Medicinal And Aromatic Plants by Kisan Forum Pvt. Ltd.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

H.C. Srivastava Formerly Principal Scientist and Head of Division Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bengaluru

HISP3RQI ICAR

DIRECTORATE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH NEW DELHI

First Published

Director (DKMA)

June 2014

Dr Rameshwar Singh

Incharge (English Editorial Unit) Editing

Dr Aruna T Kumar Reena Kandwal

Chief Production Officer Assistant Chief Technical Officer

Dr V K Bharti Kul Bhushan Gupta

ISBN : 978-81-910388-6-6

? 600

Publishedby Dr Rameshwar Singh, Project Director,DKMA, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012; Laser typeset by M/s Xpedite Computer Systems, 201,PatelHouse B-11, Ranjit Nagar Commercial Complex, New Delhi 110 008 and printed at M/s Chandu Press, D-97, Shakarpur, Delhi 110092.

Contents Hi

Preface Medicinal Plants Aloe (Aloe vera Linn. Syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill.)

Periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Syn.

Vinca rosea Linn.]

Honeyplant (Ammi majus Linn.) Ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha Brot A. Rich. Syn: Psychotria ipecacuanha Stokes) Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & R.R. Fern.) Ergot [Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tulasne] Guggul [Commiphora wightii (Amott) Bhandari] Datura (Datura stramonium Linn. Syn: Datura tatula Linn.)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea Linn.) Medicinal Yam (Dioscorea floribunda Mart. & Gal.)

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.) Hops (Humulus lupulus Linn.) Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger Linn.) Jatropha {Jatropha curcas Linn.) Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum Linn.) Long Pepper (Piper longum Linn.) Isabgol (.Plantago ovata Forssk.) Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) Sarpagandha [Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex Kurz] Khasi Kateri (Solanum viarum Dunal Syn. Solanum khasianum Clarke) Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal]

10 13 17

25 30 34 37 41 46 51 57 61 67 72 76 83 87 92 96

Aromatic Plants Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik)

103

Dill (Anethum graveolens Linn.)

108

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Celery (Apium graveolens Linn.)

113

Davana (Artemisia pattens Wall, ex DC.)

117

Lemon Grass [Cymbopogon flexuosus Wats]

121 126

Palmarosa [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb) WATS French Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum Linn.) Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla Linn.) Japanese Mint (Mentha arvensis Linn.) Champaka [Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex pierre syn Michelia champaca Linn.] Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Kewda {Pandanus fascicularis Lam.) Scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her.ex Ait.) Anise (Pimpinella anisum Linn.) Patchouli [Pogostemon Cablin (Blaco) Benth. Sim P. patchouli Pill] Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa Linn.) Damask Rose (Rosaxdamascena Mill.) Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn) Aromatic Marigold (Tagetes minuta Linn.) Mexican vanilla ( Vanilla planifolia Jacks, ex Andrews)

131 139 143

149 153

159

163 169 174 181 187 193

201 208

Aloe (Aloe vera Linn.

Syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill.)

Aloe is also called Gheekanvar. Its family is Liliaceae.

Origin and distribution It originated in Africa and Mediterranean countries such as Greece and southern Italy. It is also found distributed widely in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Africa, USA, Europe, Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, Canary Cape, Cape Verde andnaturalized over arid tracts all over India (Farooqui and Sreeramu, 2001). The plant also grows in Philippines, south east Asia including Malaysia, Tahiti, Japan and Hawai. Also in China and West Indies aloe is found distributed (Anonymous, 1983). Description of plant: It is a small, stem-less, herbaceous, perennial plant with good root system. Leaves are lanceolate, sharp pointed, jagged edged, A

m -

Aloe

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

thick, fleshy and grows directly from ground in form of large rossete. The base of the leaf is round with broad and flat upper surface. The fully-grown mature leaves are greyish green to dirty white in colour. In certain types leaf lamina has white streaks. Flowering stalk is erect, which is not branched. It bears bright yellow flowers, which are arranged in axillary spike. The flower is actinomorphic, perianth, arranged in two whorls of 3 petals each (Atal and Kapur, 1982). It has 6 stamens in two whorls, the inner filaments are shorter than those of the outer whorl. Ovary is superior, trilocular and has axile placentation. In India out of 275 only 4 species are found of which Aloe vera Linn. (Syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill.) is most widely naturalized. Genetics and breeding Studies on Aloe vera (Syn. Aloe barbadensis) showed that the somatic chromosome number is 2n=14. A triploid plant (2n=21) has been reported from Kanyakumari by Abraham and Nagendra Prasad (1979). Ramaswami Ayangar and Sampatha Kumar (1976) carried out karyological studies of three varieties found in India and came to a conclusion that some elimination in chromatin content in the species was possibly the mainmethod in the evolution of these distinctive cytotypes in nature. At Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru a research project on evaluation of genetic diversity of Aloe vera for development of superior variety is underway since 2002 (Srivastava and Vasanth Kumar, 2002). Varieties should be developed to get more barbaloin yield and more yield of mucilage having resistance to diseases and pests.

