Introduction to Medicinal plants

What are medicinal plants?

Plants that provide people with medicines to,

• Prevent diseases
• Maintain health
• Cure ailments

• Various types of plants are used in herbalism and some of these plants have medicinal activities

• They are rich resources of ingredients which can be used in drug development and synthesis

• They play a critical role in the development of human cultures around the world and considered as an important source of nutrition
• It is the original material of herbal medicine

Introduction to Weeds in Sri Lanka

Weeds can be simply explained as plants that grow in an unwanted place. i.e. A rose plant that is grown in a vegetable cultivated field is considered as a weed. Weeds cause considerable economic losses to the farmer, if it is not manage properly.  Weeds compete with the cultivated crops for water, sunlight, nutrients and other factors required for plant growth. Weeds are more adaptive to growing environment than the crops. As a result, weeds grow better at the expense of the cultivated crops. So, it is really important to focus on managing the weed infestation. controlling of the weeds can be a costly operation if it not managed properly (Managing of weed infestation is economically more advantageous than controlling/eradicating them).

Organic Agriculture Certification in Sri Lanka

Why We Need Organic Agriculture

• Organic agriculture ensures the good quality of the food people consume
• Reduce the health issues created by inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and etc.
• Reduce the environmental pollution issues caused by agriculture and promote the sustainability in agriculture 

What is the Importance of Organic Agriculture Certification

• Organic agriculture certification provides the proof  and certifies relevant agri-product is produced according to the requirements of organic agriculture
• Establish the trust between the farmer/agriculture organization and consumer/buyer

What Can be Certified in Organic Agriculture

• All cultivatable crops
• Wild collection
• Animal husbandry
• Aquaculture
• Mushroom
• Honey
• Fiber
• Timber
• off farm inputs

Who/What are eligible for certification

• Individual farms and groups (large scale farms, small holder organizations and etc.)
• Agricultural products processors
• Agricultural products packers
• Agricultural products retailers
• Agricultural commodities traders/exporters

Principles of Organic Certification

• Agreed production and processing standard (what needs to be done)
• Agreed verification procedures (how is it checked)
• Neutral body that verifies the compliance (who guarantees)

Key Areas in Organic Certification 

• Defining the production unit; i.e. Tea, Paddy, Vegetable
• Parallel production is not allowed; i.e. cultivation of same crop in organic and conventional method 
• Conversion from conventional to organic agriculture normally take 3 - 4 years
• Inputs of production should be acceptable; i.e. manure, seeds
• GMOs, growth hormones, fumigation, radiation should be avoided
• Traceability  of product flow
• All the activities should be documented
• package, transport, storage, labeling should follow required standards
• Packaging should be food grade
• Transportation should not damage the product
• Storage should be separated according to the commodity
• Label should include organic agriculture certified logo
• Inspection and certification of entire production chain should be done at least once a year
• Transparency in communication and information exchange

Certification Methods

• First party certification - Farmer certifies their products are organic
• Second party certification - The Organization to which the farmer belongs certifies the products are organic
• Third party certification - An inspector from a certifying agency certifies the products are organic

Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) 

• All the third party agencies which gives the organic certification must be accredited by SLAB

Steps in an Third Party Inspection and Certification System

• Applying for an organic agriculture certification to a certifier
• Estimation of cost for certification
• Signing contract with certifier
• Preparation of detailed description of the project
• Onsite inspections and interviews done by the certifier
• Documentation check
• Evaluation of project
• Certification
• Taking corrective actions if needed
• Annual inspection and update of the certificate

Certification Agencies Currently Operating in Sri Lanka

• Control Union
• NASAA, Australia
• Institute for Market Ecology, Switzerland
• Naturland, Germany
• EcoCert, Germany
• Demeter and BioSuisse, Switzerland
• Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd, United Kingdom

Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement - 1994

This organization consists of scientists, organic farmers professionals, members of the organic corporates. This Organization plays a major role in policy development, preparation of guidelines and development of standards for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka.

