October 2012 - Federation of Free Farmers

Transcription

FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS
41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, 1109 Quezon City, Philippines
(632) 647 1093 | FAX (632) 647 1451 | e-mail [email protected] | www.freefarm.org
Taon 3, Sipi Blg. 10 FFF BioFarming Network October 2012
Pagtatapos ng Pagsasanay ng mga FFF Technicians ng
Plant Propagation Using Asexual Methods
University of the Philippines – Los Baños, 6 October 2012
Pagsasanay ng Pruning Methods
Seminar on Organic Vegetable Propagation
featuring Christmas recipes
Pictorials from Training on Production
and Handling of Fruits and Vegetables
UP-Los Baños, Laguna
Oct. 6-9-2012
p.99
FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS
41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, 1109 Quezon City, Philippines
(632) 647 1093 | FAX (632) 647 1451 | e-mail [email protected] | www.freefarm.org
Pediatricians offer first report on organic foods
(philstar.com) Updated October 23, 2012
CHICAGO (AP) — Parents who
want to reduce their kids' exposure
to pesticides may seek out organic
fruits and vegetables, but they
aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious than conventional foods,
America's leading pediatricians
group says in its first advice on organics.
Science hasn't proven that eating
pesticide-free food makes people
any healthier, the American Academy of Pediatrics said.
"Theoretically there could be nega- FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2010 photo, park director Zach
tive effects, especially in young chil- Shields, right, and his crew for the day look for produce
dren with growing brains," but rig- such as tomatoes to harvest from the organic garden at
Park in Decatur, Ill. In its first advice on ororous scientific evidence is lacking, Partnership
ganics, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a
said Dr. Janet Silverstein, a co- report Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 that concluded pesticideauthor of the academy's new report free foods aren't necessarily safer or more nutritious for
and a pediatric endocrinologist at children than conventional foods. (AP Photo/Herald &
the University of Florida in Gaines- Review, Lisa Morrison, File)
ville.
"We just can't say for certain that organics is better without long-term controlled studies," she said.
The report was published online Monday in Pediatrics and echoes a Stanford
University study released last month. That research concluded that while eating
organic fruits and vegetables can reduce pesticide exposure, the amount measured in conventionally grown produce was within safety limits.
Since organic foods tend to be costlier, a good strategy for penny-pinching parents concerned about pesticides is to buy only organic versions of foods with the
most pesticide residue — including apples, peaches, strawberries and celery, Silverstein said.
But the pediatricians group says higher prices on organic foods might lead some
parents to buy fewer fruits and vegetables — not a good strategy since both have
health benefits including reducing risks for obesity, heart disease and some cancers.
Parents should aim to provide their families a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,
whether organic or not, along with plenty of whole grains and low-fat or fat-free
dairy products, the report says.
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A showcase of organic and functional art
OH YES, IT'S JOHNNY By Johnny Litton (The Philippine Star) Updated October 13, 2012
Studio 10.10 master craftsman Niccolo Jose, with mom Geng and brother
Abel. In photo is the beautiful and one-of-a-kind rocking kalesa made from
local, aged wood.
Creating art requires passion and a lot of perseverance. Constructing functional and stunning furniture pieces from old, reclaimed wood is even more challenging. This is why the country is proud to have Studio 10.10, as it produces the
finest Studio furniture pieces created by its talented Filipino craftsman Niccolo
Jose. Just recently, a new, special collection of chairs was unveiled at the Archeology section of Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall in Makati City to celebrate its first
year in the business. Dubbed as the “Contrapposto Series,” the line depicts
thrones of influential beings in history while highlighting organic, beautiful, and
functional art. The pieces in this new collection can add a touch of artistry to
your home and even your business space with its unique designs while providing
comfort and luxury. Congratulations to the brilliant Jose family of Studio 10.10
for the magnificent contributions to the local furniture industry!
For information, call 822-6976 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.s10-10.comor like the Studio 10.10 official page at facebook.com/
soulful.art.1010.
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Organic farming ihungit sa mag-uuma - Jamola
Ni Liezl M. Frasno (Banat) Updated October 31, 2012
CEBU, Philippines - Kinahanglan pang hungitan ang mga mag-uuma sa kahibalo ug
pagsabot bahin sa organic farming aron sila motukob niini.
Mao kini panglantaw ni Dr. Ronnie Jamola, hepe sa Mandaue Station sa Department
of Agriculture (DA-7) nga iyang gipadayag atol sa Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) Forum didto sa buhatan sa Philippine Information Agency
(PIA-7) sa Sugbo kagahapon sa buntag.
S i
J a m o l a
n a g k a n a y o n
n g a
k a r o n g
b a g o
pa nga gipatuman sa kagamhanan ang Republic Act 10068 nga gitawag nga Organic
Act of 2010 dili sayon alang sa mga mag-uuma ang pagdawat niini
Gipakasama ni Jamola ang mga mag-uuma karon nga hamtong na kaayo ug gahi
na ang kabukogan busa lisud kaayo ang pagpaliso niini aron mosagop sa bagong pamaagi sa panguma nga itudlo kanila.
Sa tulumanon nga AGIO Forum nga gipalanog usab sa DYMR Radyo ng Bayan, gipakasama ni Jamola ang mga mag-uuma karon nga hungitanan sa mga tukmang mga
kasayoran bahin sa organic farming.
Kini tungod
dugay na silang nakombinse bahin sa gitwag nga conventional farming o paagi sa panguma nga gigamitan og chemical o commercial fertilizer.
Apan sumala ni Jamola nga sukad pa sa sinugdan gisagop gayud sa mga maguuma ang organic farming kaniadto sa unang mga panahon.
Apan
dihang
nag-anam
ka
moderno
ang
kahibawo
ug ang mga kahimanan ug kasangkapan, miabot ang higayon nga gipaila sa mga
technologist ang bahin sa conventional farming o panguma nga gamitan sa modernong matang sa abuno.
Dihang namatud-an sa mga mag-uuma ang ka-epektibo niini gumikan sa pagsaka sa
ilang production sa uma ug ingon man sa ilang
kinitaan,
nakombinse sila hangtud nga naanad sila sa maong sistema, sa walay pagpakabana nga misangko na sa anam-anam nga paghupas sa ilang yuta sa
kaumahan.
Gawas niini, sumala ni Jamola nakita sa tibuok kalibotan ang dautang epekto sa
paggamit sa mga kemikal nga makadaot sa klima sa kalibotan nga misangpt sa gitawag nga climate change ug global warming .
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Niining bag-o namatikdan sa mga batid sa panguma nga naganam kaitos ang paningkamot sa mga mag-uuma dihang ang ilang kaumahan dili na mohatag og maayong ani kun walay abuno nga kemikal, gipaila og
balik sa kagamhanan ang bahin sa organic nga panguma o matang sa panguma nga mogamit og mga abuno nga gikan sa mga rekurso sa palibot ug dili
kemikal nga gikan sa mga lagyong dapit.
Matud pa ni Jamola nga ang kasayoran ug kamatuoran bahin sa organic farming kinahanglang ihungit pag-ayo ngadto sa mga mag-uuma kay kun sila’y
pasagdan dili pa sila molingi niini, kay ang ilang atensyon tua sa conventional farming.
Maoy hinungdan matud pa ni Jamola nga gitun-an
pagayo karon sa departamento sa panguma ang paagi nga mapasabot pagayo ang mga mag-uuma bahin sa organic farming aron nga makabaton sila og kaikag sa pagsagop niini pagbalik aron maulian ang yuta
sa kaumahan ug masulbad ang climate change ug global warming.( WC) (BANAT
NEWS)
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Great-tasting pasta sauces & flavor-packed
organic preserves at Healthy Options
(The Philippine Star) Updated October 13, 2012
Healthy and natural: Organic spaghetti pasta by Cadia available at Healthy Options
MANILA, Philippines - Healthy Options, the all-natural foods store, offers new
flavors and healthier alternatives to additive-laden foods. By steering clear of
poor nutritional choices including foodstuff full of artificial food coloring, monosodium glutamate and other artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, preservatives,
hydrogenated oils, and excessive sodium, you will not be susceptible to serious
ailments like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
By choosing natural ingredients, you also eliminate artificial substances that can
also trigger ailments like asthma, swelling of lips and tongue, hives, hyperactivity, tumors, allergies, headaches, mood swings, and other disorders.
Healthy Options’ condiments, pasta sauces, healthy oils, and snacks will make
you and your family feel much better since the product lines do not contain preservatives and additives.
Among the recommended picks in premium quality food brands available at
Healthy Options is Cadia. Serve up delicious pasta dishes with key ingredients
such as the Cadia Organic Spaghetti Pasta which is made of the finest quality durum semolina wheat, has a rich golden color, and cooks up to a tender, firm al
dente texture; or Cadia All Natural Gluten-Free Brown Rice Spaghetti. For a truly
appetizing pasta meal, use a rich and tasty pasta sauce and whip up a feast in a
snap. Try the Field Day line of pasta sauces, which include flavors like Organic
Tomato Basil formulated with a rich tomato and basil mix; Organic Italian Herb
that contains Italian herbs blended with organic tomatoes in a rich and sweet
sauce; Organic Traditional Marinara which is a classic pasta sauce with a delicious twist; and Organic Roasted Garlic which is a perfect blend of organic roasted garlic, tomato and herbs.
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Spread the health: Organic Blueberry
For snacks, must-try foodstuff includes Cadia Organic Blueberry Preserves, which owes its delicious
and assertive blueberry flavor and deep rich color to
low bush blueberries wild-harvested in Quebec,
Canada. Another flavorsome option that can be
great as topping for crackers or a Belgian waffle is
the Cadia Organic Apricot Preserves, a light colored
and slightly tart spread whose distinctively delicious
flavor comes from fresh, high-quality organic apricots.
Healthy Options is at the ground level, Shangri-La
Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; Rustan’s Supermarket, Makati City; second level, Festival Supermall,
Filinvest, Alabang; ground level of Ayala Center, Cebu City; lower ground floor of SM City, North EDSA;
second level of SM City Manila; second level of SM
Megamall B, EDSA, Mandaluyong City; SM Pampanga; SM Mall of Asia; SM Clark; Bonifacio High
Street at the Fort; TriNoma in North EDSA, Quezon
City; SM City Davao; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell in Makati City; SM City-North
Wing in Cebu City; lower ground floor of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City;
ground floor of Commerce Mall in Alabang Town Center; and at the newlyopened branch at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall, Davao City.
For information, visit www.healthyoptions.com.ph.
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Natural farming advocate visits Quezon
(The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - Doris Irog, a
leading advocate of natural farming
and recognized agri-advisor and communicator, visited a farm in Candelaria, Quezon recently and spoke before a group of local residents. Irog is
the president and owner of Secret
Garden of Doris (SGD), a 1.7-hectare
farm in Antipolo City and a showcase
of vegetable gardening, backyard/
container farming, exotic fruits grow- Doris Irog with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, a native
ing and propagation, proper soil of Quezon, and seminar participants.
management, vermiculture, and other modern trends in urban agriculture.
During her visit to Candelaria, Irog shared with the townsfolk the benefits of natural farming and how they can optimize the potentials of their land, be it a farm
or just a backyard, not only as a source of income and livelihood but also a
healthy food supply for the family and the community.
Visit www.secretgardenofdoris.com for more information.
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Philex ventures into coffee farming
(The Philippine Star) Updated September 23, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - In two
months, the coffee demo farm of
Philex Mining Corp., in Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon in Benguet province
will have its first harvest, two years
after the coffee seedlings were propagated in the area.
Coffee farmer Benzon Marino, one of Philex Mining Corp.’s
Community Business and Technology Center (CBTC) beneficiaries and also the head of ?maintenance at the coffee demo
farm, inspects a robusta tree.
The harvest will be the basis for further investment and expansion
of coffee production, according to
Benzon Marino, head of maintenance at the coffee demo farm.
According to Marino, it takes between two and three years for the coffee fruits to
ripen, adding that the demo farm is part of the Community Business and Technology Center (CBTC), an initiative of Philex Mining for coffee farmers that aims
to benefit more than 100 families whose livelihood depends on coffee farming –
just as their ancestors did before them.
“There’s still a lot that can be done on this coffee farm, such as applying top soil
to improve the quality of the existing soil and lessen its acidity,” Marino said.
A 1.5-hectare facility situated 700 meters above sea level, the farm has more than
1,000 robusta and arabica coffee trees and at least 200 golden showers, which
belong to a species of flowering plants with yellow fruits and have durable wood.
Marino said that 246 of the robusta trees are already bearing fruit. Arabica, on
the other hand, has 25 trees bearing fruit. He added that 61 of the golden showers variety are below one meter in height while 176 are between one and three
meters tall.
The program encourages farmers to explore all viable means to improve the quality and quantity of production in the farm.
Maintenance includes cultivation, ring weeding, the application of fertilizers, watering, and extermination of insects and fungi.
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The CBTC coffee demo farm has four regular workers, and employs six others on
a contractual basis as the need arises. It has a one-half-hectare nursery full of
ready-to-plant robusta and arabica coffee seedlings.
Marino said that sustaining information flow among coffee producers and maintaining a commercially competitive production form part of the long-term plan
for the CBTC coffee demo farm.
Aside from the highland Arabica coffee having a good market in the lowlands,
coffee farmers in Philex Mining areas have a ready market among employees, as
well as in Baguio.
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Department of Agriculture works on
increasing cocoa production
By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) Updated October 29, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - Acknowledging that consumption of coffee nowadays is no longer restricted to traditional brewing, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is working on
increasing cocoa production along with coffee.
Players in the coffee industry have stressed that local demand for coffee can be increased by introducing specialty blends and encouraging local coffee shops to experiment with new mixes and flavors.
Earlier, non-government organization Philippine Coffee Board (PCB ) said local demand for coffee is expected to increase by five percent annually because of increased
consumption of instant coffee, which has now become a staple in offices.
The coffee industry, led by the PCB is currently creating a roadmap for increasing production with the goal of sufficiently supplying local demand and enabling the country to
once again become a coffeeexporter in 10 to 15 years.
As part of the coffee roadmap, the DA is partnering with Nestle Philippines in putting
up a mother plant garden in Cagayan Valley to produce 200,000 robusta coffee seedlings per year.
Cocoa, which is made into chocolate and a mixes for coffee drinks, is also getting additional support from the government through the establishment of Cacao Agribusiness
Zones.
The DA is allocating P192 million for the implementation of the Cacao Agribusiness
Zones Development (CAZD).
Under CAZD, five agribusiness zones for cacao production would be established in Davao City, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del Norte, Palawan, and Camarines Sur.
The CADZ program is a partnership between DA and the Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (Cocoaphil). The agribusiness zones will house central fermentation and drying
facilities, quality assurance equipment, central nursery and budwood garden, warehouse, and office space.
Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) assistant director Teodoro S. Solsoloy said the
growing consumption of cacao and coffee is encouraging the local industry to increase
production.
The Philippines imports between 75,000 metric tons (MT) and 100,000 MT of coffee
from Vietnam and Indonesia annually at a cost of between P7 and P10 billion.
Cocoa bean imports, on the other hand, is placed at 20,000 MT annually, costing at an
average of $42 million annually. Beans are usually imported from African cocoa producers in Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
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Department of Agriculture holds contest
for branding, packaging of Phl rice exports
By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) Updated October 29, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - As the government prepares for the exportation of premium rice varieties, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is holding a contest for the branding and packaging of aromatic and upland rice varieties.
Winning works will be the official brand and package of Philippine rice exports.
Contestants who are at least 18 years old should come up with a brand name and design
that uses a Filipino word and depicts local scenery directly related
to rice production and farming activities.
Two designs are required: one for a one kilogram package with a size of 20 centimeters
by 25 centimeters; and another for a five kilogram package with a size of 29 centimeters
by 50 centimeters.
The contest is divided into two categories: manual design and computer-aided designs.
Entries for manual design should be rendered on a one fourth size illustration board using any colored media.
Entries for computer designs should be printed in color and pasted on a one fourth
sized illustration board, and accompanied by an electronic copy of the artwork in PNG
format saved in a compact disc.
Participants may submit three entries per category.
An information sheet indicating the contestant’s name, address, age, contact numbers, e
-mail, and signature should come with the entry.
The top entry would receive the following prizes: P25,000 cash, a trophy and certificate;
second prize would get P15,000; third prize, P10,000; while the other finalists would
get P2,000 each.
The entries should be submitted on or before November 7, 2012, to the nearest DARegional Field Unit, through the DA regional executive director or the regional rice coordinator.
In ARMM, entries may be sent to the Office of the Secretary for Agriculture and Food.
For more information, the DA national rice program may be reached at telephone number 9252152 or through its email address [email protected].
The national rice program of the DA is currently identifying traditional rice varieties
such as colored rice (black, red, pink, brown and purple), aromatic white rice and long
grain white rice that will be developed for exportation.
