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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2002 : May02
Coming Soon...
The Herbalist's "Top 10" Less Thirsty Plants to Grow
Water, water everywhere... that's how it is on an island. But water is a precious commodity that we should not waste or take for granted, whether we live with a catchment tank or are connected to the county water supply.
As a person who is concerned about the health of the Earth, that of this island, and the health of the island's economy as well, I'd like to propose two ways that we can all contribute to water conservation -- in both large and small ways.
The first way is to shift our thinking about landscape plants. Sure, the exotic tropical foliage is pretty and we're so used to it we'd have trouble imagining what our homes, hotels, and towns would look like without the non-indigenous palms, plumerias, heliconias, gingers, and plethora of beautiful flowers. But most of these familiar plants are not native to Hawaii. They require massive amounts of fertilizer and water to nourish them as they are in their native environments. There are hundreds of attractive, very hardy Hawaiian native plants that are so well-adapted to the various microclimates here that they don't require any additional irrigation after they're established. Many other parts of the country have discovered the advantages of native plants in the landscape as a result of droughts, such as the one that lasted for seven years in California in the 1970's.
Finding and buying native Hawaiian plants can be a little tricky: most nurseries don't seem to carry any at all. Such plants as kului, several species of hibiscus, mamaki, ilima and many other plants are very attractive -- growers and nurseries who care about the environment should make them readily available. Encourage your local nursery to stock at least some natives. Many of these plants are also threatened or endangered, so we can make a difference by including them in our landscaping, whether it be around our homes or in shopping centers, hotels, and roadways. In fact, our state flower, the yellow hibiscus or ma'o hau hele, is an endangered species. It grows very easily and has beautiful flowers. We should all be growing it!
The second way that we can conserve large amounts of water is to begin growing more agricultural crops, such as medicinal plants, that require less irrigation. On the land left vacant by the sugar cane and pineapple industries, some people are growing Noni, 'Awa, and other healing crops. This is looking in the correct direction because herbal dietary supplements sell about $600 million (retail value) each year. Although it is a good sign that Hawaiian growers are beginning to understand the commercial potential for medicinal plants, it is only a small beginning because there are many more medicinal plants that can be grown more easily, with less water and fertilizer, and harvested in a far shorter period of time than Noni and 'Awa.
I have come up with a Top 10 list of the medicinal plants that I believe can and should be grown commercially in Hawaii. The reasons that I selected these plants are based on their unthirsty habits, my success in growing them and other factors such as:
Here we go!
10. Mints (Mentha sp., peppermint, spearmint, etc.): used by companies such as Celestial Seasonings in many of their tea blends.
9. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita and Chamaemelum nobile): Calming herb used in tea blends such as "Sleepytime."
8. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): delicious lemony herb used in tea blends. It's mildly sedative, good for tummy aches, and is good to take when you have a cold.
7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): helps to relieve the symptoms of colds, relieves symptoms of hay fever, stimulates weak digestion, lowers high blood pressure and can help tone varicose veins. The market is medium-sized and pays $6-$10 per pound.
6. Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris): used in Chinese medicine. It sells for $8-10 per pound. The leaf is used for nervous conditions such as insomnia. It can also be smoked: this is the exact species used in Moxa cigars for Chinese moxibustion.
5. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): sales increased 70% in 2000. The root is prized in medicine as the strongest cerebral sedative. I believe that as our modern society becomes increasingly stressful for so many people, they will increasingly rely on herbs such as this to relax and help to promote restful sleep.
4. Green tea (Camellia sinensis): sales were up almost 40% in 2000, probably due to studies that have demonstrated that it is effective against the formation of cancerous cells.
3. Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis): indicated for rapid healing of wounds and bones. Frontier Natural Products Co-op sells organic comfrey leaf for $7 per pound and root for $11.
2. Soy beans (Glycine soja): demand for soybeans is growing by leaps and bounds: sales were up almost 116% in 2000. I predict that as the baby boom generation ages and discovers in even greater numbers the benefits that soy foods have in alleviating the symptoms of menopause, the market for soy-based products will continue to skyrocket.
And the number one medicinal plant that can and should be grown commercially in Hawaii is:
1. Siberian motherwort (Leonurus Sibericus) -- used in Chinese medicine. It's an excellent heart tonic and is helpful for women's health concerns such as pre-menstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. Dried leaf and stems can fetch $9-11 per pound. I believe this plant alone has the potential for putting Hawaii on the map as a truly progressive healing state.
