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Medicinal Plants |
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There are over 500 species of medicinal plants reported so far 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 the state. Some of them are much sought after by pharmaceutical companies. Quite obviously it is the rural people, particularly the unemployed women and children, who would be benefited by these ventures. The demand of medicinal plants is ever increasing as people are more and more fascinated towards herbals. Extraction from the wild has its own problems and risks. We 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. Following species of medicinal plants are found in Lower Dibang Valley district:- Acrus
Calamus., Coptis Teeta (Mishmi Teeta), Rubia Cordifolia, Piper Brachystachyum and Taxus
Baccata. |
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| ACRUS 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. It has high demand in the market. Commercial production from 3rd year. | 
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| COPTIS TEETA: | ||
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Coptis Teeta, commonly known as Mishmi Teeta is a temperate herb found only in Arunachal Pradesh. It can be cultivated as under planting. Propagation is through seeds. The roots are sold for treatment of varieties of diseases.
RUBIA CORDIFOLIA: |
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(Manjista) is a perennial climber with four leaves at each node. It yields orange/red dye. It is high demand species in the medicinal plant market. Ideal for sub-tropical and temperate zones. Prefers shady localities but possible to grow in open too. Propagation through seeds. Crop ready for harvest by 3rd year.
PIPER BRACHYSTACHYUM: |
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Piper longum, Pmullesua, Piper Peepuloides (Round Pipli) Climbers or under shrubs. An important medicinal plant of Ayurveda. Fruits are collected and traded, for which excellent scope of market exist. Ideal for under planting and partially shaded areas. Multiplication through suckers, stem cuttings and seeds. Harvest expected from 2nd to 4th year.
TAXUS BACCATA: |
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| (Yew) is a temperate conifer tree. The leaves yield costly taxol. Ideal for cultivation in high altitudes as mixed planting and propagation is through seeds. Easier to multiply through stem cuttings. Has very high demand in market. | 
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| For further information: Write to: The Director, State Forest Research Institute, Van Vihar, PB No. 159, Itanagar – 791 111, Arunachal Pradesh. Tel: 0360 – 2203523, 2203566. Fax: 0360 – 2203523. e-mail: directorsfri@hotmail.com |
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