothaches.

 TURPENTINE USES, BENEFITS & DOSAGE
                                   
 USES OF STICKY PINE SAP

 By : Anjum Satti

KHALABAT SATTIAN - MURREE HILLS

Khalabat is a hilly village of Murree hills in Rawalpindi district, Pakistan. Khalabat is 23 miles south-east of Murree town - a popular hill station, 31 miles north-east of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It is in the lower Himalayan hills and this area has cold, snowy winters, relatively cool summer with drastically escalated rain. During monsoon village top mostly remains covered by fog, monsoon starts in July and continues til September.

Maize is the traditional crop of the area, land holdings are small due to the hilly terrain and production is hardly sufficient for subsistence. Apple, apricot, pear, plum, walnut, cherry, raspberry, fig and pine nuts are main fruit of Khalabat.

The village has forest land as well as cultivated land. Part of the forest is kept by the government ; some of it, called guzara, is for community use. The forest is covered by thick blue pine trees. The top peak of the village is at altitude of 7,417 ft which is known as "Kullah", and the distance between this peak and Patriata top is just 300 meters, Patriata top is the highest point of the Murree hills which consequently the highest point of the Punjab as well.
There is a dense blue pines forest between Khalabat and Patriata, which is home to different wild animals like leopard, bear, monkey, fox and various species of pheasant and rabbit.
Forest is full of wilderness and it has large number of culinary and medicinal herbs.

The third type of land is used for house construction. Due to the need for terraces, houses and fields are small and homes are scattered.

There are four Mosques in village including Central Jammah Mosque. There is one primary school for boys and one for girls, one private high school for boys and girls and a college for girls. The literacy rate of Khalabat is 91.5%.

The village consists of five parts. The villagers are of different ethnic groups and each occupies a specific area of the village.
The largest ethnic group in the village consists of Satti who are also the second largest tribe in the Murree Hills. There are four tribes inhabiting the Murree hills: Abbasi, Satti, Dhanial and Kethwal. Khalabat is a Satti village situated in Satti area. In this village the first migrants were three Satti brothers from a neighboring village to the south east of Khalabat. Dhanials came later, the few households of Kethwals are the latest arrivals in the village.

Ethnic group Percentage in Khalabat
Satti 66%
Dhanial 24%
Kethwal 9%
others 1%

KhalabatVibe

                                                                By : Anjum Satti