Old Forests protect Bee Population

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 263-365

We must realize how important it is to live in harmony with nature and to not take too much from nature. 
Taking a short-term, resource extractive economic perspective is not in the best interest of the future of humanity, for humans depend upon a healthy environment for food, air, nature and happiness.

The existence of the old forests is essential for the existence of bee population.
Without bees we loose the pollinators and the food supply would decrease.

Bees

There are six naturally occurring species of bees: Forest, Meadows, Modest, Tropical, Wintry and Marshy.

European honey-bee populations face threats to their survival. North American and European populations were severely depleted byvarroa-mite infestations during the early 1990s, and US beekeepers were further affected by colony collapse disorder in 2006 and 2007. Improved cultural practices and chemical treatments against varroa mites saved most commercial operations; new bee breeds are beginning to reduce beekeeper dependence on acaricides.

New Research

Paul Stamets reveals new ground breaking research at the 2014 Bioneers annual conference. Paul illuminates how fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer uniquely powerful, practical solutions we can implement now, to boost the biosphere’s immune system and equip us with benign breakthrough mycotechnologies to accelerate the transition to a restored world.

Paul systematically delves into old growth forests, how chemical compounds in the fungi are beneficial to bees and concludes  his philosophy about his role in the system as a whole.

King Stropharia

This mushroom is an ideal player in the recycling of complex wood debris and garden wastes, and thrives in complex environments. Vigorously attacking wood (sawdust, chips, twigs, branches), the King Stropharia also grows in wood-free substrates, particularly soils supplemented with chopped straw. I have seen this mushroom flourish in gardens devoid of wood debris, benefiting the growth of neighboring plants. Acclimated to northern latitudes, this mushroom fruits when air temperatures range between 60-90° F (15-32° C) which usually translates to ground temperatures of 55-65° F (13-18° C).

For 6 weeks one summer our bees attacked a King Stropharia bed, exposing the mycelium to the air, and suckled the sugar-rich cytoplasm from the wounds. A continuous convoy of bees could be traced, from morning to evening, from our beehives to the mushroom patch, until the bed of King Stropharia literally collapsed. When a report of this phenomenon was published in Harrowsmith Magazine (Ingle, 1988), bee keepers across North America  had been long mystified by bees' attraction to sawdust piles. Now it is clear the bees were seeking the underlying sweet mushroom mycelium.

King Stropharia is an excellent edible mushroom when young. 

However, its edibility quickly declines as the mushrooms mature. Fly larvae proliferate inside the developing mushrooms. In raising silver salmon,

There are the medicines to be derived from fungi, probably more than we can yet imagine. Fungi for insect pest control. Fungi can absorb and often digest toxins from their environments — toxins as diverse as heavy metals, PCBs, oil spills, and radioactivity. Fungal partnerships can revolutionize our farming methods

Spain:

Scientists have found that forestry and classical forest management are harming the community of saproxylic fungi (fungi capable of decomposing dead wood and turning it into organic and inorganic matter) and that in the forests being exploited, various fungi species are disappearing and in some cases even whole families are affected.

Forests and Global Warming

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 262-365

On a global scale, 31% of the land area is covered by forests. Some of these areas are highly under threat by unsustainable forestry and environmental pollution.

Between 2000 and 2010, forests showed annual losses of 5.2 million hectares despite active efforts in all regions to slow deforestation rates and accelerate forest plantations. Most of the losses are concentrated in tropical regions, which provide a range of ecosystem services, including supporting a rich biodiversity.

 Deforestation and forest degradation constitute the second leading cause of global warming, accounting for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite the effort to protect them, forests are being cut down and degraded.

Experience has proven that climate-smart forest investments are more successful when indigenous peoples groups and local communities, which base their livelihoods on the forests, are involved in designing and implementing individual programs. 

