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The Naturally Healing Herbs
There are over 500 species of medicinal plants reported so for from
Arunachal Pradesh. They cannot only cure our ailments but can also be
potential source of economy to the state. It will open up avenues in
cultivation, processing, packaging, marketing and industrial application.
The medicinal plants are found through out in the state of Arunachal.
Some of them are much sought after by pharmaceutical companies. Quite
obviously it is the rural people, particularly the unemployed woman and
children, who would be benefited by these ventures.
The demand for medicinal plants is ever increasing, as people are more
and more fascinated towards herbals. Extraction from wild has its own
problems and risks. There is a need to cultivate for larger production and
authenticity. Cultivation will help in conservation of some of our
medicinal herbs that are being pushed to the danger of extinction.
Cultivation of medicinal plants is not only economical but is ecologically
safer too.
Where To Cultivate - There are different agro-climatic conditions
available in the state of Arunachal depending up on the altitude.
Practically any type of land available can be used to cultivate one or the
other medicinal plant. Thus they are useful for Jhum fallows, farm yards,
forest lands, river banks, marshy areas, roadsides, farm yards, home
gardens and the like. There could he some species suiting to these
conditions. These plants in various combinations can be used to make multi
tier plantation.
The cultivation of these medicinal herbs should be done via a selection
process of altitude levels. Some of the most economical plants are Acorus,
Andrographis, Aquilaria, Dioscorea, Oroxylum, Rauvolfia, Tinospora,
Withania, etc in low altitudes. While for high altitudes it is Aconitum,
Coptis, Gymnadaenia, Illicium, Panax, Picrorrhiza, Rubia, Taxus, etc.
Flora With Medicinal Properties
Acorus Calamus - Boch, Vacha, Vayambu - This perennial herb of
marshy habitats is easy to cultivate through rhizome cuttings in tropical
and sub-tropical zones. The tubers are traded as it is reputed as brain
tonic, coolant and drug for colic.
Andrographis Paniculate - Kalmegh, Chiraita Teeta - This bitter
annual herb has hepato protective properties and is an anathematic and
liver tonic. It is a blood purifier too. The whole plant is used for
medical purposes. It is one of the high demand spcies propagated through
seeds and ideal for open or partial shade localities in low altitudes.
Aquilaria Agallocha - Agar, Sasi, Indian Eagle Wood - This
tropical deciduous tree is very valuable for its transformed wood which on
distillation yield Agar oil has high export value. Cultivation of this
plant is done through seed raised seedlings and is suitable for both open
and partial shade. Artificial induction of agar in live trees is also
possible.
Dioscorea Floribunda - Kham Alu - This is a tropical climber with
underground tubers and bulbils. The tubers yield Diosgeninan Alkalloid
used in pharmaceuticals. Propagation is done through pieces of tubers and
bulbils. Farming of this species is profitable and inter cropping is also
possible.
Oroxylum indicum - Bhatghilla, Jigat - This deciduous tree is
naturally seen in the secondary forests in the tropics. It is in high
demand now a days for its bark used for tanning and as medicine for fever
and many other ailments and as tonic. Propagation is through seeds. Bark
ready, by 10 years, can be harvested sustainably through scientific
methods.
Piper longum - Pipli, Piper Brachystachyum, Pmullesua, P.
Peepuloides - Round Pipli - Climbers or Under shrubs. An important
medicinal plants of Ayurveda. Its fruits are collected and traded, for
which excellent scope of marketing exist. Ideal for under planting and for
partially shaded areas. Multiplication of the plant is done through
suckers, stem cuttings and seeds.
Rauvolfia Serpentina - Sarpagandha - This perennial under shrub
can be cultivated in the low altitudes in open as well as shady areas. The
roots are reputed for the treatment of blood pressure.
Tinaspora cordifolia - Amrit Lata, Guduchi - This is a tropical
climber, which is used as a tonic and vitaliser. The stem is used for drug
manufacture and traded. Ideal for multi-tier plantation, this plant is
high in demand and propagated through stem cuttings.
Whithania somnifera - Aswagandha - An herbaceous perennial plant
reputed as Indian Ginseng and used for vitality and vigour. This plant can
be cultivated in open and shady areas, which are well drained and dry.
Aconitum Ferox, Aconitum Hetero-Phyllum - Atish, Aconite -
Perennial herbs of alpine and sub alpine habitats. Usually grown in open
places, the roots of this plant are used for medicine.
Coptis Teeta - Mishmi Teeta - This is a temperate herb found only
in Arunachal Pradesh. It can be cultivated as under planting and the
propagation is done through seeds. The roots are sold for treatment of
variety of diseases.
Gymnadaenia Archidis - Lissi - This is a high altitude tree valued
for its fruits. The fruits are used as spice and medicine. Multiplication
process is done through seeds and branch cuttings. This plant is ideal for
mixed plantations.
Illicium Griffuhii - Lissi - This is a high altitude tree valued
for its fruits. The fruits are used as spice and medicine. Multiplication
process is done through seeds and branch cuttings. This plant is ideal for
mixed plantations.
Panic Sikkimensis, Panax Spp. - Ginseng - Perennial herbs with
tubers, Grows in temperate and sub temperate zones. Ideal for cultivation
as under planting, the tubers of this medicine plant are highly priced and
have high demand. This is a rejuvenating general tonic, whose propagation
is done through seeds and tubers.
Picrorrhiza kurroa - Kutki - This is a stemless perennial herb of
alpine habitats. It is in high demand for a variety of herbal medicines.
This medicinal plant can be grown in open localities and grasslands.
Propagation of the plant is done through seeds and suckers.
Rubia Cordifolia - Manjista - This is a perennial climber with
four leaves of each node. It yields orange/red dye and is a high demand
species in the medicinal plant market. Ideal for sub-tropical and
temperate zones this plant is preferred in shady localities, but possible
to grow in open too. The propagation of the plant is done through seeds.
Taxus Baccata - Yew - It is a temperate conifer tree, the leaves
of which yield costly taxol. Ideal for cultivation in high altitudes as
mixed planting and propagation of this herb is done through seeds. It is
also easier to multiply through stem cuttings and has a very high demand
in market.
