1.0 Product and its applications

According to Ayurveda system of medicine, Bhumyamalaki is one of the special Kalpa plants which have rejuvenative properties. The other properties attributed to this herb are deobtruent, hepatic tonic, diuretic, anti diabetic, cooling and astringent.

Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn. Syn P niruri) plant is known in Sanskrit as Bhumyamalaki; in Hindi as Jar-amla, Bhui-amla, Jangli-amla, Bhumi-amalaki, Hazardana, Tamalaki; in Tamil as Kilkkynelli; in Telugu as Nelavusari and in Malayalam as Kizhkhayinell. The common names in other languages are Stonebreaker & Seed-Under-Leaf (English), Chanca Piedra (Spanish) and Quebra Pedra (Portugese). It has many other common names in assorted languages, including dukong anak, dukong-dukong anak, amin buah, rami buah and turi hutan.

The whole plant is useful since its every part shows potency and good action. The major bioactive chemical composition of the Phyllanthus niruri is the toxic bitter substance called Phyllanthin and the non bitter substance called Hypophyllanthin.

The plant has long been used in Brazil as an herbal remedy for kidney stones. Research among sufferers of kidney stones has shown that it may reduce urinary calcium, a contributing factor to stone growth. Its therapeutic uses reported in Spanish literature are: 1) A paste of plant leaves mixed in buttermilk is prescribed for jaundice. Alternatively the paste is also mixed in goat's milk and given for the ailment. It shows anti-viral actions against Hepatitis B virus. This will tone up your liver. You must take this when you are down with jaundice.

2) It is used for the urine genital disorders.

3) The plant is useful as a bitter tonic astringent and febrifuge.

4) For the enlargement of the spleen and liver the juice of the root mixed with rice water given orally.

5) Herb is used in hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.

6) For malaria fever, the paste of the whole plant mixed in buttermilk is given internally.

7) It is a sure remedy for intestinal worms, amoeba and cystitis.

8) Leaves ground and taken in, gives a cooling effect, encourages conception in women. The root and seeds are ground into dry powder or wet paste and mixed with rice water and given as home remedy for menopause disorders.

9) A paste of Bhumyamalaki leaves is mixed in rice water is prescribed for ulcers, sores and swellings.

10) Its root is given to sleepless children.

11) It is topically applied to insisted lesions and inflammation affection.

12) Leaves are ground and applied externally of bone fracture.

2.0 Market Potential

Importers, exporters, buyers, processors, traditional practitioners, Ayurvedic and Siddha drug manufacturers throng the markets for procurement of this plant every year. Its domestic as well as export demands are quite large.

3.0 Basis and Presumption

a) The agricultural land and related infrastructure is available with the entrepreneur.
b) Prices are calculated as per the prevailing market rates.
c) The yields depend on proper implementation of package of practices.
d) Economics of cultivation greatly improves on scale of operation.
e) This activity provides tax-free high returns. Additionally a number of government support schemes are available. Latest provisions need to be checked up.
f) Market for medicinal plants is volatile and economics may vary from time to time.

4.0 Agri practices

It is a small erect annual herb 10-60 cm tall widespread in tropical areas. Leaves are small elliptical - oblong and flowers are whitish green & minute. It bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.

Bhumyamalaki is a circum-tropical weed, thriving well under tropical conditions. In India, it grows abundantly up to 700m altitude in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

4.1 Soil & Climate

It is well adapted to variety of soils at pH ranging from alkaline to neutral and acidic. Plant shows preference for calcareous well drained and light textured soils. Plant does not grow properly under shade. It grows under semi-temperate to tropical conditions and under high rainfall. However, the plant rarely survives under dry or very low temperature conditions. Water logging does not show any lethal effect on this crop.

4.2 Land Preparation

The nursery beds are well prepared. FYM is mixed with top soil layer while preparing the beds.

4.3 Propagation

The plants are propagated through seeds. About 1 kg seed is required for seedlings to transplant in 1 ha land. The seeds are mixed with dry soil or sand to allow uniform distribution of seeds on the nursery bed. A thin layer of soil is spread to cover the nursery beds. Appropriate moisture is maintained in the beds till the seeds have germinated. Sowing in April-May gives higher seed germination and good yield. The seedlings, 15-30 old, which are about 10 cm tall, are transplanted at a spacing of 15x15 cm. Irrigation soon after transplanting ensures good establishment of the seedlings.

