India Food Production And Food Waste An Eye Opener

Our global food systems have a significant impact on our health and the environment. They account for up to one-third of human-linked greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of the water withdrawn from nature. According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s

(UNEP’s) Food Waste Index Report 2021, 1 billion tonnes of food produced is lost or wasted every year, which is a key concern to nations all around the world.

According to UNEP Food Waste Index data 2021, India (68.8 million tonnes) is the 2nd largest food waste producer after China (91.6 million tonnes). Did you now 40% of the food produced in India is wasted, i.e. annually 50 kgs of food is wasted per person every year - value of food wastage in India is around ₹92,000 crores per annum. Considering the size of our nation and the number of households contributing to food waste, this number is staggering. Wastage of food affects not only the poor and hungry, but also the environment and the country as a whole. A vital part of preventing food waste is understanding the importance of not wasting it.

Throughout this blog, we will examine the causes of food wastage, preventive measures, and what we can do to generate lesser waste on our end.

According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022 reports, 224.3 million Indians are undernourished and don't receive a healthy diet. As consumers, we need to reflect and be conscious about buying more food than we need at markets, letting fruits and vegetables spoil at home or taking larger portions than we can eat. Food that is currently being wasted can be redistributed to the poor and used to nourish those who lack access to healthy foods. As the famous quote by Pope Francis goes ‘throwing away food is like stealing from the poor and hungry’. These words indicate the importance of not wasting food.

Wastage occurs as a result of inadequate and improper food chain systems. According to the data released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, this number peaked during the pandemic as stocks estimated at nearly 65 lakh tonnes were rotting away in godowns.

Taking action is the only way to stop this waste. Because of their conscious food habits, our grandparents did not waste food, but today's society lacks the same mindfulness. The 'waste not, want not' mentality must be brought back urgently.

What Can We Do?

Our conscious effort to prevent food waste and educate our family members, friends, and employees can significantly reduce this wastage. Make a change today and contribute to reducing food waste by following these tips.

· The person who cooks for your family should make an estimation based on how much everyone eats and prepare food accordingly. Refrigerate leftovers and use them before preparing more food.

· Wedding and breakfast buffets at hotels are among the leading causes of food waste. During these events, less quantity and higher quality would be more appropriate than extravagant displays of innumerable dishes.

· By calculating how much food our household consumes, we can shop more consciously while buying groceries. It is also imperative to avoid single-use plastics as much as possible to eliminate waste and pollution.

· To avoid wastage, we should order dishes in restaurants based on how much we can eat at the table. If there are still leftovers on the table, it would be practical to pack them and take them with you.

· Food and groceries can be preserved when they are properly stored in airtight containers and cooked food is promptly refrigerated. As a result, food waste is greatly reduced and produce's shelf life is greatly extended.

· A Holistic Approach

· There is a connection between food waste, the environment and the climate. Every negative action we take leads to further depletion of the planet. As a result of the waste of food, greenhouse gases and major pollutants are released into the atmosphere.

· However, if we are mindful of our food consumption we can live a healthier, fitter and disease-free life. We can also reduce our carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. This ultimately benefits the planet and helps us leave a happier world for future generations.

· Communities across India are now educating people around them on the issue of food wastage. We, as members of the community, should familiarise ourselves with organisations that are tackling this urgent concern and support them. Restaurants too are taking the initiative in reducing food waste and reusing their ingredients in innovative ways to prevent wastage. The greater awareness, the less food is wasted, thus benefiting everyone.

“At the government level, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the save food, share food, share joy initiative to ensure distribution of food to reduce food wastage. This initiative is still at a nascent stage and to generate a large- scale impact, it is important for FSSAI and state governments to leverage the civil society networks working at the grass root level.”

· It is the need of the hour to act on the prevention of food wastage on a global scale. We can only reduce food waste by being sustainable in our practices. We, at MAATI ORGANIC wholeheartedly support the movement of eating better and causing lesser food waste. Here’s to a brighter, fitter and healthier tomorrow!