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Singapore Subsidizes Food Producers
www.agrizaccess.com FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012
Food producers in Singapore get a
hefty subsidy from the government.
These include people who grow fish
in cages in the marine waters and
urban dwellers who grow vegetables
where they live in the city state.
One grower of high-value marine
species in cages is Prof. Paul PS
Teng, Senior Fellow (Food Security)
at the Centre for Non-Traditional
Security Studies, Rajaratnam School
of International Studies, Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore.
DR. PAUL PS TENG
He and a couple of partners are culturing grouper, pompano, seabass and snapper – all very high-value species. These are grown into one to two-kilo sizes and
made into fillet.
The partners grow their fish in 90 cages, manned by just one Burmese caretaker.
Very recently, they acquired 20 new cages worth S$50,000. Half of the amount
was paid for by the government as its incentive to food producers.
Dr. Teng said that there are about a hundred investors raising fish about three
kilometers from the Singapore coast. They all receive financial incentives from the
government.
Dr. Teng’s caretaker receives S$1,000 a month which he can all save because he
has free food and accommodation. He has his own quarters at sea where he can
cook his favorite food. He also has his own radio and TV. Good thing, there is no
typhoon in Singapore.
Dr. Teng said that sometimes they have a hard time looking for supplies of fingerlings. Which means this could be a market for fingerlings from the Philippines like
those produced by Finfish Harcheries of the Alcantara Group.
Dr. Teng also said that many of the fishcage owners are looking for knowledgeable workers who could be assured a pay of at least a thousand Singapore dollars a
month. That’s about P32,000 monthly.
By the way, we met Dr. Teng at the Syngenta Media Workshop held in Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam, on October 29 -31, 2012. He talked on the Rice Bowl Index
developed by Syngenta, Frontier Strategy Group and himself. The Rice Bowl Index
is a tool that could help countries adopt right strategies that could help them
achieve food security.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012
Mango Congress Set In Cebu Nov. 14-16, 2012
www.agrizaccess.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012.
The 14th National Mango Congress
2012 will be held on Nov. 14-16 at
JCentre Mall Convention Hall, A.S.
Fortuna St., Mandaue City, Cebu.
This year's congress will focus on efficient mango production and increased investment in mango tourism, according to Virgie de la
Fuente, president of the Philippine
Mango Industry Foundation, Inc.
She said potential investments on
proposed mango-tourism-related
Private-Public Partnership Projects will be presented. One of them is cable cars
bringing tourists to mango areas in mountain barangays for mango picking and
eating. These cable cars can also serve as cheap transport system for mango harvests.
Melpha M. Abello with beautiful carabao mangoes.
In flat and low-lying mango areas, horse or carabao-drawn calesas or simple rail
system can be used, both for tourists and mango transport.
Another project is putting up uniquely designed, festive mango bistros or kiosks in
tourist growth centers where fresh cold ripe and green mangoes and smoothies are
served together with hot chocolate and native delicacies such as puto, suman and
the like. Processed and Instant Quick Frozen mangoes will also be available in these kiosks.
The Mango Congress is a project of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation in
collaboration with the Visayas Chamber of Mango Industry MPC as co-host organize, and co-hosted by the Provincial LGU, City government of Mandaue, DARegional Field Unit 7, RAFC-7 are the lead support agencies while the DOST, DTI
and DOT regional offices are the cooperating agencies.
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REX YERRO: Sheep Breeder
www.agrizaccess.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012.
SHOWN in photo with Dorper and other breeds of sheep is Rex Yerro, who
together with his father Nestor, are
raising over 200 head of sheep in their
farms in San Ildefonso, Bulacan and in
Pantabangan, Nu eva Ecija.
Earlier this year (2012), their farm became a Multiplier Farm under the Genetic Improvement Program of the Bureau of Animal Industry. As such, they
received a package of purebred sheep
for breeding. For every female sheep
they received, they will return to the
government three offspring.
Rex Yerro and his sheep.
The breeder sheep consisting of Dorper, St. Croix and Katahdin, were from the
United States coursed through the BAI under the US Public Law 480 Assistance
Program. The breeder sheep will be used to produce purebred as well as crossbreds
which will be disseminated to local raisers to improve their own stocks.
The story about the Yerro sheep project is featured in the November 2012 issue of
Agriculture Magazine. The story is authored by Tony A. Rodriguez.
Make sure to get a copy of the November issue of Agriculture Magazine which will be off the press anytime now.
You will enjoy the many interesting articles, including the
story about Antonio Partoza who is transforming his durian farm in Davao City into an agritourism destination.
Melpha M. Abello wrote the story. What makes Patoza’s
farm ideal for agritourism is that it is operated without the
use of chemical pesticides. He uses mostly organic fertilizer and a small percentage of chemical fertilizer. The use of
Mycovam, a biofertilizer with bendficial fungi, helps keep
his trees healthy and productive. Most of the trees are of
the Arancillo variety which produces relatively smaller
fruits but are very tasty.
During durian season, visitors can enjoy eating all the durian they can eat for a fee of P180 per person. Aside from
enjoying eating the exotic fruit, they can try their hand at
picking the prickly durian fruits. The place can be an ideal
place for meditation. Or an educational trip. Visitors can learn about the techniques of growing
durian.
Agriculture Magazine is edited by your blogger, Zac B. Sarian. It is the most widely circulated magazine of its kind in the Philippines. It is available in bookstores, convenience stores and in the nationwide distribution network of Manila Bulletin.
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QC Country Fair Successful
www.agrizaccess.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012
The organizers thought that they should
come up with not just the common garden show that showcases nothing but ornamentals and flowering plants.
Thus, the leadership of the Cactus and
Succulent Society headed by Dorie S.
Bernabe decided to add some new features that are interesting to the public.
That is why they thought of the Country
Fair idea where agricultural produce, native delicacies, small farm animals, including a dog show were to be highlighted.
Dr. Teddy Tepora before a standing-room-only crowd.
Another innovation was the fact that the
event was open free to the public. Ordinarily, garden shows charge entrance fees
of P20 to P50 per person.
Being a cactus group, they also opted to
give special focus on the dragon fruit. The
dragon fruit is a cactus that is not only for
hobbyists but also for commercial farmers.
And so they invited the most knowledge- Attendee from Bicol won the Mini Makopa in the raffle.
able person to talk about dragon fruit production. And that was no other than Dr. Teddy F. Tepora of the Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite. His talk was most educational. He discussed the many
economic possibilities of the dragon fruit as well as the problems that are encountered in growing the crop.
As an indication of the keen interest of people in growing dragon fruit, the lecture
room was standing room only. There were attendees from as far north as Piddig,
Ilocos Norte to as far south as Zamboanga. There were attendees from Pangasinan,
Bicol, Cagayan and many other places.
Incidentally, the opening of the QC Country Fair & Garden Show was graced by
no less than the Dragon Fruit Queen – Miss Susan Roces who also grows dragon
fruit. She has become an inspiration to other people who now want to grow their
own dragon fruit.
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There were also a lot of people who were interested in exotic fruit trees like pummelos, durian, rambutan, duku and longkong lanzones and many others. They particularly liked the excellent taste of the Vietnam pummelo that they sampled.
The talk on Sansevierias by Boyet Ganigan was also very revealing. Not many people
know that there is a market for Sansevierias in the countries around the Philippines,
particularly Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Australia and Japan.
Boyet and his partner are now growing selected Sansevieria varieties for their target
market. The beauty about Sansevierias is that they are very hardy and can be
shipped without much problem.
There were actually two venues at the seminars that went on simultaneously. At the
AANI Cluster, resource persons discussed aquaculture, organic farming, vermiculture, mango production and others.
One of the exhibitors at the AANI Cluster was Ernesto Abalos who showcased his
Paraoakan chicken from Palawan, Nubian goat and dragon fruit planting materials.
Pol Rubia also sold a lot of dragon fruit cuttings, as he displayed a sample of how to
provide the proper support for growing dragon fruit.
Of course, the cacti and succulent exhibits were also impressive. Irene Bernal got
several first prizes, including the Best Plant In Show which is a Sansevieria Boncel,
and the Best Cactus in the cactus category – her Uebelmaniana pectinifera. Lino
Rom who has a nursery of ornamental plants also won several first prizes in different categories.
The best landscape in the Succulents category was won by Serapion S. Metilla while
the best landscape in the Cacti and Succulents category was won by Norma Villanueva.
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SM Veggie Training In Lucena City
www.agrizaccess.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012
SM Foundation continues its Farmers
Training Program in vegetable production. The latest batch, the 44th
Batch of Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan
trainees, finished their 12-week
hands-on training in Lucena City.
The graduates look at vegetables for sale at SM Supermart
The graduates received their certificates of completion in ceremonies at
the Events Center of SM City Lucena
followed by a harvest festival at Sitio
Lilay, Brgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena
City.
Two previous trainees were invited to share their experiences and express their
gratitude for the training they received. One of them was Normito Daya, 68, of
Brgy. Isabang, Lucena City. He started his farm business after retiring from his job
as internal security at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. At first, he planted corn.
But when he realized that he did not make money from corn, he trained under the
Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan program and shifted to high-value crops.
He planted tomatoes, eggplant, string beans and green bell peppers. He also started planting Red Lady papaya. He is so happy relating his experiences. He said he
has more than recovered his investment and, in fact, he has shared some of his
profits to his son. He said he learned a lot from the KSK program.
Cristie Angeles (front, middle) and Toto Barcelona (at the back)
pose with two trainees with their upo harvest.
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R-5 Rambutan in Teresa Orchard & Nursery
MYRNA MAGALONG AND DORIE S. BERNABE.
The R-5 Rambutan variety is in season at the Teresa Orchard & Nursery and Myrna
Magalong and Dorie S. Bernabe really enjoyed partaking of the luscious fruits.
The R-5 Rambutan was the first prize winner in the Fruit Search in 1996 which was
entered by Jaime Goyena, a UP Los Baños graduate.
The fruit is big and bright red when ripe. The flesh is very sweet, fine-textured and
readily separates from the seed.
Myrna, a successful businesswoman, is planting the R-5 in her farm in Silang, Cavite. Dorie S. Bernabe, president of the Cactus & Succulent Society of the Philippines
and a property owner in Pansol, Calamba City, is also planting some.
The two friends visited Teresa Orchard & Nursery in Teresa, Rizal last October 12.
They are shown in photo with newly harvested R-5 Rambutan.
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An Incentive Scheme (Farm Tip No. 33)
www.agrizaccess.com SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012
Many years back, we remember interviewing Dr. Daniel S. Bolong of Paraoir, Luna,
La Union. Up to now, he has a diversified farm raising poultry, swine and various
crops. We remember an incentive scheme he implemented to help his poultry caretakers earn extra money. You might want to copy or modify it for your own farm
project.
In 1986 he thought of helping his workers earn more money by doing an extra job taking care of a calf until it is big and fat enough for slaughter in a year or less. The
animal is tethered right on the farm where the employee works, using improved
grasses and legumes as feed. These forage crops abound in all the farm projects that
are a few kilometers apart.
The worker does not spend anything. He just sees to it that the animal is fed and
properly managed. When the animal is turned over to the worker, a value is indicated based on the current price obtaining in the market. When the animal is finally
sold, the original value is deducted from the selling price and what is left is divided
equally between Dr. Bolong and the caretaker.
During the first two years of the incentive scheme, the workers made about P3,500
to P4,000 per animal. This is no small amount for an ordinary farm worker in the
province. That is like giving him an extra income of P300 a month. If he takes care
of two head at a time, that would even give him a much better side income.
19
African Banana In Teresa Orchard & Nursery
www.agrizaccess.com SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012
A NEW banana from Africa is now growing
very well at the Teresa Orchard & Nursery
in Teresa, Rizal. Kasirakwe is its varietal
name.
The plant in photo was planted as a tissuecultured seedling on March 31, 2012 and is
now very robust (photo taken Oct. 12,
2012). The trunk or pseudostem is dark or
close to black.
We have been told that the fruits resemble
the shape of the Latundan but we have not
tasted it yet. We are looking forward to
tasting the fruits in a few more months.
BS, Myrna Magalong and Dorie S. Bernabe.
Two suckers have already emerged and we
will separate them as soon as they are
more than two feet tall.
In photo are your blogger, Zac B. Sarian, Myrna Mabalong and Dorie S. Bernabe. The
two ladies visited the nursery on October 12.
20
Fast-Growing Mangosteen Seedlings In Teresa
JUN HIZON, ONOFRE GRIÑO AND ZAC B. SARIAN
Mangosteen seedlings are usually very slow-growing. But at the Teresa Orchard &
Nursery in Teresa, Rizal, the mangosteen seedlings are growing fast.
The reason is that they have been sprayed with the Power Grower Combo, a special
fertilizer formulation by Alfonso G. Puyat, which was recently approved by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA).
After three sprayings at 10 days interval, the seedlings developed new leaves that are
big and glossy. Many of them also developed branches even if they are only over a
foot tall.
In the photo, the two gentlemen at left are Jovito "Jun" Hizon and Menzi Farms
president Onofre Griño while at right is this blogger, Zac B. Sarian. The mangosteen
seedlings are very robust and healthy. There are still more than 600 of them remaining in the nursery although many of them have been sold.
Jun and Onofre used to be both employees in two different companies of the late
Gen. Hans Menzi. Jun is now retired and is doing his farming in San Miguel, Bulacan. Together with his wife Alice, he recently bought some planting materials of exotic
fruit trees for his farm. Griño, on the other hand, manages a big mangosteen plantation in Mindanao, among other things. He said they will soon make jam out of the
flesh and wellness products out of the thick fruit skin.
21
Cariñosa Papaya is Prolific
www.agrizaccess.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
Cariñosa produces 37 to 57 fruits per plant.
Cariñosa has yellow flesh.
The East-West Seed Company has come up with a new hybrid papaya called Cariñosa. It is a yellow-fleshed hybrid that is prolific, each plant bearing 37 to 57 marketable fruits, each weighing 1 to 2 kilos. It has a potential yield of 80 tons per hectare.
East-West claims that Cariñosa is tolerant to ringspot virus and is easy to grow. First
harvest starts at 6-7 months after transplanting.
Farm-ready seedlings are available at East-West nursery in San Rafael, Bulacan.
22
MYRNA MAGALONG: Dragon Fruit Grower
MYRNA MAGALONG, a
successful businesswoman
and a member of the Cactus & Succulent Society of
the Philippines, is also a
Dragon Fruit planter. Her
farm is in Pulong Bunga,
Silang, Cavite.
MYRNA MAGALONG IN HER DRAGON FRUIT FARM.
Incidentally, the Cactus &
Succulent Society is advocating the planting of
more Dragon Fruit as a
source of livelihood that
will also help ensure food
security in the country.
In this connection, Dragon Fruit will be given special focus at the Quezon City
Country Fair that will be held on October 17 to 21 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in
Quezon City. The event is under the auspices of the Cactus & Succulent Society
headed by Dorie S. Bernabe in collaboration with the Quezon City administration.
In the morning of Saturday, October 20, Dr. Teddy F. Tepora, the Dragon Fruit expert from the Cavite State University, will conduct a seminar on Dragon Fruit production at the show site. Entrance to the Country Fair and the seminar is free. On
the same day, at 2 p.m., this blogger, Zac B. Sarian, will conduct a lecture on MoneyMaking Opportunities in Exotic Fruit Trees. We'll see you there!
23
RICE TRANSPLANTER AT AGRILINK
A lot of farm machines were displayed at the recent Agrilink Trade
Show at the World Trade Center in
Pasay City.
RICE TRANSPLANTER MADE IN KOREA
One notable machine is the rice transplanter made in Korea and distributed now in the Philippines by Fit Corea
Trading Phils., Inc. with main office
at Wecan Global, #38-C West Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City with
email at: [email protected].
The company has outlets in Pangasinan, Bulacan, Cagayan Valley, Tabuk in Kalinga and
Zambales.
The machine makes transplanting rice easier and faster, saving on labor cost. The machine also makes possible precision planting resulting in uniform distancing as well as
better growth of the plants.
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Paraoakan Chicken Sold Like Hotcake
Ernie Abalos' organic Paraoakan eggs were a bestseller at Agrilink at P10 apiece.
These are the Paraoakan chickens displayed by Ernie Abalos at Agrilink. They were
bestsellers. Among the big buyers at P700 apiece were the fighting cock breeders
who want to cross the same with their so-called Texas chickens. Paraoakan is a native of Palawan and is much taller than most Philippine native chickens.
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Certified Organic Ranch In Masbate
RANDY FAVIS manages Fortuna Ranch, the first
ranch in the Philippines to be certified as organic
by Organic Certification Center of the Philippines
(OCCP). The farm is located in Tigbao, Milagros,
Masbate.
The Fortuna Ranch, a family corporation, was
started by Randy in 1976 soon after he finished
an agriculture course, major in animal husbandry,
at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro.
