There are numerous plant species
that are used as herbs. These plants have the ability to synthesize a
broad variety of chemical compounds used to carry out certain
biological functions to defend themselves against insects,
herbivorous animals and fungi. Several of the phytochemical within
these plants have various long term health benefits when consumed by
people.
It is not uncommon to find
non-industrialized communities using herbs derived from plants to
treat disease. Often times it is far more affordable than buying
modern pharmaceuticals. As much as 80 percent of Asian and African
countries make use of herbs to take care of their health. In order to
keep up with this demand that is slowly but surely spreading to other
parts of the world, plant tissue culture methods are being looked at
to speed up the growing process.
The Advantage of using Plant
Tissue Culture Methods in Herbs
The plant tissue culture method is
often used to grow herbal plants on a worldwide scale for commercial
purposes. This would require the use of laboratory equipment and
people who are skilled in the art of micropropagation (Clonal
production of plants). Using these methods help to keep herbal plants
in a sterile condition until such time that they are strong enough
for traditional growth. Another advantage of tissue culture is that
several plants can be started in a tiny space.
Some plants used as herbs can be
started from a piece of cut leaf while others are grown from seeds
that are in vitro (Outside the living organism in a test tube). The
latter would allow growth that may have been difficult to achieve in
any other way.
Pollination of Plants used as
Herbs
Herbal plants often thrive on
getting pollinated by insects such as bees that play a vital role to
ensure the plant's survival. These little creatures love pollinating
some of the following plants used as herbs:
- Borage - It refills with nectar at least every 2 minutes
- Chives - They make beautiful dark purple flowers that are sure to attract bees
- Comfrey - Refills with nectar even faster at only 45 minutes
- Lavender - The sweet smell of lavender always succeed in attracting lots of bees
Generally, pollination by both
insects and other animals are far more effective that wind
pollination.
Tissue Culture Methods More
Commonly used for Herbal Plants
To
ensure the continued growth of herbs used as plants, tissue culture
methods are still widely used. Different tissue culture methods are
being experimented with such as Embryo culture which is similar to
seed culture. Then there is Meristem culture that begins with shoot
tips, and finally, Callus culture that refers to the growth of tissue
that is undifferentiated. With the last method, the plant cells are
induced through the use of chemicals. Due to continuous scientific
development, the more popular tissue culture method is being used
more often than not.
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