ARTICLE 2: THE NONI FRUIT

We all have heard the saying, “Nature is the Best Healer.” While the quote may refer to spending time in nature, it also has a literal meaning. Our earth is replete with plants, herbs, trees, and fruits that can nourish us and heal us. There are plenty of things in nature that have innumerable health benefits. This is how our ancestors lived in the past. With the introduction of modern medicine, several of these natural healing techniques have been lost to mankind.

However, they do exist today. Ancient traditional forms like Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy still look towards natural resources for healing several diseases. Noni is one such healing fruit. Here you will get to know all about the wonderful Noni fruit.

Different Names of Noni Fruit

Noni fruit comes from the tree Morinda Citrifolia, which belongs to the Rubiaceae (coffee) family. Some of the common English names for this fruit include Indian mulberry, great morinda, beach mulberry, cheese fruit, Canary wood, ice leaf, large-leaved morinda, pain-killer tree, and vomit fruit. As this fruit-bearing tree is abundantly found in India, it has different names in different Indian languages. Noni is called Nuna, Munja Pavatty, and Tunavu in Tamil, Ach in Bengali, Molagha and Madi Chetu in Telegu, Al or Achi in Hindi, Alita and Baratindiala in Marathi, Manmanatti and Katapitalavam in Malayalam, Achu and Pindra in Oriya, and Noni in Kannada.

The Noni tree is native to Southeast Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands. It was widely naturalized by the Polynesian soldiers. Today, it is found almost all over the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. This is because the Noni tree can survive in almost all kinds of climate and soil conditions. When it comes to climate, this tree can survive in very dry to very wet climates. It can also grow in different kinds of soils, including acidic, infertile, and alkaline soils. It can withstand water logging, wind, fire, shaded conditions, and salt spray as well.

Hence, you can find this tree in an array of habitats, including lava-strewn coasts, volcanic terrains, coralline atolls, and limestone outcrops. The reason for this is that the Noni tree has a deep taproot, which once set in the soil can become difficult to eradicate. In India, this tree can be found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.

The Noni tree or Morinda Citrifolia is a small, crooked tree that grows up to the height of 3-10 meters. A distinctive characteristic of this tree is its conical crown. The bark of the tree is glabrous and shallowly fissured and appears yellowish-brown or greyish. Its branchlets are quadrangular. The leaves of this tree are pinnately nerved, glabrous, and simple. They grow up to the size of 10-15 cm X 5-17 cm. The flowers are tubular and white in colour. The noni fruits that grow on this tree are large (10-18 cm) in size and oval in shape. The fruits can be recognized by their pebbled surface. When unripe, the fruit has a green colour, which turns yellow and completely white when ripe. The fruit has a distinct odour, similar to cheese or even vomit, which is why it is called cheese fruit and even vomit fruit.

Principal Constituents

The Noni tree, especially the fruit, is used to make various medicines, thanks to its rich chemical properties. The fruit is home to an array of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, fatty acids,

lignans, catechin, scopoletin, beta-sitosterol, beta carotene, oligo and polysaccharides, iridoids, flavonoid glycosides, anthraquinones, phenolics, coumarins, noniosides, and triterpenoids. It also contains carbohydrates, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, sodium, zinc, selenium, phosphorous, and fatty acids. It is rich in vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B3, i.e., biotin.

Noni fruit was a favourite amongst Polynesian healers for treating a host of diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, aches and pains, burns, arthritis, tumours, inflammation, parasitic infections, viral infections, and bacterial infections. The healing properties of Noni have been mentioned in Ayurvedic manuscripts as well. The Ayurvedic properties of Noni are as follows:

· Rasa (taste): Tikta (bitter) and Kashya (astringent)

· Guna (qualities): Laghu (light) and Tikshna (sharp)

· Veerya (potency): Ushna (hot)

· Vipaka (post-digestion effect): Katu (pungent)

Noni has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumour, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and immune-enhancing effects. While Noni is commonly available in the form of juice, most commercially-available juices are mixed with aloe vera or grape juice, diluting the effect of Noni fruit. A better product will be Pure Noni Fruit Extract-Enzyme (PNFE), a product by MAATI ORGANIC. Here we present some of the most important medical benefits of PNFE.

