Legume Tree Billy Webb (Acosmium panamensis) good for diabetes, dry cough and fever.

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 201-365

The species is part of the evergreen tropical forests

The hard, durable wood of this tree is used in heavy construction, and to make such household items as washing tubs, breadboards and mortar sticks.

The bitter-tasting bark is used as a remedy for coughs and fever. It is the main ingredient in "Sweet Blood", one of the Rain forest Remedies bottled by Ix Chel Farms, which is good for diabetes, dry cough and low appetite.
 
Oral application of water extracts at doses of 20 and 200 mg/kg and of butanol extracts at doses of 20 and 100 mg/kg significantly lowered the plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats within 3 h. Glibenclamide was used as reference and showed similar hypoglycemic effect like the extracts.

Three structurally new compounds were isolated from the plant and shown to be the main constituents in both extracts.

 

Ecological Restoration

New Root supports the ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems. We value the careful study of local forests to ensure that we are actually restoring the land to be a functional ecosystem that supports biodiversity. 

To do so, it is imperative to use native species. Where possible, we encourage the use of natural regeneration, which allows forests to replant themselves. In some cases this is difficult due to an absence of seed dispersing animals or due to the degraded state of the soil. In such cases it is necessary for people to plant seedlings. 

 Depending on the land, these include nitrogen fixing trees such as Gliricidia sepium, fruit trees that attract animals such as Dialium guianense, trees that have medicinal uses such as Acosmium panamense, trees that bind soil to prevent erosion such as Persea americana, and a number of large trees that sequester remarkable amounts of carbon such as Cedrela odorata. In some forests it is possible to find over 100 species on a single hectare.

Legume tree species, which are abundant in tropical dry forests, may be a critical regulator of soil nutrient dynamics because of their high foliar nitrogen (N) and potential for symbiotic N fixation.  

The legume tree species (Acosmium panamense, Dalbergia retusa, and Gliricidia sepium) have distinct soil chemistry under their crowns compared to nearby non-legume species (Rehdera trinervis, Swietenia macrophylla, and Quercus oleoides) when grown in two habitats.

Acosmium had the highest values for total soil C and N, labile C, and potential N mineralization rates.

Forests Versus Land

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 200-365

When prolonged drought  people remember to plant trees and forests.
Countries with large deserts have less water.
At this moment there are know how to transform deserts in Forests.
The technique name is Permaculture. And is proven to be functional.

Some countries remembers that the attention you pay to the forestation is in direct relation with the amount of rein it receives and the well being of the people.

Planet, continents and regions

Region	Forested area (km2)		% of land area
World	39,000,000		26.19%
Polar regions (Russia, Scandinavia and North America)	13,800,000
Latin America and the Caribbean	9,640,000		45.67%
East Asia and the Pacific	7,332,000		35.18%
Africa	6,500,000		21.80%
Canada and the United States	4,680,000		26.00%
European Union	1,600,000		35.00%
Australia	1,470,832		19.00%
West Asia (Middle East and Arabia)	36,600		01.00%

The extent, and type of land use directly affects wildlife habitat and thereby impacts local and global biodiversity. Human alteration of landscapes from natural vegetation (e.g. wilderness) to any other use typically results in habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, all of which can have devastating effects on biodiversity. Land conversion is the single greatest cause of extinction of terrestrial species


Rates and causes of deforestation vary from region to region around the world. In 2009, 2/3 of the world forests were in 10 top countries: 1) Russia, 2) Brazil, 3) Canada, 4) United States, 5) China, 6) Australia, 7) Congo, 8) Indonesia, 9) Peru and 10) India.

World annual deforestation is estimated as 13.7 million hectares a year, equal to the area of Greece. Only half of this area is compensated by new forests or forest growth. In addition to directly human-induced deforestation, the growing forests have also been affected by climate change, increasing risks of storms, and diseases.

