{"page":"\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/resources-c03aa079.css\" /\u003e\n\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/lp_boclips_stylesheets-517835be.css\" media=\"all\" /\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-title='Carpenter claims to make chairs that make you feel better' data-url='/boclips/videos/5c54bc24d8eafeecae12a643' data-video-url='/boclips/videos/5c54bc24d8eafeecae12a643' id='bo_player_modal'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='boclips-resource-page modal-dialog panel-container'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='react-notifications-root'\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-header'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-type'\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fai fa-regular fa-circle-play'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\nVideo\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch1 class='rp-title' id='video-title'\u003e\nCarpenter claims to make chairs that make you feel better\n\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-actions'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='mr-1'\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"btn btn-success\" data-posthog-event=\"Signup: LP Signup Activity\" data-posthog-location=\"body_link_boclips\" data-remote=\"true\" href=\"/subscription/new\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGet Free Access\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e for 10 Days\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-body'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-info'\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Hide resource details' class='rp-hide-info' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u0026times;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Expand resource details' class='rp-expand-info fai fa-solid fa-up-right-and-down-left-from-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Compress resource details' class='rp-compress-info fai fa-solid fa-down-left-and-up-right-to-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-rating'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='resource-pool'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-label'\u003ePublisher:\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-name'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='text'\u003e\u003ca data-publisher-id=\"30356011\" href=\"/search?publisher_ids%5B%5D=30356011\"\u003eCurated Video\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-description'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='short-description'\u003eFor centuries India's Ayurvedic herbalists have claimed the juices and bark of certain trees contain powerful healing properties. Now carpenters in the southern state of Kerala say furniture made from these trees can also help to heal...\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='full-description hide'\u003eFor centuries India's Ayurvedic herbalists have claimed the juices and bark of certain trees contain powerful healing properties. \u003cbr/\u003eNow carpenters in the southern state of Kerala say furniture made from these trees can also help to heal people.\u003cbr/\u003eMedical experts say it has yet to be proven by proper clinical trials.\u003cbr/\u003eSkilled carpentry can deliver a comfortable chair.\u003cbr/\u003eBut few, until now, have claimed their handiwork has healing properties.\u003cbr/\u003eIn this workshop they use 23 varieties of wood, all of which are reputed to contain medicinal properties.\u003cbr/\u003eThe marquetry in the daybeds being made here are deliberately designed to incorporate as many of them as possible.\u003cbr/\u003eThe chairs, recliners and day beds are manufactured by A K Mohanan and most of them end up in his shop here in Kerala.\u003cbr/\u003eFor Mohanan carpentry is more a way to make a living.\u003cbr/\u003eHe argues it is like a vocation which has employed his family for several generations.\u003cbr/\u003eBut Mohanan didn't realise there was a tradition of using medicinal woods in furniture until he visited an ancient palace within the state and discovered a bed designed and made with 64 types of timber, each with its own medicinal value.\u003cbr/\u003eHe then studied traditional Indian scriptures to find out which plants and trees he could use.\u003cbr/\u003eMohanan's first daybed was made of wood from the Neem tree which Ayurvedic physicians claim are naturally anti-fungal and anti-viral.\u003cbr/\u003eHis specially designed easy chair also gives the user a massage.\u003cbr/\u003eIt slides back and forth over the body as it rocks.\u003cbr/\u003eMohanan claims to have conducted trials of his own furniture before he started to market them.\u003cbr/\u003eHe insists: \"This can not be simply categorised as mere furniture though of course in appearance it is a piece of furniture. This is a specially fabricated piece utilising parts of medicinal plants ,herbs and trees. Neem tree has definite medicinal properties which I already knew, it is from here I started this venture.\" \u003cbr/\u003eThe carpenter claims orders are now pouring in and his only problem is finding enough of the wood to buy.\u003cbr/\u003eNo chemical processes are used to make the furniture and only Ayurvedic herbal oils are allowed for polishing the wood.\u003cbr/\u003eThe medicinal day bed and easy chair cost around $500 (US) each.  \u003cbr/\u003eMohanan says: \"Nowadays we don't get all the required wood. At most we can only get 23 different types, so I have made daybeds using these pieces. It took me five years of strenuous effort to collect the raw materials and even now I find it very difficult to get the wood I need.\" \u003cbr/\u003eIndia has a rich heritage of medicinal plants, many are used as raw materials in the manufacture of indigenous drugs and herbal cosmetics.\u003cbr/\u003eRetired government official R Gopakumar suffered from chronic backache and swelling for years.