Lowers Glucose Level

One of the major benefits of Noni or PNFE is that it helps in controlling blood sugar levels. Several studies as well as personal testimonies prove that PNFE is effective in regulating diabetes. The fruit has anti-diabetic properties that aid in improving glucose tolerance, reducing fasting glucose, and increasing insulin sensitivity.

Rectifies Cellular Damage

Research has found a significant positive impact of Noni fruit on cellular damage caused by tobacco smoke. People who smoke experience oxidative damage, as tobacco smoke is made of carcinogens and chemicals that can cause damage to the DNA. It also generates a lot of free radicals in the body. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of Noni reduce the impact of free radicals and oxidation, thus reducing the risk of serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Enhances Skin and Hair Health

PNFE acts like an elixir for skin and hair health, mainly because it is loaded with vitamin C, biotin, zinc, copper, selenium, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. The numerous beneficial ingredients of the fruit aid in decreasing skin dryness, removing fine lines, and moisturizing it naturally. It can act as a wonderful moisturizer, which not only repairs but also replenishes your skin. It also fights free radicals and flushes out toxins that can cause issues like acne, scars, fine lines, and ageing. In short, PNFE acts as an anti-ageing product as well.

Similarly, the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of Noni fruit offer essential benefits to the hair. When applied topically, it can help in getting rid of hair issues like dandruff, itching, flaking, etc. and give you smooth, silky, and strong hair.

Boosts Energy Levels

Noni is quite popular as an energy booster and has been used as a tonic for weakness since ancient times. The minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants present in the fruit help in boosting energy as well as improve the physical performance of the body. Studies have shown that drinking Noni juice before exercising not only improves endurance but also lessens muscle damage. It increases oxygen uptake as well as the time for someone to get tired while exercising.

Improves Heart Health

Noni fruit has the potential of improving heart health by improving blood flow in the arteries and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The presence of high levels of potassium in the fruit makes it extremely helpful in getting rid of the symptoms of hypertension and maintaining electrolyte balance. Similarly, the polyphenols and antioxidants in Noni aid in improving the lipid profile, i.e. raising the good HDL (good) cholesterol and lessening the LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as lowering the C-reactive protein levels responsible for inflammation. Thus, by controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, Noni helps in preventing cardiovascular diseases, cardiac ailments, and atherosclerosis.

Prevents Cancer Risk

Research conducted by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests that Noni fruit can be effective in preventing cancer, as it possesses immune stimulating as well as tumour-fighting properties. Consuming the fruit stimulates nitric oxide production in the body, which prevents the cancerous replication of the cells. Regularly consuming Noni juice or fruit may stop, reverse, or even slow down the process of cancer in the body. Preliminary research on treating and preventing breast cancer with Noni juice was also conducted by The National Cancer Institute.

Increases Immunity

Apart from boosting energy, PNFE is also great for improving one’s immunity due to its anti- fungal, anti-bacterial, and antihistamine properties. People who suffer from frequent illnesses like cold, cough, and seasonal allergies can benefit from the consumption of this fruit. The presence of high levels of vitamin C, phytochemicals, and antioxidants help in getting rid of the free radicals from the body, thus boosting immunity and overall health. Regular consumption of Noni juice can keep a person healthy.

Helps Weight Loss or Boosts Metabolism

Apart from boosting energy, Noni fruit also has the potential of aiding weight loss. The fruit is low in calories and also helps in increasing ghrelin levels in the body, which ensures that the stomach feels full. The different phytonutrients and antioxidants in the fruit help in decreasing visceral fat, body fat, and body weight, while ensuring that the body does not gain any extra

weight. For best results, it is important to consume noni fruit or juice along with a low-calorie diet.