Canada

In 2005, an estimated 56,000 hectares were deforested in Canada. Deforestation affected less than 0.02% of Canada’s forests in 2005. The agricultural sector accounted for just over half of the deforestation in 2005, the result of forests having been cleared for pasture or crops. The remainder was caused by urban development, transportation corridors, and recreation (19%); hydroelectric development (10%); the forest sector (10%); and other natural resource extraction industries (8%). About two thirds of this deforestation occurred in Canada’s boreal forest, mainly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba where the forest borders the Prairies

In Canada, prior to 2000, less than 8% of the boreal forest was protected from development and more than 50% has been allocated to logging companies for cutting

United States

Prior to the arrival of European-Americans, roughly half of the land area of the present-day United States was forest—about 4,000,000 square kilometres (990,000,000 acres) in 1600. For the next 300 years land was cleared, mostly for agriculture, at a rate that matched the rate of population growth. For every person added to the population, one to two hectares of land was cultivated. 

This trend continued until the 1920s when the amount of crop land stabilized in spite of continued population growth. As abandoned farmland reverted to forest, the amount of forestland increased from 1952, reaching a peak in 1963 of 3,080,000 square kilometres (760,000,000 acres). Since 1963 there has been a steady decrease of forest area with the exception of some gains from 1997.

Nigera

According to the FAO, Nigeria has the world's highest deforestation rate of primary forests. It has lost more than half of its primary forest in the last five years. Causes cited are logging, subsistence agriculture, and the collection of fuel wood. Almost 90% of West Africa's rainforest has been destroyed.

Romania

A high percentage (47% of the land area) of the country is covered with natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Since almost half of all forests in Romania (13% of the country) have been managed for watershed conservation rather than production, Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe. The integrity of Romanian forest ecosystems is indicated by the presence of the full range of European forest fauna, including 60% and 40% of all European brown bears and wolves, respectively. 

Germany

In Germany, reforestation is required as part of the federal forest law. 31% of Germany is forested, according to the second forest inventory of 2001–2003. The size of the forest area in Germany increased between the first and the second forest inventory due to forestation of degenerated bogs and agricultural areas. 

China

In China, extensive replanting programs have existed since the 1970s. Programs have had overall success. The forest cover has increased from 12% of China's land area to 16%. However, specific programs have had limited success. The "Green Wall of China", an attempt to limit the expansion of the Gobi Desert is planned to be 2,800 miles (4,500 km) long and to be completed in 2050.  