The World Heritage Committee about Tasmania’s forests


The World Heritage Committee  made a unanimous decision on june 2014 to maintain the World Heritage status of Tasmania’s forests. The Australian Government was an international embarrassment with it’s attempt to have 74,000 hectares of forest removed from the list, that had only been given World Heritage status at 2013 annual meeting.

The Abbott government wants iconic forests removed from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, so they can be logged – a plan opposed by timber companies, their industry body, Tasmania’s Premier and her government.

Portugal spoke at length to support the protection of the forests, and indicating the way in which a de-listing would undermine the integrity of World Heritage. “Accepting this de-listing today would be setting an unacceptable precedent impossible to deny in similar circumstances in the future. If this committee cares for conservation according to responsible engagement of state parties to the convention when they submit their nominations, we cannot accept these requests to de-list” said the spokesperson for the Portuguese delegation.

Asian Forests

Asian forests grew by one million hectares every year between 2000 and 2005. Asia’s increase in forests was the result of a planned effort to plant trees in that region. Most of the trees were planted in China.

Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest,Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil

The Upper Paraná originally measured 182,000 square miles, but with only 7.4 percent of pristine area remaining, it’s now one of the most endangered rainforests on earth. More than 90 percent of amphibians and 50 percent of plants found there are unique to the area, and according to the World Wildlife Fund, it’s an outstanding ecoregion that represents a complete range of the planet’s freshwater and saltwater habitats. But it’s also home to more than 25 million people, making it one of the most accessible—and threatened—intact forests.

Links

http://permaculturenews.org/2014/11/27/paul-stamets-how-mushrooms-can-save-bees-our-food-supply-bioneers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAw_Zzge49c

Medicinal Trees -Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Insect Repellent

by Liliana Usvat
Blog 261-365

This tree of the eastern and southeastern United States is entirely aromatic—wood, bark, roots, branches, and leaves. Locally, sassafras tea made from its roots has long been a spring tonic. Bark may be taken from the tree’s roots, then boiled; the resultant drink, taken internally, is an active diuretic.

Other Uses

Other uses of sassafras include using the dried leaves to make file' for use in Creole and Cajun cooking (most notably gumbo), for aromatherapy, and for fragrance in perfume and soap.

The root or root bark is used to make tea.

 The First Nation peoples utilize sassafras in flavouring foods and in herbal remedies. The roots are used to provide root beer flavour. It is also an important ingredient in Cajun and Creole gumbos.

 It is also used as a tea.


Reforestation

 This species is adapted to a wide variety of habitats but it must have very well drained soils, usually sandy loam but not heavy clay.  It has outstanding fall color ranging from orange to deep red and the pyramidal shaped tree can be quite stunning when it reaches its maximum height of 60' tall. It has small inconspicuous

It prefers rich, well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 6–7, but will grow in any loose, moist soil. Seedlings will tolerate shade, but saplings and older trees demand full sunlight for good growth; in forests it typically regenerates in gaps created by windblow. 

Growth is rapid, particularly with root sprouts, which can reach 1.2 m in the first year and 4.5 m in 4 years. 

Root sprouts often result in dense thickets, and a single tree, if allowed to spread unrestrained, will soon be surrounded by a sizable clonal colony, as its stoloniferous roots extend in every direction and send up multitudes of shoots.

Sassafras requires full sun for best growth. It is difficult to transplant; container- grown stock, seed or seedlings are recommended. It is intolerant of road salt and ozone pollution. Root suckering is prevalent in sassafras. It is less likely to send up suckers if its roots and stems are not damaged or disturbed.

 Sassafras is a fire-adapted species. It is quite resilient to such disturbance, and post- fire regeneration occurs in several forms or strategies: adventitious buds at root crowns (suckering), ground residual colonizer (i.e., existing seed bank), initial offsite colonizer (i.e., seed dispersal) and crown residual colonizer (remaining undamaged stems). Sassafras can also be found in late seral stages of succession. 

It can maintain a presence in climax forest stands in the canopy layer by gap-phase regeneration. It has been found that by maintaining a presence in the shrub layer (as stunted individuals, viable ramets (roots) of existing individual trees, seedlings or via the seed bank), this tree is able to exploit canopy gaps. 

