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Posts Tagged lemongrass

Lemongrass as an Understorey Crop in Bamboo Agro Forestry System

Jul 8

Posted by guroofarms in Agroforestry, Rhodinol Lemongrass | No Comments

Lemongrass is a perennial aromatic grass, belonging to the Cymbopogons, steam distilled to produce the Essential Oil. It is a tropical crop, and can be harvested 3 to 4 times annually.

This year we experimented with planting lemongrass rhodinol as an understorey crop, along with Bamboo, as an Overstorey.

In our experiment, we inter-planted our bamboo rhizome bank nursery with lemongrass ct rhodinol. This has helped, not only to generate an additional income, but has also proved an effective way to control weeds. We are still in the process of establishing a proper agricultural protocol. We may need to amend the row to row as well as plant to plant distance in order to facilitate use of a mini-tractor for various operations.

See the video linked below

2 tier Agroforestry System-Bamboo Rhizome Nursery with Lemongrass

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnshoO45Re9OkAN1ZFba7QXoHzyA

 

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Lemongrass Rhodinol for Bacteria and Fungus

Oct 20

Posted by guroofarms in Crafting, Rhodinol Lemongrass | No Comments

Rhodinol is a term used to describe Citronellol and Geraniol- when they exist together. There are quite a few essential oils which contain rhodinol.

Essential Oils of Geranium, Rose, and a revolutionary new genotype of Lemongrass- are some of the examples- see the table below for a typical GC.

As a grower of bamboo, as well as essential oil crops- I, accidentally discovered an interesting application of rhodinol lemongrass for treating bamboo to protect it against pathogens and fungus, besides imparting a beautiful rosy aromatic note to our bamboo products.

Last few years, I have been experimenting with various oils- I found Oils of Rose and Geranium too expensive for my applications- though they also contain geraniol and citronellol in sizable proportions. I found Citral Rich lemongrass prone to oxidation, and very corrosive- The workers would complain of burning sensation- and hence shelved it too.

Our trials with Rhodinol Rich lemongrass turned out to be a success- and hence we have developed a curing process, where in we add Rhodinol Rich Lemongrass Oil to an oleo-thermal medium. Perhaps it's the anti- pest and anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of Citronellol and Geraniol (collectively called Rhodinol)- which get imbibed into the bamboo fiber that saves the bamboo from attack.

My interest in essential oils is multi-pronged-

a) -as a farmer and a distiller- our main crops are mints and rhodinol rich lemongrass

b) -as a raw material to treat and cure bamboo- bamboo handicrafts are a product of commerce for us.

c) -as a healing agent. Most civilizations have evolved methods of healing- into specialized activities. In India- ayurved is practiced - which uses dried plants- also called crude drugs. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry are related sciences. The West, especially the Americas, have evolved aromatherapy as a healing procedure. 

In this regard, I found the following write ups on Rhodinol Lemongrass by some renowned names in aromatherapy very interesting.

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2010/10/08/a-great-gentle-lemongrass-chemotype/

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2011/07/22/lemongrass-that-does-not-irritate-your-skin-really/

http://www.whitelotusblog.com/2011/04/lemongrasscymbopogon-citratus-essential.html

https://www.aromatics.com/products/essential-oils/lemongrass-rhodinol-rich-india

https://www.facebook.com/aromatherapyoils/posts/136220063090506

Typical GC charts of geranium, rose and rhodinol rich lemongrass oils

  geranium-bourbon geranium-india Rose-Bulgaria Rhodinol lemongrass
citronellol 21.38 23.59 including nerol 38.22 30
citronellyl butyrate 1.26      
citronellyl formate 8.37 4.19    
geraniol 17.45 23 14.41 45
geranyl acetate 0.39 0.29 0.74  
geranyl butyrate 1.04      
geranyl formate 7.55 2.66 0.06  
geranyl tiglate 1.34 1.61    
guaia-6,9-diene 3.9 0.09    
linalool 12.9 16.32 3.14  
menthone 1.5 0.54    
menthone 7.2 0.54    
phenethyl tiglate 0.43 0.77    
rose oxide 0.21 0.11 e 1.39 0.15
    0.74 z 0.32 0.02

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