Varieties The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Delhi has identified EC 111267, 111269, 11127, 111279, 111280 and 111281 which are reported to have more aloe. Other than the mentioned strains some other strains with more pulp have been found, i.e. EC 111266, 111272, and 111277. Work on varietal improvements is also being done at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru (Srivastava and Kumar, 2002). The spotted leaved Aloe vera is found in Maharashtra. The leaves are comparatively greener, larger and are dentate. Chemical constitution

The pharmacopoeia recognizes aloe drug Curacao aloe - obtained from Aloe barbadensis (Syn. Aloe vera). Its major chemical compounds are barbaloin and isobarbaloin. B. aloin is the principal active constituent of aloe, which is a mixture of glycosides. Some other chemical constituents are aloe-emodin, aloetic acid, homonataloin, olesin, aloesome, emodin, chrysamminic acid, chrysophanic acid, apoise, galacturonic acid, calcium oxalate, choline, choline

ALOE

salicylate, saponins, uronic acid, amylase etc. The main constituent of all varieties of Aloe vera is the crystalline substance barbaloin. Parts used: Leaf, pulp and juice. Medicinal uses

•According to Nikta Shah, 2002 it is used as skin tonic in cosmetic industry. Aloe gel gives cooling effect and also acts as a moisturizing agent. •The role in gerontology and rejuvenation of aging skin. According •It also has(1983)

this property of Aloe is because of its biogenic material. to Anon. Plant is anthelmintic, aperient, carminative, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, stomachic and emmenagogue. Juice is used in skin care medicines, dyspepsia, amenorrhoea, bums, hyperadenosis, hepatopathy, splenopathy, constipation, spanomenorrhea, abdominal tumours, dropsy, carbuncles, sciatica, lumbago and flatulence. The elio, a product made by juice of this plant, is used for helminthiasis in children and is a purgative, anthelmintic and emmenagogue. It is used for treatment of painful inflammations, and chronic ulcers. Liquid Aloe vera is used as drink. It is an intestine regulator. It has several vitamins and minerals. It improves arthritis and rheumatic pains. It improves blood and lymphatic circulation. It improves liver function and recommended as preventive of cirrhosis It is used for treatment of seborrhea, herpis, psoriasis, eczema and mycosis. It diminishes wrinkles, cures acne, skin irritation, sun bum andreduces inflammation. It accelerates removal of dead skin and renews growth of skin cells. Aloe vera is used in lotions, creams, shampoos, soaps, lipsticks, moisturizers etc.

• • •

• • • • • • • •

Cultivation technology Root suckers or rhizome cuttings is used to propagate this plant. The plant can be cultivated in dry climatic conditions in poor soils without much care (Bentely and Trimen, 1992). It can be grown on variety of soil, though it does well on the sandy and loamy' soils with pH 8.5. The plants prefer warm but can thrive in humid climate also. The root system of this plant is shallow and does not penetrate deep into the soil. A mixture of 150 kg/ha nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus should be mixed up in soil near the root system gently. Since the plant is not water loving, water should not be allowed to lodge.

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Under irrigation Aloe vera is usually cultivated between March and June. Before cultivation land is ploughed twice and is cleaned. About 25 tonnes/ha of farmyard manure is added. The plants are planted at a spacing of 60 x 30 cm or 60 x 45 cm. About 15-18 cm long root suckers or rhizome cuttings are planted in such a way that two-thirds portion of the root- sucker or rhizome cutting shouldremainunder the ground. Interculture, weeding, irrigation, plant protection should be attended. Plant protection The plant is not found to be attacked by pest and diseases. However in India, it has been reported that sometimes Altemaria alternata and Fusarium solani causes leaf spot diseases, which can be controlled by spraying proper fungicide. Harvesting The harvesting is done after 8 months of planting. At the time of harvesting the plants are either removed manually or can also be removed with the help of tractor drawn disc harrow or cultivator. The broken rhizomes may result in a new plant in succeeding years.

