 It has been in use for centuries by the Kaani tribal community of the Agastya Koodam ranges in Kerala, India, for its medicinal properties.Modern Indian scientists learned the medical properties of "Trichopus zeylanicus " in December 1987 while on a scientific expedition to the Agasthia Hills in the Western Ghats.They noticed that their guides, belonging to the Kaani tribe, were very energetic in sharp contrast to themselves.