The Benefits of Plants Used as Herbs

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.