Reduces Pain

Noni is known as The Tree of Headache or The Painkiller Tree because it is used as a natural painkiller in traditional medicine. Apart from headaches and other general aches and pains, it is quite effective in relieving joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and gout, which are caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. The anti-inflammatory properties of PNFE help in reducing the uric acid in the blood, thus improving the flexibility of the connective tissues by lessening pain, reducing swelling, and getting rid of stiffness in the bones and joints.

Acts as an Antidepressant and Mood Stabilizer

Along with physical benefits, Noni fruit also offers several benefits to the mental health of a person. The consumption of this fruit helps in the secretion of melatonin and serotonin, hormones that are essential for stabilizing emotions, mood, and sleep. It helps in keeping your brain healthy and also prevents any kind of plaque buildup in the arteries connected to the brain. It makes sure that the brain is properly oxygenated, and that the blood supply to the brain is healthy.

Along with physical benefits, Noni fruit also offers several benefits to the mental health of a person. The consumption of this fruit helps in the secretion of melatonin and serotonin, hormones that are essential for stabilizing emotions, mood, and sleep. It helps in keeping your brain healthy and also prevents any kind of plaque buildup in the arteries connected to the brain. It makes sure that the brain is properly oxygenated, and that the blood supply to the brain is healthy.

Uses of Noni or PNFE

The easiest way of consuming Noni fruit is in the form of PNFE or Pure Noni Fruit Extract or Enzyme. An adult can consume 12 drops of PNFE in the morning (empty stomach) and 12 drops in the evening before dinner. If consuming noni juice, a person can consume around 3-4 ounces of Noni juice every day. The juice can be mixed with water and consumed on an empty stomach. Apart from this, Australian Aboriginals and Southeast Asians cook the fruit in curry and even eat it raw with salt. In Thai cuisine, Noni fruit is cooked with coconut milk and even included in a salad as a raw ingredient.

Side Effects

Noni juice is mostly safe and is not likely to cause any side effects. However, pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid it, as there is a lack of research on how it affects them. Apart from this, kidney patients should also avoid this fruit, as the high level of potassium may not be suitable for them. Noni juice may interact with medications for high blood pressure and blood clotting. Hence, always consume this juice only after consulting a doctor. Moreover, ensure that the Noni juice you buy does not have any added sugar.

Planting and Harvesting

As the Noni tree can survive in different climates and soil conditions, its planting and cultivating processes are easy. The best method to propagate is through seeds and stem cuttings.

Seeds: If you are using seeds for propagation, it is important to pick fruit that is fully ripe and soft. You need to press the fruit against a screen to get the seeds off. Then the seeds need to be washed. To achieve the highest level of germination, the seeds need to be pre-treated. This can be achieved by pulsing the seeds in the blender to cut open the seed coat. A more time-taking method will be to clip off the tip of each seed.

When it comes to planting the seeds, you need to prepare a potting mix made of local forest soil, sand, and composted organic matter. Mulch made of sawdust, leaf litter, and sand can also be used for growing the seedlings in containers. These seedlings can be kept in deep shade to full sun to achieve germination. After 2 months, the sapling will be ready for transplantation.

Stem Cutting: To propagate using stem cutting, you need to take a stem cutting of 20-40 cm in length and plant them in soil. This will be ready for transplantation in 3-4 weeks.

Harvesting: An important point to note here is that the saplings will take at least 1 year to establish their roots and grow, due to transplant shock. Moreover, it will take 3 years for the plant to grow fruits and at least 5 years for it to provide a regular yield. The fruits can be harvested when they turn white from green, which means they are ripe. They also become soft and translucent and emit a characteristically odorous smell.

As Noni has so many benefits, you can easily find Noni products in the market that promise good health and overall well-being. MAATI ORGANIC, an agro company, is proud to announce its Pure Noni Fruit Extract. As MAATI ORGANIC is all about organic farming, we ensure that our product is made with pure ingredients and no chemicals. You can contact us to learn more about our product.

