0 Turmeric Cultivation : Processing of Growing Medium

Some days ago, we had discussed the turmeric plant seeding process. So, at this time I would like to discuss how the processing of growing medium on turmeric crops. The things that must be considered in the processing of growing medium of Turmeric crops are land preparation, land clearing, seedbeds establishment, and fertilizing. These stages must be considered and should be implemented properly before ready to plant in order to get the optimum results.

Turmeric Cultivation

Here are several stages should be prepared and implemented in Turmeric cultivation :

• Land Preparation
Planting location can be either dry land, estate, or a yard. Preparation of land for turmeric crop should be

2 The Benefits of Mint

Mint leaves or scientifically known as Mentha piperita is a herb which is very famous all over the world. These plants are usually grown in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America. This plant is suitable for use as a mint leaf, especially as a food, beverages, toothpaste, chewing gum, and candy.

In addition to extra flavor for food and drink, this type of plants also commonly used as a mixture of various dishes, such as fruit salad. Maybe we all know this, that a lot of mint are widely used to freshen breath. But many does not know, that the mint leaves are also beneficial for health.

Mint Leaf for Health

In fact, consume a mint is very good for our body, especially for  body's digestive system. The aroma of Mint can activatethe salivary glands and digestive enzymes in our body., In western countries, mint leaves used as appetizers. Mint leaves can also be used to treat indigestion stomach. When we feel abdominal pain, we can ease it by drinking a cup of Mint tea.

Drinking herbal tea made from Mint, can reduce irritable bowel syndrome, and also clean a stomach. Strong scent of mint also provide benefits to the respiratory system and can be used to treat various respiratory disorders. It is very effective as a decongestant for nose, throat, bronchi and lungs. It also can treating respiratory disorders such as asthma and cough. Mint flavor which is very fresh, making it ideal to relieve the unpleasant breath odor. Mint tea which made ​​from fresh or dried mint leaves, effectively get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath. 

Mint Leaf

The aroma of Mint is also useful to cure nausea and headaches. Menthol oil which derived from mint leaves is widely used by people who often travel far to prevent nausea. That aroma is very refreshing. The smell of menthol can help open up the respiratory tract because it contains anti-inflammatory.

A study in 1997, published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing shows the effect of mint as an anti-nausea medication post-surgery. Mint leaves can also be used for skin care. Mint juice is great when used as a face mask. In addition to smoothing the skin, Mint also can be used to resolve infections, rashes, and acne.

One thing that you should need to know, Mint can also cope with mosquito bites. Beside of that, mint leaves can also assist in losing weight. This is because Mint leaves can stimulate the digestion of fat. We can chop the Mint leaves and add them to a foods such as scrambled eggs or tea as well.

Mint Tea

A study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia found that the smell of Mint or Peppermint leaves in a relaxed moment is not only be able to make the mind calm, but also help reduce the appetite. This study involves a number of participants who were asked to inhale or smell the scent fresh Mint leaves every two hours.

From this study also showed that those who smelled of Mint can reduce your calorie intake to 23% of the ordinary. This is of course very helpful for those who maintain eating patterns. By smelling of Mint leaves on a regular basis within two hours can stimulate the brain to suppress appetite.

Hopefully this article can be useful.

0 The Benefits of Lime

Lime or Citrus aurantifolia has been known since long time ago as a plant which has rich in benefits. Although the fruit has taste a little bitter, sour and slightly cold, but it's benefits are extremely diverse.

Lime juice can be used as a flavoring food, drink, refreshment. Lime also can be used as material for citric acid. It also can remove rust from metal. Not only for a logam, but also for human dirty skin. Beside that, it can also be used for mixture of herbs.

Lime is belong to herbaceous plant species, which has many branches and twigs. It has woody trunk resilient. Outer surface of it's skin is old and has dull color.

Lime

Lime contains chemical elements compounds which are useful for our health. For example: limonene, linalyn acetate, acetic geraniol, phellandrene and sitral. 

100 grams of lime juice contains :

• 27 milligrams of vitamin C,
• 40 milligrams of calcium,
• phosphorus 22 mg,
• 12.4 grams carbohydrate,
• 0.04 milligrams of vitamin B 1,
• 0.6 milligrams of iron,
• the fat 0.1 gram,
• calories 37 grams,
• 0.8 grams protein,
• 86 grams of water.

Lime contains elements of chemical compounds such as limonene, linalin acetate, acetic geranil, fellandren, sitral and citric acid. Here are some benefits could we get from consuming a Lime :

• Treating Tonsil
  Ingredients : 1 pc of Lime, one half of thumb of grated turmeric and 2 tablespoons of honey.
  How to make : 1 pc of Lime extorted to be taken its water, turmeric grated and squeezed to take water, then mixed with honey plus 0.5 cup of water, stirring until evenly distributed, and then filtered.
  How to use : drink it once every two day regularly.


