Medicinal plants By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former D.G ,Agriculture Extension KPK Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar

2. Medicinal Plants
and Tunnel Farming
Lecture
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan

4. What Are High Tunnels?
High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are relatively
simple polyethylene-covered unheated structures that
typically do not use fans for ventilation. They can be
covered with one or two sheets of plastic; those covered
with two have an air layer in between, thus offering better
insulation, and consequently, more cold protection.

5. High Tunnel
Season extension techniques, such as high tunnels, can
allow producers to extend the time period over which cash
flows are generated from produce crops. High tunnel
production of leafy greens and herbs can also enable
producers to market products at higher prices, before the
start of a traditional local season. High tunnel leafy greens
and herbs are typically added by producers already selling
through direct market channels; especially farmers
markets, CSAs (community supported agriculture), local
restaurants, and groceries.

6. High Tunnel
High tunnels can provide the protective environment necessary
for growing greens throughout the winter months. Tunnels do
not have a permanent heating system, but instead are
passively solar-heated. Nighttime low temperatures within a
structure covered with two layers of plastic (with an insulating
layer of air in between) generally average about 7º F to 8º F
warmer than outside temperatures. Structures covered with
just a single layer of plastic often realize only a 3º F increase
in nighttime lows. Row covers used in conjunction with the
high tunnel will provide further cold and frost protection.
Because row covers also block sunlight, they should not be left
on for prolonged periods during the winter. Placing the row
covers over hoops will help to keep tender leaves from
freezing to the fabric. As an alternative, a portable heater can
be used when unexpected drops in temperature occur.

7. High Tunnel
However, due to rising energy costs, the use of heaters
should generally be limited to short durations. Often these
extra precautions against cold are not necessary as many
greens will recover from an overnight freeze and continue
to grow with warming temperatures the following day.
Opening the sidewalls is imperative for good air circulation
and temperature control, even in winter. During sunny
days, temperatures in the tunnels can be 30º F to 40º F
higher than outside temperatures, necessitating that the
tunnels be adequately vented. Lacking the automated
ventilation system of more elaborate greenhouses, high
tunnels are ventilated by manually rolling up the sidewalls
in the morning and closing them at night. Orienting the
houses perpendicular to the prevailing wind on the farm
will help facilitate air movement

8. 1.Basil – Ocimum basilicum
1. Basil. Basil tops the list
as the most popular
culinary herb. Basil is a very
tender plant and should be
kept indoors until there is
no danger of frost. Growing
basil starts in plug trays can
work great for basil. Expect
to be selling lots of these,
so keep the fresh plants
coming

9. 2.Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

10. 3.Aloe Vera
The aloe vera grows only
under the sun with well
drained dry or moist soil.
Although the plant tastes
like turd, it’s still edible.
The sap from aloe vera is
extremely useful to speed
up the healing and reducing
the risk of infections for :

11. 4. Chives.
Standard chives are a
steady seller. These will
start to germinate after a
week or so. And unlike
basil, these can actually do
quite well in cooler
weather.

12. 5.Cilantro.
Cilantro is another popular
culinary herb. In addition to
its cooking values, it also
has many other ones. It is
particularly good for
digestion and other
medicinal values. Expect to
sell lots of this at the
Saturday farmer’s market.

13. 6.Oregano.
Oregano is one of the most
popular herbs that you’ll
find in Italian cooking.
Unforgettable taste and
aroma give this herb its
main appeal. Oregano is a
commonly used garnish for
stews, soups, and gravies.

14. 7.Parsley – Petroselinum
crispum
Parsley is so popular it
even has historical
significance. The ancient
Greeks used it at the
athletic games, weaving it
into victory crowns. They
also fed it to their horses to
make them run faster.

15. 8. Catnip.
Catnip is commonly used
for cats, but can also be a
soothing sedative for
humans. It has been known
to provide pain and stress
relief and to also help with
flu and cold symptoms.

16. 9.Stevia – Stevia Rebaudiana
Stevia is largely used as a
sugar substitute. Stevia
cultivation in India is
profitable. It has medicinal
values and also used in
the cosmetics industry.

17. 10. Chamomile.
Chamomile can make for a
nice, soothing tea. It also
has medicinal values, such
as a digestive, sleep, and
calming aid. Plus it’s very
easy to grow!

18. 11.Lavender – Lavandula
Lavender has so many uses
it’s been called the “Swiss
army knife” of herbs. The
medicinal values include
usefulness for skin care,
women and children’s
health, pain relief and
nervous system conditions.
The essential oil that is
found in lavender is one of
the top ten in the fragrance
industry

19. 12. Marsh mallow.
This herb has many
medicinal values, such as
being good for coughs and
bronchitis, the digestive
tract, and several skin
conditions.

20. 13.Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most
popular herbs in the entire
world. It has many
medicinal uses, such as
lowering cholesterol,
strengthening the nervous
system, lowering blood
pressure, increasing blood
circulation to the brain and
many, many more.

21. 14.Foxglove
Foxglove's low-growing foliage
is topped by 2- to 5-foot-tall
flower spikes, depending on the
variety. Flower colors include
pink, red, purple, white, and
yellow. Foxgloves are biennials
or short-lived perennials.
However, although individual
plants may be short-lived,
foxglove readily self-sows and
multiplies. Foxglove leaves
contain digitalis, a potent heart
medicine, and are considered
poisonous.

22. 15.Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon
Lemon grass is a perennial
plant. Lemon grass is one of
the commercially cultivated
crop in India in a wide
range. Apart from medicinal
value, the major use in
perfumery, cosmetics,
soaps, detergents and
beverages.