More Info

References

• https://mesaprogram.org/2012/05/31/sri-lanka-lanka-organic-agriculture-movement-loam-11309/
• http://www.srilankabusiness.com/organic/organic-certification-in-sri-lanka.html
• http://slab.lk/
• https://www.ifoam.bio/

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldRephraseRephrase current sentenceEdit in Ginger×

Ekaweriya Rauvolfia serpentina

Family: Apocynaceae

Properties:
                  - Anthelmintic
                  - Anti-hypertensive
                  - Sedative
                  - Anti-epileptic

Medicinal Preparations:
                                      - "Sarpagandha ghanavati"
                                      - "Sarpagandha yoga"
                                      - "Sarpagandha churna"
                                      - Mahesvari vati

                                      - Juice of leaves can be applied to the eyes s a remedy for corneal opacity

                                      - In serpent bites - application of root powder on site of bite 

                                      - In hypertension, the paste of its roots mixed with rose water with rock                                                   candy ameliorates

                                      - The decoction of root is used to increase uterine contraction

Gammalu Pterocarpus marsupium

Family: Fabaceae

Properties:
                  - Astringent
                  - Anti-diabetic

Medicinal preparations:

                                    - A poultice prepared from the bark and leaves of the tree is useful in skin                                               diseases
                                    - The inner wood of tree is boiled in Taila/ sesame oil and applied on the scalp                                        or premature hair greying
                                    - The extract of the bark is used as an astringent for gum and is also useful in                                           diarrohea

Neera Mulliya Hygrophilia spinosa

Family: Acanthaceae

Properties:
                  - Demulcent
                  - Aphrodisiac
                  - Diuretic
                  - Urinary tonic

Medicinal preparations:
                                       The aerial parts and the roots are used in treating,
                                                      - Rheumatism
                                                      - Jaundice
                                                      - Inflammation
                                                      - Pain
                                                      - Hepatic obstruction
                                                      - Gout
                                                      - Bacterial infection
                                                   

Pethithora Cassia tora

Family: Fabaceae

Properties: Anti-haemorroidal

Medicinal preparations:

                         - Its paste is used for treating skin ailments.
                         - The alcoholic or vinegar maceration of pounded fresh leaves is used externally to                                treat eczma and dermatomycosis.
                         - Decoction of the fruit of Cassia tora is used in the treatment of fever.
                         - Its powder is useful in combating indigestion, oning up heart muscles and purifying                              blood.

Dapog Nursery

Introduction

Dapog nursery; 

• is first originated in Philippines
• is now common in South and South East Asia
• is really easy to establish as it can be located anywhere on a flat surface
• require small nursery area
• is the fastest method to raise paddy seedlings
• takes 12 - 15 days to transplanting 
• requires carefully controlled irrigation

Polpala Aerva lanata

Family: Amaranthaceae

Properties: Antidiarroel

Medicinal preparations:
                                       - A leaf decoction is prepared as a gargle for treating sore throat
                                       - A leaf decoction and an inhalation are used to wash babies who are                                                        unconsious during an attack of Malaria and some other diseases
                                       - Leaf sap used for eye complaints
                                       - An infusion is given to cure diarrohea
                                       - Ash of leaves and flowers are used as a paste to rub on cuts on the back 

Wel penela Cardiospermum halicacabum

Family: Sapindaceae

Properties:
                 - Antipyretic
                 - Anti haemorroidal
                 - Anti inflammatory

Medicinal Preparations:
                                       - A decoction prepared from its roots is given to treat bleeding piles
                                       - Juice of leaves is put into ear for ear-ache
                                       - Poultice prepared from leaves is used for skin eruptions
                                       - Inhalation prepared from crushed leaves to relieve headache
                                       - Tonic prepared from seeds are used for fever and rheumatism

Iramusu Hemidesmus indicus

Family: Apocyanaceae

Properties:

                 - Cooling

                 - Antipyretic

                 - Alexiteric (resistance to poison)

                 - Antidiarroel

           

Medicinal Preparations:

                                      - Tinctures

                                      - Infusions

                                                         in treating abdominal problems, skin diseases, bone ailments,                                                                  respiratory disorders and urinary infections

Adathoda Justicia adhatoda

Family: Acanthaceae

Properties:
                  - Improves the functioning of the respiratory system and immunity system
                  - Antispasmodic
                  - Expectorant
                  - Blood purifying
                  - Anti-bacterial
                  - Anti-inflammatory

Medicinal Preparations:

                  - Decoctions for cough, cold and asthma
                  - Expectorant for cough
                  - Poultice for wound and rheumatic symptoms

Agriculture and Agriculture Related Degrees in Sri Lanka

Bin Kohomba Munronia pinnata

Scientific name: Munronia Pinnata

Family: Meliaceae

Properties: 