The ripe fruit are sought by squirrels and many birds (bluebirds, catbirds, vireos and quail). These same animals are the disseminating vectors. Sassafras serves as a host plant for one of our most spectacular butterflies, the colourful spicebush swallowtail.

Description

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 15–20 m tall, with a trunk up to 60 cm diameter, and a crown with many slender branches. The bark on trunk of mature trees is thick, dark red-brown, and deeply furrowed. 

The female bears lustrous dark blue fruit (with a fleshy layer surrounding one or more seeds) on bright scarlet stalks in late summer (reminiscent of a golf ball on tee). Good seed crops are produced in alternate years.

FLOWERING

Small greenish yellow flowers appear before the leaves in the early spring, which makes the trees look like clouds of gold when viewed against a dark background. Most individual trees are either male or female (dioecious).

Parfume Use

An essential oil, called sassafras oil, is distilled from the root bark or the fruit. It was used as afragrance in perfumes and soaps, food (sassafras tea and candy flavoring) and for aromatherapy. The smell of sassafras oil is said to make an excellent repellent for mosquitoes and other insects,which makes it a nice garden plant. Acids can be extracted from bark for manufacturing perfumes.

Medicinal Uses of Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 260-365

Other Names

INDIAN SNAKEROOT

Description

More like a shrub than a tree in most places where it grows in India, rauwolfia produces extracts in its roots that have for centuries been used to treat nervous disorders. The extract also provides an antidote for snake- bites and insect stings. In the 20th century it was discovered that powdered rauwolfia root as a clinical medicinal ingredient would treat hypertension and mental disorders. Many drugs that make up tranquilizers have their origin in rauwolfia root.

Medicinal Uses

Indian snakeroot is used for 

• mild high blood pressure,
•  nervousness, 
• trouble sleeping(insomnia), and 
• mental disorders such as 
• agitated psychosis and insanity. 
• Indian snakeroot is also used for snake and reptile bites,
•  fever, 
• constipation, 
• feverish intestinal diseases, 
• liver ailments, 
• achy joints (rheumatism), 
• fluid retention (edema),
• epilepsy, and 
• as a tonic for general debilities.

One of the chemicals in Indian snakeroot is the same as a prescription drug calledreserpine. Reserpine is used to treat 

• mild to moderate hypertension, s
• chizophrenia, and 
• some symptoms of poor circulation.
• Root is a valuable remedy for dysentery and painful affections of bowel.
• Juice of leaves is instilled in eyes as a remedy for the opacities of cornea.

How does it work?

Indian snakeroot contains chemicals such as reserpine that decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

History

• It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name shégēn mù.
• The extract of the plant has also been used for millennia in India – Alexander the Great administered this plant to cure his general Ptolemy I Soter of a poisoned arrow.
•  It was reported that Mahatma Gandhi took it as a tranquilizer during his lifetime.
•  It has been used for millennia to treat insect stings and the bites of venomous reptiles. 

Habitat: Moist forests shady places near rain-forest.

Status: The natural reserves of this plant are declining, especially after reports of its medicinal properties appeared in literatures. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has kept this plant under endangered status.
Distribution: The snake-weed genus includes about 50 species, this has fairly wide area of distribution, including the tropical part of the Himalayas, the Indian peninsula, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Indonesia.

Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 259-365

Botanical.com recognizes Ginkgo biloba as "the oldest living tree on the planet that's been used safely for over 3000 years. " The paleontologists and evolutionists are also much interested in the Ginkgo although, as already stated, no wild localities are known where the trees grow, it has been discovered by its fossil remains to have been once widely scattered over the face of the globe. 

Buddhist monks cultivated the tree from about 1100 AD for its many good qualities." Plant collectors from the West eventually were sold on Ginkgo biloba trees and brought specimens home.