RANDY FAVIS, ORGANIC RANCHER
The 900-hectare ranch is stocked with 600 American Brahmans from the US and Australia. To prevent or control parasite infestation without treating the animals with chemicals, they are pastured
by rotation in 70-hectare paddocks.
The animals are divided into three herds of200 each and each herd is pastured by
rotation on four paddocks. In each paddock, the animals are grazed for 7 to 10 days
before they are transferred to the next.They graze on Stylo, Humidicola and native
forage grasses. Favis observes that native grasses are also relished by the animals.
Fortuna Ranch produces both animals for breeding and for slaughter. The beef is
now sold in Landmark in Makati and Trinoma in Quezon City. One 280-gram pack
of rib eye costs P350. The steak also comes in New York cuts. Randy Favis can be
contacted at 0920-926-5411.
26
Big & Thick-Fleshed Sweet Peppers
DORRY FADRIQUELA is showing here two hybrid sweet peppers being distributed
by Allied Botanical Corporation. The red one is called Paranto while the yellow is
called Mazurka. Both produce big fruits that are thick-fleshed, weighing 200 to 300
grams each and are excellent for salads and pizza. These are best grown under
greenhouse, such as those in Tagaytay City. Dorry's contact number is 0922-2810041.
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Abalos Brahmans Sold At Agrilink
ERNESTO ABALOS who
raises American Brahmans in his farm in San
Mateo, Rizal was the only
fellow who bothered to
exhibit his three prized
American Brahman bulls
at
the
just-concluded
Agrilink trade show (Oct.
4-6, 2012) at the World
Trade Center in Pasay
City..
He said he never thought
that he would be able to
sell even just one but he
Ernesto Abalos (right) is briefing provincial Board Member Victor B. Valdepeñas
exhibited
them anyway. Lo
and his wife Nonie regarding the American Brahman bulls that they are buying.
and behold! Provincial
board member Victor B. Valdepeñas of Isabela came along just a few hours before the
expo's closing time and immediately he closed the deal to buy not only the three bulls
on display but also a fourth one from the Abalos farm.
Of course Ernie was very happy. Aside from his Brahmans, he was able to sell a lot of
imported goats, turkeys, Paraoakan native chicken, organic eggs, Davao pummelo
fruits and others.
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Fruits & Veggies At Agrilink
ROWENA BIENES SHOWING NEW WATERMELON HYBRID.
ALLIED BOTANICAL CORPORATION showcased its outstanding varieties of high
-value crops that included vegetables and fruits like melons and watermelons at the
Agrilink trade show that ended in the evening of October 6, 2012 at the World
Trade Center in Pasay City.
Among the vegetables showcased are high-yielding sitao, peppers (the hot and
sweet varieties), salad tomatoes, cucumber, squash, French beans and many more.
In Photo is agriculturist Rowena Bienes holding the sliced fruit of a new watermelon variety that is comparatively smaller than most varieties in the market. Being
small has the advantage of being easier to sell in the market. Rowena is executive
assistant at Allied Botanical Corp.
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Bags, Etc. From Tikog Grass
Teresita Policarpio, owner of TAPS Handmade
Products in Guingauan, Tanauan, Leyte, shows
some of the bags that her company manufactures
using Tikog, a grass with triangular stem that
grows in swampy areas. The grass is harvested,
dried, and woven into mats which are then crafted into functional products like bags, wallets and
accessories that are supplied to outlets in Manila. The Department of Science and Technology
helped her in improving the quality of her products which were displayed at the recent Visayas
Science and Technology Fair in Tacloban City.
Instant Javier Salabat Sold Thru Andok's
Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr., mayor of
Javier town in Leyte and owner of the ubiquitous Andok’s Litson Manok, shows ginger
tea and ginger salabat which are now commercially processed in his town. The common service facility for the manufacture of
the two ginger products was put up with the
technical help of the Department of Science
and Technology. The Javier salabat is now
marketed nationwide through Andok’s outlets, providing livelihood to members of the
Javier Instant Salabat Producers and the
ginger growers in seven barangays of the
town.
LEONARDO “SANDY” JAVIER, JR.
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Gen. Recaredo Sarmiento's Fruitful Duku Lanzones
GEN. RECAREDO SARMIENTO'S 8year-old Duku lanzones tree has been
bearing fruit since 2009 in their
Ouan's Worth Farm Resort in Lucena
City. He and his 8-year-old granddaughter Reese are shown here admiring the big bunches of luscious
fruits.
Unfortunately, Gen. Sarmiento laments, after a short dry spell in the
Gen. Recaredo Sarmiento and granddaughter Reese admiring middle of August, heavy rains overtheir fruitful Duku lanzones.
took the unharvested fruits which
caused their splitting. Immediately, in the last week of August, 30 kilos of the sweet
Duku lanzones fruits were harvested to avoid further damage. Clearly, the fruits
cracked because of the excessive rainwater absorption by the roots during the heavy
downpour due to the unpredictable weather pattern this year. Blame this on climate
change.
Three weeks after the fruits were harvested, plenty of flower spikes (racemes) appeared on the trunk and branches of the same Duku tree which could be ready for
harvesting by Christmas or New Year. The lanzones trees in the orchard are being
fertilized with Heavy Weight Tandem fertilizer developed by Alfonso G. Puyat. This
formulation facilitates the transfer of the processed nutrients in the leaves to the developing fruits so that they become bigger, sweeter and more uniform in size.
Mr. Puyat has another formulation, Power Grower Combo, which hastens dramatically the growth of seedlings. It also makes old trees more robust in preparation for
fruit bearing.
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Anglo Nubian Bucks Turned Over at Agrilink
ANGLO NUBIAN BUCKS FROM ALAMINOS GOAT FARM.
IN photo are 10 Anglo Nubian bucks from the Alaminos Goat Farm (AGF) of Rene
Almeda and his two sons Art and Totie that will be turned over on October 4 to the
Quezon Province Multi-Purpose Cooperative headed by Guillermo Argosino. This will
be at the opening day of AgriLink 2012 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The bucks will be used as breeders by the Quezon farmers. The animals are part of an
advance repayment scheme of the Bureau of Animal Industry's AGRIPES Program
which is short for "Accelerating the Genetic Resource Improvement Program for Beef
Cattle and Small Ruminants."
Earlier, Alaminos Goat Farm was the recipient of 18 doelings and one buck of the
Oberhasli dairy goat breed from the US. For every female Oberhasli, AGF will return to
the government three females and 4 males for the one buck received. Repayment is
within three years.
32
Philippine Coffee Farming Basket Seen in Mindanao
www.agriculture-ph.com OCTOBER 22, 2012
Nestlé Sets Sights on Bukidnon as
‘Coffee Basket’
Recognizing the potential of Bukidnon
as a top coffee-producing province,
Nestlé Philippines Inc. (NPI) has partnered with the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Research Centre (NOMIARC)
of the Department of Agriculture regional field office 10 (DA-10) in the production and distribution of high-quality
Robusta plantlets and cuttings, bringing the coffee plants closer to small-farmers in
Bukidnon and nearby provinces within the region.
Speaking at the sidelines at the recent 19th DA-NOMIARC Farmers’ Field Day and
Technology Forum in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, NPI agriculture head Arthur Baria
said they are looking to tap Bukidnon as a “coffee basket” where Nestlé can directly
source high-quality Robusta coffee beans.
“There is great potential for coffee-farming in Bukidnon with the province having a
firm backbone in coffee production since the early 1960s,” said Baria. “In addition,
the province is conducive to coffee growing with its rich soil, ideal altitude, and wellsuited climate for the production of quality Robusta coffee beans. Bukidnon is rightly
apt to be optimized in the coffee supply chain to respond to the current supplydemand gap in coffee.”
Baria explains that while annual local demand for coffee beans is currently pegged at
64,000 metric tons, the country only produces 20,000 metric tons to respond to the
demand, outlining further the reason behind tapping key agricultural areas such as
Bukidnon to its base of coffee suppliers.
Embarking on a road to expand its coffee-resource base, Baria emphasized that it is
imperative that key coffee-producing areas have access to coffee farming best practices, including effective and adaptable technologies, to help thousands of small
growers realize sustainability and profitability in coffee farming, and eventually help
address the gap in supply-demand.
33
“Through this partnership which started in 2010, we have converted a 6-hectare field in
NOMIARC into a demonstration farm. We have a mother plant garden where farmers can
get high-quality Robusta coffee cuttings; a coffee nursery, which serves as a trial site for
different types of Robusta coffee plants; a composting facility for organic fertilizer; and a
Nestlé research and development station within NOMIARC,” Baria adds.
Nestlé is also sharing its technical expertise in coffee planting with the center through different coffee training programs, designed to enable farmers to get hands-on exercises on
the various ways to better plant coffee. The coffee monocropping and sustainable agriculture initiative systems are taught in the center, all backed by demonstrations at demo
plotsby Nestlé agronomists.
Juanita Salvani, center manager of DA-10 NOMIARC, outlines how these agriculture developments in coffee farming benefit thousands of coffee-dependent farmers in Bukidnon.
“Bukod sa mabibigyan natin sila ng quality planting materials, natutulungan sila paano
mabuting mag-culture ng coffee sa kanilang mga sari-sariling bahay. [Aside from sharing
with them quality planting materials, we are able to teach them how to better culture coffee in their own fields]. With the presence of Nestlé, they are also assured of the market
because they are planting quality materials capable of producing quality beans.”
Salvani, in another interview during the forum, further explains the “beauty”of the cooperation between Nestlé and the DA. “Nestlé obviously has the capacity in terms of resources; they can implement projects outright when you need the resources. Public institutions like the Department of Agriculture cannot do the pushing of agriculture development alone; we need our private partners to help us. It’s really a good thing that Nestlé
has chosen us.”
With Nestlé currently the biggest buyer of Robusta coffee in the country, purchasing an
estimated 80 percent of the entire Philippine coffee produce, Baria noted that Nestlé is
planning to establish more partnerships with the public sector, establishing other demonstration farms like the one in DA-NOMIARC in key coffee-growing areas in the country to
reach other untapped small coffee farmers.
By Business Mirror
Coffee Farming Opportunities
Philippine farmers currently grow about 10% to 15% of the domestic coffee consumption
demand with Philippine coffee companies having to import the rest to provide Philippine
coffee drinkers their daily cup of java. Coffee provides another farming opportunity for
Philippine farmers for domestic consumption as well as for export. We provide all Nutriplant orders with application protocols for growing coffee with high quality taste and very
large harvest yields. Contact us on how we can help you grow a better coffee crop.
34
The Business of Farming Organic Produce
www.agriculture-ph.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012
The husband and wife team
of Ramon and May Uy who
are developing a 5.3hectare agri-tourism destination and training center
in Bacolod City have
opened a market for organic produce.
This is at the frontage of
their project – May’s Organic Garden & Restaurant
along the national road in
Pahanocoy, Bacolod City.
The sellers are given free
space while the market is still new. Ramon Uy explains that he and his wife really
want to promote production of organic farm products among families as an honest-to
-goodness source of livelihood.
The name May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant may sound just like an ordinary
garden and eating place, but it is much more than that. The project consists of a 5.3hectare prime property along the national road. It is being developed into an agritourism destination as well as a training center for people interested in organic agricultural and environmental pursuits.
The organic market is still modest but walk-in customers are visiting in increasing
numbers. During our visit, we saw expatriates patronizing the market aside from the
local residents.
We met Dionita Imet who was selling an indigenous vegetable we have not tried eating but which, we were told, is popular among Ilonggos. The vegetable called “Lupo”
is said to be just growing wild in rice and corn fields, and is harvested by whoever
wants to harvest.
According to Dionita, the tender leaves are very good in cooking mungo and fish sinigang.
35
Among the organic farm produce being sold during our visit included organic rice of
the indigenous varieties, bananas, root crops, different kinds of vegetables, organic
eggs, and wellness products derived from medicinal plants. There was a citronella extract which is a biopesticide that will control dengue mosquitoes.
During our visit, we were able to meet Fr. Pio Eugenio who is an ardent advocate of
organic rice production based in Trento, Agusan del Sur. He was invited by Mr. Uy to
conduct briefings on organic production of traditional rice varieties.
Fr. Pio brought with him 50 varieties of traditional rice for trial plantings by farmers.
By Manila Bulletin
Organic Farming Opportunities
Many consumers now know about the good and bad effects organic and non-organic
produce and even if they cost a little more don't mind spending a little more money
for food that is grown organically. Organically grown fruits and vegetables are a better product and less evasive on the environment allowing the land to produce more
crops over time. More and more now supermarkets and local farmers markets are
making space specifically for organic produce providing a larger market for organically grown produce providing more opportunity for farmers to be profitable at growing organic produce.
36
Jatropha Farming for Biofuel Energy Independence The
www.agriculture-ph.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012
What Is Jatropha?
Jatropha, commonly known
as physic nut or purging nut,
is a non-edible oil-yielding
perennial shrub that has
green leaves with a length
and width of 6 centimeters
(cm) to 15cm, and can reach
a height of up to 5 meters
(m). It originated in tropical
America and West Asia.
Jatropha can grow in various areas in the Philippines. It is known locally as tubatuba. Others call it tagumbao, tawa-tawa, kalunay, kasla and tangan-tangan. Botanist
Carl Von Linne first classified the plant in 1753 and named it Jatropha curcas. Jatropha comes from the Greek words: jatros (doctor) and trophe (nutrition). It
belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae.
2. Are there different types of jatropha?
The genus jatropha has 176 species distributed throughout the world. Twelve species,
alone, can be found in India.
3. What type of weather is ideal for jatropha?
Jatropha grows in tropical and subtropical regions. It is drought-resistant.
4. What type of soil is ideal for jatropha?
Jatropha can be planted on any kind of soil. It can grow even in marginal areas. However, low yields have been recorded in low rainfall areas while it can be grown with
higher yields in high rainfall/irrigated areas.
5. What are the uses of jatropha?
Jatropha is used in traditional medicine. It is likewise used as pesticide, soap and fuel
oil for lighting and cooking. Because of its strong root system, jatropha can grow almost everywhere. It can hold water and survive the driest season. It is, thus, useful in
reforestation, soil rehabilitation and soil erosion projects. In the Philippines, jatropha
is mainly used as a live fence for protection of agricultural fields from damage by livestock. As a non-edible plant, it is an effective barrier between livestock and crop
fields; thus, the local name tubang bakod.
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6. What is the productive life of jatropha?
Jatropha has a productive life that can span from 35 years up to 50 years. It starts
flowering a year after planting. Economic yield is obtained from the fourth year onwards in the Indian experience.
7. What are the advantages of jatropha over other biodiesel feedstocks?
Economics The advantages of jatropha are mainly its economic seed yield and oil recovery. Cultivation of jatropha is not capital-intensive. It can be planted on any kind
of soil and grows well under tropical and subtropical climate. It can easily be propagated by seed/cutting, has lesser gestation period and can generate high yield per
hectare.
Lastly, jatropha has a lower price since there is no other application, except for biodiesel feedstock. Other feedstocks are largely food commodities.
Variety of uses. As mentioned earlier, jatropha can be used as traditional medicine,
pesticide, soap and fuel oil for lighting and cooking. It can also be used as a plant for
live fence, anti-soil erosion, fertilizer and biofuel. It, thus, increases rural and agricultural income and creates livelihood to the poor and marginalized sectors.
Effects on the environment
The use of jatropha biodiesel reduces air pollution.
It has zero sulfur emission.
Tests by the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) have shown that
the use of biodiesel almost completely eliminates lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions. It is less neutral in its net addition to global warming because whatever
CO2 released in combustion is already sequestered when growing the crop. Indeed,
jatropha plantations sequestering CO2 would acquire an additional attraction as
sources of “CO2 emission credits” that could be purchased by countries that are unable to reduce their CO2 emission reduction targets. This is in line with the Kyoto Protocol.
8.Is the Philippines ideal for the cultivation of jatropha?
Yes.
In 2006, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) studied the potential of
jatropha as biodiesel feedstock in the Philippines. Its findings showed that the country has sufficient arable areas and favorable climatic conditions with adequate rainfall. These account for large feedstock production every year.
38
9. Apart from climatic conditions and soil quality, what can affect the yield of
jatropha?
Farming techniques.
These include fertlizer applications, weeding, and pest and disease management,
among others.
10. What lands are suited or have the potential for jatropha plantation?
Captive Plantation
Commercial biodiesel production warrants continuous supply of feedstock. This r
quires block plantation of jatropha in large areas.The country has a potential of about
4 million hectares of land for captive plantation of jatropha.
Hedge Plantation in Farm Land
There are about 10 million hectares of agricultural land under farming of various
crops. Farmers may be motivated to grow jatropha as a hedge crop to serve as field
protection from cattle. As a boundary plantation, jatropha can also provide additional income for the farmers.