                  Contain chemicals which are useful in treating,

                                          - Haemorroids
                                          - Eczema
                                          - Coughs
                                          - Malaria
                                          - Dysentry
                                          - Asthma
                                          - Blood disorders
                                          - Vomiting
                                          - Fever
                                          - Swellings

Plant parts used: Whole plant with roots

Propagation: seeds

Medicinal Preparations:
                                        - "Sudarshana Churna" (Powder)
                                        - "Chandraprabaa Watee" (Pills)

Heen Araththa Alpinia calcarata

Common name: Snap Ginger (Heen Araththa)

Family: Zingiberaceae

Description:
                    - Native to Sri Lanka, India and Australia
                    - Evergreen and easy growing
                    - Can grow in any region of Sri Lanka
                    - Grown as an ornamental plant/ herbal plant

Image source: herbaledu.blogspot.com

Ayurvedic use:

                   Used in treatments for,
                                                          - Rheumatism
                                                          - Pain
                                                          - Anorexia
                                                          - Hoarseness of voice
                                                          - Catarrh
                                                          - Excessive sweating

Parts used in treatments: Rhizomes

Related medicinal uses:
                                       - "Kapha nashaka"
                                       -  Aphrodisiac

Beekeeping Process - Basics

This video explains the process of Bee Keeping from the beginning, step by step. It was a documentary produced by Export Agriculture students (Gen 8) of Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka.

Biodynamic Preparations - Vitalizers

• Biodynamic agriculture has a different philosophy about soil when it comes to soil nutrition. In this agriculture system, prior to cultivation, the soil is considered as dead (has zero nutrients)

Biodynamic Planting Calendar

• Biodynamic agriculture is based on two major things
• The cosmic energy
• The Earth
• The planting calendar is about rhythms of cosmic solar, moon and earth
• Understanding the rhythms of  cosmos is really important for Biodynamic agriculture to work
• These are the rhythms that sustain all lives on earth
• Using these rhythms for seed sowing and planting works best in organic agriculture
• Planing the cultivation of crops based on these rhythms enhance the quality of crops as these rhythms improve the fertility of living soil
• This agriculture system uses astrology to make the Biodynamic agriculture a success
• Energy of the sun (cosmic energy) continuously streams toward the earth
• In addition to that other planets are also stream energy. i.e - Moon is an important planet which influence the plant growth, fertility, water uptake and water movement inside the plant 

Honey Bee

• Social insect
• A colony consist with three casts
• Queen (female)
• Workers (female)
• Drone (Male)
• Live on combs made of wax

Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture

Definition

Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition (Biodynamic Association).

Biodynamic Agriculture;

• Is an advanced form of organic agriculture with an emphasis on food quality and soil health
• Focuses on spiritual exposure/cosmetic energy
• Doesn't use synthetics
• Astrological influence is considered with biophysical factors

Diya Gowa Limnocharis flava

Common Name :   Diya gowa 

Scientific Name : Liminocharis flava 

Family : Liminocharitaceae 

Life cycle : Perennial 

Angili thana Digitaria adscendens

Common name :  Angili Thana

Botanical name : Digitaria adscendens

Family                  : Poaceae

Life cycle              :  Annual

Maha Kudamatta Fimbristylis dichotoma

Common name - Maha Kudamatta

Botanical name - Fimbristylis dichotoma

Family         - Cyperaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Rila Thana Ischaemum timorense

Common name - Rila thana

Botanical name - Ischaemum timorense

Family         - Colchicaceae

Life cycle - perennial or annual

Introduction to Beekeeping

Bee keeping,

is the science & the art of keeping bees, to obtain bee honey & other by products or for the purpose of pollination

Bee keeping,

• Provide valuable food, especially to rural populations
• Provide remunerative employment
• Earn much needed foreign exchange
• Require no large investment
• Contribute to pollination and thus crop production
• Require practically no space on the farm
• History of Beekeeping
• Hunting of bee honey from the jungle was practiced before earliest written history

Niyagala Gloriosa superba

Common name - Niyangala

Botanical name - Gloriosa superba

Family         - Colchicaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Thunessa Cyperus iria

Common name - Thunessa

Botanical name - Cyperus iria

Family         - Cyperaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Habarala Colocasia esculenta