It is uncertain whether the maidenhair tree still persists in the wild and at present there are no conservation projects in place. 







Cultivated trees are found throughout the world, however, and a multi-million dollar industry has cashed in on the leaves' medicinal properties 

Maidenhair Tree

• Known as a 'living fossil', the Ginkgo biloba is one of the world's oldest living tree species: it was around 350 million years ago!
• The word ginkgo comes from the Chinese yinxingmeaning 'silver apricot'. It was named the maidenhair tree in England because the leaves look similar to the native maidenhair fern.
• The fruit smells of rancid butter during the ripening process.
• Native to Xitianmu Mountain in Zhejiang, China. Scattered in broadleaved forests up to 1,100m altitude.
• The maidenhair tree is listed as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Medicinal Uses

• Ginkgos are grown as hedges in China to supply the leaves for western herbal medicine. The leaves contain ginkgolides, which are used to improve blood circulation to the brain and to relieve Alzheimer’s, tinnitus and Reynaud's Syndrome. It is usually Europe’s number one selling herbal medication.
• Ginkgo has been studied as a possible treatment for dementia and Alzheimer's disease
• Seeds and leaves treat diseases such as Asthma and Tuberculosis
• The ancient Chinese people believed that roasted seeds could help prevent drunkenness. Even today, roastedGinkgo seeds can be found at many Chinese and Japanese wedding celebrations in order to prevent people from getting too drunk.
• Today, we use Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) for two main reasons: to increase blood circulation and 
• to rid the body of free radicals, which can improve bodily functions greatly. Free radicals have been found to be part of the cause in most cancers. 
• Ginkgo biloba can also benefit people who have Glaucoma, 
• Tinnitus, 
• Cerebral Insufficiency, 
• Macular Degeneration, 
• Male Impotence, 

The seeds (baigo) are most used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the leaves in western medicine. 
In Japan the seeds are called ginnan. The Japanese way of using Ginkgo as a medicine originates from the Chinese tradition.

The seeds' medicinal use is mentioned in the 'Great Herbal' Pen Tsao Kang Mu compiled by  Li Shih-chen (1578) which in still in use in TCM.  

Dr. C.A. Stuart and Dr. F. Porter Smith translated and researched this herbal and used it as a working base for their publication of 'Chinese Medicinal Herbs' (1911).  In their work they write: "The seeds are supposed to benefit asthma, coughs, irritability of the bladder, blenorrhoa and uterine fluxes. 

Eaten raw they destroy cancer and are counter-vinous. Cooked they are said to be peptic and anthelmintic, and are similarly used by the Japanese to promote digestion.  In some cases they appear to cause peculiar symptoms of intoxication."

They also mention the use of the wood for seals used as charms by quacks in the treatment of disease.

Kaempfer mentions the seeds as an aid for digestion and bladder. Thunberg writes in Flora Japonica (1784) that the seeds are eaten raw or roasted in Japan and in 1819 Franz von Jaquin notes in 'Ueber den Ginkgo' the use as a digestive aid.

The earliest record of the use of the leaves as a medicine is said to be mentioned in the Chinese Materia Medica Shen Nung Pen Tsao Ching (which should originate from about 2800 BC or from the Han dynasty [206BC-220AD]) as an aid for blood circulation and the lungs. This record cannot be confirmed however  because the original of this work has never been found. 

Dian Nan Ben Cao (Lan Mao) (1436) mentions the use of the leaves for skin treatment, head sores and freckles. They are also used for chilblains and as a wound plaster. 

The internal use is first mentioned in the Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao (1505) by Liu Wen-Tai as used against diarrhea. 

Description

Deciduous tree up to 40m tall. Bark grey, furrowed, corky. Leaves characteristically fan-shaped, up to 12cm across, divided into two lobes, bright yellow in autumn, spirally arranged along long shoots. Each tree has either male or female flowers (dioecious): male flowers catkin-like, hanging down (pendulous) and yellow, up to 8cm long; female flowers smaller and on pedicels up to 4cm long. Fruits maturing following autumn, drupe-like, light yellow decaying to purplish-black. Pollinated by wind.

