Prospects from the model of cultivating Gymnema sylvestre medicinal plants.

Due to the increasing demand for Gymnema sylvestre (Gymnema leaf) to support the treatment of diabetes, Minh Nhi Herbal Extract Production and Trading Facility in Dinh Son village, Cam Nghia commune, Cam Lo district, has begun experimental cultivation of Gymnema sylvestre in the Cua region. This medicinal plant has proven highly economically viable, opening up prospects for the development of this new medicinal plant and contributing to making Cam Lo a center for medicinal plants in the province.

The model of cultivating Gymnema sylvestre plants by Minh Nhi Herbal Production and Trading Facility opens up a new economic development direction for the people - Photo: NTH

According to Truong Cong Minh, owner of Minh Nhi herbal medicine production and trading facility: “Gymnema sylvestre, also known as Gymnema sylvestre, is a woody vine that has been used as a medicine to treat 'sweet urine' in traditional Indian medicine for 2,000 years.”

In Vietnam, Gymnema sylvestre is mainly harvested from the wild, and its cultivation has not received much attention. In 2003, Nam Duoc Co., Ltd. collaborated with Hanoi University of Pharmacy to bring Gymnema sylvestre seeds for trial cultivation in Hai Loc commune, Hai Hau district, Nam Dinh province, showing good growth and development. Since then, the model of cultivating Gymnema sylvestre as a medicinal herb to support the treatment of diabetes has received more attention.

According to Mr. Minh, the Minh Nhi herbal production and trading facility is cultivating two herbal models: 7 sao (approximately 0.7 hectares) of milk thistle and 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of Gymnema sylvestre (1 sao equals 500 m2). The cultivation process has shown that Gymnema sylvestre is less susceptible to pests and diseases, and the harvested produce yields a relatively high economic return. According to calculations, on the 4 sao of land in his family's garden, the Gymnema sylvestre plants yield 4 harvests per year, producing about 10 tons of dried herb, worth approximately 80 million VND.

Meanwhile, the 7 sao (approximately 0.7 hectares) of Solanum torvum plants that his family has been growing for years only yield about 80 million VND per year.

The economic efficiency per unit area of ​​Gymnema sylvestre is nearly double that of growing Solanum torvum. Although the initial investment for Gymnema sylvestre is high, it is a woody plant that can be harvested multiple times for its leaves and shoots, and it is easy to care for.

With substantial initial investment resources, around 15 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters), people in the Cua region of Cam Lo district can successfully develop a model for growing Gymnema sylvestre, yielding significantly higher economic returns compared to other crops.

Currently, Minh Nhi Herbal Extract Production and Trading Facility is the first unit in Quang Tri province to successfully conduct trial cultivation of Gymnema sylvestre, using seeds sourced from the Institute of Medicinal Materials.

Regarding the cultivation and care of Gymnema sylvestre, it is an easy-to-grow plant that yields quick harvests. To plant Gymnema sylvestre, choose high-lying, well-drained, humus-rich, loose soil with a pH of 5-6.5. After preparing the soil and eliminating pests and diseases, create raised beds and build trellises for the vines to climb. Harvesting can begin in about 6-8 months, and a single planting can yield harvests for over 10 years.

The raw materials for cultivating Gymnema sylvestre are used by Minh Nhi Herbal Extract Production and Trading Facility to process into the product, Minh Nhi Gymnema sylvestre Herbal Extract, which has been recognized as a 3-star OCOP product and is a typical rural industrial product of Quang Tri province. As a result, the profits earned from the model of cultivating and processing Gymnema sylvestre herbal extract are even higher.

To date, thousands of studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of Gymnema sylvestre in treating diabetes, reducing and stabilizing blood sugar levels. In addition, research has shown that Gymnema sylvestre stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, reduces the risk of increased blood cholesterol, and aids in weight loss.

Through research into the therapeutic benefits of Gymnema sylvestre in treating diabetes, more and more diabetics are seeking to purchase Gymnema sylvestre herbal extract products for use or buying dried Gymnema sylvestre to boil and drink.

In the Cua region in particular and Cam Lo district in general, there are many facilities processing Gymnema sylvestre herbal extracts, purchasing raw materials from provinces and cities nationwide to process and supply Gymnema sylvestre herbal products that are competitive in the market.

The successful pilot planting of this model by Minh Nhi Herbal Extract Production and Trading Facility opens up a new economic development direction for people to learn from and follow, creating a stable raw material area and ensuring the sustainable development of the herbal extract processing industry in Cam Lo district in the future.

Thanh Hai

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/trien-vong-tu-mo-hinh-trong-cay-duoc-lieu-day-thia-canh-188007.htm