ARTICLE 3:

NaturHeals - Medicinal Plant - 6 Oroxylum Indicum - Shyonaak - This is a Tree (Dashamoola Herb)

Medicinal plants have been used since time immemorial as a source of medicine. Plants as medicines are used in Ayurvedic, Allopathic, Greek, Islamic, and Chinese systems of medicine. During the past decade, the traditional systems of medicine have gained importance. Natural products have played a crucial role in the healthcare of humans since their evolution, and they continue to play an important role in the modern state of art therapeutic era.

One such plant is Oroxylum Indicum or Shyonaaka. 'Oros' in Greek means mountain, and 'Xylon' means wood or tree. 'Indicum' refers to the country of its origin, India. Shyonaak is one of the Dashmoola herbs and an important ingredient in Dashmoolarishtha, Brahma Rasayana, Narayan Taila, and Chyavanprash. This plant is also grown as an ornamental plant due to its strange looks. The sword-like fruits or twigs of Shyonaaka have been used by farmers to kill

crabs in paddy fields. Tribals in Assam believe that pods of Shyonaak hung on kitchen walls or near the dining area help prevent choking while eating food. Flowers and fruits are used as a vegetable in Thailand. You get a yellow dye from the bark of the Shyonaak, which is rich in tannins.

Different Names of Shyonaak

The English names for Shyonaak are Midnight Horror (during dark nights when there is lightning and thunderstorms, the tree casts horrifying images), broken bones plant (the leaf stalks wither and fall off that resembles a broken limb bone), Indian trumpet flowers (flowers resemble a trumpet), Tree of Damocles (The long-podded fruits hang down from branches looking like dangling swords or sickles in the night), Indian Calosanthes, and Indian Caper.

In Hindi, the plant is called Sonapatha, Shallaka, Shyonak, Patrorna, Sauna, Son, Vatuk, Putivriksha, Shuran, Aralu, Urru, Dhirghavrinta, Bhut-Vriksha (Ghost Tree), Manduk, or Kutannat. In Sanskrit, it is called Nat, Katvanga, Shyonaka, Prithu Simba (fruits are flat and long), Sukanasa, Dirghavrinta, Tuntuka (the flowers are bell shaped), Kutannata, Mandukparana, Katammar, Patroma, Mayurjangha, Aralu, or Bhalluka. In Kannada, it is called Alangi, Ane-Mungu, Tattuna, Patagani, Bunepaale, Tigadu, or Sonepatta. In Gujarati, it is called Tentu. In Telugu, it is called Mandukaparamu, Dundilamu, Nemali, Chettu, Pampena, Suka- nasamu, or Pampini. In Bengali, it is called Sona (Gold), Sona Patha (inner layer of bark is golden yellow in color), Kani-Dingi, Khonha, Paharijora, Thona Gach, Hanghoal, Krong-Sa-Bang, Aklong-Singh, Kaak-Rakung, Naori Chilana, Kanai-Dingi, or Kharung. In Konkani, it is called Davamadak. In Tamil, it is called Cori-Konnai, Achi, Venga Maram, Arandei, Pana, Puta-Puspam, Palaiyutaicci, Peiarlanke, Peimaram, Vangam, Peruvaagai, or Palagaipayani. In Marathi, it is called Tayitu or Tetu; In Malayalam, it is called Vellapathiri, Vashrppathiri, or Palaqapayyani. In Assamese, it is called Dingdinga, Toguna, or Bhatghila. In Oriya, it is called Phanphania, Tatelo, or Archangkawm, and in Mizo, it is called Archangkawm.

Ideal Soil and Climate

Shyonaak is usually found in tropical and sub-tropical areas, humid forests, along the banks of water streams, and on mountain slopes between 500 to 1200 m altitude. It is widely distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent in the Western and Eastern Ghats and the North-Eastern region of India. In China, Shyonaak is also grown in the cities like Guangdong, Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Sichuan. Shyonaak is also native to Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

The Shyonaak plant grows well in tropical areas that receive rainfall between 85 cm to 130 cm per annum. This plant grows well in medium to deep black soils. However, sandy loamy fertile soil is best suited for good growth of the Shyonaak.