Temporary Crop
The reported area under temporary crop is 5.3 million hectares occupying 54% of the
farmlands planted with different annual crops. It is estimated that 10% of the area
under temporary agricultural annual crops, equivalent to 0.5 million hectares, can be
used for jatropha.
Idle Land
Idle lands, estimated at 0.1 million hectares, can be converted into jatropha plantations.
Permanent Crops
Of the 4.2 million hectares under this category, the available land for hedge plantation is estimated at 0.2 million hectares. Hedge plantation or intercropping with well
-maintained permanent crops will give good yield to farmers.
Meadows, Pastures and Other Lands
It is estimated that about 0.2 million hectares of land under this category can be earmarked and converted into productive land for jatropha plantation.
With proper planning, availability of planting materials, technical know-how and
funding, development of nurseries and plantations of jatropha is possible in a phased
manner during the next five years.
39
11. Do we have sufficient areas for jatropha cultivation vis-à-vis the total area required for jatropha plantation to meet the various biodiesel blends?
Yes.
Based on 2006 FAO estimates, we have sufficient areas for jatropha cultivation vis-avis the total area required for jatropha plantation to meet the various biodiesel
blends (1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 20%).
A summary of area requirement for jatropha cultivation at various biodiesel blends at
5,000 kilograms (kg) yield per hectare for one harvest is presented below.
12. What office is primarily tasked by the government to carry on the business of
jatropha?
The Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC).
It has been officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2006, and officially mandated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during
the National Economic Development Authority-National Anti-Poverty Commission
August 8, 2006 Cabinet Meeting to "have the primary responsibility over the biofuels
project and to coordinate with the concerned agencies."
The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, in its Opinion No. 285, dated December 29, 2006, affirms the PNOC-AFC’s primordial role as a direct investor with a
purpose to invest its capital and carry on the business of alternative fuels. Given
jatropha’s advantages over other feedstocks, as discussed earlier, the PNOC-AFC has
considered it as the Corporation’s feedstock for biodiesel production.
13. Is there a market for jatropha?
Yes.
With the enactment of the Biofuels Act of 2006, the current local demand for biodiesel, estimated at 980,000 liters per annum, is expected to increase on the average
of about 78 million liters in 2007, with a minimum of 1% blend; and 167 million liters
by 2009 at 2% blend.
14. How will PNOC-AFC address this estimated demand?
The PNOC-AFC came up with an integrated project on the establishment of jatropha
mega-nurseries, plantations and biodiesel refineries.
This project aims to secure continuous feedstock supply of jatropha to the biodiesel
refineries at the same time control the price of feedstock to ensure competitiveness of
locally-produced biodiesel.
.
40
It is, therefore, important that the feedstock for the production of biodiesel will be
continuously available and the source should be within a reasonable distance to the
refineries.
Thus, by 2012, the PNOC-AFC shall have established the following:
1,500-hectare jatropha mega-nurseries cum pilot plantations, 700,000-hectare biofuel crop plantations , and 1-million metric tons (MT) biodiesel refineries
15. Is there an area in the Philippines where an integrated meganursery-plantationbiodiesel refinery is possible?
Yes.
This is in Mindanao.
It has been identified due to the availability of vast arable lands suitable for meganurseries and plantations. In addition, the island is a strategic location for refineries.
16. How does one start to propagate jatropha?
Jatropha is normally propagated through main propagation (seeds/vegetative cuttings) and micro-propagation/tissue culture.
Seeds
Healthy seeds are selected for raising seedlings. Before sowing, seeds are soaked in
water for 12 hours and seeds are subsequently sown in 10cm x 20cm sized polyethylene bags filled with soil, sand and organic fertilizer in the ratio of 1:1:1, respectively.
The raising of jatropha seedlings in polyethylene bags can accelerate the initial
growth of plantation by at least four months. Four-month-old seedlings can be planted in fields.
Vegetative Cuttings
Jatropha can also be propagated through cuttings. Proper care is required in selecting the cuttings, which should be at least one-year-old and about 60cm long. For
seedling propagation, cuttings can also be sown in polyethylene bags for raising seedlings.
Tissue Culture
Mass multiplication of high-yielding varieties is possible only through tissue culture.
Once high-yielding varieties are identified, millions of propagules can be multiplied
only through tissue culture. Such plants possess certain advantages such as uniformity in yield and oil content and homogeneity in all respects. The research work on the
development of suitable protocol for mass multiplication of elite jatropha has been
initiated in India about two years ago. The standardization of protocol is in progress.
41
17. Are nurseries necessary?
Yes.
Maintaining a nursery is important in developing a jatropha plantation. This increases the rate of survival of the planting material. The nursery should be accessible to
the planting site, preferably on a non-sloping area close to a water source.
Nurseries established near the site of the plantation will facilitate the distribution of
seedlings to the farmers/beneficiaries.
18. What is the ideal size of land for planting jatropha?
The planting density of 2,500 plants per hectare at 2m x 2m spacing has been found
to be optimal under rain-fed conditions.
Recent experiences in India showed that spacing of 2m x 3m accommodating 1,667
plants per hectare is more suitable as it provides sufficient area to undertake intercropping and also allows easy harvesting and collection of seeds.
It was also observed that a 3m x 3m spacing can be followed if there is a sufficient irrigation facility and a well-distributed rainfall. The spacing of 2m x 3m and 3m x 3m
will facilitate intercropping during the initial three years of plantation operations. If
jatropha is to be planted as a hedge crop, the spacing of 1m x 1m may be adopted.
19. How much is the cost of plantation?
Based on the Indian experience of a 2m x 3m spacing with about 1,667 seeds per hectare, the estimated cost of nursery raising and plantation is likely to be P50,000 per
hectare.
20. How many seeds are required in planting jatropha?
The seed requirement has been calculated based on a 1,667 seedlings per hectare for
a 2m x 3m spacing and 2,500 seedlings per hectare for a 2m x 2m spacing.
21. How much is the cost of seeds per kilo?
The price of jatropha seeds per kilo varies among localities in the country.
22.
How
does
one
go
about
in
planting
seedlings?
Two-month-old seedlings should be planted in pits (45cm x 45cm x 45cm) at specified spacings.
Each pit is filled with organic fertilizer and soil mixture at 3:1 ratio (3 parts soil and 1
part organic fertilizer).
42
The basal application of fertilizer at the rate of 20 gram (g) urea, 120g single super
phosphate and 16g murate of potash is mixed with soil and filled into the pits. Then
the fertilizer is covered with topsoil in a hill-up manner to avoid erosion and the watering of the plants is done up to two weeks after transplanting.
For cuttings, the same procedure can be adopted provided that the stalk is transferred within five days after cutting.
23. How much is the cost per seedling and per cutting?
With very limited sources of jatropha sold locally, per seedling costs P10 to P15; per
cutting P5 to P10.
24. There are different varieties of jatropha. Is there such specific variety that could
well reproduce enough seeds for the country?
Jatropha is grown everywhere in the country and planting materials/seeds may be
sourced nationwide. Varieties from other countries likewise need to be assessed to
determine, among others, their impact to local biodiversity. Thus, the PNOC-AFC
has conducted several assessments on the suitable/best variety of jatropha through
studies and researches.
Before venturing into plantation, for instance, the PNOC-AFC has embarked on a
nursery project which also serves as its research and development center with activities, such as different farming systems, germplasm management, provenance testing,
and pest and disease management, among others.
25. Who are PNOC-AFC’s partners in jatropha plantation?
Recognizing the importance of research and development, the PNOC-AFC maintains
strong partnership with the following institutions:
University of the Philippines at Los Baños
Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development
Jatropha Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia
Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia
26. How does one maintain a jatropha plantation?
In order to harness the full potential yield of jatropha, plantations should be maintained by providing the required nutrients and need-based irrigation.
After reaching full growth, pruning should be done not only to achieve desired yield
but also to give shape, proper aeration and light required by the plant.
43
27. How many seeds are produced per hectare?
The seed yield of jatropha will vary under different agro-climatic conditions and
planting density. Seed yield varies from 5 MT to 7 MT per hectare under different
agro-climatic conditions.
The farmers are likely to get the additional income from intercrops following the
spacing of 2m x 3m and 3m x 3m under irrigated/well-distributed rainfall.
Under Indian climatic conditions, fruiting takes place once a year. It is likely to be
twice a year under Philippine conditions thus resulting to higher yields.
Jatropha is expected to harvest an average of 5 MT per hectare of seeds under favorable conditions. The suitable intercrop may be undertaken during the initial years of
plantation as this does not affect the yield of the jatropha.
28. How much oil can be extracted from a jatropha seed?
The oil content in jatropha varies from 30% up to 40% in seed and 40% up to 58% in
kernel with good quality seed plantation.
With irrigation, fertile soil, favorable climatic conditions and the right choice of
seeds, jatropha can achieve 6-8 oil tons per annum.
29. What are the issues in the cultivation of jatropha?
Plant Stocks
Superior plant stocks mean excellent fruiting habits, prolific branching habits, and
resistance to pest and diseases.
Plantation Management
Efficient plantation management requires standardized agro-techniques in harvesting, storage and the like, plus land type (plain rolling land), land size identification,
good drainage, sufficient water supply and strategic location, i.e., close to the market
or accessible to ports or roads.
Biofuel Crops New Farming Opportunities
Biofuel crops are a new farming opportunity for Philippine farmers and can help the
Philippine farmer and economy in many ways from helping the earths climate with
less toxic emissions, to lessening the dependency of imported oil and gas fuels that
help the Philippines become energy self-sufficient and helping Philippine farmers be
more profitable in their farming efforts. Growing green crops is good for everyone
and the planet.
44
N is for Noche Buena
45
N is for Noche Buena
by JUN BELEN
Noche Buena is the Filipino feast on Christmas Eve. After the traditional Misa de
Gallo, my family shares a simple meal together. The menu changes from year to year
but there will always be jamón and queso de bola with pan de sal and hot cocoa. The
following morning, on Christmas day, my mom and my sisters cook an even bigger
feast for Christmas lunch when my extended family gathers together to eat and exchange presents. Nothing compares to a Filipino Christmas. It’s all about family,
friends, traditions, and good food.
Pineapple, Brown Sugar, and Star Anise Glaze Recipe
1 cup pineapple juice
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 to 2 pieces star anise
Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, and star anise in a saucepan and bring to a
boil. Simmer until reduced in half. The glaze will thicken as it cools. Brush ham generously with the pineapple glaze near the end of cooking it.
46
How to Make Bibingka (Christmas Rice Cakes)
Bibingka Recipe, makes four 6-inch cakes
2 cups rice flour
1/2 cup glutinous rice flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup sugar, more for sprinkling on top of the cakes
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup butter, melted, and more for brushing banana
leaves and cakes
4 pieces banana leaves cut into 8-inch circles
1 salted egg, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons grated coconut (optional)
2 tablespoons grated Edam cheese (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine rice flour, glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl. Add
eggs, coconut milk, and butter. Beat by hand until just blended. Do not overbeat the
batter.
Line four tart pans or ramekins with banana leaves and brush the leaves with butter.
47
Pour the rice batter equally into
the four pans or ramekins.
Lay
slices of salted egg on top and set
the cakes on the top rack of the oven. Bake until the cake is cooked
through, 20 to 25 minutes. Take
the cakes out of the oven and
brush the top with butter.
Turn
the broiler to low and broil the
cakes to brown the top for about a
few minutes.
Serve the cakes warm. Brush the
cakes with butter and sprinkle with
sugar, grated coconut, and grated
Edam cheese.
Cooking notes:
1. For the rice and glutinous rice
flour, I recommend using the Thai
brand commonly found in most
Asian grocery stores.
2. Use either tart pans or ramekins lined with banana leaves cut into circles. The
cakes baked in 6-inch pans more closely resemble the traditional ones. The cakes
baked in 4-inch ramekins are thicker and take longer to bake.
3. Instead of a sliced salted egg, the cakes can be topped with slices of Edam or Gouda cheese.
4. When using frozen grated coconut let the grated coconut thaw then place the
thawed coconut on paper towels to soak up the extra moisture. Place them on a baking tray and lightly toast them for about a few minutes with the broiler turned on
low. Use grated coconut and NOT grated young coconut.
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How to Make Leche Flan with Candied Lime Peels
Leche flan is traditionally made using a llanera,
an oval tin pan that is filled with a mixture of
eggs and milk and steamed. Over the past weekend, I was in a frantic hunt for llaneras in the
city. Manila Oriental Market doesn’t carry them.
Sur La Table in the Ferry Building doesn’t carry
them either, which was surprising. If I were in
Manila, I knew exactly were to get these elusive
tin pans, I told myself. But I wasn’t and so I opted
to use my beautiful ramekins instead, the ones
that aren’t fluted. I actually loved how a 6-ounce
ramekin makes an individual serving of flan. This
recipe makes around 6 to 8 servings.
Leche Flan Recipe, makes six servings
For the Caramel
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
For the Custard
12 egg yolks
1 14-ounce can condensed milk
1 12-ounce can evaporated
milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Candied Lime Peels
1 to 2 limes
1-1/2 cup sugar
49
In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water and
stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a
boil using medium to high heat until the color of
the mixture becomes golden brown. Carefully
pour the hot caramel into the ramekins and
swirl it around until it completely covers the
bottom of the mold. Set aside to cool.
Making the Custard
In a large bowl, beat the yolks. Add the condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract until well blended. Using a fine strainer or
cheesecloth, strain the egg-milk mixture to remove any egg solids. Straining the mixture is
key to making a really smooth custard. Pour the
mixture into the ramekins and cover tightly with
aluminum foil.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the ramekins in a roasting pan. Add hot water
until it reaches half-way up the sides of the ramekins. Cook for 40 to 50 minutes until the flan is firm. Let the ramekins cool and then let them chill in the refrigerator.
In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring
mixture to a boil using medium to high heat until the color of the mixture becomes
golden brown. Carefully pour the hot caramel into the ramekins and swirl it around
until it completely covers the bottom of the mold. Set aside to cool.
Making Candied Lime Peels
The best way to remove the peels from limes and other citrus fruits is to use a peeler.
Carefully remove any thick white pith from the lime peel using a paring knife.
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Prepare a bowl of ice-water
bath. Blanch the lime peels for one minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the lime
peels to the ice-water bath to cool. Repeat the process another time.
In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water, heat over medium-high heat and stir until
the sugar dissolves. Drain the lime peels and add them to the saucepan. Stir the lime
peels while cooking until they become translucent, around ten minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer lime peels to a wire rack set over parchment paper to drain and
let them dry overnight. The next day toss the strips of candied peel with granulated
sugar in a mixing bowl. Separate any strips that stick together. Store in an airtight
container in the refrigerator.
Serving Leche Flan
Run a knife or spatula around the flan. Turn the ramekin upside down and carefully
pat the flan down on to a serving plate. Garnish with candied lime peels.
50
How to Make a Paról
(Filipino Christmas Lantern)
51
How to Make a Paról
(Filipino Christmas Lantern)
by JUN BELEN
“It’s time to wake up, Jun,” my mom whispered. I felt a tap on my shoulder but I barely moved. I remained still and tucked in under my blanket on an unusually cold December morning.
“You have to see the paról,” she prodded.
I quickly jumped out of my bed as soon as
she reminded me about the lantern. I was
up way past my bedtime the night before
helping my brother-in-law build a lantern
for school. It was a tradition back in elementary school to make star-shaped lanterns to celebrate Christmas. The popular paról — the Filipino word is derived from
the Spanish farol, which means lantern — is
ubiquitous during the Holidays. They are
proudly displayed in homes by windows, in
porches, or in verandahs. They are hung as
decorations in churches, schools, markets,
and shopping malls. The lanterns are traditionally made with bamboo sticks and paper
but the fancier ones are made with native capiz shells embellished with multicolored
lights programmed to dance in whimsical patterns.
“What time did he finish? Did he get enough sleep before work?” I asked worriedly. I was folding and cutting strips of papél de japón when I finally gave up and went
to bed. My brother-in-law insisted that I get some sleep and promised that the lantern would be complete by the time I get up in the morning. He was a true lifesaver. When I was little, I was terrible with arts and crafts. I was good in Math — brilliant, in fact — but I was absolutely horrible in all things crafty, from sewing and
knitting to woodworking and pottery. I couldn’t fold a proper origami or even carve
a simple soap sculpture let alone make my own paról. This was why I was eternally
grateful for my brother-in-law.
“He must have stayed up all night,” my mom said. “Come see the lantern outside. It
is beautiful.”
The star was stunning. The bamboo frame shaped into a simple five-pointed star
was wrapped fastidiously with cellophane. The shiny red and green panels looked
like stained glass windows. The star had a halo around it made of a sturdy wire
wrapped with strips of old newspaper and decorated with ruffled papél de japón. It
had a pair of tails made of the same delicate Japanese paper, which fluttered flirtatiously in the wind. My mom was right. It was beautiful.
