ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on the uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Nipa Palm. E. A. Menninger summarizes that the palm supplies roofing, thatching, baskets, matting, cigarette wrappers, fuel, alcohol, sugar, toddy, and other products. Also useful for stabilizing soils in tidal terrain. The nut is jelly-like at first, becoming nutty, and finally so hard as to require grating or pounding for eating raw. Nipa palm is a folk remedy for centipede bites, herpes, sores, toothache, and ulcers. The sugar is used in a tonic prescription. The nipa palm is reported to tolerate heavy soils, salt, and tidal waterlogging. Nipa production is rural-based and labor intensive, though probably less so than other alcohol plants. S. C. Halos states that nipa is a better alcohol producer on a hectare basis than sugarcane or coconut, comparing better with sweet potato.