\u003cbr/\u003eHe argues routine medical treatments gave him no relief.\u003cbr/\u003eGopakumar decided to try using the furniture after reading about the natural medicines used in Ayurveda.\u003cbr/\u003eNow he has both the daybed and the reclining chair.\u003cbr/\u003eHe says: \"I have absolutely no backache.Now the swelling usually accompanying the backache is also absent. This is because the wood used (in the furniture) absorbs the sweat and it gives very good comfort,\" he said.\u003cbr/\u003eKerala's heritage of Ayurvedic treatments has gained interest well beyond India's borders.\u003cbr/\u003eThe special woods used by Mohanan are all at this nursery. \u003cbr/\u003eThey include Neem, Amrah, Karanjah, Sandalwood and Cinammon.\u003cbr/\u003eSome practioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe the medicinal chemicals within the wood may help relieve some ailments through skin contact.\u003cbr/\u003eAyurvedic therapies are taught as part of the curriculum at many colleges in Kerala.\u003cbr/\u003eThe director of medicine at this centre is Dr. T. Sivadas.\u003cbr/\u003eHe says: \"Some woods will have a cooling effect (on you) simply touching it may transfer some medicinal properties directly onto the skin because we use ingredients from herbal plants  in the oil preparations. By transferring that material by touch itself, that will give definite medicinal relief.\"\u003cbr/\u003eBut doctors outside the Ayurvedic tradition say they need proof the furniture has any therapeutic qualities.\u003cbr/\u003eVice Principal of the Government Ayurveda College in Thiruvananthapuram Dr. M. A. Shahjahan admits only clinical trials can test the veracity of the claims made by the carpenters.\u003cbr/\u003eHe says: \"\"If a person is marketing or making some furniture or daybeds or chairs from that medicinal trees , if we wanted to tell it scientifically we must conduct the clinical trials if it is for a specific disease.\"\u003cbr/\u003eIn the meantime Mohanan says exhibitions of his products ensure there are more than enough customers to keep him and his staff busy.  \u003cbr/\u003eClients are reminded: \u003cbr/\u003e(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com. \u003cbr/\u003e(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service \u003cbr/\u003e(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.\u003cbr/\u003eThiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, March 12, 2012\u003cbr/\u003e1. Close of wooden leg being carved and turned in workshop\u003cbr/\u003e2. Mid tilt down of Mohanan carving furniture in his workshop\u003cbr/\u003e3. Various of carpenters gluing marquetry inlays on furniture \u003cbr/\u003e4. SOUNDBITE: (Malayalam), A. K. Mohanan, wooden furniture manufacturer\u003cbr/\u003e\"This can not be simply categorised as mere furniture, though of course in appearance it is a piece of furniture. This is a specially fabricated piece using medicinal plants, herbs and trees. (the) Neem tree has definite medicinal properties which I already knew, that's how I started this venture.\"  \u003cbr/\u003e5. Various of Mohanan and a carpenter oiling a wooden daybed\u003cbr/\u003e6. SOUNDBITE: (Malayalam), A. K. Mohanan, wooden furniture manufacturer\u003cbr/\u003e\"Nowadays we don't get all the requisite wood material. At the most we could get 23 different items only...so I have constructed daybeds using these items. It was after five years of strenuous effort that I somehow managed to collect raw materials. But at present I find it very difficult to get the required wood.\"\u003cbr/\u003e7. Various of Mohanan's father Appukuttan measuring the dimensions of the daybed with his hands\u003cbr/\u003e8. Various of furniture in Mohanan's shop\u003cbr/\u003e9. Various of Mohanan demonstrating how chair works\u003cbr/\u003e10. Mid shot of framed certificates and newspaper cuttings \u003cbr/\u003e11. Mid of Mohanan with a customer in his shop\u003cbr/\u003e12. Wide of R.Gopakumar at home lying down on a daybed from Mohanan's shop \u003cbr/\u003e13. Various of Gopakumar on the daybed\u003cbr/\u003e14. Various of Gopakumar sitting on a specially made reclining chair \u003cbr/\u003e15. SOUNDBITE: (Malayalam), Gopakumar, retired government employee \u003cbr/\u003e\"I have absolutely no backache. Now the swelling usually accompanying the backache is also absent. This is because the wood used (in the furniture) absorbs the sweat and it is very comfortable.\"\u003cbr/\u003e16. Wide of medicinal saplings growing in pots at a nursery\u003cbr/\u003e17. Close of sapling Neem reputed to contain anti-fungal and anti-viral properties\u003cbr/\u003e18. Close of Neem leaves\u003cbr/\u003e19. Various of tree signposted Amrah\u003cbr/\u003e20. Mid of trunk of the Karanjah tree with name plate\u003cbr/\u003e21. Close of student in classroom at Ayurvedic research centre \u003cbr/\u003e22. Wide of seminar in classroom at Ayurvedic research centre \u003cbr/\u003e23. SOUNDBITE: (English), Dr. T. Sivadas, director, Ayurvedic Medical Centre  \u003cbr/\u003e\"Some woods will have a cooling effect (on you) simply touching it may transfer some medicinal properties directly onto the skin because we use ingredients from herbal plants  in the oil preparations. By transferring that material by touch itself, that will give definite medicinal relief.\"\u003cbr/\u003e24. Mid of carpenters walking into workshop with planks of wood\u003cbr/\u003e25. Mid of carpenter working on wood at a lathe\u003cbr/\u003e26. Close tilt down of carpenter engraving wood \u003cbr/\u003e27. SOUNDBITE: (English), Dr. M. A. Shahjahan, Vice Principal, Government Ayurveda College\u003cbr/\u003e\"If a person is marketing or making some furniture, or daybeds or chairs from that medicinal trees , if we wanted to tell it scientifically we must conduct the clinical trials if it is for a specific disease.\"\u003cbr/\u003e28. Various of elderly man trying out a reclining chair in the wooden furniture shop\u003cbr/\u003e29. Close of carved foot rest\u003cbr/\u003e30. 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