Physiology

Oroxylum Indicum is a species of flowering plant belonging to the genus Oroxylum and the Bignoniaceae family. It is a medium-sized, soft wooded perennial tree growing up to 27 m tall and the trunk 40 cm in diameter. The bark is brownish or greyish, soft, and covered by various corky lenticels. The leaves of Shyonaak are opposite, imparipinnate, grouped towards the apex, ovate, elliptic, 5 to 12 cm long, and 3 to 10 cm broad. Inflorescences are long erect terminal

racemes carrying numerous hermaphroditic flowers on a 3 to 6 cm long pedicel, with 2 to 4 cm campanulate calyx up to 4.5 cm long, funnel-shaped corolla with five lobes. Flowers are large, red or purple on the outside, and yellow or pink inside. The flowers that open at night have a fetid smell that attracts bats for pollination. The fruits are flat, woody, saber-shaped, bivalved capsules with flattened seeds having hyaline papery wings.

Principal Constituents

The phytochemical constituents present in the root bark of Shyonaak are chrysin, dehydrobaicalein, oroxylin, and baicalein. The stem bark contains flavonoids, such as scutellarin-7-rutinoside, oroxylin, baicalein, p-coumaric, and chrysin. The leaves contain aloe- emodin and anthraquinone. And the Heartwood consists of isoflavone-prunetin and β- sitosterol.

Medical Benefits

Ayurveda describes Shyonaak as Bitter (Tikta), Sweet (Madhura), Astringent (Kashaya), Light to digest (Laghu)), Dry (Rooksha), Pungent (Vipaka), and Hot (Ushna) in potency. The Shyonaak is effective against 'Kapha' and 'Vata' doshas in our bodies. As per the Classical categorization mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita Sushrut Samhita, Shyonaak is - Shothara (anti-inflammatory group of herbs), Sheeta Prashamana (cold and cough subsiding group of herbs), and Anuvasanopaga (group of herbs used in oil enema).

The roots are anti-diabetic, antiarthritic, carminative, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-tumor, anthelmintic, febrifuges, and expectorant. The root bark of Shyonaak has astringent properties and is useful in fever, dysentery, leukoderma, inflammation, asthma, bronchitis, and anal troubles. Tender fruits and seeds are stomachic and used as a bitter tonic, purgative, and expectorant. The fruit is also useful in treating problems related to the heart, gynecological disorders, and childhood psychological disorders. Using powdered seeds can increase the chances of conception.

1) Cancer Prevention

Due to its cytotoxic and anti-metastasis properties, Shyonaak is a potential herb against cancer. An ethanolic extract shows an antiproliferative effect on Hep 2 cell lines.

2) Treatment for Gastritis

Improper digestion leads to the build-up of toxins in the body. Shyonaak is a powerful ayurvedic herb that reduces gastric ulceration and thus gives relief from stomach pain. It helps to reduce flatulence and bloating, thus increasing appetite and promoting better absorption of nutrients in the body.

3) Helpful with Diabetes

Anti-diabetic properties of Shyonaak have been evaluated in animals. The methanolic and aqueous extract helps to restore serum biochemical parameters such as biomarker enzymes, fasting glucose, serum creatinine, lipid profile, SGOT, serum SGPT, and ALP to normal. The production of insulin becomes active after consumption of Shyonaak, helping to reduce the breakdown of starch into glucose. Hence, Shyoonak helps in managing Diabetes.

4) Strengthens Immunity

The root bark of Shonaak contains immuno-modulatory activity. This ayurvedic herb helps to improve energy levels in the body. The bioactive ingredients present in Shyonaa help to reduce weakness, fatigue, and debility. It helps to revamp the body with essential nutrients and build a strong immune system.

5) Improves Kidney Heath

The leaves and root decoction of Shyonaak are used as a prophylaxis for kidney problems. It promotes proper functioning of the kidneys by aiding proper uric acid level and excretion of excess uric acid, thereby preventing gout. It helps to eliminate kidney stones, reduce the size of any stone present, and formation of kidney stones.

