Rampe
“Cooks (in Sri Lanka) rely heavily on aromatics like fresh curry leaves and rampe (or pandan leaf), a long blade-like leaf from the screw-pine tree that smells like fresh corn and onion.”
A near relative of the palms is found in the order Pandanaceae, of which the species known in Sinhala as mudu ketiya (Pandanus odoratissimus) - but pandanus or screw pine (more correctly screw palm) elsewhere - is the most-distinguished member. The pandanus, so called from the Malay word pandang meaning "conspicuous') .can grow to a height of 15m, and has a stem forked like a candle stand.
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These plants are often-seen growing by the sea, where beach meets land. Their dark green leaves are lathe and sword shape and have spiny edges and bases arrange close spiral form. The leaves are used to make baskets mats, and hats. The trunks are stout wide-branching, and ringed with many leaf scars. They commonly have many thick prop roots near the base rather like fig trees, which provide support as th tree grows top-heavy with leaves, fruit, and branches.
Mudu ketiya has amber clusters of fruit resembling a pineapple.Inside are square red capsules, smooth as ivory, which can be chewed. In addition, the capsules can be grated and then moistened, kneaded and baked. Furthermore, the juicy branches can- be fed to cattle, and from the blossoms a much-esteemed perfume can be made.
Rampe or rampeh (Pandanus amaryllifolius) - rampe is the more popular name - is a herb belonging to the order Pandanaceae that's used to great extent in Sri Lankan cooking, It's much smaller than mudu ketlya, doesn't have the aerial roots, and doesn't even flower or fruit. Yet rampe possesses something that,-mudu ketiya, doesn't have -Its leaves have a musky smell, that adds a vital aroma to
rice and curry dishes. Fresh leaves are typically torn into strips, tied in a knot to facilitate removal, placed in the cooking liquid, and later, removed. Usually a few centimeters of the leafy are tied into a little knot and fried- up with spices in the early stages of making curries. In some Asian countries rampe is used as a breath freshener. It is also used as a food preservative. In remote villages rampe leaves are even used as a substitute for toothpaste fibers help clean the teeth, acting as a dental floss Rampe is also used in aromatherapy.
Besides these values, rampe is a herb known for healing ’properties. It has a cooling effect and is excellent for the treatment of internal inflammations, urinary infections, colds, measly, bleeding gums and skin diseased. It enhances person's sensed well being. It is also said to contain flavonoids, believed to have healthful antiviral, anti-allergen, anti platelet, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Rampe leaves, the most useful part of the plant, are woven on-plaited into mats, thatch, sails, baskets, hats, and fans. The tips of the roots are eaten and are often used in traditional medicine.