Agro-technology of Selected Himalayan Medicinal Plants(2013)Phase I
Agro-technology of Selected Himalayan Medicinal Plants(2013)Phase I &II and value addition and testing in phase-III Agro-technology of Selected Himalayan Medicinal Plants(2013)Phase I &II and value addition and testing in phase-III

 

Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) Karsten sometimes also mentioned as Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. was widely used as an ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines since times immemorial and in Himachal Pradesh this species is listed as Critically Endangered. Commercial cultivation technology standardization of one native species of Chirayita from seed sowing was initiated after ascertaining the profile of secondary metabolites and acceptability in the market. Highest harvest 1352 of Kg Chirayita by 143 women was achieved in 2010-11. M/S Dabur India Limited, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad (U.P.) purchased cultivated Chirayita @ 288/- Kg provided a gross return of Rs. 3,89,376/- to the 143 farmers. This was the largest ever production of endangered and native species of any wild Himalayan species of medicinal plants. Quality testing of cultivated Chirayita crop through HPTLC technique at NBRI, Lucknow. Analysis as per Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia was conducted in HRG Lab for effective marketing. Picrorrhiza kurrooa (Kutki) was also established in cultivation with rooted cuttings in pockets and sample harvesting was carried from areas in Kinnaur and Mandi. Chirayita and Kutki are the major hepatoprotective drugs and are required in mass quantities. On conservation front regular rooting of Taxus wallichiana was carried out since 1998 to maintain this important plant through planting in forests. Rooted cuttings were produced in planting of one year old 10 cm long branch with apical bud in the nursery poly bag having upper 10 cm layer of river sand after dipping cutting in rooting hormone mixture. Rooting takes around one year and cuttings can be planted in nature after 18 months. Extesive infrastructure for value addition as tea bag sachet and tablet making was established during phse-III with SEED DST SUNIL Support. Testing of S.cordta for antibacterial properties and validation for different traditional treatment was carried out with HP University Department of Biotechnology and NBRI Lucknow.

Category Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Developed By Himalayan Research Group (HRG)
Under SEED support? Yes
Current Status

Involved women farmers belonging to more than 1000 houholds in cultivation of Chirayita on commercial scale. Farmers producer company was established to procure and value add the proudct with setting up the processing and product development facility at HRG field station Mandi to improve the econmic returns of the farmers and efficacy of the product in treatment of primary level health issues in traditional system of medicine. Farmer Producer Compnay buy back dired Chirayita @ 300/- per kg and each hectrae produce on average 1000-1200 Kg Dry Chirayita in 18 months cycle. Aquesous extract was observed to be very effective in controlling growth of pathogenic bacteria in culture and clinical experiments

Concerned Person Name: Dr Lal Singh, Dr Maninder Jeet Kaur
Phone: 0177-2626820
Email: lalhrg@gmail.com
Keywords/Tags Swertia cordata, Swertia Sachet, Raw Swertia cordata for AYUSH formulation
Last Updated On 10-10-2024

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technologies