Common name - Sand Lovegrass

Botanical name - Eragrostis trichodes

Family         - Colocasia

Life cycle - Perennial

Sand Lovegrass Eragrostis trichodes

Common name - Sand Lovegrass

Botanical name - Eragrostis trichodes

Family         - Poaceae

Life cycle - perennial

Salvinia Salvinia molesta

Common name - Salvinia

Botanical name - Salvinia molesta

Family         - Salviniaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Apala Urena lobata

Common name - Apala

Botanical name - Urena lobata

Family         - Malvaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Diya Nidikumba Neptunia oleracea

Common name  -  Diya nidikumba

Botanical name -  Neptunia oleracea

Family                    -  Lamiaceae

Life cycle                -  Perennial

Maduruthala Ocimum sanctum

Common name -  Maduruthala

Botanical name - Ocimum sanctum

Family                    - Lamiaceae

Life cycle                - Annual 

Gampalu Mikania cordata

Common name - Gampalu

Botanical name - Mikania cordata

Family          - Asteraceae

Life cycle - Perennial 

Diya Siyambala Aeschynomene indica

Common name - Diya Siyambala

Botanical name - Aeschynomene indica

Family          - Fabaceae

Life cycle - Annual 

Bata Dalla Isachne globosa

Common name - Bata dalla

Botanical name - Isachne globosa

Family          - Poaceae

Life cycle - Annual or short lived Perennial 

Bajiri/Maha Maruk Echinochloa crus-galli

Common name - Bajiri/Maha maruk

Botanical name - Fimbristylis miliacea

Family          - Poaceae

Life cycle - Annual 

Kuda Matta Fimbristylis miliacea

Common name - Kuda matta

Botanical name - Fimbristylis miliacea

Family          - Cyperaceae

Life cycle - Annual or perennial

Koora Amaranthus viridis

Common name - Koora

Botanical name - Amaranthus viridis

Family          - Amaranthaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Ambul Ambiliya Oxalis corniculata

Common name    - Ambul ambiliya

Botanical name   - Oxaliscorniculata

Family                 - Oxalidaceae

Life cycle            - Perennial 

Andu Eryngium foetidum

Common name - Andu

Botanical name - Eryngium foetidum

Family         - Apiaceae

Life cycle - Perennial or Annual

Karal haba Achyranthes aspera

Common name - Karal Haba

Botanical name - Achyranthes Aspera

Family         - Amaranthaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Gotukola Centella asiatica

Common name - Gotukola

Botanical name - Centella asiatica

Family         - Apiaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Mukunuwanna Alternanthera sessilis

Common name - Mukunuwanna

Botanical name - Alternanthera sessilis

Family - Amaranthaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Hulanthala Ageratum conyzoides

Common name - Hulanthala

Botanical name - Ageratum conyzoides

Family         - Asteraceae

Life cycle - Annual

Wal Koththamalli Scoparia dulcis

Common name - Wal Koththamalli

Botanical name - Scoparia dulcis

Family         - Scrophulariaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Rampe Pandanus amaryllifolius

Common name - Rampe

Botanical name - Pandanus amaryllifolius

Family         - Pandanaceae

Life cycle - Perennial 

Guinea Grass Megathyrsus maximus

Common name - Guinea grass

Botanical name - Megathyrsus maximus

Family              - Poaceae

Life cycle - Perennial 

Monara Kudumbiya Vernonia cinerea

Common name - Monara Kudumbiya

Botanical name - Vernonia cinerea

Family              - Asteraceae

Life cycle - Annual

Geta Thumba/Wal Thumba Leucas zeylanica

Common name - Geta thumba/Wal Thumba

Botanical name  - Leucas zeylanica

Family              - Lamiaceae

Life cycle - Annual

Maha Undupiyaliya Desmodium heterophyllum

Common name - Maha Undupiyaliya

Botanical name - Desmodium heterophyllum

Family         - Fabaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Balunaguta Stachytarpheta indica

Common name : Balunaguta

Botanical name : Stachytarpheta indica

Family : Verbinaceae

Life cycle : Annual

Kalanduru Cyperus rotundus

Common name - Hathawariya

Botanical name - Cyperus rotundus

Family         - Cyperaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Adanahiriya Crotolaria mucronata

Common name : Adanahiriya

Botanical name : Crotolaria mucronata

Family : Fabaceae

Life cycle : Annual

Mottu thana Cyperus kyllingia

Common name : Mottu thana

Scientific Name: Cyperus kyllingia

Family               : Cyperaceae

Life cycle          :  Annual

Hathawariya Asparagus racemosus

Common name - Hathawariya

Botanical name - Asparagus racemosus

Family              - Asparagaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Akkapana Bryophyllum pinnatum