The Most Re-Forested Global Countries

Country Continent(s) km2 Forested - 1990 km2 Forested - 2007 % Change 1 Bahrain Asia 2 5 +150.0 2 Iceland Europe 250 492 +96.8 3 Uruguay South America 9,050 15,448 +70.7 4 Tunisia Africa 6,430 10,948 +70.3 5 Rwanda Africa 3,180 5,344 +68.1 6 Lesotho Africa 50 84 +68.0 7 Kuwait Asia 35 58 +65.7 8 Egypt Asia 440 702 +59.5 9 Ireland, Republic of Europe 4,410 6,930 +57.1 10 Cape Verde Africa 578 845 +46.2 11 Vietnam Asia 93,630 134,134 +43.3 12 Spain Europe 134,790 185,066 +37.3 13 Cuba North America 20,580 28,242 +37.2 14 Samoa Oceania 1,300 1,710 +31.5 15 China Asia 1,571,410 2,054,056 +30.7 16 Algeria Africa 17,898 23,299 +30.2 17 United Arab Emirates Asia 2,450 3,128 +27.7 18 Syria Asia 3,720 4,726 +27.0 19 Portugal Europe 30,990 38,630 +24.7 20 Italy Europe 83,830 101,918 +21.6 21 Swaziland Africa 4,720 5,504 +16.6 22 Greece Europe 32,990 38,124 +15.6 23 St. Vincent & Grenadines North America 95 109 +14.7 24 Lebanon Asia 1,210 1,387 +14.6 25 Denmark Europe 4,450 5,056 +13.6 26 Israel Asia 1,540 1,738 +12.9 27 Bulgaria Europe 33,270 37,250 +12.0 28 Hungary Europe 18,010 20,036 +11.2 29 United Kingdom Europe 26,110 28,658 +9.8 30 Lithuania Europe 19,450 21,306 +9.5 31 Uzbekistan Asia 30,450 33,282 +9.3 32 Cyprus, Republic of Asia / Europe 1,611 1,750 +8.6 33 New Zealand Oceania 77,200 83,422 +8.1 34 France Europe 145,380 156,352 +7.5 35 Gambia Africa 4,420 4,750 +7.5 36 Slovenia Europe 11,880 12,745 +7.3 37 Belarus Europe 73,760 79,124 +7.3 38 Palau Oceania 380 406 +6.8 39 Latvia Europe 27,750 29,634 +6.8 40 Switzerland Europe 11,550 12,298 +6.5 41 Netherlands Europe 3,450 3,670 +6.4 42 Chile South America 152,630 162,358 +6.4 43 Estonia Europe 21,630 23,004 +6.4 44 Liechtenstein Europe 65 69 +6.2 45 Bhutan Asia 30,350 32,166 +6.0 46 India Asia 639,390 677,598 +6.0 47 Turkey Asia / Europe 96,800 102,242 +5.6 48 Kyrgyzstan Asia 8,360 8,737 +4.5 49 Poland Europe 88,810 92,452 +4.1 50 Cook Islands Oceania 149 155 +4.0 51 Ukraine Europe 92,740 96,010 +3.5 52 Moldova Europe 3,190 3,302 +3.5 53 Norway Europe 91,300 94,214 +3.2 54 Germany Europe 107,410 110,760 +3.1 55 Austria Europe 37,760 38,716 +2.5 56 Iraq Asia 8,040 8,236 +2.4 57 Fiji Oceania 9,790 10,000 +2.1 58 Ivory Coast Africa 102,220 104,358 +2.1 59 Morocco Africa 42,890 43,784 +2.1 60 Albania Europe 7,890 8,040 +1.9 61 United States North America 2,986,480 3,034,070 +1.6 62 Finland Europe 221,940 225,100 +1.4 63 Puerto Rico North America 4,040 4,084 +1.1 64 Croatia Europe 21,160 21,374 +1.0 65 Luxembourg Europe 860 868 +0.9 66 Czech Republic Europe 26,300 26,524 +0.9 67 Sweden Europe 273,670 275,496 +0.7 68 Micronesia Oceania 630 634 +0.6 69 Slovakia Europe 19,220 19,322 +0.5 70 Tajikistan Asia 4,080 4,100 +0.5

Global Countries With No Change In Overall Forested Area Between 1990 & 2007

Country Continent(s) km2 Forested in both 1990 & 2007  Andorra Europe 160 Anguilla North America 55 Antigua & Barbuda North America 94 Aruba North America 4 Azerbaijan Asia / Europe 9,360 Bahamas North America 5,150 Barbados North America 17 Belize North America 16,530 Bermuda North America 10 British Virgin Islands North America 37 Canada North America 3,101,340 Cayman Islands North America 124 Channel Islands Europe 8 Djibouti Africa 56 Dominican Republic North America 13,760 Faroe Islands Europe 1 Falkland Islands South America 0 French Polynesia Oceania 1,050 Georgia Asia / Europe 27,600 Gibraltar Europe 0 Greenland North America 2 Guam Oceania 259 Guyana South America 151,040 Iran Asia 110,750 Isle of Man Europe 35 Jordan Asia 830 Kiribati Oceania 22 Libya Africa 2,170 Macedonia Europe 9,060 Maldives Asia 9 Malta Europe 3 Martinique North America 465 Montserrat North America 35 Nauru Oceania 0 Netherlands Antilles North America 12 New Caledonia Oceania 7,170 Oman Asia 20 Palestine Asia 90 Pitcairn Oceania 35 Qatar Asia 0 Romania Europe 63,710 Russia Asia / Europe 8,089,500 Saint Helena Africa 20 Saint Kitts & Nevis North America 53 Saint Lucia North America 170 Saint Pierre y Miquelon North America 30 San Marino Europe 1 Sao Tome & Principe Africa 274 Saudi Arabia Asia 27,280 Seychelles Africa 400 Singapore Asia 23 South Africa Africa 92,030 Suriname South America 147,760 Tokelau Oceania 0 Tonga Oceania 36 Turkmenistan Asia 41,270 Turks & Caicos Islands North America 344 Tuvalu Oceania 10 Vanuatu Oceania 4,395 Western Sahara Africa 10,110 Yemen Asia 5,490