6) Reduces Inflammation

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties present in the Shyonak provide relief from soreness and swelling of the inflamed part. The Vata reducing quality is beneficial in curtailing pain arising due to joint and muscle pain.

7) Hepatoprotective activity

Due to the incredible hepatoprotective action of the phytochemical constituents present in the Shyonaak, it protects the liver against damage. It also improves liver health. It is a powerful herb beneficial in treating jaundice and hepatitis, safeguarding the liver from harmful toxins, and maintaining its normal functions.

8) Prevents Microbes

Shyonaak possesses antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. They help to hinder the growth and multiplication of fungi that are accountable for fungal infections, shielding the body from various microbial infections.

9) Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants are effective in preventing and treating several diseases. Stress can adversely affect various tissues and vital organs of our body. The Shyonaak has antioxidants and flavonoids that protect against oxidative damage and high free radical scavenging activities.

Uses of Shyonaak

· Gain appetite - Take the decoction of leaves.

· Wounds and Boils - Apply the paste made from seeds.

· Mouth Cancer, Scabies - Apply the paste of bark powder.

· Tonsil - Apply the paste of bark to the neck and throat to get relief from tonsil pain.

· Blood Purifier - Eat the fruit.

· Ulcers - Apply the seed paste externally.

· Cough - Take 1 gm of bark powder with ginger and honey.

· Diarrhea - Take two teaspoons of bark juice daily.

· Jaundice - Take the bark decoction.

· Mouth Blisters - Use the decoction made of root bark as a gargle.

· Digestive Health - Soak the bark of Shyonaak in one cup of water for four hours. Make a paste, filter the solution, and consume it twice daily.

· Earache - Blend bark powder with water and sesame oil. Cook in low flame. After cooling, put 2 to 3 drops in the ears.

· Fever - Take the bark decoction.

· Stomach Ache Gastritis - Take the leaf decoction.

· Allergic Dermatitis - Alcoholic maceration of fresh bark is to be applied.

· Toothache - Put the poultice on the cheek to relieve pain.

· Headache - Put the poultice on the head pain relief.

· Tuberculosis - Take a decoction of the root.

· Nasopharyngeal Cancer - Take a decoction made from the root bark.

Side Effects

As Shyonaak belongs to one of the Dashamoola herbs, its side effects are rare. It is safe to use the Shyonaak plant by pregnant women, during the lactation period, and for children. As the herb may react to certain medicines, it is always better to consult a doctor before consuming the herb.

Planting and Harvesting

The Shyonaak plant is propagated naturally by seeds that germinate at the beginning of the rainy season. The seedlings require moderate shade in the early stage. The plant is raised in polythene bags during the second half of March for seedling establishment. After the emergence of the seedlings, the plant is watered regularly to maintain optimum moisture levels. The polythene bags are filled with sandy-loam soil of good quality and well- decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) in a ratio of 2:1.

For good germination, the seeds must be soaked for 12 hours in water before sowing. The land is then tilled to make it friable, weed-free, and porous. Pits of size 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm are dug, and 150g of nitrogen, 10 kgs of FYM, and 250 g of single superphosphate are mixed in topsoil. A spacing of 2 m x 2 m is maintained to achieve an optimum crop of 2500/hectare.

Short-term seasonal herbs are grown as an inter-crop. inter-spaces. After transplanting, around 20 kgs of decomposed FYM, 150 g of nitrogen, and 250 g of superphosphate are required at intervals of six months per plant for two years. Potash will be required in potassium-deficient soils.

The tree starts fruiting and flowering after three years. For harvesting of the root bark, the plants are uprooted after six to eight years. After uprooting, the roots are cleaned, the bark is peeled, and the roots are cut into small pieces. They are dried in shade to reduce the moisture to 12%. The dried roots are then stored in moisture-proof bags.

Conclusion

The Shyonaak plant is an endangered species in India. We, at MAATI ORGANIC, an agro-based organization, encourage farmers to grow the plant organically without using any chemicals or pesticides. Our team of experts guides the farmers and educates them to develop new strategies for a better yield. This, in turn, will help the farmers generate a good income.