obmar
|
Planting of Medical and Aromatic Plants in Oil Palm PlantNPlanting of Medical and Aromatic Plants in Oil Palm Plantation
Mohd Ilham A*; Mahmud, A.W.** and Azizol, A.K.*
ABSTRACT
With the growing interest in medicinal plants as source of new pharmaceutical products and the increasing demand for herbal products in Malaysia, it is expected that the demand for raw materials will also increase. Most of the medicinal plant resources are in natural forest. Due to uncontrolled exploitation, this natural resources is greatly depleted and many forest species face extinction. It is therefore necessary to formulate plans, incorporating, proper silviculture practices to cultivate selected species, both in forest and non-forest area such as underplanting with oil palm. Traditionally, oil palm has long been grown as monoculture crop and land under the mature palms are generally under utilized. Medicinal and aromatic plants present an opportunity exploiting the interrow spaces for economic gains. This paper highlights some economically important medicinal and aromatics plants which can be integrated with oil palm. Suitable methods of integrating medicinal and aromatic plants with oil palm are also proposed.
INTRODUCTION
The use of plant-based products for disease prevention and treatment has become increasingly popular in many societies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 80% of the population in developing countries rely chiefly on traditional medicine for their health care needs, of which a major portion involves the use of plant extracts (Azizol and Jamaludin, 1995)
With growing interest in medicinal plants as a source of new pharmaceutical products and the increasing demand for herbal products in Malaysia, it is expected that the demand for raw materials will also increased. Since most of the medicinal plants resources are from natural resources and many plant species are now facing extinction, it is of necessary to domesticate and cultivate selected species from both forest and non-forest areas. The success of such domestication programme will assist in the conversation of plant genetic resources, avoid further depletion and meet the demand for raw materials from the herbal industries.
MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS OF MALAYSIA
In Malaysia, the biodiversity of plant resources offers some 12 500 species of flowering plants and 5000 species of cryptograms. About 2000 species are recognized for their medical properties and they are still being used among certain communities (Latin, 1994). Some of these plants that are used as traditional medicines are also used as common spices or food additives. Species which have been commonly used for herbal preparations are shown in Table 1.
The aromatic plants like pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamomum, lemon grass etc. are exclusively used in the house-hold sector as natural food flavouring. Some of the aromatic plants which have the potential to be used in industry are shown in Table 2. Lately, the demand for natural aromatic resources is increasing in the international essential oil market. Essential oils which are obtained from the bark, leaves, flowers and fruits are natural sources for fragrance, flavour, species and medicine.
Table 1. Some commonly used medicinal plantsa
Species Local name Common use(s)
Eurycoma longifolia Tongkat Ali Health tonic
Labisia pumila Kacip Fatimah Post-partum preparation
Centella asiatica Pegaga Health tonic
Curcuma xanthorizza Temu lawak Jamu
Andrographis paniculata Hempedu bumi / akar cerita Herbal tea
Zingiber zerumbit Lempoyang Jamu
Eugenia aromatica Cengkih Toothpaste
Mentha arvensis Pudina Toothpaste
Curcuma domistica Kunyit Cosmetic, food additive
Cassia alata Gelenggang Antiseptic
Smilax myosotiflora Ubi jaga Health tonic
Morinda citrifolia Mengkudu Health tonic, past-partum preparation
Leptospermum flavescens China maki Health tonic
Fibraurea odoratum Pokok kapal terbang antiseptic
a Burkill (1996) ; Perry and Metzer (1980)
Table 2. Some commonly used aromatic plantsa
Species Local name Common use(s)
Piper nigrum Lada hitam Flavour
Cympogon nardus Serai wangi Cosmetics, insect repellant
Kaempferia galanga Cekur Spice
Lawsonia inermis Inai Cosmetics
Melaleuca cajuputi Gelam Analgesic
Baeckea frutescens Rempah gunung Fragrance
Ocimum basilicum Selasih Cosmetics
Jasminium sambac Melati Fragrance
Michelia champaca Cempaka Cosmetics
Blumea balsamifera Sembung Health tonic, lotion
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Kayu manis Spice, fragrance
Cinnnamomum sintoc Medang sintoc cosmetics
a Burkill (1996) ; Perry and Metzer (1980)
MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANT INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA
Statistics have shown that between 1986 and 1996, the total import value of medicinal and aromatic plants increased from RM 141 million and RM 431 million, respectively. In terms of total export, there was are significant increase from RM 5.9 million to RM 63 million over the same period. The imports of medicinal and aromatic plantscome mainly China, India and Indonesia while exports are largely to Singapore, Phillipines, Australia and Hong Kong. Under the spice category, garlic is the important import item (RM 119.5 milllion in 1996), whereas the export of ginger declined from RM 2.4 million in 1992 to RM 0.6 million in 1996 (Ng and Azmi, 1997).