Fragrant, inconspicuous, dioecious. Flowers will not appear until trees are older than 20 years (Dirr) or 40 years (Jacobson).

Reforestation

Thrives in moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates poor, compacted soil, as well as heat, drought, salt spray, and air pollution.

It is well worth planting a ginkgo for the next generation. While slow to grow when young, with advancing age the ginkgo becomes a striking tree with interesting winter form and even more interesting foliage.

This species has merits that are well known. Virtually pest-free and incredibly tolerant of urban conditions, there are Ginkgo specimens that are centuries old living in cities around the world.

"The Maidenhair tree is sacred according to the Buddhist religion and has been cultivated for many centuries in China and Japan, especially in the grounds of temples" (Cafferty).

One could even argue that Ginkgo is a species native to Ontario, as fossil records show that this tree was indeed indigenous here millions of years ago.

For all the virtues of Ginkgo, some will avoid it due to the messy and stinky fruits. Washing off the smelly outer flesh reveals a delicious nut prized by many in Asia. Fruitless, male cultivars are available in numerous shapes and sizes.

Ginkgo has a fairly slow growth rate, but this shouldn't be reason to avoid planting them. Patience when growing this species is more than rewarded in the long-term. Unfortunately, too many landscape plans call for fast-growing trees that are structurally weak and short lived. Ginkgo is a tree that should be considered a sound investment that can be planted with confidence for the long term.

Propagation

• by seed, collect in fall (cold stratification is benefical)
• can also be done by softwood or semihardwood cuttings, collect in early summer
• cultivars are propagated mainly by grafting

Resilience

Extreme examples of the ginkgo's tenacity may be seen in Hiroshima, Japan, where six trees growing between 1–2 km from the 1945 atom bomb explosion were among the few living things in the area to survive the blast. Although almost all other plants (and animals) in the area were destroyed, the ginkgos, though charred, survived and were soon healthy again. The trees are alive to this day.

History

The Ginkgo nuts are mentioned in Japanese textbooks from 1492 and later for use at tea ceremonies as sweets and dessert. In the Edo-period (1600-1867) common people began to eat them as vegetable and ingredients for pickles.

 In the 18^th century the nuts (called ginnan) became used as a side dish when drinking sake. Today they are used (grilled or boiled) in chawan-mushi (a pot-steamed egg dish) or in nabe-ryori (Japanese fondue). The grilled nuts are still often eaten in Japan when drinking sake.

Lilac Medicinal Use

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 259-365

Scientific Name Syringa vulgaris

For deforested mountains and hills here is an idea for planters Lilac. Tourism will bloom in the areas where there are lilacs.

One of the best places in the world to get a first-hand look at the different varieties is at the annual Lilac Festival in Rochester, where more than 1,200 lilac bushes — and 600 varieties — are on display on 155 acres. “The Lilac Festival has been a yearly event since the early 1900s. It was a single-day event a long time ago, but in the ’70s we went to a full week festival,

History

Lilacs — both Syringa vulgaris and S. × persica the finer, smaller "Persian lilac", now considered a natural hybrid — were introduced into European gardens at the end of the sixteenth century, from Ottoman gardens, not through botanists exploring the Balkan habitats. The Holy Roman Emperor's ambassador, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, is generally credited with supplying lilac slips to Carolus Clusius, about 1562.

 Well-connected botanists, like the great herbalist John Gerard, soon had the rarity in their gardens: Gerard notes that he had lilacs growing “in very great plenty” in 1597, but lilacs were not mentioned by Shakespeare, and John Loudon was of the opinion that the Persian lilac had been introduced into English gardens by John Tradescant the elder.

