Medicinal crops

Cultivation of Tinospora Cordifolia /Giloe

Tinospora cordifolia is generally named Guduchi/Amrita in Sanskrit; its Hindi name is Giloe/Gurcha; it belongs to the family Menispermaceae. It is a hereditarily assorted, enormous, deciduous climbing bush with greenish-yellow ordinary blossoms, found in every part of India. This plant has great medicinal importance, especially the stem and root. Giloe is endemic to India and can grow well in both tropical and subtropical regions with an altitude of 600 to 800 meters

Botanical Description of Tinospora cordifolia or Giloe:

1) It is a climbing deciduous shrub that has several twining branches with elongated leaves
2) Leaves are ovate and acute, 15–20 cm. in length
3) Flowers are unisexual, dioecious, yellow
4) Fruit of 3 shortly stalked subglobose drupes
5) The bark of this plant is grey-brown or creamy white, warty, papery thin, and can be peeled off easily.
6) The aerial roots of the plant arise from nodal scars of branches.

Medicinal Importance of Tinospora Cordifolia  or Giloe

Giloe can be taken in powder form, juice form, and capsule form. The stem of giloe has more utility in comparison to the roots and leaves. The Important uses of Giloe are ;
1) Boosts immunity, it is a powerhouse of anti- oxidant which keeps cells healthy and disease-free
2) Used to cure chronic fever: Giloe is antipyretic, and the juice of its leaves helps to cure fever
3) Help to improve digestion
4) Giloe is used to cure several respiratory problems
5) It reduces stress and anxiety
6) Wonder plant in the treatment of diabetes
7) Helps in improving the vision
8) Used to cure asthmatic disorders

Nutritive Values of Tinospora Cordifolia or Giloe;

NutrientsFreshDehydrated
Moisture %31.369.64
Ash %2.35.88
Carbohydrates (g)3.347.53
Protein (g)2.35.23
Fat (g)0.361.05
Fibre (g)11.32152.295
Iron (g)5.8722.55
Calcium (g)85.247210
Vitamin C (mg)5616
Beta-Carotene (μg)303.7428.5
Energy (Kcal)88.64240

Source: National Library of Medicine

Climate and Soil Requirements for Tinospora Cordifolia  or Giloe Cultivation ;

Giloe is a plant of tropical and subtropical conditions, and it can be grown in any type of soil, but the light sandy loam soil is enriched in organic content and is more suitable for its growth. This plant can tolerate waterlogged conditions and heavy rains

Propagation of T. cordifolia/Giloe

Planting Method:
It can be grown from seeds or vegetative cuttings. Seeds take more time to mature in comparison to vegetative cutting; hence, vegetative cutting is the best. The stem cutting for vegetative propagation can be obtained from the mother plant in May-June. To achieve greater medicinal values, it requires support to grow, and it can be provided with the help of wooden stakes or trailers, or some trees like mango, etc.
Field Preparation:
Land should be well ploughed and harrowed Apply 10 tonnes of FYM and half doses of nitrogen 75 kg must be applied at the time of field preparation
Raising the propagules through nursery techniques:
1) Stem cuttings are planted in polybags of size 4 inches x 6 inches in February–March. 

2) The poly bags must be filled by using Mud: cow-dung, and vermicompost and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1 
3) Cutting takes 20–25 days  
4) It will be ready to transplant in May –June for a hectare 
5) Approximately 2500 cuttings are required 
6) it is transplanted in the main field at a spacing of 3M X 3M to obtain a good yield. 
7) There is no specific treatment required for the plant

Intercultural operations in Tinospora Cordifolia or Giloe;

There should be no weeds in the field; otherwise, the growth of the crop gets suppressed Therefore, it is recommended that two to three periodic hoeings be applied for the good growth of the twiner

Irrigation Requirement in Tinospora Cordifolia or Giloe;

 The crop is grown under rainfed conditions; hence, there is no requirement for regular irrigation. However, under extreme cold and extreme dry spells, light irrigation must be given.
Harvesting of Tinospora Cordifolia or Giloe;
Harvest the stem in the autumn season from the base when it attains a diameter of more than 3 cm. The rest of the plant is left for further growth.
Cut the stems delicately into small pieces dry them, and keep them under the cool and airy stores

The Yield of Tinospora Cordifolia or Giloe; 

On average, from one-hectare land, 10-12 quintals of fresh woody stem yield can be achieved during two years, which can be sold for up to 30 to 35 rupees/kg 

As we know, the market of medicinal plants is very volatile, therefore its economy may vary

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