Yield The commercial yield of plant starts from second year to five years of age. The yield of the leaves on a fresh weight basis is around 10,000 - 12,000 kg/ ha (Singh et al. 1995). Bibliography Abraham Z and Prasad P, Nagendra. 1979. Occurrence of triploidy in Aloe vera Toum. ex Linn. Curr. Sci. 48 (22): 1001-2. Anonymous. 1983. Aloes. BEPHA Bulletin No. 12, p 129. Atal C K and Kapur B M. 1982. Report from Regional Research Laboratory. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jammu-Tawi, p 483. Bentely and Trimen 1992. Medicinal Plants, p 18 Valley Offset Printer andPublishers: Farooqui A A and Sreeramu B S. 2001. Aloe. Cultivation of Medicinal andAromatic Crops, pp 21-26. Universities Press India Ltd., Hyderabad. Ramaswamy Ayangar K and Sampatha Kumar R. 1976. Studies on the cytology of Aloe barbadensis Mill. {Aloe vera Linn.), Indian Sci. Congress (63rd session), p 123. Singh B M, Srivastava V K, Kidwai M A, Gupta Veena and Gupta Rajendra. 1995. Aloe, Psoralea and Mucuna Advances in Horticulture (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Volume 11), pp 513-8. Chadha K L and Gupta Rajendra (Eds). Malhotra Publishing House, New Delhi. Srivastava H C and Kumar T V. 2002. Annual Report, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru.

Periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Syn. Vinca rosea Linn.]

Periwinkle (Family Apocyanaceae) is also called Sadabahar, Sada Phuli, Nayantara.

Origin and distribution Origin of the plant is from West Indies and Madagascar. It is distributed mainly in India, China, Indonesia, Israel, Madagascar, Philippines, South Africa, and USA. In India it is extensively cultivated in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Asom. Uttarakhand like low temperature (winter) adversely affects its cultivation.

Description of plant It is erect, perennial herb. It is highly branched and attains the height of

m %

Sadabahar

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

about 100 cm. The leaves are oblong or obviate, opposite, short petiolated, smooth with entire margin. The lower surface of leaf is light green coloured with prominent veins. Flowers are normally pink, pink eyed or white coloured. However Namdhari & Sons (a seed company in Bengaluru) sells Vinca rosea of various interesting colours. Flowers are borne on axils in pair. The calyx is linear-subulate. The corolla tube is cylindrical measuring about 30 mm in length. Anthers are epipetalous present on a short filament. The bicarpellate ovary is basally distinct with fused common style and stigma, which is ascribed to post genital carpel fusion (Walker, 1975). The fruit is dehiscent, it consists of a pair of follicles containing upto 30 linearly arranged seeds with a thin black tegumen.

Genetics and breeding

Haploid chromosomal number of periwinkle was given as n = 8 by Furusato (1943). Flory (1944) suggested the presence of two complementary genes for flower colour, i.e. ‘R’ & ‘W’. Genotypes carrying dominant allels ‘R’ & ‘W’ bears pink flower, only ‘R’ pink eyed (oscillatus) flowers and recessive alleles, i.e. ‘rr’ white flower. For induction of autotetraploid using seeds as well as single nodes Krishnan (1995) studied the response of chromosome doubling to morphological characters, yield and total root alkaloid content. Singh et al. (1992) studied 27 germplasms and reported variation in air dried leaf and root yield from 1067.67 to 3793 and 124.37 to 578.67 kg/ha respectively. Varieties should be developed for higher yield of vincristine and vinblastin, ajmalcine and serpentine and resistance to diseases and pests.

Varieties (i) Nirmal: This variety of Catharanthus roseus was developed by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow. It is found to possess field resistance to die-back and collar rot diseases. (ii) At Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru Dr. R. Krishnan (1995) developed the strains M-153 and L-31, which were identified with high total alkaloid content in roots. Root diameter was identified as a character for selection of high root yielding plants. These two lines were tested in All India Crop Research Project. Their roots contained about 3% of total alkaloids. (iii) Prabhat was released in 2002 by AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.