Tradescant's Continental source for information on the lilac, and perhaps ultimately for the plants, was Pietro Andrea Mattioli, as one can tell from a unique copy of Tradescant's plant list in his Lambeth garden, an adjunct of his Musaeum Tradescantianum; it was printed, though probably not published, in 1634: it lists Lilac Matthioli. That Tradescant's "lilac of Mattioli's" was a white one is shown by Elias Ashmole's manuscript list, Trees found in Mrs Tredescants Ground when it came into my possession (1662): "Syringa alba".

In the American colonies, lilacs were introduced in the eighteenth century. Peter Collinson, F.R.S., wrote to the Pennsylvania gardener and botanist John Bartram, proposing to send him some, and remarked that John Custis of Virginia had a fine "collection", which Ann Leighton interpreted as signifying common and Persian lilacs, in both purple and white, "the entire range of lilacs possible" at the time.

Trivia

In a sign of its complete naturalization in North America, it has been selected as the state flower of the state of New Hampshire, because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State".

Medicinal Use

In medicine it has been used successfully in the treatment of malaria and in American is given as a vermifuge.”

Lilacs can be steeped to make a tonic that reduces fever and to get rid of internal parasites. Skin burns or wounds are soothed and heal well when a paste or gel made from lilacs is applied.

Some modern herbalists use the essential oil of lilac to treat skin ailments such as rashes, sunburns and minor cuts and scrapes.

The bark, branches and foliage contain bitter glycoside. Folk medicine uses flowers for kidney diseases. Lilac flowers mixed with lime flowers are used as the sudatory and anti-malaria remedy. 

Buckleberry or Cirrhopetalum

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 258-365

Cirrhopetalum, abbreviated as Cirr in hortcultural trade, is a genus of epiphyte orchids (family Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae). 

Buckleberry at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens.

Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann Buckleberry

Description

• The inflorescence of this clone hold a ring of 8 to 10 flowers , which measuring up to 9" long . It grows intermediate to warm with consistent humidity in moderate light as phalaenopsis orchids.
• Can produce amazing specimen plants when grown in baskets.
• Likes to grow in a reasonably cool, humid shady place.  Needs frost protection.

Culture: 

Having already stated that these plants are epiphytes, we will realize that they need good drainage. They do not do well (for any length of time) in pots. I like to have them hanging on plaques of bark or cork; they can be tied to thin branches; the more robust plants like B. dayanum and B. Elizabeth Ann ‘Bucklebury’ FCC/AOS need stout supports. 

They do well in open baskets and very shallow, saucer-like pots with additional holes in them. A fine to medium loose mix works well. They grow throughout the year with only some species (from the Himalaya regions, Myanmar and Western China as well as some Pacific islands with higher elevations) needing a few weeks of drier rest after the new growths have matured.

 During active growth, all enjoy regular watering and weak fertilizer, high humidity, medium light and warm temperature: winter absolute minimum: 16–18°F.

Bulbophyllums and their allies do not like to have their roots disturbed – leave them alone unless the mix (if there is any) becomes stale. Then, you must rescue them quickly. I thought that just letting them dry will help but no – they die in soggy, old mixes. Please note: they dislike any strong chemical applications.

History: 

During the 18^th century, many newly discovered and interesting plants were sent to Europe, among them were a good number from the French islands off the East Africa coast (Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar); therefore the French plant scientist Louis-Marie Aubert Du Petit-Thouars, born 1758, decided to go there with his brother, to explore the flora of these islands. He could not go travelling during the French Revolution, but managed in 1792 to find a ship that would take him to these islands in the Indian Ocean.

In 1802 the brothers returned to France where Louis subsequently published several treatises and books (with drawings) about the plants he found there. Contained in some of his writings, were the first descriptions of “Phyllorkis”, which Thouars later re-named “Bulbophyllums”.

Food Forest Principles and Guava Tree

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 257-365

If you want to plant trees here are some Permaculture  principle and one tree you might consider the Guava Tree good for its beauty and for the health benefits.

Twelve Permaculture or Food Forest design principles

1. Observe and interact: By taking time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.

1. Catch and store energy: By developing systems that collect resources at peak abundance, we can use them in times of need.