52
My paról-making skills have infinitely improved over the years even though my
soap-carving skills have not. My brother-in-law taught me well. I still make
Christmas lanterns whenever I get hold of those hard-to-find bamboo sticks and
cellophane. I used to have a capiz lantern that I lugged back to California from
home in a padded balikbayan box but it fell apart in one of our moves. It just feels
more like Christmas with these magical lanterns around.
Like when
there’sbibingka and hot tea or jamón and queso de bola pan de sal sandwiches. It
just feels more like home. I guess, that’s what traditions are all about.
Paról Directions
10 bamboo sticks
5 pegs
rubber bands
glue stick and glue gun
cellophane, tissue or washi paper
scissors
Tie a pair of bamboo sticks together on one end with rubber bands to form a V
shape (1). Make three more pairs. You will have four Vs and two unattached
sticks. Lock two Vs together to form an A shape and tie the two ends together with
rubber bands (2). Thread one of the single sticks through the center of the A to
form a star and tie the two loose ends together with rubber bands (3). Do the same
for the other two Vs and remaining stick.
Tie the two stars together in all five points using rubber bands to form a single star
(4). Carefully pull apart the center of the frame and place a peg in one corner of
the pentagon (5). Place a peg in each of the other four corners (6). Secure each
peg with glue using a glue gun (7).
Cut strips of cellophane, tissue paper, or washi paper big enough to cover the individual panels. Glue the strips of paper onto the frame with a glue stick (8). Cut the
extra paper around the panel as close as you can to the frame. Clean up the edges
by gluing and wrapping the uncut edges of paper around the frame. Continue until
all panels are covered with paper (9).
53
54
Paról Tail Directions
4 1-1/2′ to 2′ square sheets of tissue or washi paper
2 three-inch circular cardboard cutouts
2 three-inch twist ties or strings
Fold into a triangle (1). Then fold again into a smaller triangle (2). Then fold again for
the third time into a smaller triangle (3). Take the top corner of the triangle and fold
over to the base across (4). Cut across the folded paper (5) starting from one side toward the other without cutting completely. Leave a half-inch space from the edge of
the opposite side. Cut another slit one inch above previous slit but start from the opposite side. Again, do not cut completely but leave a half-inch space from the
edge. Continue cutting slits starting from alternating sides of the folded paper until
you reach two inches below the tip (6). Cut a small hole at the tip.
Carefully unfold and separate the sheets of paper (7). Fasten a short piece of twist tie
or string in the center of each cardboard cutout (8). Insert the twist tie through the
small hole at the tip of the tail (9). Attach the tails to the star using the twist ties or
string.
55
56
8 Tips to Prevent High
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be improved
at any age
57
While high blood pressure (also know as
hypertension) is a serious health problem,
there’s good news. No matter what your
age or physical condition, there are things
you can do to prevent high blood pressure.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these 8 tips to help
you prevent high blood pressure, or reduce your blood pressure if it’s already a
problem.
1. Are you overweight? Lose weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight (see your doctor about this)
will help prevent high blood pressure.
Getting back to a healthy weight is not as hard as it sounds.
You can start by limiting the portion size of your meals and
snacks, and cut way back on high calorie foods.
If you eat as many calories as you burn each day, you’ll maintain your weight. Eating fewer calories than you burn will
help you lose weight. And losing weight will help lower your
blood pressure.
2. When you plan meals, think of your heart.
Choose a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Keep total fat low and avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Having a healthy heart will help prevent blood pressure.
3. Eat less salt and sodium.
Salt and sodium can increase blood pressure, so it’s
important to read food labels. The U.S. guidelines
suggest limiting sodium intake to no more than
2,400 mg, or about 1 teaspoon of salt each day.
If you eat canned, processed, and convenience foods,
buy the brands that are lower in sodium.
If you salt your food at the table, try using less, or
none. It may take a little while to get used to the new
flavors, but you may find that food tastes better when
you use less salt.
Fast food can contain a lot of sodium, so if you eat
fast food choose items that are lower in salt and sodium. Reducing your salt intake
will help to prevent high blood pressure.
58
4. If you drink alcohol, practice moderation.
The U.S. guidelines recommend that men have
no more than 2 drinks per day, and women
have no more than one alcoholic beverage per
day.
5. Increase your physical activity.
Exercise is a key factor in preventing high blood
pressure.
If you get very little exercise now, start slowly and
work your way up to at least 30 minutes of a moderate-level activity, such as brisk walking or bicycling, each day. If time is a factor, you’ll still benefit by breaking the 30 minute daily exercise periods into 10 or 15 minute sessions.
6. Stop smoking.
Research shows that smoking increases your chances
of developing a heart disease, stroke, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and several forms of cancer.
7. Talk with your doctor or health care professional.
Learn what your blood pressure reading means to your
health, and if medication is recommended for you to
treat or prevent high blood pressure.
8. If your doctor
prescribes medication, take it.
It’s important to understand:
what your blood pressure medication is expected to do for you how to take your medication, and when if your blood pressure medication has any side effects if the blood pressure
medication is safe to take with any other prescriptions or vitamins you are already taking.
If you have high blood pressure and treatment is prescribed, don't be afraid to ask
questions or get another medical opinion. Once you understand why you’re taking
the medication, follow the recommended dose.
59
But the best way to treat high blood pressure is to prevent high blood pressure from
becoming a problem. These 8 tips, plus advice from your health care provider, can
help you keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. If you would like more information on blood pressure, how it's measured and what the measurements mean,
see Blood Pressure 101: Why Are Those Numbers Important?.
Note: The U.S. government offers Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, which
provides detailed information on a recommended diet program to help you get
healthy and stay healthy.
Blood Pressure 101: Why Are Those Numbers Important?
What is Blood Pressure?
Having blood pressure is a good thing.
Blood pressure helps blood circulate
through your body, sending oxygen and
nutrients to vital organs and keeping you
alive.
What
causes
blood
pressure?
With each beat, your heart pumps blood
to your arteries and creates two kinds of
force—or pressure—in your arteries.
The first kind of force happens when
blood is pumped into your arteries and
through your circulatory system.
The second force happens when your arteries resist
the blood flow. In a healthy person, the arteries are
elastic and they stretch a bit when blood is pumped
through them. How much they stretch depends on
how much force the blood exerts.
Under normal conditions, your heart beats between
60 and 80 times a minute and your blood pressure
changes frequently, increasing with each heartbeat
and decreasing when the heart rests between beats.
60
Bahay Kubo
The illustrated Version of the Philippine Medicinal Plant Song
A bahay kubo in rural Tiaong that lives the song, housing a family of six who survives off the
plants that grow around their humble abode. The hut was built from recycled parts, coco lumber
posts, strips of bamboo for siding, and roofed with corrugated metal sheets. Around the house
grows a miscellany of vegetables – kamoteng kahoy, sitaw, kalamismis, paayap, pipino, okra,
ampalaya, kalabasa, papaya or talong – for daily table fare and a small amount sold in the market to buy their daily measures of rice.
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong,
sigarilyas at mani
61
Sitaw, batawa, patani
Kundol, patol
upo’t kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang, labanos, mustasa
62
Sibuyas, kamatis
bawang at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga
63
64
All About Vegetables of
Bahay Kubo
65
Patola
Scientific names
Common names
Family • Cucurbitaceae
Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
SPONGE GOURD
Guang dong si gua
Scientific names
Common names
Cucumis acutangulus Linn.
Patola (Tag.)
Curcubita acutangula (L.) Blume
Patula-baibing (Sul.)
Luffa acutangula (L.)
Saykua (Bis.)
Luffa foertida
Bath sponge (Engl.)
Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
Angled luffa (Engl.)
Other vernacular names
BENGALI: Jinghey
CHINESE: Kak kuey, Leng jiao si gua, Si gua, Yue si gua
DANISH: Kantagurk
FRENCH: Courge anguleuse de Chine, Papangay, Papengaye
HINDI: Hireballi, Jhinga torooee, Jhingil torai, Kali, Torai, Turai
Ridge gourd (Engl.)
Ridged luffa (Engl.)
Chinese okra (Engl.)
Sponge gourd (Engl.)
Towel gourd (Engl.)
Guang dong si gua (Chin.)
INDONESIA: Hoyong, Ketola, Ketola sagi, Oyong.
JAPANESE: Shokuyou hechima
KHMER: Ronôông Chrung
LAOTIAN: Looy
PORTUGESE: Bucha de purga, Lufa riscada
SINHALESE: Dara veta kola, vata kolu, veta kola, Wetakolu
SPANISH: Calabaza de Aristas
TAMIL: Peerkan kai, Pekan aki
THAI: Buap, Buap liam, Manoi liam
VIETNAMESE: Murop kai
Botany
The vegetable is a
coarse, annual, herbaceous vine. Leaves are
subrounded-ovate, 10 to
20 centimeters long,
shallowly five-lobed,
and heart-shaped at the
base. Female flowers
are pedicelled, occurring singly in the axils of
the leaves. Male flowers
are yellow, 2 centimeters long, borne in axillary racemes. Calyx
lobes are lanceolate and pointed. Fruit is oblong-oblanceolate, 20 to 25 centimeters long, about 5 centimeters in diameter, green, and characterized by 10 prominent, longitudinal sharp angles. Seeds are numerous and close-packed.
66
Distribution
- Cultivated for its edible fruit, but not established.
- In cultivation in the Old World Tropics.
Constituents
- Fruit contains a bitter principle, luffeine.
Seed contains a fixed oil of glycerides of palmitic, stearic, and myristic acids.
Properties
Fruit is considered demulcent, diuretic, nutritive.
Seeds considered purgative and emetic.
Parts utiliezed and preparation
Leaves, fruit.
Uses
Nutrition
Edible; cooked or fried, used in soups and sauces.
Occasionally, stem tops with young leaves and flower buds used as leafy vegetable.
Young fruits of cultivars, earten raw or pickled.
Unripe fruit is a good source of calcium, iron and phosphorus.
Fruit considered a fair source of vitamin B.
Folkloric
Decoction of leaves for amenorrhea.
Poultice of leaves for hemorrhoids.
Juice of fresh leaves for granular conjunctivitis in children. Also used to prevent
the lids from adhering at night from ecessive meibomian secretion.
Juice of leaves also used externally for sores and various animal bites.
Pulp of fruit used internally, like calocynth, to cause vomiting and purging.
Powdered dried fruit made into snuff for use by those afflicted with jaundice.
Seed oil used for dermatitis.
In Russia, roots is used as a purge.
In Iran and Iraq infused seeds used as purgative and emetic.
In India, roots is used for dropsy and as laxative; leaf and fruit juice used to treat
jaundice.
In Java, leaf decoction used for uremia and amenorrhea.
In Bangladesh, pounded leaves used for hemorrhoids, splenitis, leprosy. Juice of
leaces used for conjunctivitis in children.
In West Africa, leaf extract of ridged gourd applied to sores caused by guinea
worms; leaf sap used as eyewash in conjunctivitis; fruits and seeds used in herbal preparations for treatment of venereal diseases.
In Mauritius, seeds eaten to expel intestinal worms; leaf juice applied to eczema.
Seed used as insecticidal.
67
Studies
Trypsin Inhibitors: Study isolated two trypsin inhibitors, LA-1 and LA-2, both consisting of 28-29 amino acid residues, respectively. Both strongly inhibit trypsin by
forming enzyme-inhibitor complexes.
Constituents: Study isolated seven oleanane-type triterpene saponins, acutosides A-G.
Antioxidants : An antioxidant-guided assay yielded eight compounds. Results
showed consumption of sponge gourds can supply some antioxidant constituents
to the human body.
Antimicrobial / Water Disinfectant : Study showed the some antimicrobial potential of seeds and fruits of Lc as a disinfectant of drinking water. However, the disinfection performance was less that would be required to be considered reliable.
Availability
Cultivated
Common market vegetable.
Seeds and sponges in the cybermarkets.
68
Upo
Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.)
Standley
BOTTLE GOURD, WHITE
PUMPKIN
Bian pu
Scientific names
Common names
Scientific names
Cucurbita siceraria Molina
Common names
Buliangin (Sub.)
Cucurbita lagenaria Linn.
Kalubai (Bis.)
Cucurbita lagenaria-oblonga Blanco Labu (Sul.)
Cucurbita lagenaria-villosa Blanco
Cucurbita leucantha Duch.
Lagenaria leucantha (Duch.) Rusby
Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley
Lagenaria vulgaris Seringe
Hu lu (Chin.)
Opo (Tag.)
Sikai (Bis.)
Tabungau (Bon., Ilk.)
Upo (Tag.)
Bottle gourd (Engl.)
Calabash gourd
(Engl.)
Common gourd
(Engl.)
Bian pu (Chin.)
White-flowered gourd
(Engl.)
White pumpkin
(Engl.)
BENGALI: Lau
CHINESE: Hu, hu lu gua, hulu, hu gua, mao gua, peh poh
DANISH: Flaskegræskar, Flaskegraeskar, Kalabas.
DUTCH : Fleskalebas, Flessepompoen.
FINNISH : Pullokurpitsa.
FRENCH : Gourde bouteille, Cougourde, Calebassier, Calebasse.
FINNISH : Pullokurpitsa.
GERMAN : Flaschenkürbis, Flaschen-Kürbis, Trompetenkürbis, Kalebassenkürbis.
HINDI : Dudhi (Dudi, Dodi), Lokhi (Lauki).
INDONESIAN : Labu botol, Labu air, Labu putih
ITALIAN : Zucca da tabacco, zucca da vino
JAPANESE : Yuugao
KHMER : Khlôôk.
LAOTIAN : Namz taux.
MALAYALAM : Sorekai.
MARATHI : Charanga.
NEPALESE: Laukaa, Tito tumba
ORIYA : Lau.
PORTUGUESE : Abóbora-carneira, Cabaco.
PUNJABI : Dudhi.
SINHALESE : Diya labu.
SPANISH : Calabaza vinatera, Cogorda, Cajombre, Calabaza, Guiro amargo.
SWEDISH : Kalebass, Flaskkurbits.
TELUGU : Beerakaya.
THAI : Namtao (Naam tao), Manamtao, Khi luu saa.
69
Botany
Upo is a coarse vine reaching a length of several meters. Leaves are rounded, 10 to
40 centimeters wide, softly hairy on both sides, 5-angled or lobed. Flowers, white,
large, solitary, and monoecious or dioecious. Petals are ovate, 3 to 4 centimeters
long. Calyx is hairy, with a funnel-shaped tube. Fruit is green, mottled with gray or
white, usually club-shaped, up to 80 centimeters long and 15 centimeters across,
but in other forms, ovoid to depressed-globose and nearly as thick as it is long.
Distribution
- Cultivated throughout the Philippines.
- Naturalized in some parts of Mindanao.
- Pantropic in distribution.
Constituents
Phytochemical screening yielded triterpenoids, flavonoids and steroids.
Fruit is a good source of iron, calcium, and phosphorus, vitamin B.
Fruit is 6% sugar; the seeds contain a fixed oil and saponin.
Study isolated a new withanolide
Seeds yield a clear, limpid oil.
Extract study of fruits yielded two flavonoids, a triterpenoid, and a mixture of
sterols. Spectral analyses showed oleanolic acid, ß-sitosterol, campesterol,
isoquercitrin and kaempferol.
Properties
Fruit considered antibiotic, antidote, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic,
cardioprotective, diuretic, febrifuge, lithotriptic, poultice, purgative, vermifuge.
Parts utilized
Pulp, fruit, shoots,
seeds.
leaves,
Uses
Edibility / Nutrition
One of the commonest vegetables raised in the Philippines.
Flesh is white and soft, boiled and seasoned or used in stews or with fish.
Pulp is an ingredient in many confections.
Fruit is a good source of iron, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B.
In West Tropical Africa, young shoots, leaves, and flower buds used as vegetable.
Shoots boiled with milk or coconut milk to reduce the unpleasant flavor.
Young fruits should be consumed within 2 weeks after harvest. Longer storage
causes rapid water loss.
In Japan, long strips of fruit skin are boiled, soaked in soya sauce with a little
sugar, and used as sushi ingredient.
70
Folkloric
Young shoots and leaves used for enema.
Pulp used as purgative adjunct; also used for coughs, asthma, and poison antidote.
Green fruit in syrup used as a pectoral.
Leaf juice or sugared decoction used as emetic. Also used in jaundice.
Crushed leaves used for baldness; applied to the head for headaches.
Seeds also used as antihelminthic.
Juice of fruit used for stomach acidity, indigestion and ulcers.
Poultice of seeds used for boils.
In the Gold Coast young shoots and leaves used for enema.
Pulp occasionally used as a adjunct to purgatives. Also used in coughs, and as
antidote to certain poisons.
Externally the pulp is applied as a poultice and cooling preparation to the
shaved head in cases of delirium and applied to the soles in burning of the feet.
Seed oil used as emollient application to the head and as a means of relieving
headache. Oil also administered internally.