Chemical constitution

This plant has largest number of alkaloids in the plant kingdom (Hui-Lin Li and Willaman 1972). Constable et al (1981) and Balsevich et al. (1988) detected 60 alkaloids from leaves by means of supercritical fluid

PERIWINKLE

chromatography and mass spectrometry. Most important are Vincristine and Vinblastin. Root is found to have ajmalcine and serpentine. Four alkaloids possessing antibacterial activities are extracted from leaves. Moreover there are also two glycosidal principles, urosolic acid, leurosine, isoleurosine, previne, mitaphylline, lochnevin and perosine (Chatteijee, 2000). Parts used: Whole plant is used for medicinal purpose.

Medicinal uses alkaloids Ajmalcine and Serpentine are used for allopathic •Root medicines for cure of hypertension and other diseases. alkaloids Vincristine and Vinblastin are used in allopathic medicine •Leaf to treat blood cancer. are used for curing diabetes, menorrhagia and wasp stings. •Leaves Roots are as tonic, for stomach ache, sedative and tranquilizer. •There wasused of anti-neoplastic activities of a leaf alkaloid by a discovery •Nobel et al. (1958). identified from Periwinkle •Insect sterilants have been (Sukumar and et al. 1988). et al. (1987)

and Osmani, 1981 Patel Deshpande (1988) have about its inhibiting properties and Deshpande et al. reported towards insect growth and development.

Cultivation technology Periwinkle is sensitive to lower temperature and also it does not grow well in water logged or high alkaline soils. Otherwise it can be cultivated in variety of soil. The seeds collected by harvesting are soon sown since they are viable for short period. The seed may be sown either directly or may be raised in nursery. Vegetative propagation of the plant is also possible. In case of direct sowing 2.5 kg of seeds/ha are sown. Later, thinning is done to maintain the distance to 45 x 45 cm. But in case of nursery 500 g of seeds are used/ha. After 10 days, the seeds germinate and after 60 days the plant becomes ready for transplantation. For transplanting Dahatonde (1985) reported 30 x 30 cm as an optimum spacing for all the three coloured flower plants, i.e. pink, white and pink eyed. But experience show that 45 x 45 cm spacing is ideal for the crop. Seed germination and growth of seedling was found to be good in sandy soil following treatment with liquid cowdung (Kamick, 1977). Bharath Kumar et al. (1985) reported higher seed germination when the pre-soaking of seed was done and the farm yard manure (FYM) and soil mixture was used as the medium for germination. In vegetative propagation, the cutting of about 10-15 cm length, with 5-6 nodes of softwood or hard-wood or semi-hard wood from lateral shoots are considered ideal. Although the softwood cutting is considered to be better

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

than the hard or semi-hard wood cuttings. The percentage of rooting is 90% if the cuttings are soaked in NAA solution of 50 ppm concentration for a night.

Plant protection

disease or Twigblight causedby Pythium butleri, Phytophthora •Dieback nicotianae, Pythium debaryanum, Alternaria tenuissima and Colletotrichium dematium. They are checked by spraying Dithane Z78 at an interval of 10-15 days. Little Leaf disease due to mycoplasma sometimes occurs and can be controlled by uprooting and destroying the affected plants. Harvesting is done when yield and alkaloid content becomes optimum. According to Kamick (1977) three growth phases exist, ie. Pre-flowering having 1.51% of root alkaloid; flowering having 2.57% of root alkaloid; and post-fruiting having 1.37% of root alkaloids. Therefore, flowering period was recommended for collection of roots with high alkaloid content. Many other reports for harvesting have been given, by which it is proven that in south India, where winter is mild and short the harvesting of crop for roots is done after six months of plantation. According to Farooqui and Sreeramu (2001) the crop is harvested after 12 months of sowing for roots. According to them in case of the demand of leaves, two strippings can be done. The first is done after 6 months and second after 9 months of sowing; also the third leaf stripping can be obtained when whole plant is harvested. Yield has been reported by Khan (1977) as 3.6 tonnes of air dried leaves (cumulative of three harvests at 6, 9 and 12 months) and 1.5 tonnes of air dried root/ha. He also suggested that under large scale cultivation about 50% of yield can be expected. Vitkare and Phadnawis (1988) reported dry root yield 660 kg/ha and the total alkaloid content 2.6% under Akola conditions. Hegde (1988) reported 800 kg/ha of root yield and 1800 kg/ha of leaves yield.

