Tuba-Tuba plant seeds
The Tuba-tuba plant (Jatropha curcas)
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Furthermore, known as Tubang Bakod in Tagalog, Physic Nut in English or tuba-tuba or Jatropha. The latest craze to hit the ago-business in the Philippines. It is cultured primarily for its oil to produce biodiesel. The tuba-tuba has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time, but was used mainly as fencing, as the animals do not eat the leaves, even the insatiable goat will not eat the leaves. The increasing price of oil prices has sparked interest in the tuba-tuba or Jatropha.
Jatropha is drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that produces seeds up to 35 years but can live to 50 years. Jatropha grows quickly, with little or no maintenance and comes to the average height of about 3 meters, but can grow up to 8 meters.
Tuba-tuba is one of the most promising sources of bio-fuel today. Approximately, 30% of the Tuba-tuba nut is composed of oil. 3 kilos of Jatropha seeds can produce about 1 liter of crude Jatropha oil can then be processed into biodiesel fuel. This oil can easily be turned into fuel that can replace or blend with petroleum-based diesel to save on oil imports and more importantly increase local employment and help the economy grow.
As the average height of the Jatropha plant is about three meters, harvesting is easy and the plant can be grown practically anywhere (common soil, sand, gravel or rocky soil) and adapts easily to different climates. Jatropha is drought resistant, which can support up to two years without rain. The tree also has a short gestation period, will be a variety of fruits from around 6 months of age and be fully fruit one to two years.
Other advantages of planting Tuba-tuba/Jatropha:
- Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap.
- The Jatropha / Tuba-tuba leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs.
- The root extracts of Jatropha plant can be used as a yellow dies while the bark extracts as blue dye. While the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning.
- The roots, flowers and latex of Jatropha plant are said to have medicinal properties.
- Planting of Jatropha reduces soil degradation, erosion and deforestation of rural areas.
The planting of the Tuba-Tuba:
Irrigated land can be planted with up to 2,500 plants per hectare of Jatropha - a space or two meters by two meters. However, in poor soils and the land are dependent on the rains, the plants should be spaced further apart. A month or two before the start of the rainy season is a good time to plant. Jatropha seeds can be planted directly or 2-3 months old seedlings in nurseries can be used. Jatropha seedling or cutting is planted then covered in an uphill to prevent erosion. The plants are watered for two weeks after transplantation. Seeds can usually be harvested one year after planting. potential yield ranges from 1.25 to 12.5 tons of seed per hectare.
Oil extraction process:
Oil is easily extracted from the tuba-tuba nut for the use of an expeller. This engine-driven machine is simple enough to be operated in the provinces by the common people. The yield is about 1 liter of oil for every 3 kilos of seeds. The oil is refined to produce biodiesel.
It has been estimated that a processing plant. (Presser, expeller) to be economically viable and have a continuous supply of Jatropha nut, 5,000 hectares of land should be planted with Jatropha trees. The trees can be planted on coconut plantations - inter cropping the tuba-tuba / Jatropha under the coconut trees. With proper weeding, pruning, tillage and fertilization, up to 20 kilos of seeds can be harvested per tree - up to 0.40 metric tons per hectare for irrigated land and up to 2.5 metric tons of seed per year if the land is irrigated. This is an incentive for coconut farmers and landowners alike.
In the Philippines, planting of Jatropha or tuba-tuba is in progress, more so in Visayas and Mindanao, but can be planted anywhere. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is actively promoting its planting to coconut farmers.
With the growing interest in biodiesel fuels, you may one day be used to the idea that fuel for our vehicles was harvested from local plantations instead of using imported oil from the Middle East.
Lagundi Herbal Medicine
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Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a woody plant that grows in the Philippines. One of the herbal remedies endorsed by the Philippines Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with therapeutic value. Usually recognized in the Ilocos region as Dangla, Lagundi has been clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds, flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. Studies have shown that Lagundi can prevent the body’s production of leukotrienes, which are released during an asthma attack. Lagundi contains Chrysoplenol D an antihistamine substance with muscle relaxant properties. Even in Japan, Lagundi is being recognized as an effective herbal medicine, especially since research has shown that contains properties that make it an expectorant and have been reported to function as a tonic as well. More than that, most Lagundi plant parts have medicinal value.
The roots of this plant are also used as a treatment for rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, and leprosy. The leaves, flowers, seeds and root of all Lagundi can be used as herbal medicine. The decoction is made by boiling the parts of the plant and taken orally. Today, Lagundi is available in capsules and cough syrup. For its part, the flowers are recommended as a cardiac tonic, as a cure for liver diseases and other systemic diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. Lagundi plant also has anti-inflammatory functions, and its cooling effects are ideal as a treatment for skin diseases like leprosy.
Plant Description: The Lagundi plant can grow up to five meters high. It can be described as a cross between a shrub and a tree with a single woody stem (trunk). One of the distinguishing features is its that the Lagundi leaves pointed with five leaflets together like a hand.
Lagundi tablets (300 mg) are available from the Department of Health’s Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC)
Herbal Benefits of Lagundi:
• Relief of asthma & pharyngitis
• Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
• Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
• Removal of worms, and boils
Preparation & Use:
• Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink half cup three times a day.
• For skin diseases or disorders, apply the decoction of leaves and roots directly on skin.
• The root is specially good for treating dyspepsia, worms, boils, colic and rheumatism.
A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied to wounds, and used as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are eaten in order to prevent the spreading of toxins and venom from bites of poisonous animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of Lagundi plant is taken in as an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, and even cholera. While a decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals to help increase the flow and production of milk, as well as to induce menstruation.
Alfalfa Herbs
The ALFALFA Herbs Plants
Properties: Alternative, Nutritive, Antipyretic. What it Affects: Stomach and Blood.
Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 minutes. take 6 oz. 3 times daily.
Tincture: Take 5-15 drops 3 times daily. Fluid extract: Take 1/2 - 1 tsp. 3 times daily.
Powder: Take 5-10 #0 capsules ( 30-60 grains ) 3 times daily.
Purposes: Internally, ALFALFA must be used in fresh, raw form in order to provide essential nutrients - which Alfalfa is full of. Every vitamins and major mineral is in Alfalfa, with the exemption of the vitamin D. Alfalfa aids in the assimilation of protient, fats, and carbohydrates and is an excellent blood purifier. It can be added to softs and salad. Eight Alfalfa tablets, taken at meal time. ( preferably chewed before swallowing ) provide a fiber bulk which greatly aids in maintaining boil regularity.
Alfalfa sprouts are a great favorite with many people; but rinse them thoroughly before serving, to remove mold and bacteria. Because it has similar properties, Alfalfa has been substituted for red clover blossoms. It is good for lowering fevers. Alfalfa detoxifies the body and alkalizes it. It lower cholesterol, balances blood sugar and hormones, and promotes pituitary function. It acts as a diuretic, attacks fungi, reduces inflammations and helps reduce various types of bleeding.
Alfalfa is good for ulcers, disorder of the skin, digestive system, bones, and joins. It lower cholesterol’s, and balances hormones and blood sugar. It is good for arthritis and other disorder of the bones and joins. Taken everyday, it improves the appetite, relieves urinary and bowel problems, eliminates retained waters, and even helps cure peptic ulcers.
It was name al-fal-fa,” father of plants,” by the Arabs. They were among the first to recognized its marvelous properties. Alfalfa is commonly added to other herbs for it nutritive qualities. It maybe added as 10 % to 20 % of the formula.