In China, used for diabetes.
Others
The dry shell of the fruit used for domestic utensils, bowls, pipes, bottles, horns
or musical instruments.
Half-fruit shell used as a hat.
In Kenya, the Luo make a large bugle from the bottle gourds, blown during ceremonies and chasing away animals. Also used for smoking cannabis.
Studies
Diuretic: Study of the juice extract and methanol extract of LS showed significantly
significant diuretic potential, comparable to that of furosemide.
Immunomodulatory:Study of the methanolic extracts of the fruit of LS showed significant dose-dependent delayed hypersensitivity reaction in rats with increase in
white cell and lymphocyte count. Results suggest a promising immunomodulatory
activity.
Antihyperlipidemic: (1) Study of fruit extract of L siceraria significantly reduced the
total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and suggests a potential household remedy
for hyperlipidemia. (2) Study of methanolic extract of L siceraria demonstrated an
antihyperlipidemic potential with significant elevation of HDl cholesterol. Results also provided a valid scientific basis for consumption for the treatment of coronary
heart diseases in India.
Phytochemicals / Antihyperlipidemic: Study revealed the presence of flavonoids,
sterols, cucurbitacin saponins, polyphenolics, proteins and carbohydrates. Results marked
hypolipidemic and antihyperlipidemic activity of the extracts.
71
Antioxidant: Results showed that fresh fruit extract exhibited higher DPPH radical
scavenging activity than other samples. Both fresh and dried fruits may give relatively similar antioxidant effects.
Antioxidant / Biologic Activities: Extract was found effective as hepatoprotective,
antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic and cardiotonic. The various biologic activities may be due to the radical scavenging capacity
of L siceraria.
Antioxidant / Seeds: Study showed an ethanolic seed extract to possess significant
antioxidant activity and a potential source as an excellent natural antioxidant.
Anthelmintic / Antimicrobial: Study of extracts of leaves showed significant dosedependent anthelmintic activity against earthworm Pheretima posthuma and tapeworm. Extracts also showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity against
the microorganisms tested.
Antihyperglycemic: Study of a methanol extract of aerial parts of L. siceraria in STZ
-induced diabetes in rats showed potent antihyperglycemic activity probably attributable to its rich flavonoid content.
Anti-Urolithiatic: Study of fruit powder of Lagenaria siceraria against sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis in rats showed a beneficial anti-urolithiatic effect probably by
decreasing CaOx excretion and preventing crystal deposition in the kidney tubules.
Central Nervous System Effects: Study evaluated the analgesic and CNS depressant effects of extracts of leaves. A petroleum ether extract showed maximum analgesia compared to the methanol and chloroform extracts. The extracts Inhibited both
central and peripheral mechanisms of pain. n the study on CNS-depressant effect,
the methanolic extract showed significant reduction of spontaneous motor activity,
with potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleep time.
Cardioprotective: Treatment with Ls fruit juice showed a cardioprotective effect in
isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.
Hepatoprotective / Antioxidant: Study in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity showed potent hepatoprotective activity of a methanol extract probably attributable to its significant free radical scavenging activity and high polyphenolic and flavonoid contents.
Availability
Cultivated.
72
Kalabasa
Scientific names
Common names
Cucurbita maxima
SQUASH
Fan nan gua
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne
Calabaza (Sp.)
Curcubita sulcata Blanco
Kabasi (Sul.)
Sun gua (Chin.)
Kabasi (Sul.)
Kalabasa (Tag., Ceb.)
Kalabasang-bilog
(Tag.)
Kalabasang-pula
(Tag.)
Karabasa (Ilk.)
Kumbasa (Bon.)
Giant pumpkin (Engl.)
Squash (Engl.)
Sweet-fleshed squash
(Engl.)
Fan nan gua (Chin.)
AFRIKAANS : Pampoen.
ARABIC : Qar'islambuli, Qar'malti, Qar'maghrabi, Karr estmboly (Egypt).
CHINESE: Bei gua, jiao si gua, yang gua
DANISH : Centnergræskar.
DUTCH : Pompoen, Ronde pompoen, Reuzenpompoen, Reuzenkalebas.
ESTONIAN : Suureviljaline kõrvits.
FINNISH : Jättiläiskurpitsa.
FRENCH : Potiron, Giraumon, Courge-giraumon, Courge d'hiver, Grosse courge, Courge-potiron.
GERMAN : Risen-Kürbis, Risenkürbis, Riesenkuerbis.
HEBREW : Delaat gedola.
HINDI : Kadduu, Sitaphal.
HUNGARIAN : Sütö tök.
ITALIAN : Zucca, Zucca gigante, Giramonte.
JAPANESE : Kuri kabocha, Seiyou kabocha, Seiyou kabocha.
NEPALESE : Kadu, Kashi phal, Pharsi, Sitaa phal.
NORWEGIAN : Kjempegraskar.
POLISH : Dynia duza, Dynia olbrzymia.
PORTUGUESE : Abóbora-menina, Abóbora-moranga.
RUSSIAN : Tykva gigantskaia.
SPANISH : Calabaza amarilla, Calabaza de cidra, Calabaza gigante, Calabaza tamalayota, Calabaza tonanera,
Calabaza redonda, Quinoa, Quinua, Zapallo (Argentina).
SWEDISH : Jättepumpa, Pumpa.
URDU : Halva kaddu, Mitha kaddu.
YORUBA : Apala.
73
Botany
Kalabasa is a coarse, prostrate or climbing, annual, herbaceous vine, reaching a
length of 4 meters or more. Leaves are hispid, rounded, 15 to 30 centimeters in
diameter, heart-shaped at the base, shallowly 5-lobed, with finely toothed margins, and often mottled on the upper surface. Flowers are bell-shaped, erect, yellow and about 12 centimeters long, the corolla limb is about as wide, and 5toothed. Fruit is large, variable in shape, fleshy, with a yellow pulp. Seeds are
ovoid or oblong, compressed, and about 1.3 centimeters long.
Distribution
Widely cultivated throughout the Philippines as a vegetable produce.
Occasionally found as an escape.
Planted in all warm countries.
Constituents
Phytochemical screening yielded carbohydrates, steroids, proteins and amino
acids.
Fruit contains fat, 10%; pentosan, 5.2 %; protein, 14.2%; and ash, 9/3%.
Seeds contain fixed oil, 20-25%; a proteid, edestin. The seed's active principle
is a pepo-resin found in the cotyledons.
Curcurbitin, a constituent in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity in
the test tube.
Seed extract yielded carbohydrates, saponins, and flavonoids
Properties
Considered anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diuretic, tonic, vermifuge.
Considered antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic.
Parts used
Fruits, seeds, stalk.
74
Uses
Nutritional / Edibility
Widely used as a vegetable in the Philippines, baked, boiled, or stewed.
Young shoots and flowers used as green vegetable.
A vegetable which is an excellent source of vitamin B. The shoots and flowers
contain calcium, phosphorus and iron. The fruit contains calcium and vitamin A.
Seeds are a good source of protein, zinc, and other vitamins.
In India, fruit is largely used in curries.
Fruit makes an excellent substitute for pumpkin in pies.
Folkloric
In India, fruit pulp is often used as poultice for carbuncles, boils and ulcers.
Dried pulp, in the form of confection, used as remedy for hemoptysis and hemorrhages from the pulmonary tract.
For venomous insect bites, the fruit stalk in contact with the ripe gourd is cut,
dried, and made into a paste and applied to venomous insect bites, especially
centipedes.
The fresh seeds, pulped or in emulsion, are used as antihelminthic. Seeds are
eaten fresh to expel worms from the stomach. For tapeworms, seeds are given
with sugar at bedtime, followed with a dose of castor oil in the morning.
Seed oil used as nervine tonic.
In Brazil, pumpkin seeds are used for stomach pain, as antiinflammatory, antipyretic and anthelminthic.
In China, pumpkin seeds have been used for acute schistosomiasis.
In Thailand, seeds used for kidney stones.
Others
Seed contains an oil. Used for lighting.
Fruit can provide a face-mask for dry skins.
Studies
Antimicrobial / Anti-inflammatory / Neuro Effects : Extracts of leaves, fruits and
flowers of C. maxima were subjected to pharmacologic and microbiological studies.
Results showed complete inhibition of B. subtilis and partial inhibition of E. coli.
Fruits and leaves showed neuro effects: decrease motor activity, ataxia, temporary
palpebral ptosis among others. Ethyl acetate extracts of flowers showed decreased
respiratory rate, analgesia, diarrhea and exophthalmos.
Toxicity evaluation of Cucurbita maxima seed extract in mice: Hydroalcoholic
extract of CM seeds had a considerable safety margin and devoid of acute toxicity.
Antigenotoxicity / Spinasterol: Study on antigenotoxic constituents of squash
flowers showed isolate SQFwB2D (spinasterol) from the chloroform extract to possess the most antigenotoxicity, decreasing the mutagenicity of tetracycline by
64.7%.
75
Pumpkin Seed Oil / BPH: Pumpkin seed
oil has been approved by the Germany's
Commission E since 1985 for the treatment of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
Antiparasitic: Study showed that pumpkin seed can produce an antihelminthic
effect. There was alteration in helminthic
motility and a protheolithic effect. Egg destruction was noted in the gravid proglottids.
Antibacterial: Study of ethanol seed extract showed a spectrum of inhibition on
Staph aureus, B. subtilis, P. mirabilis, K.
pneumonia and E coli.
Hypoglycemic: Study evaluated the hypoglycemic activity of fruit juice and hydroalcoholic extract of C. maxima in STZinduced diabetic rats. Both caused significant decrease in hyperglycemia, with the
extract showing more hypoglycemic effect
than the fruit juice.
Immunomodulator: Cm seeds were tested for immunomodulatory effects using a
dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression model in rabbits. Results showed Cucurbita maxima possesses potential to act as an immunomodulator.
Antidiabetic / Aerial Parts: Study of antidiabetic activity of methanol extract of aerial
parts in Wistar albino rats against STZ-induced diabetes showed fasting blood glucose reduction in a treatment-duration dependent manner.
Anticancer / Aerial Parts: Study evaluated the antitumor activity of a methanol extract of C. maxima Duschesne aerial parts on Erlich Ascites Carcinoma model in
mice. Results revealed significant anticancer activity attributed to its cytotoxicity and
antioxidant properties.
Sterols / Antimicrobial Activity: Study of flowers afforded a 4:1 mixture of spinasterol and 24-ethyl-5a-cholesta-7,22,25-trien-3ß-ol. Results showed slight activity
against fungi A. niger and C. albicans and bacteria B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa.
Anthelmintic / Schistosomiasis: Study of a decoction prepared from C. maxima
var. alyaga seeds showed a killing effect on S. japonicum somulae in vitro, with a
dose-effect relationship in the mean percentage somula death.
Hepatoprotective: Study showed the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extracts
of C maxima and Legenaria siceraria seeds against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.
Anthelmintic Activity / Comparative Study: Study compared the in-vitro anthelmintic activity of Asparagus racemosus and C. maxima against Indian model. Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both plants showed significant anthelminthic activity,
with the EE of A. racemosus showing better activity.
Availability
Commercial vegetable cultivation.
Pumpkin seed oil in the cybermarket.
76
Labanos
Family • Cruciferae
Raphanus sativus
RADI8H
Lai-fu-tzu Ts-ao
Scientific names
Raphanus sativus Linn.
Common names
Labanos (Tag.)
Rabanos (C. Bis., Span.)
Lai-fu-tzu Ts-ao (Chin.)
Radish (Engl.)
Kalabasang-bilog (Tag.)
Kalabasang-pula (Tag.)
Karabasa (Ilk.)
Kumbasa (Bon.)
Giant pumpkin (Engl.)
Squash (Engl.)
Sweet-fleshed squash
(Engl.)
Fan nan gua (Chin.)
Botany
Labanos is a coarse, annual crop plant. Roots are fleshy, pungent and variable in
size and form. Leaves are roughly hairy, the lower ones lyrate. Flowers are variable,
about 1.5 centimeters long, usually white or lilac, with purple veins, sepals erect, lateral ones saccate at the base. Pod is inhehiscent, lanceolate, cylindrical, and 2 to
2.6 centimeters in length, and terminates in a long beak. Seeds are separated by
pith.
Distribution
Widely cultivated in the Philippines at all altitudes.
Parts utilized
Whole plant.
When seeds are ripe, harvest the whole plant, sun-dry, remove the seeds and dry
again. Crush on use. Roots can also be sun-dried for use.
Properties
Considered anthelmintic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiscorbutic, diuretic, laxative,
tonic, carminative, corrective, stomachic, cholagogue, lithotriptic, emmenagogue.
The juice of the fresh root is considered powerfully antiscorbutic.
Roots considered carminative and corrective.
Flowers considered becnic and cholagogue.
Seeds considered diuretic, laxative, stimulant, and lithotriptic.
In Iranian traditional medicine, seeds are considered diuretic carminative, antifever, antitussive and gastric tonic. Study yielded ten isothiocyanates, seven aliphatic hydrocarbons and some volatile substances.
77
Constituents
Phytochemical study yielded triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponin
and coumarins.
Study for volatile constituents yielded 10 isothicyanates, seven aliphatic hydrocarbons and some other volatile substances.
Root yields raphanol, rettichol, volatile oil, methylmercaptan, vitamins B1, sinapin and oxydase.
Seeds yield fatty oil (30%), ash (3.5%), volatile oil, sulphuric acid, erucic acid
and C8H15NS2.
Uses
Edi bili ty
/
Nutriti on
Leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds
are edible.
A popular, common, and inexpensive vegetable, eaten raw or
cooked.
Young leaves are also eaten raw
or cooked.
Excellent source of iron and good
source of calcium; also a source
of vitamin B.
Folkloric
For diarrhea: boil the fresh leaves
to concentrated decoction and
drink.
Juice of leaves increases the
flow of urine and promotes
bowel movements.
Juice of fresh leaves also
used as laxative; also for
dropsy and general anasarca.
Root considered stimulant; also used for piles and stomach pains.
Juice used to expel wind from the bowels.
Juice of fresh roots considered antiscorbutic.
Roots are crushed and applied locally as dressing or poultice for burns, scalds,
ecchymoses, or fetid or smelly feet.
Decoction of root used for fevers.
Decoction of roots used to bring out the rash in eruptive fevers.
Coughs: Decoction of flowers; or, boil 6 to 15 gms seed preparation to decoction and drink.
Seeds promote the flow of urine, bowel movements, and menstruation.
Seeds used for cancer of the stomach.
For patients with edema, bloated belly (ascites), pale yellowish face, and oliguria: used dried root preparation with citrus rind preparation (5:1 proportion). Boil
to a concentrated decoction and drink.
78
Others
Repellent
Studies
Histaminergic / Spasmolytic: Pharmacological basis for the gut stimulatory activity
of Raphanus sativus leaves: A study on the crude extracxt of RS leaves showed the
presence of a histaminergic component plus a weak spasmolytic factor supporting its
traditional use for constipation.
Toxicity Report: Severe Toxic Hepatitis Provoked by Squeezed Black Radish
(Raphanus Sativus) Juice - Case Report: Cited in phytotherapy literature as a plant
with hepatoprotective properties, this reports a severe toxic hepatitis from use of
black radish extract to dissolve bile duct stone.
Hepatoprotective: (1) Studies on Raphanus sativus as Hepatoprotective Agents
(Thesis): Results showed the ethanolic extract of RS contain hepatoprotective constituents. (2) Study of crude powder of Raphanus sativus leaves reduced the risk of
liver damage by paracetamol.
Antiurolithiatic Activity / Diuretic: Study of aqueous extract of the bark of RS on rats
showed a significant decrease in the weight of stones. Study also showed an increase in 24
hour urine volume compared to control.
Water Phenol Decontamination: Decontamination of Water Polluted with Phenol
Using Raphanus sativus Root: Plant materials have been used in decontamination of
water polluted with phenolic compounds. The study used RS roots (root juice and
pieces). Results showed good phenol removal from aqueous solutions with cut R sativus root and juice.
Antioxidant / Lipid Peroxidation Inhibition: Study of methanol extract of RS showed
inhibition of lipid peroxidation in vivo and in vitro, providing protection by strengthening antioxidants like glutathione and catalase. Results suggest inclusion of the plant in every day
diet may be beneficial.
Phytochemicals / Toxicity Studyt / Hepatoprotective Activity: Study of showed carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity was reduced by the plant as showed by inhibition of
increased liver enzyme activities and bilirubin concentration together with histopath changes.
Toxicity study showed no adverse effect on livers. Phytochemical studies yielded triterpenes,
alklaoids, flavanoids, tannins, saponins and coumarins.