Common name - Akkapana

Botanical name - Bryophyllum pinnatum

Family - Crassulaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Diya Beraliya/Japan Jabara Eichhornia crassipes

Common name - Diya beraliya/Japan jabara

Botanical name - Eichhornia crassipes

Family         - Pontederiaceae

Life cycle - Perennial

Thuththiri Chrysopogon aciculatus

Common name  - Thuththiri 

Botanical name  - Chrysopogon aciculatus

Family  - Poaceae

Life cycle  - Perennial

Pol Pala Aerva lanata

Common name  - Pol Pala

Botanical name  - Aerva lanata

Family  - Amaranthaceae

Life cycle  - Perennial

Keekiridiya Eclipta prostrata

Common name  - Keekiridiya

Botanical name  - Eclipta prostrata

Family  - Asteraceae

Life cycle  - Perennial or Annual

Wel Penela Cardiospermum halicacabum

Common name  - Wel Penela 

Botanical name  - Cardiospermum halicacabum

Family  - Sapindaceae

Life cycle  - Annual

Kadupahara Crassocephalum crepidioides

Common name  -    Kadupahara

Botanical name  -  Crassocephalum crepidioides

Family  - Asteraceae

Life cycle  - Annual

Nidikumba Mimosa pudica

 <i>Mimosa pudica</i>

Common name  -  Nidikumba

Botanical name -  Mimosa pudica

Family  -  Fabaceae

Life cycle  -  Annual

Morphology 

Heen Undupiyaliya Desmodium triflorum

Common name  - Heenundupiyaliya
Botanical name  - Desmodium triflorum
Family             -  Fabaceae
Life cycle             -  Perennial

Bala thana Eleusine indica

Common name :  Bala thana

Scientific Name :  Eleusine indica

Family                : Poaceae

Life cycle           :  Annual

Babila Sida rhombifolia

Common name  –   Babila

Botanical name   –   Sida rhombifolia

Family –   Malvaceae

Life cycle  –   Annual sometimes perennial 

Kapum Keeriya Euphobia hirta

Common name: Kapum keeriya
Scientific Name: Euphobia hirta
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Life cycle: Annual

Mahagirapala Commelina benghalensisM

Common name – Mahagirapala

Botanical name – Commelina benghalensis

Family – Commelinaceae

Life cycle – Perennial

Piduru Bimmal Volvariella volvacea Cultivation Methods

Piduru Bimma (Volvariella volvacea) can be cultivated using two methods

• Trestle/ Bed Method
• Frame Method

Muthubeli Bimmal Pleurotus ostreatus Cultivation Methods

• There are 3 types of Muthubeli Bimmal cultivated in Sri lanka; Thai type, American Type and Bhutan Type. 
• Muthubeli Bimmal are cultivated in several ways;

• Cultivation inside polypropylene bags with sawdust
• Cultivation inside plates with straw
• Cultivation inside polythene bags with straws

Bhutan type mushroom

Basic Requirements for Mushroom Cultivation

Major Requirements for Mushroom Cultivation

1. High quality mushroom spawns (seeds)
2. A cottage with low temperature and relatively high moisture level (Light inside the room should be adjustable)
3. A Barrel 
4. Sawdust or Straw
5. Polypropylene Bags/Polythene Bags/Basin 

Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Click Here to Learn About Requirements For Mushroom Cultivation

Mushroom cultivation in Sri Lanka is mostly done at household level as a small business. Cultivators of mushrooms are scattered around Sri Lanka. Even though there is a good market demand for good quality mushrooms most cultivators fail meet the demand and required quality most of the time due to lack of knowledge. Mushroom cultivation is a profitable business if done correctly.

Brief Introduction to Agriculture

Agriculture

Food is among the few major needs required for the survival of animal. Without food an animal cannot survive. All the animals except for human being and domesticated animals fulfill the requirement of food from surrounding environment of their habitats. Thousands of years ago before the Neolithic era human being also fulfilled their requirement of food from their surrounding environment but, as the time went by food obtained from surrounding environment became insufficient. Need of more food became a matter of life and death which required an efficient answer and the answer for this matter was Agriculture. Agriculture is simply defined as the science and art of crop cultivation and raring animals. As this is a science it requires a certain knowledge to grow crops and rare animals. As this is an art it requires certain creativity to improve the productivity.