1. Obtain a yield: Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.

1. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback: We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.

1. Use and value renewable resources and services: Make the best use of nature's abundance to reduce our consumptive behavior and dependence on non-renewable resources.

1. Produce no waste: By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.

1. Design from patterns to details: By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go.

1. Integrate rather than segregate: By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between those things and they work together to support each other.

1. Use small and slow solutions: Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes.

1. Use and value diversity: Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides.

1. Use edges and value the marginal: The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.

1. Creatively use and respond to change: We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time.

One of the trees used in permaculture is Guava Tree . Here are some infomation about this tree.

Guava Tree

For centuries now, guava trees have been gracing the tropical regions of Mexico and Central and South America with their robust charm and spice. With their thick limbs outstretched, they have long provided shade for the inhabitants of the Amazon, as well as exotic colors and some of the finest tropical fruits you can imagine. The tropical guava (Psidium guajava), native to southern Mexico and Brazil, became a favorite among early explorers who transported guava trees to countries like Asia, Africa, Egypt, Guam, and Palestine. It was not until 1847 though, that the first guava made its debut in the United States, where it quickly set root in the southern tip of Florida. Although guava fruit is considered minor in terms of commercial trade—India remains the largest producer—it continues to be one of the main sources of nutrients in the tropics. 

Guava trees need warm climates. They do best in areas with full sun. The fruit may be round, ovoid, or pear shaped and is 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter. Its thin skin is bright yellow in color, sometimes tinged with red. The flesh is white or orange-pink depending on the variety, and contains many small, hard seeds. The guava is characterized by a strong, sweet odor.

Health Benefits of Guava Tree

HEALTH BENEFITS

The bark is thin and papery, brown in color with a greenish white skin below. The bark possesses healing properties.

The leaves emit a fragrant smell when crushed and are evergreen.. They also possess healing qualities.

• A decoction of the bark and leaves treats diarrhea and dysentery. This has been used by the ancient tribes of the Amazon rain forests as well as Indians.
• The decoction and infusion has also been used to treat vomiting, nausea, stomach ailments, menstrual problems, vertigo.
• Chewing the tender leaves cures halitosis and bleeding gums. It is believed that if tender leaves are chewed before consuming alcohol one does not develop a hangover.

• A infusion of the flowers is used to treat injuries, ulcers and skin problems.
• Applying mashed flowers is believed to heal eye injuries and relieve conjunctivitis and eye strain from being in the sun.
• The decoction of the leaves is used as a gargle for relieving painful throat and mouth swelling. It is also applied externally to relieve vaginal discharge and irritation.
• The decoction also relieves fever, boils and diabetes, worms and leucorrhea.

AGEING: Ageing is the most common problem in our busy life. Ageing is mostly caused to natural factor like increase in age. But due to pollution, UV radiation and smoke ageing process has been stimulated at an early age and it is faster than natural. The main cause of ageing is free radical produced in our body due to high oxidative stress caused due to pollution. But antioxidants have proven to destroy these free radicals to slow the ageing process.

ANTITUMOR PROPERTY: Guava contains high amount of lycopene (5204 microgram) which is carotenoid phytonutrients. Lycopene has an anti-tumor property. Lycopene protects from oxygen free radicals as it actively fights to neutralize it. So eating guava will help to fight prostate cancer.

CONSTIPATION: Guava is one of the riches sources of dietary fiber. Its seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives. These two properties of guava help forming bowels, retaining water and clean your intestines and excretory system thoroughly. It is said that single constipation can lead to seventy two types of ailments. It is absolutely true. Every way to your total health goes through proper digestion and more importantly, proper excretion. Guava ensures both of these.

COUGH & COLD: Juice of raw and immature guavas or decoction of guava-leaves is very helpful in giving relief in cough and cold by loosening cough, reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs and inhibiting microbial activity due to its astringent properties. Guava is one of richest in vitamin-C and iron which are proven to be preventive against cold and viral infections. In some areas in India, roasted ripe guava is used as a remedy against extreme cases of cough and cold and congestion.  