 

 

Liliana Usvat: Medicinal Trees Quassia (Quassia amara ) expel parasites and reduce fever

Liliana Usvat: Medicinal Trees Quassia (Quassia amara ) expel parasites and reduce fever

Medicinal Trees Quassia (Quassia amara ) expel parasites and reduce fever

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 189-365

The wood of this tree from Mexico and Central and South America has been an item of commerce since the mid-1700s. The wood’s bitter extractive, which has been relied on to expel parasites and reduce fever, is water soluble. Thus in the 1800s it frequently was turned into popular “bitter cups.” The substance also has uses as an insecticide.

The genus was named by Carolus Linnaeus who named it after the first botanist to describe it: the Surinamese freedman Graman Quassi. Q. amara is used as insecticide, in traditional medicine and as additive in the food industry.

Common Names
 

• Bitter wood , 
• picrasma , 
• Jamaican quassia ( P. excelsa ), 
• Surinam quassia ( Q. amara ), 
• Amara species , 
• Amargo , 
• Surinam wood , 
• ruda 

Origin

Q. amara is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brasil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, French Guiana and Guyana. Q. amara is widely planted outside its native range.

Parts Used

 

Wood, leaves

Typical Preparations

 

Usually taken in the form of an infusion, in capsules, or tincture.

Medicinal Uses

• treatment for measles, 
• diarrhea, 
• fever, and 
• lice. 
• Quassia has antibacterial, 
• antifungal, 
• antifertility, 
• antitumor, 
• antileukemic, and 
• insecticidal actions as well

Traditionally Q. amara is used as a digestive, treat fever, against hair parasites (lice, fleas), and Mosquito larvae in ponds (and do not harm the fishes).
The component Simalikalactone D was identified as an antimalarial. The preparation of a tea out of young leafs is used traditionally in French Guyana.

In small doses Quassia increases the appetite large doses act as an irritant and cause vomiting;

A decoction used as an injection will move ascarides; for an enema for this purpose, 3 parts Quassia to 1 part mandrake root are used, and to each ounce of the mixture, 1 fluid drachm of asafoetida or diluted carbolic acid is added; for a child up to three years, 2 fluid ounces are injected into the rectum twice daily. 

Cups made of the wood and filled with liquid will in a few hours become thoroughly impregnated and this drink makes a powerful tonic.
 
The infusion is made by macerating in cold water for twelve hours 3 drachmsof the rasped Quassia to 1 pint of cold water, 2 OZ. of the infusion alone, or with ginger tea, taken three times a day, proves very useful for feeble emaciated people with impaired digestive organs.

The extract can be made by evaporating the decoction to a pilular consistence, and taken in 1 grain doses, three or four times daily, this will be found less obnoxious to the stomach than the infusion or decoction. Quassia with sulphuric acid acts as a cure for drunkenness, by destroying the appetite for alcoholics.

Dosing

Quassia wood has been used as a bitter tonic, with a typical oral dose of 500 mg.

Forestation
 

• Seeds and cuttings can be used for propagation of Q. amara. 
• Frost is not tolerated, but the plant is partially drought tolerant.
• A large amount of indirect light is recommended.