• Malaria.
  Ingredients : 1 Lime juice, 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce, salt to taste.;
  How to make : 1 pc of Lime extorted to be taken its water, then mix it with other material and filtered.
  How to use : Drink each morning before breakfast.
  


• Influenza.
  Ingredients : 1 Lime juice, 0.5 tablespoon of eucalyptus oil, betel leaf sufficiently.
  How to make : 1 pc of Lime extorted to be baked for a moment and take water, then mixed with other ingredients and stir it until evenly distributed, and filtered.
  How to use : drink once per day regularly.
  


• Constipation.
  Ingredients : 1 lime juice, 2-4 spring onions, 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil, acid fruit to taste, 2 tablespoons of cooking water.
  How to make : 1 pcs of Lime extorted to take its water, then mixed with another ingredients and mash together.
  How to use : apply it to whole of body, especially around the abdomen.


• Dysentery.
  Ingredients : 2 slices root of Lime.
  Method : boil with 2.5 cups of water, then filtered.
  How to use : drink it one per day. 

Lime leaves

Actually there are many other benefits of Lime, for example for the beauty and facial treatments. But I will discuss it in subsequent posts of this blog. Hopefully useful.

2 Turmeric Cultivation : Seeding Process

After in the previous post I have discussed about the efficacy of turmeric plants for our health, then now I want to discuss how to do Turmeric cultivation.

As we know, there are a lot of benefit that we can take from this herbal plants, that's why there are so many people trying to cultivate it. This effort, beside can give much benefit to many people, it can also be used for a cottage industry.

Turmeric

Turmeric cultivation is not easy after all, but also is not too difficult. But, we should have the knowledge how to cultivate Turmeric. If we have that knowledge, the results obtained can be maximized. 

Right now, there are some countries has started to cultivate these plants. Those countries are Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, China, Haiti, and Jamaica. In Indonesia, turmeric cultivation centers located in Central Java with the production of nearly 12 323 kg / ha. Whereas in other countries such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Haiti and Jamaica, production reach 15 tons / ha.

Turmeric plant can grow well in areas which has full intensity of light or moderate. It can be said that this crop can grow very well in open places. The best growth is achieved in regions with rainfall 1000-4000 mm / year. When planted in the area of rainfall < 1000 mm / year, the irrigation system must be arranged and organized well. These plants can be cultivated throughout the year. The best time to grow this plant is in the beginning of the rainy season. The temperature range approximately 19-30 C.

Turmeric Cultivation

Turmeric could grow well if planted in loose soil. Type of soil needed is a land with a high organic matter or sandy loam soil with a little puddle of water. For altitude, turmeric should be planted in the lowlands.

The following are step-by-step how to cultivate the turmeric :

Choosing the Seeds 

Good turmeric seeds comes from the rhizome, because it is easier to grow.

In order to grow the Turmeric very well, we should know what are the requirement of good seeds :

• Derived from plants which grow fast, fresh, healthy, and green leafy.
• Coming from rhizomes that have been aged more than 7-12 months.
• Shapes, sizes, and colors should be uniforms.
• Have adequate moisture.
• Seed has undergone enough a period of rest (dormancy).
• Avoid foreign material (seeds of other plants, bark, and gravel).

Preparation of Seeds 

Rhizome seed material is cut to gain size and weight which uniform, as well as to estimate the number of eyes shoots. Cutting marks is closed with kitchen ash or husk. Soak the cut Rhizome with a fungicide solution (Benlate and agrymicin) to avoid fungal growth. Each piece has a maximum rhizome 1-3 buds, weighing between 20-30 grams and length of 3-7 cm.

Seeds Seeding Technique 

Growing of Turmeric rhizome bud can be done by giving an air into the rhizomes in the shade, or moisturize it for 1 - 1.5 months with a watering 2 times a day (in the morning and afternoon). Seedlings grow well if kept at room temperature (25-28 0 C). Besides that, it can also be done by placing the rhizome between the hay and soaked in a solution of atonic (1 cc/1.5 liter) and a solution of G-3 (500-700 ppm). Rhizome that will be soaked, should be dried first at 35 Celcius Degree for 42 hours.

Displacement the Seed 

Seedlings which had been prepared and placed in the seedbed places, the rhizomes will grow shoots at the age of 1-1.5 months. After the shoots grow 2-3 cm, the rhizomes can be planted on open land already. Displacement seed which has sprouted, should be done very carefully in order not damaged. During transfer, the germinate seeds should not be stacked.

Hopefully this article useful.