DIABETES: Guava contains good amount of dietary fiber. It is found that eating fiber rich food to reduce sugar spikes in diabetes patient.

DIARRHEA & DYSENTERY: Guava is very rich in astringents which binds up loose bowels in diarrhea. These astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties, thus help cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Further, other nutrients in guava, such as vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium strengthens and tones up the digestive system and disinfect it. Guava is also beneficial in gastroenteritis due to reasons stated above. E

EYE HEALTH: Guava contains good amount of Vitamin A. As Vitamin A is antioxidants, so it becomes highly preferred food to be consumed to improve eye health. Due to high antioxidants guava protect eyes from free radicals. Also it effective to prevent retinal damage caused due to free radicals. Thus it improves eye vision and protect from cataract or macular degeneration.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Guava helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that food stuffs which lack fiber (such a refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to quick conversion to sugar. Guava, being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps reduce blood pressure.

IMMUNITY: Guava is an excellent source of Vitamin C. It contains 228 mg of Vitamin C which is equal to 338% of RDA required in the daily diet. With a high amount of Vitamin C, it is an antioxidants that increases the immune system function. It increases immunity to protect against common diseases like cough, cold and flu. It also increases immune system function to protect from infections.

INCREASE BLOOD PRODUCTION: Guava contains vitamins like Vitamin E, K, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and minerals like copper, manganese and magnesium which are important for blood formation. Also due to rich Vitamin C, guava increases body capacity to absorb iron.

MAINTAIN BLOOD PRESSURE: Guava contains good amount of potassium. Potassium is required to maintain sodium level. Also high potassium is required to maintain fluid level i.e. to balance electrolyte. Thus it helps to maintain high blood pressure, and it reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

PROTECT FROM CANCER: Guava is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoid that make it highly beneficial to protect from cancer. Guava contains high amount of Vitamin C which protects from oxygen free radicals. Free radicals are produced due to oxidative stress. These free radicals damage DNA of cells which turns it into a cancer cell. But antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and acts as a shield to protect DNA from free radicals. Also it contains high amount of lycopene which have anti-tumor property. As we know the main cause of cancer is free radicals and damage caused to DNA of cells. Guava contains antioxidants that protect from free radicals and lycopene prevents tumor growth. So with both these nutrient guava becomes healthiest food to prevent cancer. Lycopene is effective to protect from prostate cancer. Guava is effective to protect from colon, breast, mouth, skin, stomach, oral cavity and lung cancer.

SCURVY: Guava can outdo many other fruits, including orange and other citrus fruits, when it comes to concentration of vitamin-C, whose deficiency causes scurvy and which is the only remedy to it. It contains five times the vitamin-C in oranges. 

SKIN CARE: Guavas can help improve your skin texture and avoid skin problems more than the best of beauty creams or skin toner gels can do. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents in its fruits (more in immature ones) and in leaves. You can benefit from it either by eating the fruits (this help tighten your muscles apart from your skin) or by washing your skin with the decoction of its immature fruits and leaves. It will tone up and tighten the loosened skin. In addition to the astringents, guava is very-very rich in vitamin-A, B, C and potassium which are very good anti oxidants and detoxifiers and keep your skin glowing and free from aging, wrinkles and other disorders.

WEIGHT LOSS: Guava is very helpful for those who want to lose weight without compromising with their intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber. Guava, being very high in roughage and very rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals, but with no cholesterol and less digestible carbohydrates, is very filling and satisfies appetite very easily. Just have a medium sized guava in the lunch and you will not feel hungry till night. But ironically, it helps gaining weight in lean and thin people. This is probably due to its richness in nutrients, which keeps your metabolism right helping proper absorption of nutrients.

Links

http://superforest.org/2010/02/geoff-lawton-permaculture-in-action-greening-the-desert/