The Herbalist's "Top 10" Less Thirsty Plants to Grow
Water, water everywhere... that's how it is on an island. But water is a precious commodity that we should not waste or take for granted, whether we live with a catchment tank or are connected to the county water supply.
As a person who is concerned about the health of the Earth, that of this island, and the health of the island's economy as well, I'd like to propose two ways that we can all contribute to water conservation -- in both large and small ways.
The first way is to shift our thinking about landscape plants. Sure, the exotic tropical foliage is pretty and we're so used to it we'd have trouble imagining what our homes, hotels, and towns would look like without the non-indigenous palms, plumerias, heliconias, gingers, and plethora of beautiful flowers. But most of these familiar plants are not native to Hawaii. They require massive amounts of fertilizer and water to nourish them as they are in their native environments. There are hundreds of attractive, very hardy Hawaiian native plants that are so well-adapted to the various microclimates here that they don't require any additional irrigation after they're established. Many other parts of the country have discovered the advantages of native plants in the landscape as a result of droughts, such as the one that lasted for seven years in California in the 1970's.
Finding and buying native Hawaiian plants can be a little tricky: most nurseries don't seem to carry any at all. Such plants as kului, several species of hibiscus, mamaki, ilima and many other plants are very attractive -- growers and nurseries who care about the environment should make them readily available. Encourage your local nursery to stock at least some natives. Many of these plants are also threatened or endangered, so we can make a difference by including them in our landscaping, whether it be around our homes or in shopping centers, hotels, and roadways. In fact, our state flower, the yellow hibiscus or ma'o hau hele, is an endangered species. It grows very easily and has beautiful flowers. We should all be growing it!
The second way that we can conserve large amounts of water is to begin growing more agricultural crops, such as medicinal plants, that require less irrigation. On the land left vacant by the sugar cane and pineapple industries, some people are growing Noni, 'Awa, and other healing crops. This is looking in the correct direction because herbal dietary supplements sell about $600 million (retail value) each year. Although it is a good sign that Hawaiian growers are beginning to understand the commercial potential for medicinal plants, it is only a small beginning because there are many more medicinal plants that can be grown more easily, with less water and fertilizer, and harvested in a far shorter period of time than Noni and 'Awa.
I have come up with a Top 10 list of the medicinal plants that I believe can and should be grown commercially in Hawaii. The reasons that I selected these plants are based on their unthirsty habits, my success in growing them and other factors such as:
- They require very little fertilization.
- They will not escape cultivation and become yet another invasive species.
- They have no significant insect pests.
- They have a short harvest and allow a quick return on your investment.
- They have a good market in the herbal supplement industry.
Here we go!
10. Mints (Mentha sp., peppermint, spearmint, etc.): used by companies such as Celestial Seasonings in many of their tea blends.
9. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita and Chamaemelum nobile): Calming herb used in tea blends such as "Sleepytime."
8. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): delicious lemony herb used in tea blends. It's mildly sedative, good for tummy aches, and is good to take when you have a cold.
7. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): helps to relieve the symptoms of colds, relieves symptoms of hay fever, stimulates weak digestion, lowers high blood pressure and can help tone varicose veins. The market is medium-sized and pays $6-$10 per pound.
6. Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris): used in Chinese medicine. It sells for $8-10 per pound. The leaf is used for nervous conditions such as insomnia. It can also be smoked: this is the exact species used in Moxa cigars for Chinese moxibustion.
5. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): sales increased 70% in 2000. The root is prized in medicine as the strongest cerebral sedative. I believe that as our modern society becomes increasingly stressful for so many people, they will increasingly rely on herbs such as this to relax and help to promote restful sleep.
4. Green tea (Camellia sinensis): sales were up almost 40% in 2000, probably due to studies that have demonstrated that it is effective against the formation of cancerous cells.
3. Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis): indicated for rapid healing of wounds and bones. Frontier Natural Products Co-op sells organic comfrey leaf for $7 per pound and root for $11.
2. Soy beans (Glycine soja): demand for soybeans is growing by leaps and bounds: sales were up almost 116% in 2000. I predict that as the baby boom generation ages and discovers in even greater numbers the benefits that soy foods have in alleviating the symptoms of menopause, the market for soy-based products will continue to skyrocket.
And the number one medicinal plant that can and should be grown commercially in Hawaii is:
1. Siberian motherwort (Leonurus Sibericus) -- used in Chinese medicine. It's an excellent heart tonic and is helpful for women's health concerns such as pre-menstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms. Dried leaf and stems can fetch $9-11 per pound. I believe this plant alone has the potential for putting Hawaii on the map as a truly progressive healing state.
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