A new direction for developing the medicinal plant Xao Tam Phan.

Mr. Tran Ba ​​Ninh has nearly 15 years of experience producing Xao Tam Phan (a type of medicinal herb) - Photo: TRAN HOAI

Mr. Tran Ba ​​Ninh - director of Ba Ninh Co., Ltd. (Ninh Phu commune, Ninh Hoa town), currently the chairman of the Khanh Hoa Medicinal Plant Association - recounted that nearly 15 years ago, Xao Tam Phan caused a massive exploitation frenzy when many people learned about the medicinal properties of this plant, leading to serious degradation of its natural area (mostly in the Hon Heo mountain area, Ninh Hoa town).

Successfully growing Xao Tam Phan

Therefore, Mr. Ninh thought about cultivating Xao Tam Phan to preserve the variety and supply it to the market. He put his idea into action, experimenting with pruning Xao Tam Phan branches at various lengths, tagging them, and keeping a logbook for each seedling. Around 2015, the plants began to bear fruit.

Later, he experimented with growing plants from seeds and realized the advantages of seed-grown plants, thus completely switching to propagation from seeds.

Mr. Ninh next to a young Xao Tam Phan plant grown in his garden - Photo: TRAN HOAI

When the seedlings were brought to the field and planted, Mr. Ninh realized that the plants grew very well when climbing onto the trunks of wild trees, so he made trellises for the Xao Tam Phan plants, and following this method, they all grew quickly.

"Xáo tam phân is a climbing shrub; as long as it has a trellis to lean on, it will grow into a bush after 6-8 years, with a cumulative harvest of over 300kg of stems and nearly 30kg of roots," Mr. Ninh informed.

Currently, Mr. Ninh has 5 plots of land for growing Xao Tam Phan in Ninh Phu commune, covering approximately 10 hectares. Of these, 7 hectares are planted with Xao Tam Phan alongside other crops, while the rest is intercropped.

Many products are derived from this valuable medicinal plant.

Currently, in Ninh Hoa town, many businesses and individuals are developing products from Xao Tam Phan (a type of medicinal herb) such as teas, extracts, wines, capsules, etc.

"Xáo tam phân (a type of medicinal plant) can be harvested in its entirety: stem, leaves, branches, fruit, seeds, and roots… fresh roots alone sell for about 1.2 million VND/kg at retail," Mr. Ninh said.

Mr. Ninh's company alone supplies the market with over 200,000 seedlings annually, and purchases approximately 5 tons of fresh branches and leaves, and 6 tons of roots for processing.

Mr. Ninh also uses various types of machinery for processing, collaborates with partners and scientists to propagate plants using high-tech methods, upgrades production lines, and expands seedling nurseries and raw material growing areas.

Besides Mr. Ninh's company, there are many other businesses in Ninh Hoa town that grow and produce products from Xao Tam Phan, with various models such as cultivating grass to nourish Xao Tam Phan, or intercropping mangoes and papayas with Xao Tam Phan… These models are developing positively, especially in terms of soil improvement and do not harm the environment.

According to Mr. Le Minh Tam, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Hoa Town People's Committee, Xao Tam Phan is currently grown intensively in the communes of Ninh Phu, Ninh Tan, and Ninh Tay, covering approximately 60 hectares.

"Local Xao Tam Phan production facilities have researched and tested various models to preserve and develop the Xao Tam Phan plant."

"Some establishments have shared and provided guidance on the techniques for planting and caring for this plant, committing to purchasing it at a stable price, thereby creating livelihoods and income for local people. In addition, they are researching and processing Xao Tam Phan into valuable products," Mr. Tam said.

The plant known as Xao Tam Phan (scientific name Paramignya Trimera) is a valuable medicinal herb in traditional medicine, offering numerous health benefits such as supporting cancer treatment, aiding in the treatment of liver diseases, and possessing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

In traditional medicine, the Xao Tam Than plant has a slightly astringent, mildly bitter taste with a hint of sweetness, and when smelled, it has an aromatic scent of essential oils (a fragrance commonly found in citrus plants).

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/huong-di-moi-phat-trien-cay-duoc-lieu-xao-tam-phan-20240925163012164.htm