Terminalia Arjuna Herb Farming, Growing Methods

Introduction to Growing Terminalia Arjuna Herb:

Today, let us discuss about farming of one of the famous herbs called “Terminalia Arjuna“.

This is a medicinal plant which is used in curing many health issues. This plant is used in preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. Arjuna Herb is originated from the genus of Terminalia. The Arjuna Herb, belongs to Combretaceae family. Arjuna Herb is scientifically named as Terminalia Arjuna. These are usually found on the banks of a river or on the beds of dry rivers. This Arjuna Herb is native to the Indian Subcontinent. These are commonly seen in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and also some other parts of South and central India. Arjuna Herbs are also popularly grown in Bangladesh. This herb will balance all three humors like Kapha, Pitta and Vata.  The other names of the Terminalia Arjuna are: Arjun, Arjhan, Ajan, Anjani, Arjon, etc.

Read: Ashwagandha Cultivation.

Characteristics of Terminalia Arjuna:

Arjuna Herb Plant: This is a deciduous tree and also an evergreen tree. The size of the plant will be large in size. The bark of the tree will be gray in colour and smooth in texture, thick in appearance and soft and red in colour from inner part.

Arjuna Herb Leaves: The leaves of this plant will be oblong in shape and conical, they are 4 – 6 inch in length and  2 -3 inches in width and they are green in colour on the upper part and brown in colour in the lower part.

Arjuna Herb Flowers: The flower of this plant will be pale yellow in colour an they bloom in the month of March and June.

Arjuna Herb Fruit: The fruit is glabrous and the diameter of the fruit will be 2.5 cm – 5 cm it is a fibrous woody fruit. The fruit is divided into 5 wings; they appear in the month of September and November.

Varieties of Arjuna Herb:

There are no specific varieties of Arjuna Herb.

Medicinal Properties of Terminalia Arjuna:

This is one of the traditional Ayurvedic medicines which is used since ancient times. The medicine is sweet and cooling as this will mucilaginous as it increases the Kapha and reduces the Pitta daha and acts as a stimulant and also ensure to boost the energy.

Health Benefits of Terminalia Arjuna Herb:

• If there is any cardiac health issue, these issues can be cured by the Arjuna Herb.
• This can cure the piles disease.
• Body odour can be reduced by this herb.
• The fractures can be cured with the help of the Arjuna Herb.
• The pimples can be reduced by the using the Arjuna Herb.
• The black spots can be removed with the help of the Arjuna Herb.
• We can also use the Arjuna Twig for teeth cleansing.
• By using this Arjuna Herb the high blood pressure can be controlled.
• The use of the Arjuna herb can also cure the chest pain.
• It is also capable of curing the Breast cancer.

Soil and Climate requirements for Arjuna Herb:

This plant can be grown in all types of the soils. But the most preferred soil is humid, fertile and red lateritic soils. The soil should be capable of well draining. The water logging should be avoided as it can lead to major loss of the crop.

This Arjuna Herb is tropical species. This plant can furnish in drought and also this is frost resistant crop. The maximum temperature, which is required for the plants should range 38˚C-48˚C and the minimum temperature should be 0˚C-15˚C.

Read: Growing Shatavari.

Land preparation and Planting for Arjuna 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 a land we should use 5 kg each pit should be filled with a mixture of soil and also manure.

The pits of 60 cm * 60 cm * 60 cm should be dug. The spacing on either side should be 6 m * 6m.

Nursery Preparation for Growing Arjuna

The beds should be sown with seeds in a row of 1 foot each from and 2 inches of space between the seeds. The best time for sowing is in the month of February – March. After sowing the seeds, regular irrigation of bed and also the poly bags should be done. The germination might be done for 7 days and also they continue to germinate up to 60 days.

Propagation method for Arjuna Herb:

The propagation of the Arjuna Herb can be done through the seeds. When we store seeds in a sealed tin, then they can be viable for a year. The fruit should be dried in the sunlight and they we can store the seed for 6 – 12 months. The seeds which are collected can be sown directly. Before sowing them, they should be pre-treated by soaking them in water for 2 days. Then we should sow 2 seeds should be kept in every polythene bag, the depth of pits should be about 1 inch. After 8 – 9 months we can transplant the seedling to the main field.

Sowing month: in the month of last October – mid November.

Manure and Fertilization method in Arjuna Herb:

• At the time of the plantation we need to supply farmyard manure to the soil. We need to supply 5 kg of farmyard manure.
• This plant doesn’t require any heavy fertilizers.

Irrigation methods in Arjuna Herb:

The irrigation is one of the most important requirements for the germination, growth, and also the development of seeds, seedlings and plants. During the summer, regular irrigation should be given. As per necessity, the seasonal irrigation schedule should be arranged round the year. In the months of May – June, i.e. is in the extreme hot month we should irrigate the plants in early morning and also in late evening hours.

Intercultural methods in Arjuna Herb:

Weeding: For faster growth of this herb we need to weed regularly and frequently. Even in nursery stage a schedule of weeding should be done. The weeding can be done manually or by using the chemicals like weedicides or herbicides.

Mulching: The weeds and other leaves, materials can be used for mulching as this will conserve the moisture in the soil.                                      

Pest and Diseases control measures in Arjuna Herb:

There are specific pests and diseases that attack the Arjuna Herb.

Harvesting techniques in Arjuna Herb:

The harvesting should be done in the month of April – May as it will be dry season. The thick bark should be cut. The outer layer of the bark should be removed for the use, the middle and the inner layers should be left over for regeneration. If we leave the bark in equal portion then that can be a harvested next year or next time.

Post harvesting techniques in Arjuna Herb:

Drying: The bark, which is collected should be cut into pieces. Then the bark should be dried under the sun and in a shaded region.

Packing: The ideal packing for the Arjuna Herb is airtight bags. These should be packed in poly or nylon bags to prevent them from moisture and also preventing the herb from getting into the moisture.

Storage: This material can be sorted for 6 – 12 months, the godowns are ideal for storing them. Cold storage is not preferred for storing the Arjuna Herb.

Yield of Terminalia Arjuna:

The yield of the Arjuna Herb is 45 kg per hectare of the land in 3 years of dry bark.

Read: Growing Safed Musli.