In industry, medicinal plants and their parts are used in the form of extracts with high and standardised contents of active constituents for the pharmaceutical and natural products industries. Many Malaysian plants which have been traditionally used to treat certain ailments are now being processed using modern technology for the production of functional foods and tonics. These include Allium sativum (garlic), Centella asiatica (pegaga), Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali), Labisia pumila (kacip Fatimah) and Zingiber officinale (halia).
Aromatic plants and their parts are the sources of essential oils, resin, turpentine, flavours and fragrances which can be used in the preparation of traditional medicines as well as in industry. Some of the important essential oils used in medicine are mint oil (Mentha arvensis), peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus spp.), citranella oil (Cymbapogon nardus) and cinnamon leaf oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). As for the international market, keruing oil (Gurjun balsam) has recently been used as fixative in perfumes by manufacturers in Singapore. Agar wood or gaharu from the karas tree (Aquilaria spp.) is sold as oleoresin infiltrated fragrant wood. It was reported that the highest grade gaharu was valued at US$ 27 400 in Dubai (Ng and Azmi, 1997).
Many of our local plants are also rich in aromatic compounds that can be used commercially as flavour and fragrance agents in beverages, food products, confectionery, toothpaste, cosmetics and medicinal preparations. These plants include kunyit (Curcuma domestica), serai makan (Cymbopogon citratus), serai wangi (Cymbopogon nardus), pandan (Pandanus odorus) and keso (Polygonum minus). Given the tremendous diversity of aromatic plant species available in Malaysia and the continuous demand for flavour and fragrance by industries, the economic potential of commercial application of these species is very promising.
PLANTING OF MEDICINAL PLANT IN MALAYSIA
In Malaysia, medicinal plants are generally collected from the wild, with limited cultivation being carried out. This has lead to serious depletion of certain species and put some in danger of extinction. Interest has grown in the cultivation of medicinal plants for herbal use. However, to ensure satisfactory, returns from planting medicinal plants, plant selection must be focused on species highly demanded by the industry. Planting will depend on land availability but the following planting conditions can be recommended.
Planting under forest conditions which include virgin forest, logged-over forest and plantation forest: in forest where its resources have been removed (logged over forest), enrichment planting with selected medicinal plants is suitable and beneficial. In plantation forest, planting can be carried out in conventional forest plantations where selected medicinal plants are planted under forest species such as teak, pine, acasia, sentang (Azadirachta exelsa) and kara (Aquilaria malaccensis).
Integration with agricultural crops: other then planting under forest conditions, medicinal plants can also be integrated with other commercial crops such as rubber and oil palm. Such crops are able to provide shade and artificial forest environment to the medicinal species, and
Under open condition: under this condition, medicinal species that have high tolerance to high light intensities such as serai wangi may be planted.
When the Malaysian government announced its intention to boost the herbal industry, the Perak state government allocated a land area of 250 ha in Sg. Klah, Sungkai, Perak for a project to cultivate traditional crops (herb, spices and ulam). A series of long and short term medicinal and aromatic plants, have been identified for planting.
In another similar project, Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan (KESEDAR) was selected to lead a project on the mass production of medicinal plants of commercial importance. A total area of 60ha have been allocated in Gua Musang, Kelantan for this project.
SOME ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS IN MALAYSIA
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia, SIMAROUBACEAE)
Tongkat ali is also known as tunjang bumi, pasak bumi and penawar pahit. It has long been used in traditional medicine, especially by the Malays and Orang Asli. The roots are boiled and used as an aphrodisiac and tonic for men; it is also used for treating malaria and fever. This crop grows well in deep sandy loams mixed with plenty of organic matter. The roots can be harvested at the age of at least five years.
Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila, MYRSINACEAE)
Kacip Fatimah is a small, slighty woody herbaceous plant, which can be found in forest throughout Malaysia from the sea level up to about 150m altitude. A decoction of the roots is used for post-partum treatment, gonorrhoea and rheumatism. This plant can be propagated through seed and vegetative cuttings and can be harvested at the age of 7-8 months.
Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia, RUBICIEAE)
Mengkudu is a small tree which can grow up to 6m tall with few spreading branches. It grows well on clay loam in full sunlight or in some shade. It flowers and fruits all year round and can be propagated by stem cutting or seeds. The roots are boiled and the resultant decoction drunk to encourage the the onset of menstruation. The leaves are heated over a small fire and applied to the chest to relieve cough or to be abdomen for mothers after childbirth.
Kadok (Piper sarmentosum, PIPERACEAE)
Piper sarmentosum, known as daun kaduk is very popular in Malaysia and is often mistaken for its cousin Piper betel leaf plant. A decoction of the boiled leaves has been known to be effective in treating coughs, flu, rheumatism, pleurisy and lumbago. The root is a remedy for toothache and may be made into a wash for fungoid dermatitis on the feet. The leaves are also reported to contain antioxidant property.
Serai Wangi (Cymbopogon nardus, GRAMINIAE)
Serai Wangi is the perennial crop which grows well in sandy loam in full sun and establishes itself quickly into a bush. Infusion of the leaves is sometimes used in herbal bath for mothers to regain health after childbirth. The essential oil obtained from this herb is also used extensively in cosmetics.
Daun Kesom (Polygonum minus, POLYGONACEAE)
Daun Kesom is a bushy herb to 50cm tall which can be found growing in shallow ditches and wet places. It thrives on sandy loam in full sun and flowers upon maturity. It can be propagated from stem-cutting or seeds and is often planted for flavouring in cooking due to its strong aroma. Atrong docoction of the fresh herb is taken foe indigestion and as a remedy for stomach pains.
Akar Cerita (Andrographis paniculata, ACANTHACEA)
Akar Cerita is known for its incredibly bitter taste so much so it is also called ‘hempedu bumi’ or ‘bile of the earth’. It prefers rich loamy soils with some shade. It flowers frequently and can be propagated from stem-cuttings or seeds. A decoction of the leaves is often taaken orally to cure diabetes and to reduce high blood pressure. A leaf poultice is applied topically to relieve itchy skin and insect bites. This herb is also said to be useful as a liver tonic to help detoxify toxins in our body.
Pegaga (Centella asiatica, APIACEAE)
Pegaga, a popular ‘ulam’ (salad) is a creeping herb with a long stolen. It grows well in the open partially shaded habitats and is often planted in small scale for its medicinal properties. A decoction of pegaga have been used to treat skin diseases, hypertension and to improve blood circulation. The stolon with stems and roots may be used for cultivation. The plant can be propagated vegetatively using the stolon. It is ready for harvesting six months after planting whereby clumps of plants can be easily dug up using small spade. Pegaga is also a popular ingredient in cosmetic products.
PLANTING OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS UNDER OIL PALM-AGROFORESTRY AS AN OPTION
Traditionally, raw materials of most medicinal and aromatic plants have been sourced from natural forests. Continuous extraction from this source without concerted efforts on replacement through replanting has inevitably led to the depletion of these important raw materials.
One of the key determinant of the future development of the medicinal and aromatic plants industries in this country is the sustainable supply of the raw materials. For continuous and sustainable supply of the raw materials , some forms of planting are deemed necessary.
A major limitation in the widescale planting of potentially high economic value crops such as medicinal and aromatic plants is the issue of the land availability. Land for the planting of any crop, used to be available in abundance but is currently getting scarce. Futhermore, because environmental consideration, clearing of forests for the purpose of crop cultivation is currently not encouraged. There is a tremendous pressure to conserve our forests. In addition, a lot of our natural forests have been gazetted as permanent forests.
Even in new plantings, with the good price of palm oil, the focus is more on the planting of this crop. In addition, monoculture planting of medicinal and aromatic plants, although of potentially high value, may involve some form of biological and economic risks. With this scenario, it is therefore imperative that alternative forms of planting of medicinal and aromatic plants, are sought and considered.
One option available is on agroforestry (Mahmud, 1997a), a combining agricultural crops such as oil palm with medicinal and aromatic plants (Mahmud, 1997b, c) on the same piece of land. Under the concept of maximum land utilization and the need for diversification and alleviating potential risks in planting, medicinal and aromatic plants providing added value to the land.
In any agroforestry planting system to be adopted, due consideration should be given to minimizing possible competitive effects between the various component species and the provision of conducive environments for the proper establishment and growth of all component species.
In view of this, various factors (Mahmud, 1997a) have to be taken into consideration in considering the integration of medicinal and aromatic plants with oil palm and these include:
Growth habits of forest species in terms of growth rates, crown shape and size etc.
Growth requirements for light, moisture, nutrients, space etc., of all component species.
Duration of growth
Topography, either flat, undulating or hilly terrain.