Medicinal Trees Dogwood (Cornus ) bark is used for ever, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, hemoroids, colic, ringworms

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 188-365


Dogwood (Cornus )

A medicine made from the bark of this tree native to the eastern United States often has been substituted for quinine.

Fruits

Cornus mas is commonly cultivated in Southeastern Europe for its edible berries, which can be eaten raw after slight bletting, turned into jams, and fermented into a wine.

Useful Parts of the Plant:

• Leaves
• Bark
• Ripe fruit

 

• Flowers
• Peel

Medicinal Uses

• Astringent, 
• febrifuge, 
• stimulant, 
• tonic

Cornus florida has been proven to prevent the spread of malaria. Their bark is rich in tannin and has been used as a substitute for quinine. During the civil war confederate soldiers would make a tea from the bark to treat pain and fevers, and dogwood leaves in a poultice to cover wounds


Dogwood bark is best used as an

• ointment for ague - A tincture can be made out of either the leaves or the bark of the plant and can be used to treat various ailments such as eczema, skin infections, intestinal parasites, veal skin, and gout and so on. 

The tincture should be prepared in the following: mix 50 g of the ground plant in 250 ml of alimentary alcohol. Filter this mixture for 15 days. It is advisable to consume about 10-15 drops of this tincture (after diluting in water) about three times a day.

• Cornus is also useful in treating colic.
• Making a tea out of dogwood has been found beneficial in bringing down high temperatures, and relieving body chills as well.
• Dogwood teas are also effective in inducing vomiting as well as bringing about relaxation in sick persons.  
• The bark of the dogwood can also be used to treat external hemorrhoids. All you need to do is to boil about 4 tablespoons of the bark in about 1 liter of water for about half an hour. Filter this mixture and then apply on the affected areas for relief. 
• The leaves of the cornus plant are also effective in treating ringworm. A decoction should be made by boiling cornus leaves along with hag berry leaves. Consume this decoction in order to treat ringworm. 

• malaria (substitute for quinine), 
• fever, pneumonia, 
• colds, and similar complaints. 
• Used for diarrhea.  The fruits were widely used to treat dysentery and diarrhea. The method for doing this is as follows. About 9 cornus fruits were mixed with some pears and nutshells and a tea was made from these. This remedy was found to be effective for diarrhea.

Externally, poulticed onto external ulcers and sores.

• Jamaican dogwood is a fairly potent sedative well known as a specific for migraine headaches, neuralgia, and for treatment of insomnia caused by pain , nervous tension, and stress. The bark is anti-inflamatory and antispasmodic and can be used in cases of dysmenorrhea (painful periods). Jamaican dogwood is a strong analgesic that can be used along with other herbs to treat the musculoskeletal pain of arthritis and rheumatism. Preparation Methods & Dosage :Most often as a decoction, also taken in tincture and caps.

Formulas or Dosages

Use only dried dogwood bark. Fresh bark upsets the stomach and bowels.
Infusion: steep 1 tbsp. bark in 1 pint water for 30 minutes and strain. Take 1/2 cup every 2-3 hours.
Tincture: take 20-40 drops in water, as needed.

Folklore
 
This tropical shrub grows wild in Central America and the northern parts of South America. The bark of the root works similarly to aspirin pain relievers by blocking an enzyme that produces inflammatory and pain causing chemicals called prostaglandins. It gained its nickname "fish poison tree" from the West Indian practice of using it to stupify fish to make them easier to catch. 

Other Uses

The flowers of the plant can either be eaten raw or used in the making of syrups, brandy or marmalade.

Twigs used as chewing sticks, forerunners of the toothpick. It was sometimes used as a substitute when Peruvian bark could not be obtained. 

Biochemical Information

Tannic and gallic acids, resin, gum, oil, wax, lignin, lime potash and iron
Forestation
 
Dogwood can be propagated without much difficulty by its seeds. The seeds of dogwood are sown in the fall into organized rows of sand or sawdust and the seedling usually emerge in the ensuing spring. If you are using clean seeds the germination rate is excellent, almost 100 per cent. In fact, the dormancy of the seeds is prevailed over by means of cold stratification treatments for about 90 to 120 days (three to four months) at around 4°C (39°F).