4.4 Fertilizer

Organic manures are preferred. The crop does not have any specific requirement for N, P and K. However FYM or nitrogenous fertilizers applied in appropriate quantities result in better growth and higher herb yield.

4.5 Irrigation

No irrigation is required in rainy season but if there are no rainfalls irrigation at an interval of 15 days should be given. Water logging is not a problem for this crop.

4.6 Weed control

Regular hand weeding every month is required to keep the field weed free.

4.7 Pest control

No serious pests and diseases have been recorded on this crop.

4.8 Harvesting

Plants should be harvested in September after the completion of rainy season when they are still green in colour and herbaceous. At this time the concentration of active constituents in the leaves as well as the quantity of leaves are at highest. The leaves are dried in sun.

6.0 Yield

The average yield of dry herb is 1t per ha. The prevailing market rate is Rs 35/ kg (2009)

7.0 Economics of cultivation per hectare land per year

Expenditure per ha: Rs 10,000
Returns per ha: Rs 40,000
Net returns per ha: Rs 30,000

8 .0 Addresses of Some Dealers in Medicinal plants/ Planting material  

a. Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine,
Canal Road,
Jammu Tawi-180001

b. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre,
HNB Garhwal University,
Shrinagar, Garhwal-246174

c. Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,
Post Office Box No.6,
Palampur-176 061

d. Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,
Near Kukrail Picnic Spot,
Lucknow-226015

e. North east Institute of Science & Technology,
Jorhat-785006 (Assam)

f. National Botanical Research Institute,
Rana Pratap Marg,
Lucknow-226001

g. Institute of Minerals & Materials technology,
Bhubaneswar-751013

h. Advanced Materials & Processes Research Institute,
Hoshangabad Road, Near Habibganj Naka,
Bhopal-462064

i. Forest Research Institute (ICFRE)
Dehradun-248006

j. NBPGR,
Pusa Campus,
New Delhi-110012

k. NBPGR, Regional Station,
Bhowali-263132
District Nainital

l. NBPGR, Regional Station,
Phagli,
Shimla-171004

m. Cedmap,
60, Jail Road, Jahangirabad,
Bhopal (M.P.)

n. Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute,
Karimancode, P.O. Palode,
Thiruvananthapuram-695562 (Kerala)

o. KRD Musli Farm,10/47, Station Road, Rau,
Indore-453331 (M.P.)

p. Mittal Musli Farm and Research Centre,
Jamod, Jalgaon (Maharashtra)

q. Jeevan Herbs & Agro Farms
178,Keshav Ganj, Sagar (M.P.)

r. SSS Biotic.com
C/o biosourcing.com (P)Ltd.
A-41, Janpath, Ashoknagar
Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

s. Kasiraj Exports,
37, Santhai Road,
Tuticorin (TN)

t. A.Y. Agritec Private Limited
16-7-382/18, Azampura Masjid,
Hyderabad (A.P.)

u. Raj and Company
Contact: Mr. Vijay Kumar Jain
Behind Katju Market Near Parsi Mandir,
Neemuch 458441
Tel: 07423-221600;
Fax: 07423-225341
E-mail: rajspice@bom4.vsnl.net.in

v. Manvir Pharma Supply
E-2, P&T Colony 6, Patel Colony, Jamnagar
Tel: 0288-2750015;
Fax: 0288-2750015

w. Suman Trading Co.
10-2-32/1, Pamuvari Street Ramaraopet,
Kakinada 533004

x. Silpa Agro Farms Private Limited
Flat No. 204, 2nd Floor,
Firdous Kaveri Court, Taranaka Road,
Metuguda Secundrabad 500017
Tel: 27820291/08451-288319
E-mail: silpaagro@onebox.com

y. Atulya Herbs
Rajiv Juyal Road, Majra, Dehradun 248 171
Tel: +91 135 2620488; Fax: +91 135 3124102
E-mail: asian@nde.vsnl.net.in; paritoshgulati@yahoo.com; drmadanlal@sancharnet.in Website: http://rajugulati.ebigchina.com

z. VEG Trading Company
106/12, Prakasam Street, Erode 638 001
Tel: +91 424 2223846; Fax: +91 424 2218041
E-mail: vegnet@tasteefoods.com

Contact for more information:

Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com