Phytochemicals / Gastroprotective: Study of the freshly squeezed radish juice for its
anti-gastric ulcer activity in experimental models showed it possessed gastroprotective potential related to mucus secretion stimulation and an increase in nonproteinsulfhydryl (NP-SH)
concentration, probably due to prostaglandin-inducing abilities mediated through antioxidant
activity. Phytochemicals study yielded flavonoids, anthocyanins and sufurated constituents.
Antioxidant / Choleretic: Study of extract from radish sprouts in rats showed antioxidant
properties and significantly induced bile flow.
Anti-Diabetic: Study showed that the sprouts of Japanese radish has the potential to alleviate hyperglycemia and may serve i the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Commercial cultivation; ubiquitous in market places.
79
Mustasa
Family • Cruciferae
Brassica integrifolia O. E.
Schutz.
MUSTARD
Jie cai
Scientific names
Common names
Sinapsis integrifolia West
Mostaza (Span.)
Brassica juncea F.-Vill.
Mustasa (Tag.)
Sinapsis juncea Blanco
Mustard (Engl.)
Sinapsis brassicata Blanco
Jie cai (Chin.)
Brassica orientalis Blanco
Sinapsis sinensis Blanco
Botany
Mustasa is an erect, branched, smooth annual, 0.4 to 1 meter high. Leaves are oblong-obovate to oblong-lanceolate, 5 to 15 centimeters long, or in some cultivated
forms much larger, thin, irregularly toothed or subentire, the lower ones sometimes
lobed or pinnatifid. Flowers are yellow, 6 to 8 millimeters long. Pod is ascending, linear-lanceolate, 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, and somewhat contracted between the
seeds. Beak is seedless.
Distribution
Widely distributed in the settled areas, in towns and houses, planted and spontaneous.
Introduced from Asia.
Now, pantropic; also occurring in some temperate regions.
Constituents
Seed contains an oily substance, "the essential oil of mustard, the active principle.
Yields a crystallizable substance, sinnigrin, analogous to sinalbin.
80
Parts utilized
Seeds, leaves, oil.
Uses
Nutritional
Leaves eaten as green leafy vegetable, fresh or pickled in brine.
Excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, iron and
vitamin
B.
Folkloric
Plaster applied to skin is a powerful irritant, rubefacient, and vesicant.
Applied to unbroken skin, it acts as a counterirritant, producing a sensation of
warmth followed by burning pain. Leaves applied externally for pleurodynia and
pleuritis, neuralgia, lumbago.
As a plaster, mustard soothes the pain in gastralgia, colic, neuralgia, lumbago.
Also, applied over the epigastrium for hiccupping and vomiting. A plaster over
the nape of the neck applied to relieve cerebral congestion.
Hot-foot bath of mustard (seeds or leaves) for headaches, common cold, and
fevers.
Leaves applied to the forehead for headaches.
Hip-bath of mustard used as emmenagogue.
Poultice of mustard leaves or seeds used for neuralgic and rheumatic complaints.
Pure fresh oil taken from seeds used as stimulant and external counterirritant;
applied externally for sore throats, internal congestion, and chronic muscular
rheumatism.
Oil used as embrocation applied to skin in eruptions and ulcers.
Seeds used as poultice in gout and inflammation.
Combined oil of mustard and camphor used for muscle pains,
As an emetic, 4-5 tsp in a cup of warm water.
Taken internally as condiment, causes a sense of warmth in the stomach, stimulates gastric juice, sharpens the appetite and assists in digestion. In large doses, becomes a gastric irritant, and causes vomiting; as such, used as an emetic
in narcotic poisoning.
In Java, used as antisyphilitic emmenagogue.
In China, leaves in soup for bladder, inflammation and hemorrhage.
In India, leaves used for diabetes.
Studies
Juncin / Antifungal Protein / Anti-Tumor: Study isolated juncin from the seeds of
Japanese takana (Brassica Juncea var. integrifolia). The protein exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium maydis and Mycosphaerella arachidicola. It inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma and breast cancer
cells.
Anti-Diabetes Benefit: Study showed feeding of a fructose diet containing 10%
Brassica juncea seeds significantly reduced fasting serum glucose, insulin and
cholesterol levels. Results suggest that B juncea can play a role in the management of pre-diabetic state of insulin resistance.
81
Hypoglycemic / Antihyperglycemic Effect: Study showed the B juncea diet
showed significant antihyperglycemic effect in alloxan but not in STZ rats.
Anti-Diabetic Oxidative Stress: Study of four fractions from mustard leaf (B
juncea) showed the ethanolic fraction showed the strongest concentrationdependent inhibitory effect on the formation of advanced glycation products and free
radical-mediated protein damage in an in vitro system suggesting a potential protective role against diabetes and/or its complications.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Market produce.
82
Sibuyas
Family • Liliaceae
Allium cepa L.
TRUE ONION
Yang cong
Scientific names
Common names
Allium cepa L.
Sibuyas (Tag.)
Cebollas (Span.)
Cebuyas (C. Bis.)
Lasona (Ilk.)
True onion (Engl.)
Yang cong (Chin.)
Botany
A low herb, with leaves shorter than the scape, cylindric, hollow, 8 mm diameter,
narrowing upward to a slender apex, shorter than the inflorescence. Scape is inflated, about 30 cm high, 1 cm thick in the middle, narrowed at both ends. Stellate flowers are numerous in a dense and rounded umbel, with pedicels 5 to 7 mm long. Perianth segments are oblong, acuminate, 5 to 6 mm long. Filaments are longer than
the petals.
Distribution
Cultivated as market produce.
Constituents
Study isolated seven compounds from the ethanolic extract of seeds of A. cepa:
tianshic acid, N-trans-feruloyl tyramine, beta-sitosterol-3 beta-glucopyranoside-6'palmitate, sitosterol, daucosterol, tryptophane, and adenine riboside.
Properties
Carminative, demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, rubefacient, stimulant. Juice is disinfectant, rejuvinative, antispasmodic.
Parts used
Bulb..
83
Uses
Folkloric
Bulb is emmenagogue, stimulant, diuretic, expectorant; externally, is rubefacient.
Mixed with common salt, is used for fever, catarrh, chronic bronchitis.
Bulb applied as cooling poultice for boils, bruises, and wounds.
Juice or slices of raw onion is applied to insect bites and stings or burns.
Juice of the bulb mixed with mustard oil or coconut oil is used for rheumatic and
inflammatory swellings.
Onion and garlic juice used for nervousness, insomnia, and rheumatism: 3 tbsp
daily.
Juices of onion, garlic carrot, radish, garlic and lemon: Used for bronchitis, asthma.
Others
Peeled and eaten raw, powdered, juiced, infused or decocted as tea, infused.
Studies
Antifertility: The bulb of AC
has yielded kampferol, Bsitosterol, ferulic acid, myritic
acid and prostaglandins. Study
showed the ethanolic extract of
Allium cepa to possess antifertility activity through an
antiimplantation mechanism rather than antiovulatory effect.
Hypouricemic / Antioxidant:
Study showed beneficial effects
of Allium cepa and its major flavonoid on hyperuricemia and
oxidative stress.
Neuroprotective : Study
showed protective effect of the
methanolic extract of AC bulb
on ischemic and reperfusioninduced cerebral injury with reduced infarct size and attenuated impairment of short-term
memory and motor coordination.
Vasorelaxant / Hypotensive: Study showed the onion peel extract showed hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects which could be due to the extract quercetin content, antioxidant activity and inhibition of vascular smooth musch cell Ca++ influx.
84
Antispasmodic: Study showed onion peel extract inhibits ileum contractions without
involving ß-adrenoreceptor, opioid receptor, nitric oxide production and potassium
channels activation. Resuts suggests that the quercetin in the onion peel extract induces spasmolytic effect via calcium channels.
Antiplatelet activity: In its raw form, onion is recognized to have antiplatelet activity
from its pyruvate content. Study showed the effects of heating. Heating for 46 mins
completely suppresses in vitro antiaggregatory activity, For benefits, it is better for
onions to be eaten raw or only moderately cooked. Extensive heating could result in
pro-aggregatory effects.
Hemolytic Anemia: Study confirmed onion poisoning in dogs causes hemolytic
anemia.
Antioxidant: Study showed A cepa had high superoxide-dismutase (SOD) activities
in leaves and high peroxidase (P-ase) activity in all investigated organs.
Anti-Allergy: Study showed a herbal fraction (ALC-O) from A cepa bulb inhibited
histamine release and attenuated intracellular calcium levels Compound 48/80induced rat peritoneal mast cells. The results show a promising anti-allergic profile
that could be attributed to potential antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
activities.
Androgenic Activity: Study showed freshly prepared onion juice significantly affected the sperm number, percentage of viability and motility.
Hypoglycemic Activity: Study showed crude Allium cepa produced hypoglycemic
effects, and can be used as a dietary supplement inthe management of type 1 or
type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Hair Growth / Alopecia Areata: Study was done testing the effectiveness of topical
crude onion juice in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata in comparison to tap water. Results showed the use of crude onion juice gave significantly higher results re
hair re-growth than tap water. Results suggest it might be an effective topical therapy for patchy alopecia areata.
Nephroprotective / Cadmium-Induced Renal Dysfunction: Study showed exposure to heavy metal Cd causes renal dysfunction and oral administration of onion
could prevent cadmium's adverse effects on renal functions.
Availability
Cultivated market produce.
85
Kamatis
Family • Solanaceae
Lycopersicum esculentum
TOMATO
Fan qie
Scientific names
Common names
Kamatis (C. Bis., Tag., Bik.,
Solanum lycopersicum Linn.
Sul., Ig.)
Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. Kamatis-bundok (Tag.)
Lycopersicum cerasiforme Dunal Umli (If.)
Tomate (Span.)
Fan qie (Chin.)
Tomato (Engl.)
General info
There are around 7,500 varieties of tomato. In 2009, about 150 million tons of tomatoes were produced worldwide. China, the largest producer, accounted for almost
30 % of the global output. Depending on shape or size, tomatoes are categorized
into: Slicing or globe, beefsteak, oxheart, plum, pear, cherry, grape, and campari.
Botany
Kamatis is a hairy annual herb, typically growing 1 to 3 meters in height, with ascending or spreading hairy and branched stems. Stem is weak, often sprawling over
the ground or vines over other plants. Leaves are pinnate and alternate, oblongovate, 10 to 40 centimeters long. Leaflets are irregular and toothed or lobed. Inflorescence is racemose or cymose, 5 to 8 centimeters long, and few flowered. Flowers are yellow, 1 to 1.5 centimeters long. Fruit is variable in shape; in the wild and
naturalized forms it is rounded or pear-shaped; 1 to 1.5 centimeters in diameter; in
the commonly cultivated form, the fruit is rounded and compressed, lobed, 4 to 10
centimeters wide, red when ripe, smooth, fleshy, juicy, subacid, containing numerous seeds.
86
Distribution
Found throughout the Philippines in its original form.
Extensively cultivated; grown
in gardens and farms as vegetable.
Cultivated worldwide.
Constituents
Plant yields solanine and
fixed oil.
The fruit yields the carotene lycopene, of the most
powerful antioxidants. The
red color found in tomatoes is due to lycopene; therefore, the redder the tomato, the higher the lycopene
content. Yellow and green tomatoes are relatively low in lycopene.
100 gm of tomato contains: Water 94%, protein 1 gm; fat 0,3%, carbohydrate
4%, fiber 0.6%, vitamin A 1,100 IU, Vit B 0.2mh. vitamin C 23 mg, nicotinic acid
0.6%, pantothenic acid 0.31 mg, vitamin E 0.27 mg, biotin 0.004 mg, malic acid
150 mg, citric acid 390 mg, oxalic acid 7.5 mg, sodium 3 mg, potassium 268 mg,
calcium 11 mg, magnesium 11 mg, iron 0.6 mg, copper 0.1 mg, manganese 0.19
mg, phosphorus 27 mg, sulfur 11 mg, chlorine 51 mg.
Natural genetic variation has yielded a genetic plethora of genes that produce
lycopene, carotene, anthocyanin, and other antioxidants.
Seeds contain globuline, vitamins A, B, and C, solanine, etc.
Properties
Considered a mild aperient, a promoter of gastric secretion, and a blood purifier.
87
Uses
Nutritional
It's both fruit and vegetable, eaten raw or
as ingredient in
countless dishes and
sauces.
Green, used in native
pickles, achara.
Good source of iron
and phosphorus, vitamins A and B, and
excellent source of
vitamin C, and considered deficient in calcium.
Tomatoes are loaded for vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that mops up free radicals.
Tomatoes also contain lycopene, p-coumaric acid and cholorogenic acid,
all claims have been made that it might be helpful in reducing cancer risks.
Sudanese use the leaves as seasoning for rice.
Folkloric
Pulp and juice are mild aperient.
Juice used for asthma and bronchitis.
Used to stimulate a torpid liver.
Used for anotic dyspepsia.
Used for biliousness.
Studies
Lycopene / Hepatoprotective: Lycopene is considered a better antioxidant than
other carotenoids. In a study on acute injury caused by oxidant carbon tetrachloride
(CCl4), results showed that tomato juice, with its lycopene and ascorbic acid content, exhibited a strong effect on oxidative damage of CCl4 in rat liver.
Lycopene / Prostate Cancer Prevention / No Magic Tomato / A Negative Report: A study reported no significant difference between those who had prostate
cancer and those who did not in relation to the concentration of lycopene in their
blood stream. In fact, researchers noted an association between beta-carotene, an
antioxidant related to lycopene, and an increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer.
Lectins / Mucosal Immunogen: Lycospersicum esculentum lectins studies suggest it to be a potent mucosal immunogen, enhancing immune responses to antigens.
Tomatoes in Gene Therapy: Jure Piskur et al from the Lund University, published
study results suggesting the tomato gene could be of value in future treatment of
brain tumors.
88
Antimutagenic / Anticlastogenic: Study evaluated the combined effect of tomato
and garlic against DBMA-induced genetic damage and oxidative stress in mice. Results suggest a broad spectrum of antimutagenic and anticlastogenic effects may
be achieved through a combination of functional foods.
Radioprotective: Radioprotective effects of an aqueous extract of tomato extract
was studied in chromosome aberration in cells of bone marrow in irradiated mice.
Pretreatment with the extract resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage of
aberrant metaphases as well as in the different types of aberration scored. The extract showed not toxicity at 1500 mg KBW.
Prevention of Lead Adverse Effects: In a rat study, lead was showed to cause
significant reductions in many hematologic and laboratory parameters with significant increases in the percentage of neutrophils and plasma malondialdehyde concentration. Tomato paste significantly prevented the effects of lead acetate.
Decreased Plately Aggregation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
crossover study evaluated the use of a tomato extract as dietary supplement to prevent platelet aggregation. Results showed significant reductions in es vivo platelet
aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Results suggest tomato extract, as a
dietary supplement or functional food, may have a role in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing platelet activation, which could contribute to thrombotic events.
In The News
Fruitflow / Antithrombotic / Aspirin Alternative: Study claims that Fruitflow, a
tomato extract, can reduce the risk of blood clots, which can trigger heart attacks
and strokes. Results of a human clinical trial compares Fruitflow with aspirin, with
its ability to reduce platelet aggregation by 28% through three different biologic
pathways (vs aspirin, 60% reduction, in a single pathway).
Availability
Commercial cultivation.
89
Bawang
Family • Liliaceae
Allium sativum
GARLIC
Hsiao Suan
Scientific names
Common names
Allium sativum Linn.
Ahos (Bis.)
Bawang (Tag.)
Bauang (Tag.)
Garlic (Engl.)
Nectar of the Gods (Engl.)
Poor Man's Treacle (Engl.)
Hsiao Suan (Chin.)
Stinking Rose (Engl.)
Botany
A low herb, 30 to 60 cm high. Bulbs are broadly ovoid, 2 to 4 cm in diameter, consisting of several, densely crowded, angular and truncated tubers. Leaves are linear
and flat. Umbels are globose, many flowered. Sepas are oblong, greenish white,
slightly tinged with purple.
Distribution
Ubiquitous in market places. Commercially grown in Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos
Norte, Mindoro, and Cotobato.
Constituents
Saponins; tannins; sulfurous compounds; prostaglandins; alkaloids; volatile oils;
allicin (bulb).
The antihelminthic property is due to allyl disulphie content.
The most important chemical constituents are the cysteine sulfoxides (alliin) and
the nonvolatile glutamylcysteine peptides which make up more than 82% of the
sulfur content of garlic. Allicin, ajoenes and sulfides are degradation products of
alliin.
Some of garlic's effect is attributed to alicin, its active ingredient, which is converted to ajoene, allyl sulfides and vinyldithiins.
Aged garlic products lack allicin, but may have activity due to the presence of S-
90
Bulb: allicin; volatile oil, 0.9% - allyl disulfide, allypropyl disulfide; inulin; protein;
fat, 1.3%; carbohydrates, 0.2%; ash, 9.4%; choline, 0.7%; myrosinase.
Leaves: Protein, i.2%; fat, 0.5%; sulfides.