Planting direction in terms of maximizing light transmission and capture.
Taking the above factors into consideration, the following are some illustrations and interim proposals on the integration of selected medicinal and aromatic plants with oil palm in an agroforestry system of planting.
Integration of Tongkat Ali with Oil Palm
Tongkat Ali which is targeted for harvesting at 4 to 6 years after planting, has a monopodial growth habit with very limited branching. It can be possibly be integrated with oil palm without having to modify the existing planting system of oil palm. In view of its simple growth habit, the Tongkat Ali can be planted in a single row at a distance of three metres apart in the interrow spaces. The planting can be done either in every palm rows or in alternate palms rows with the density of the Tongkat Ali in varying with the planting system. Since the Tongkat Ali may require initial shade in its early stages of establishment, the Tongkat Ali can be introduced at one, two or three years after the planting of oil palm with the expanding oil palm fronds providing the initial shade. The price of dried root of Tongkat Ali is between RM 30.00 – RM 40.00 per kg.
Integration of Kacip Fatimah or Serai Wangi with Oil Palm
Kacip Fatimah is a small slightly woody herbaceous plant which is harvested for its roots at he age of 7 – 8 months after germination. Serai wangi belongs to the grass family which survives as clumps with the stems harvested at eight months after planting. Both these plants can be integrated with oil palm, utilising the abundant space in between the palms. The serai wngi can be introduced at the same time as planting of the oil palm and the kacip fatimah, because of the need for initial shade, at 0.5, 1 or 2 years aftetr oil palm planting. Because of the shorter growth duration, high density planting of Kacip Fatimah and Serai Wangi can be practised when these plants are interplanted with oil palm. To avoid possible competition, the planting should be confined in the interrow spaces at spesific distances from the palm rows. Depending on when these crops are introduced, as much as 2 to 3 harvests of the Kacip Fatimah and Serai Wangi can be achieved with this form of planting. The price of the dried root of Kacip Fatimah and fresh leaves of serai wangi is RM 30.00 – RM 50.00 per kg and RM 1.20, respectively.
CONCLUSION
It is obvious that with land resource getting limited, integrating medicinal and aromatic plants with a high value crop such as oil palm through suitable agroforestry systems of planting, appears to be a viable and attractive option which should be seriously considered by the planting community. Under current scenario of limited land availability and the need to increase productivity and income, maximizing land use through agroforestry systems of planting compared to the traditional monoculture planting, offers an alternative option for the planting of potentially high value crops such as the medicinal and aromatic plants. With the adoption of existing advanced agricultural plantation technologies in agroforestry systems of planting and the planting properly implemented, establishment and planting success of the medicinal an aromatic plants under oil palm will be somewhat assured. In addition, by raising the awareness of the herbal industry on the commercial importance of medicinal products using raw materials from our tropical forest, the economic potential of these medicinal and aromatic plants will be increased. This will subsequently contribute to the development of herbal industries as well as medicinal plants research in this country.
* Nota: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
REFERENCES
AZIZOL, A K and JAMALUDIN, I (1995).
Pembangunan industri tumbuhan ubatan di Malaysia: Kriteria, masalah dan perlaksanaan. Konvensyen Kebangsaan Tumbuhan Ubatan. FRIM, Kepong.
BURKILL, I H (1996).
A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Vol. I and II. Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives
LATIFF, A (1994)
Conservation of medicinal plant and aromatic plants resources through in situ and ex situ methods. Report of the Second Regional Meeting of Asian Region Countries on G15 Gene Bank for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Project. Pp. 31-43. Kuala Lumpur
MAHMUD, A W (1997b)
Opportunities on the planting of forest species: Agroforestry as an option. Paper presented at Fourth Conference on Forestry and Forest Prducts Research, October 2-4, 1997, FRIM.
MAHMUD, A W (1997c)
Opportunities on the planting of forest species through Agroforestry. Paper presented at the Seminar on Plantation Management. Incorporated Society of Planters Sabah Northe-East Branch, 17-18 November, 1997, Sandakan.
NG, L T and MOHD AZMI, M I (1997)
Trade in medicinal and aromatic plants in Malaysia (1986-1996). FRIM Reports. No. 71
PERRY, L M and METZER, J C (1980)
Medicinal Plants of East and South East Asia. Attributed Properties and Uses, p. 620, London, MIT Press
Source: Proceedings of the "National Seminar on Livestock and Crop Intergration in Oil Palm: Towards Sustainability", 12-14 May 1998, Prime City Hotel, Kluang, Johor
|
|
|
|