•

Processing Roots are dug out carefully, washed in water and dried in sun and stored at room temperature. Leaves are harvested, collected and dried under shade then are stored at room temperature. Flowers are picked, shade dried and stored at room temperature.

Bibliography Balsevich J, Hage L R, Berry A J, Games G E and MylchreestIC. 1988. Analysis of indole alkaloids from leaves of Catharanthus roseus by means of supercritical fluids chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal ofNaturalProducts 51: 1173— 77. Bharath Kumar H, Krishnan R and Srinivasan V R. 1985. Factors influencing seed germination in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G Don. South Indian Horticulture 33: 276-8.

PERIWINKLE

Constabel F, Rambold S Chatson, K B, Kurz W G W and Kutney J P. 1981. Alkaloid production of Catharanthus roseus. VI Variation in alkaloid spectra of cell lines derieved from one single leaf. Plant Cell Reporter 1: 3-5. Dahatonde B N. 1985. Effects of non-monetary inputs on the yielding performance of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Ancient Sci. Life 5: 65-7. Deshpande S Q Joseph M and Sharma R N. 1988. Insect growth and development inhibition properties of Periwinkle. International J. Bio. Sci. 9: 16-24. Farooqui A A and Sreeramu B S. 2001. Periwinkle. Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, ppl91-8. University Press India Ltd, Hyderabad. Flory W S. 1944. Inheritance studies of flower colour in periwinkle. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 44: 525-6. Hedge D M. 1988. Response of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don) to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization. Agric. Res. J. Kerala, 26: 22733. Hui-Lin Li and Willaman J J. 1972. Recent trends in alkaloid hunting. Econ. Bot. 26: 61-7. Kamick C R. 1977. Studies on Indian medicinal plants - Cultivation trials on Vinca rosea L. J. Res. Indian Med. Yoga and Homeopathy 12: 101-8. Khan MN A. 1977. Cultivation of vinca. (In) Cultivation and Utilization ofMedicinal and Aromatic Plants pp 139â&#x20AC;&#x201D;40. Atal C K and Kapur B M (Eds.). Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu- Tawi. Krishnan R. 1995. Periwinkle. Advances in Horticulture (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Volume 11, PP 409-23). Chadha K L and Gupta, Rajendra. Malhotra Publishing House, New Delhi. Patel H B, Thaker N A andMuralidharan C M. 1987. Periwinkle in the management of root knot nematode disease. Madras Agric. J. 74: 230-1. Singh B M, Pareek S K, Mandal S, Maheshwari ML and Gupta R. 1992. Variability in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Indian J. Agric. Sci. 62 (1): 47-50. Sukumar K and Osmani Z. 1981. Insect sterilants from Catharanthus roseus. Curr. Sci. 50: 552-3. Vitkare D G and Pandnawis B N. 1988. Performance of Vinca and Solanum viarum under Akola conditions. Annals of Plant Physiology 2: 104-6. Walker D B. 1975. Postgenital carpel fusion in Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae) I. Light and scanning electron microscopic study of gynoecial ontogeny. Amer. J. Bot. 62: 457-67.

Honey Plant (Ammi majus Linn.)

Honey plant (Umbelliferae) is also called Madhugid. Origin and distribution It originated in Egypt and grew in the Nile Valley especially Behira and Fayoom. It is found distributed in the basin of Mediterranean sea in Syria and Palestine. It is also found in some regions of Iran and the mountains of Kohaz (Ramadan, 1982). It is found wildly in Abbottabad,Mianwali,Mahran, Lahore and also in Europe, West Africa and Abyssinia. In India it is cultivated on an experimental scale in the places like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. In India with the courtesy of UNESCO in 1955, 2 species, i.e. Ammi majus and Ammi visnaga were introduced in the Forest Research Institute,Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

r 7?

n :

v.ii,

ift if ;

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

-t

Honey Plant

Fi r s tf e wpa ge soft hi sbooka r epubl i s he d onki s a n. c ombyi t spubl i s he r . I fyouwi s ht opur c ha s eaha r dc opy oft hi sbook,pl e a s ec ont a c tt hepubl i s he r .

Publ i sher

Dr .Ra me s hwa rSi ngh Di r e c t or a t eofKnowl e dgeMgt .i nAgr i . I ndi a nCounc i lofAgr i c ul t ur eRe s e a r c h Kr i s hi Anus a ndha nBha va n-1, Pus a-Ne wDe l hi1 10012. Pr i c e-Rs .600/ -