Growing Meshashringi(Gymnema Sylvestre)

Introduction to Growing Meshashringi Herb:

Today, let us get into details of Growing Meshashringi.

This Meshashringi is one of the perennial woody vines, which is popular for its medicinal properties as this herb is used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. The herb is originated and native to India and also found in Central, Northern, Western and Peninsular parts of India. The Meshashringi is originated from the genus of Gymnema. The Meshashringi belongs to the Apocynaceae family. The Meshashringi Herb is scientifically named Gymnema Sylvestre. These are popularly found in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. This is also grown in parts of Africa. The Meshashringi is commonly named Gudmar / Gurmar.

Characteristics of Meshashringi Herb:

Meshashringi Plant: This is a large woody climber.

Meshashringi Leaves: The leaves are elliptic, narrow tipped, and narrow at the base. The upper part is smooth and the appearance of the leaf will be velvety beneath. The leaf is 6 – 12 mm in length.

Meshashringi Flowers: The flowers of this herb are small in size, yellow in color and they are bell in shape.

Meshashringi Fruit: The fruits are single-seeded, they are follicle, and lanceolate.

Meshashringi Seeds: The seed is thin in appearance and marginal wing.

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Medicinal Properties of Meshashringi Herb:

The Meshashringi Herb contains aphrodisiac, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

Health Benefits of Meshashringi Herb:

The Meshashringi Herb is capable of curing. These diseases like:

This will decrease the attacks of viral infections.
Eye diseases can be cured by using herbs.
Allergies can be cured by this herb.
Constipation problem can be controlled by this herb
Dental problems can be decreased by using this herb.
Obesity can be controlled by this herb.
A cough can be controlled by this herb.
By using this herb, stomach ailments can be cured.
Weight loss can do by using the herb.
Blood sugar levels can be decreased by using this herb.
Improves good cholesterol in the body.
In the body, this will help as a cooling agent.

Varieties of Meshashringi Herb:

There are no specific varieties of Meshashringi Herb.

Soil and Climate requirements for Growing Meshashringi Herb:

The soil, which is preferred for Growing Meshashringi Herb is red sandy loam or medium deep black soils which are ideal for the crop. The plant is effectively sensitive, so we need to avoid waterlogging.

The climate which is suitable for Growing Meshashringi Herb is a tropical and sub-tropical type of climate. These can be grown even in dry climates. For this crop, the rainfall should be either medium or high.

Read this: Soil Types and Suitable Crops.

Land preparation and Planting for Growing Meshashringi Herb:

All the unwanted weeds, pebbles, stones, and also the unwanted materials of the previous should be removed. Then the land should be ploughed for 2 – 3 times as it will attain the fine tilth and smooth texture following by the ploughing, the harrowing and levelling should be done. For land, we should use 5 tonnes each pit should be filled with a mixture of soil and also manure.

The pits should be 45 cm pits which are made at a distance of 2.5 m between each pit. Before planting, the pits should be treated with a mixture of farmyard manure and soil. After all this process the irrigation should be given. Then the seedling should be planted in the main field.

Propagation method for Growing Meshashringi Herb:

The propagation of Meshashringi is done by using the seeds or by using the cuttings. The seeds should be collected from the freshly harvested seeds. They should be soaked in water for a day, and the next day, they should be planted. These should be planted in nursery beds. For the germination of seeds, it takes 15 -20 days. When the plant is 45 days old, then the small seedling should be transplanted in the main field.

Seed Rate: For an acre of land, we need 1 kg of seeds.

Manure and Fertilization method in Growing Meshashringi Herb:

During the plantation, we need to apply well-decomposed farmyard manure(FMY) to the soil. For a hectare of land, we need to apply 5 tonnes of farmyard manure. For the crop, we need to apply N @ 90 kg, P₂O₅@ 45 kg, and K₂O @ 35 kg.

Irrigation methods in Growing Meshashringi Herb:

After planting and fertilizers, we need to apply the irrigation. Later we need to irrigation for every 15 days. The irrigation should be given, depending on the weather in the summer season. In the summer season, irrigation should be given every 5 to 7 days.

Intercultural methods in Growing Meshashringi Herb:

Weeding: Regularly weeding should be done. As the soil nutrition is absorbed by the weed plants. The weeding should be done manually or by using chemicals like weedicides or herbicides.

Mulching: The weeds, dry leaves, leaves, stems, twigs can be used for mulching. This mulching will help the soil to conserve moisture.

Pruning: The unwanted stems, leaves, branches should be removed from the tree as this will give a good yield.

Pest and Diseases control measures in Growing Meshashringi Herb:

Pests:

The pests that attack the Meshashringi herb are Green Fly, Mites, and Thrips.

Control measures:

For controlling the thrips we need to spray vines of 2 ml Rogor with one liter of water.
By any acaricide, the Mites can be effectively controlled.
To control, the greenfly we need to spray 1 ml of Nuvacron mixed with one liter of water.

Diseases:

The diseases that attack the Meshashringi herb are Downy mildew.

Control measures:

The diseases can be controlled by spraying the soluble sulfur of 3 grams or Mancozeb of 2 grams in one liter of water. At an interval of 10 – 15 days.

Harvesting techniques of Meshashringi Herb:

After 2 years of planting, the crop will be ready for harvest. When the plants start flowering the harvesting should be done. This process is done at the end of June month and also in the first week of July. The harvesting of the leaves can be done along with the flowers. The harvesting can be done by hand or by using the sickle for cutting. Only once a year, the harvesting should be done during the flowering process. Under good management, the crop can be cultivated for 10 – 15 years.

Post-harvesting techniques of Meshashringi Herb:

Cleaning: To make them dust and grit-free, the leaves should be cleaned. The freshly harvested leaves should be washed under tap water.

Drying: In a shade, the harvested leaves should be dried. We should allow sufficient air to circulate, we should spread the leaves in a thin layer on a clear ground, and this process should be done for about 7 – 9 days.

Packing: The packing of the dried leaves should be done in poly bags and the processed roots should be packed in woven sacks.

Storage: In a dry place, all the polybags should be stored. The root powder should be stored in airtight containers. In a dry and cool place, we need to store them.

The yield of Meshashringi Herb:

The average weight of the dry leaves is 1250 kg for a hectare of land.

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3 COMMENTS

Capt Rajinder Singh Dhaka December 4, 2018 At 6:03 am

Which one is profitable cultivation in sandy soil.

- agrifarming December 6, 2018 At 6:17 am
  
  What are you asking about?
  
Deepak September 16, 2019 At 5:29 pm

I am looking for seeds of Gymnema Sylvestre since a long time. Plant cuttings are easy to find, but I am specifically looking for seeds. Do you know where I can buy them from?