Alternately, dogwood may also be propagated by softwood cuttings taken from new growth in the later part of spring or early part of summer and rooted.

While the success of rooting can be as high as 50 per cent to 85 per cent, this method is not generally used by commercial cultivators.  Selected cultivable varieties are usually propagated by a method called T-budding in the later part of summer or by means of another method known as whip grafting in the greenhouse during winter months onto seedling rootstock.

Name
 
Cornus is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods.

Other Names of Cornus:

• Common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
• Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
• Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)
• Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
• Canadian Dwarf Cornel (Cornus Canadensis)
• Eurasian Dwarf Cornel (Cornus suecica)
• Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas)
• Golden Dogwood (Cornus Alba)
• Dogwood (Cornus Contoversa)
• Flaviramea (Cornus Stolonifera)

Joshua Tree treat arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain and inflammation

By Liliana Usvat
Blog187-365

The Joshua tree species, one of the longest-living plants on earth.

Approaching Grand Canyon West Arizona USA, travelers pass through a Joshua Tree forest, along Pierce Ferry Rd in Mojave Desert.

Name


The tree was first named by Mormon pioneers in the nineteenth century, who thought that the upturned branches resembled the arms of the prophet Joshua, pointing the way to the promised land.


Other names: Spanish bayonet, Mojave yucca, Banana yucca

Description
 
The Joshua tree is actually a species of yucca (Yucca Brevifolia), that can reach a height of 50 feet and is believed to live for up to 1,000 years although they are difficult to date accurately - as they are not proper trees, there are no annual growth rings.

A large cluster of white or greenish flowers can appear at the end of each stem from March to May, but this requires just the right combination of springtime temperature and moisture, and several years may pass without a major blooming. Plants start to form the familiar branched appearance when they are 6 to 10 feet tall and several decades old, with new stems forming only after a flowering.
 
 Joshua trees occur in patches across several Southwest states, wherever conditions of temperature, drainage and rainfall are suitable.

This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a "deep and extensive" root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 11 m (36 ft) away.

Forestation in Desert
 
Joshua trees are fast growers for the desert; new seedlings may grow at an average rate of 7.6 cm (3.0 in) per year in their first ten years, then only grow about 3.8 cm (1.5 in) per year thereafter.

New plants can grow from seed, but in some populations, new stems grow from underground rhizomes that spread out around the Joshua tree.

Propagation
 
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°C.

 Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters.

Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient.


Medicinal Uses
 
Native Americans and Mexicans also used yucca sap medicinally to treat arthritis, joint pain and inflammation. They used sap from the leaves in poultices or baths to treat skin lesions, sprains and bleeding.
 
Thus, constituents of the yucca are used today to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

We know now that this soapy substance from the pithy insides of the yucca leaves and roots is because of their high saponin content. According to researcher Ken Wells (findarticles.com), saponins are the precursor to cortisone, which prevent the release of toxins from the intestines which restrict cartilage formation. 

Saponins have anti-tumor properties  

Other Uses

The roots of some types of yucca contain a natural detergent and were found to be effective for washing and shampooing. 

Interestingly, yucca extracts are used in beverages such as root beer and slurpies to provide the foamy ‘head.’ 

They are also used industrially in mining and ore separation, in preparation of emulsions for photographic films and extensively in cosmetics, such as lipstick and shampoo. 

The antifungal and antibacterial properties of saponins are important in cosmetic applications, in addition to their emollient effects. Yucca extracts are also used for ammonia and odor control in pig and poultry-raising facilities and in dog and cat foods (Pauling Institute).

Edible parts of Joshua Tree

Flowers - cooked. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as candy.

Fruit - cooked. The fruits can be roasted then formed into cakes and dried for later use. Root - raw, boiled or roasted.
 
Seed. Gathered and eaten by the local Indians