Salab Gatta - Salam Gatta - Saalam Gutta - Saalab Gatta - Orchid Root

Form: Raw Herb

Other Names: 

Khusaa al-tha‘lab, Qaatil Akheehi, Salabmisri, Salep Misri, Salep Orchid , Salep Orchis, Breitblättriges Knabenkraut, Breitblättriger Fingerwurz, Salabmisri, Salampunja, Salamisri, Orchis latifolia Linn, Salamisri, Salab Misri, Khaya Rubah, Salammishri, Salabmisri, Munjataka, Salab Misri, Khusyatus Salab

Salab Gatta (also known as lax-flowered orchid, loose-flowered orchid, or green-winged meadow orchid) is an orchid species. The species has a wide distribution range in Europe and Asia, reaching as far north as Gotland (Sweden). Plant can reach a height of 60 cm. Wet meadows with alkaline soil are where you'll find it. Common in Normandy and Brittany (France), it is only found in the United Kingdom on the Channel Islands, where it is known as Jersey Orchid. Notable habitats include Le Noir Pre meadow in Jersey and many fields at Les Vicheries in Guernsey, where a mass bloom of these orchids can be seen each year in late May to early June.

The first is the marsh above Lafionas, near to the basilica of the first bishop of Lesvos, Agios Alexandros, where we constantly receive wet feet while 'hunting' the Loose or Lax-flowered Orchid. The second is on the banks of the little creek (named the Kyprianou) that runs from the 'Klapados' waterfall to Dafia, and the third is at Pigadakia or Dipi on the Gulf of Gera. There is, in fact, a fourth one: among the reeds on the Larisos corner, at the intersection of the road to Plomari and the route from Kalloni to Mytilini, but you must arrive early.

Salabmisri may have additional habitats on Lesvos: KARATZ (Lesvos 2008) describes 5 more areas (Sgri, Gavathas, Ped, and the Katsinia bay down from Avlóna), although I'm not sure I've ever been to all of them at the same time. Molivos (well, I was there at the correct time, but perhaps this habitat has vanished, as have so many others in Greece in recent years, and no, not only because of sheep and goats this time, but tourists as well, though we don't have as many of this last specimen on Lesvos).

Benefits:

• It is a tonic that relieves tension and mental illnesses.
• This aids in controlling, preventing, and maintaining libido levels.
• These herbs are also effective in reducing chronic diarrhoea, recurrent diarrhoea, and persistent diarrhoea.
• It aids in the removal of irritants from the skin's surface and the improvement of skin tone.
• Salab misri is quite effective in changing one's mental state as a result of variables such as despair, fear, physical tiredness, lethargy, and hesitation.
• It aids in the relief of a variety of physical issues and disorders, not only for males but also for women.
• This possesses expectorant characteristics and hence aids in the prevention of respiratory problems.
   

Employed in the treatment of Salep is rich in nutrients, astringent, expectorant, and demulcent properties. Salabmisri has been used as a special diet for youngsters and the elderly, boiled with water, flavored, and prepared in the same manner as arrowroot. It is high in mucilage and forms a calming and demulcent jelly that is used to treat gastro-intestinal canal irritations. A jelly is made by combining one part salep and fifty parts water.