Properties
Antibacterial, antihelminthic, antimycotic, antiviral, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, fibrinolytic, hypotensive, promiting leucocytosis, lowering lipids and inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Parts utilized
Bulbs: Features prominently as a condiment and flavor in Filipino cuisine.
Herbalists, with concerns that cooking diminishes medicinal potency, recommends
eating raw garlic cloves.
Uses
Folkloric
Arthritis, rheumatism, toothaches: Crush several cloves and rub on affected area
s
.
Headaches: Crush one clove and apply to both temples as poultice.
Insect bites: Crush garlic or cut clove crosswise and rub directly to affected area.
Athlete's foot.
Decoction of leaves and bulbs for fever and as hypotensive, carminative, expectorant, and antihelmintic.
Juice from freshly crushed garlic used for colds, cough, sore throat, hoarseness,
asthma and bronchitis.
Decoction use for tonsillitis.
For nasal congestion - a steam inhalation of chopped garlic and a teaspoon of
vinegar in boiling water.
Fresh garlic has been used as a complement to INH therapy for tuberculosis.
Also used for menstrual cramps.
Digestive problems and gastrointestinal spasms.
For gas pains, drink an infusion of a peeled broild clove.
Studies
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic: Topically, ajoene 0.4% cream, has been
found 70% effective in certain dermatologic fungal infections. A 0.6% gel was effective in tinea corporis and tinea cruris.
Anticandidal: Study on the mode of actionof aqueous garlic extract (AGE) against
Candida albicans showed garlic treatment affected the structure and integrity of the
outer surface of the yeast cells. Growth was affected in a number of ways: decreased total lipid content, higher phosphatidylserines and lower phosphatidylcholines, and decrease oxygen consumption of AGE-treated C. albicans. AGE exerts its
effect by oxidation of thiol groups causing enzyme inactivation and subsequent microbial growth inhibition.
Hypertension: Studies suggest a beneficial antihypertensive effect but bloodlowering effects probably not dramatic. Other studies show a vascular benefit
through improvement of aortic elasticity and possible slowing of the rate of atherosclerosis progression.
91
Hyperlipidemia / Antioxidant: (1) Controversial, but probably has beneficial effect on
serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Some studies have shown a 4% to 12% lowering of
total cholesterol. It seems to have no effect on high density lipoprotein (HDL). (2) Study
of feeding of fresh garlic bulbs to induced-hypercholesterolemic rats showed decrease
in total and LDL cholesterol and increase in HDL levels.(3) Study concluded that garlic
extracts may have a beneficial effect on blood lipid profile and antioxidant status.
Anti-cancer / Chemoprotective: (1) Possible anticarcinogenic properties, specifically
colon, stomach and prostate cancers. In stomach cancers, probably through its inhibitory effect on H. pylori. In epidemiologic studies on stomach and colorectal cancer prevention, the garlic use was 3.5 grams to 30 grams of fresh or cooked garlic per week.
(2) Study showed garlic may have an adjuvant effect on various defense mechanisms
against DMBA-induced carcinogenesis in sub-maxillary salivary glands of rat through
increased availability or utilization of beta-carotene.
Hepatoprotective / Hematologic Effects: Study results on female Wistar rats suggest
garlic and vitamin C have some hepatoprotective and hematologica effects.
Antidiabetic: Study results of ethanolic extracts of AS in normal and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats suggest that A. sativum can be considered an excellent candidate
for future studies on diabetes mellitus.
Sperm Immobilization Activity : Study of crude extract of A. sativum bulb showed
spermicidal activity in vitro.
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome Treatment: A trial showed garlic may improve oxygenation and symptoms in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome.
Anti-Thrombotic Activity : Study of extracts of Allium sativum and Vernonia amygdalina showed both extracts offered protection against thrombosis produced by an intravenous injection of ADP and adrenalin, with A sativum showing the stronger activity.
Diallyl Sulfide / Anti-Cancer: Study showed diallyl sulfide, a thioether found naturally
in garlic, when given by gavage to mice, inhibited by 74% the incidence of colorectal
adenocarcinoma
induced
by
1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine.
Cardiovascular Benefits: Garlic is an ideal herb with its several cardiovascular benefits: blood pressure lowering, antihyperlipidemic effects, platelet inhibition and fibrinolytic effects, antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic effects
Antibacterial / Anti-Staph aureus: Study of an aqueous extract of Allium sativum
showed concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
Antitumorigenesis: Study showed garlic oil may have an adjuvant effect on host defense mechanisms against DMBA-induced carcinogenesis in sub-maxillary glands of
rat through increased availability and utilization of beta -carotene.
Precautions
Anticoagulant Use: Reports have suggested that garlic may decrease platelet aggregation and have antifibrinolytic activity; therefore, should be used with caution in patients on anticoagulant therapy.
nduction of Cytochrome P450-34A: Concern for patients on cyclosporine and protease inhibitors. May increase the effects of hypoglycemic drugs.
Availability
Wildcrafted.
Perennial market produce.
Commercial: Tablets, extracts, capsules, powder and tea.
92
Luya
Family • Zingiberaceae
Zingiber officinale Rose.
GINGER
Chiang-t'i
Scientific names
Common names
Amomum zingiber Linn.
Zingiber blancoi Hassk.
Agat (Pamp., Pang.)
Baseng (Ilk.)
Gengibre (Span.)
Laial (Sbl.)
Laiya (If.)
Laya (Ilk., Bon., Ibn., It.)
Luy-a (Bis.)
Luya (Tag.)
Chiang-t'i (Chin.)
Ginger (Engl.)
Botany
Luya is an erect, smooth plant arising from thickened, very aromatic rootstocks.
Leafy stems are 0.4 to 1 meter high. Leaves are distichous, lanceolate to linearlanceolate, 15 to 25 cm long, and 2 cm wide or less. Scape arising from the rootstock is erect, 15-25 cm high, covered with distant imbricate bracts. Spike is ovoid to
ellipsoid, about 5 cm long. Bracts are ovate, cuspidate, and about 2.5 cm long, and
pale green. Calyx is 1 cm long, or less. Corolla is greenish-yellow with a tube less
than 2 cm long; while the tip is oblong-obovate and slightly purplish
93
DistributionWidely cultivated in
the Philippines.
Constituents
Pungent principles, mainly
zingerone and shogaol, provides the characteristic taste.
The most biologically active
phenolic compounds, gingerols and shogaols, are
found in the root.
Volatile oil, 1.23 to 3% - gingerol, zingerone, zingiberene,
cineol, borneol, phellandrene,
citral, zingiberene, linalool,
geraniol, chavicol, vanillyl alcohol, camphene; resin.
Properties
Extracts and active constituents have shown potent antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimutagenic, antimicrobial and possible anticancer activities.
Considered adaptogenic, anodyne, anthelmintic, antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, antithrombotic, antitumore, antiulcer, aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, rubifacient, anti-platelet aggregation, hypolipidemic, thermoregulatory.
Pungency is attributed to the pungent principle, zingerone and shogaol, while the
aroma is imparted by the volatile oil.
Considered stomachic, carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, sialagogue, and digestive.
Parts utilized
Tops, leaves and edible roots.
Uses
Nutritional
Flavoring for confectioneries, ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger champagnes, and
other beverages.
Salabat, a native beverage, is prepared from the rhizomes.
A prominent condiment in Filipino cuisine.
Taken with rocksalt before meals is cleansing to the tongue and throat and increases the appetite.
In Malaya fresh ginger is an important ingredient in curry.
Folkloric
In the Philippines, pounded rhizome, alone or mixed with oil, used as revulsive
and antirheumatic.
As antiseptic, tincture of dried rhizome prepared with 70% alcohol (not rubbing
alchol) and applied on superficial cuts and wounds; or, juice from fresh rhizome
used similarly.
94
Ginger juice rubbed on and around the navel is said to cure all kinds of diarrhea.
For rheumatism, roasted rhizome is pounded and mixed with oil and applied locally.
For sore throat and hoarseness, warm decoction of the rhizome is drunk as ginger tea (salabat); piece of small rhizome chewed for the same.
Rhizome used as cough remedy, rubifacient, carminative and diuretic
Also used for hangovers.
For chronic rheumatism, ginger infusion ( 2 drams in 6 ounces of boiling water
and strained) is taken at bedtime
Poulticed of pounded and warmed leaves applied to bruises.
Ginger taken with rock salt before meals is said to clean the tongue and throat
and increase the appetite. Chewing ginger is said to diminish biliousness and delirium, relieve sore throat, hoarseness and aphonia, and increases the flow of saliva.
For headaches: Ginger plaster (bruised ginger in water to the consistency of
poultice) is applied to the forehead. Same preparation may be helpful for toothaches and facial pain.
In Indo-China, cataplasm used for furuncles; when mixed with oil is antirheumatic. Rhizomes also used for tuberculosis, general fatigue and uterine affections.
In Perak, rhizomes used as vermifuge.
In the Antilles powdered rhizome used as revulsive for pleuritis.
In Ayurvedic medicine, used for inflammation and rheumatism.
In India, used as carminative adjunct along with black pepper and long pepper.
In Chinese folk medicine, pulverized fresh ginger used for baldness and vitiligo.
Juice from fresh root used for treatment of burns.
New uses
Motion Sickness / Pregnancy-related Nausea: Antiemetic properties. Used for
Nausea, motion sickenss (1 gm taken 1/2 hour before the voyage). Stimulates digestion. Possibly antiinflammatory.
Preparations
Ginger tea
Ginger tea preparation, the Chinese way : Bring one cup of water to boil. Add one
teaspoon of the roasted (parched and browned) rice and a small piece of ginger
root. Boil for one minute. Let stand to cool for drinking. (Preparation of dried rice:
Pour enough water to cover 1/2 cup white rice in a flat dish; and let stand overnight.
In the morning, drain off the excess water. Roast the rice in a dry pan, stirring constantly until parched and brown. Store in a glass jar for future use, tightly covered to
keep moisture out.)
Ginger lozenges
Wash and peel the ginger, then mince.
Spread and air-dry for a day or oven-dry at 250 C.
Grind and strain the dried ginger.
In a mortar, mix 1 cup ground giner and 1 cup confectioner's sugar.
Pound and mix while gradually adding water until a pulp is formed.
Level the pulp on a board lined with wax paper.
Using a mold, make balls from the pulp and wrap each lozenge in aluminum foil.
95
How to make medicated candies from powdered rhizomes
Materialls, proportion and procedure
Go to Traditional and Modern Medicine
http://traditionalmed.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-to-prepare-ginger-lozenges.html
Studies
Prokinetic: Pharmacological basis for the
medicinal use of ginger in gastrointestinal
disorders: Study confirmed prokinetic activity
of the extract. Spasmolytic constituents may
explain its use in hyperactive states as in
colic and diarrhea.
Antidiarrheal: Study results indicate that in
the absence of antimicrobial action, Z officinale exhibits its antidiarrheal activity by affecting bacterial and host cell metabolism.
Antibacterial: (1) Antibacterial Activity Of
Allium cepa (Onions) And Zingiber officinale
(Ginger) On Staphylococcus aureus And
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated From
High Vaginal Swab: The study showed both
plants had antibacterial activity on the test
organisms, ginger having more inhibitory effect, and confirming their folkloric use. (2) In
a study on the comparative effect of ginger
and some antibiotics on two pathogenic bacteria, results showed the ginger extract of
both plant and root showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus and Strep pyogenes while three antibiotics
showed less extent of activity compared to the ginger extract.
Antiinflammtory / Anti-thrombotic: The use of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) as
a potential anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic agent: Study suggests ginger can be
used as a cholesterol-lowering, anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Antioxidant / Anticancer: Study showed Zingiber officinale may exert its anticancer
effect by replacing the action of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and
catalase in removing superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide causing oxidative
damage to cells.
Antibacterial (Garlic/Ginger) Synergism: Study investigated the therapeutic effects of ginger and garlic against Klebsiella pneumonia, whether the combined extract could be synergistic or antagonistic in rats. Study showed a synergistic relationship, garlic ameliorating the efficacy of giner only against Klebsiella infection.
96
Anti-Inflammatory / Anti-Arthritis / Prostaglandin Inhibition: Study suggests one
of the mechanisms by which ginger shows ameliorative effects could be through inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotrine biosynthesis - as a dual inhibitor of eicosanoid
biosynthesis.
Gastroprotective: Study results suggest cytoprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effects
with significant protection against ethanol-, HCl-, NaOH-induced gastric lesions and
prevention of the occurrence of gastric ulcers induced by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and hypothermic restrain stress.
Decreased Sperm Motility: Study results conclude that ginger can induce toxic effects on sperm parameters, ie, a lower percentage of motility and grading when
methanolic ginger is added to semen fluid.
Hepatoprotective: Study of the ethanol extract of Z officinale showed protective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity with better protective effect at
higher dose levels.
Anti-Aging: Study in mice showed ginger extract significantly reduced the development of atherosclerotic lesions and lowered LDL-cholesterol.
Anti-Inflammatory / Analgesic: Study of rhizome extract in Swiss mice showed anti
-inflammatory and analgesic properties with significant inhibition of carrageenaninduced paw edema and reduction of writhing induced by acetic acid.
Pregnancy-Related Nausea: Reasonable evidence suggests that ginger roots is effective in reducing pregnancy-related nausea. However, there is conflicting data on
its efficacy for preventing motion sickness or post-operative nausea.
Anti-Inflammatory / Antibacterial / Hypoglycemic / Analgesic: Study of ethanol
extract showed (1) reduction of carrageenan-induced paw swelling and yeastinduced fever (2) blood glucose lowering (3) inhibition of gram- and gram+ bacteria
(4) dose-dependent prostaglandin release inhibition.
Analgesic: Study demonstrated the daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate to large reduction in muscle pain followoing exerciseinduced muscle injury. The findings agree with findings of ginger's hypoalgesic effects in osteoarthritic patients.
Antiarthritic: Study of the alcoholic extract of ZO can ameliorate inflammatory processes in rat collagen-induced arthritis, together with reduction of serum levels of interleukins, TNF, and anti-CII antibodies. It also showed to be superior to indomethacin 2 mg/kg/d at most measured parameters. The extract presents an alternative to
NSAID use in RA.
Hypoalgesic Effect on Exercise-Induced Muscle Pain: Study on healthy volunteers showed daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate
to larg reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury..
97
Anticancer / Anti-Inflammatory: Ginger extract significantly reduced the expression of NFkB and TNF-a in rats with liver cancer. It may act as an anticancer and
anti-inflammatory by inactivating NFkB through suppression of proinflammatory
TNF-a.
Delayed Diabetic Cataract Progression: Results showed ginger was effective
against the development of diabetic cataracts in rats, mainly through its antiglycating potention, and also, through an inhibition of the polyol pathway. As such,
dietary sources, such as ginger, can be explored for its potential in preventing or
delaying diabetic complications.
Neuroprotective / Memory Benefits: Study showed cognitive function and neurons density in rat hippocampus receiving ginger rhizome extract were improved
white the brain infarct volume decreased. The effect may be through antioxidant
activity of the extract. Results demonstrate the beneficial effect of ginger rhizome in
protecting against focal cerebral ischemia.
Anti-Ulcerogenic Effect: Study in a model of acute colitis showed ginger hydroalcoholic extract was effective in protecting against experimental colitis.
Antidiabetic / Amylase and Glucosidase Enzyme Inhibitory Effect: Studies
have targeted digestive enzymes as targets for modulation of glucose concentration through inhibition of enzymatic breakdown of complex carbohydrates. In this
study, glucosidase and amylase activities on rice were inhibited by the addition of
ginger with consequent significant reduction in glucose percentages. Results were
comparable to Acarbose on glucosidase activity.
Antimicrobial / Anticancer: Study has showed many diarylheptanoids and gingerol-related compounds from the rhizome of ZO possess significant antiproliferation activity on HL-60 cells, probably through induction of cell apoptosis. Another
study has shown ginger extract and 6-gingerol to both directly interfere with colon
cancer proliferation. Results show ginger's phytochemical potential for chemoprevention and therapy. In this study, the ethanol and chloroform extracts were found
to possess antibacterial properties against 8 microorganisms.
Side effects
No known side effects or drug interactions.
The German Commission E recommends that it be avoided during pregnancy
due to possible inhibition of testosterone binding in the fetus.
The use in pregnancy for hyperemesis gravidarum is controversial. Use for nausea during pregnancy is not recommended. • Should not be used by pregnant
women with a history of bleeding disorders and miscarriages.
Anticogulang precaution
Decreases platelet adhesiveness; therefore, should be used with caution by patients on anticoagulant therapy
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Popular condiment and perennial market produce.
Candied ginger and lozenges.
Dried powdered gingeroot.
Tinctures, tablets, capsules, syrups and teas in the cybermarket.
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October 2012 - Federation of Free Farmers

Transcription

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