A Detailed Guide to the Benefits, Effects and Cultivation Techniques of Isatis Root
Isatis root (banlangen) is a common Chinese medicinal herb, usually dug up in autumn and used as medicine after processing. Both the root and the leaves are used medicinally; the root is called Isatis root and the leaves are called Daecheong leaf (Isatis leaf). So, what are the benefits and effects of Isatis root? Cultivation techniques are also included!
1. What are the benefits and effects of Isatis root?
1. Anti-pathogenic microorganisms
The heat-clearing and detoxifying effects of Isatis root are mainly seen in the treatment of acute infectious diseases.
2. Anti-endotoxin
Endotoxin has a widespread influence in the onset and development of acute infectious diseases. Many scholars have conducted in-depth research on the anti-endotoxin effect of Isatis root. They found that Isatis root can significantly reduce the serum LPO level of rabbits with endotoxin-induced DIC and increase the activity of SOD, thereby antagonizing the biological effects of endotoxin.
3. Fever reduction
Fever is the main symptom of warm-heat diseases. According to research, Isatis root can reduce the elevated body temperature caused by typhoid, paratyphoid and the like, and has a good fever-reducing effect.
4. Anti-inflammatory
Isatis root has broad-spectrum antibacterial effects in vitro (including dysentery bacteria, Salmonella bacteria and hemolytic streptococci), and is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, pain relief and fever reduction.
2. Cultivation techniques for Isatis root
1. Site selection and land preparation
Choose sandy loam soil that is flat, well drained, deep and fertile and loose. In autumn, apply 2000 kg of harmlessly treated farmyard manure and 50 kg of compound fertilizer (15-15-15) per mu (667 sq m, the same below), mix them evenly, spread them evenly over the ground, plow 35 cm deep along with the soil, then level and harrow finely.
2. Sowing
It is best to sow in mid to late May when the ground temperature stabilizes at 10~12°C. Drill sowing or broadcast sowing may be used, but drill sowing is better because it is easier to manage. The sowing rate is 2 kg per mu. Open shallow furrows 2~3 cm deep at a row spacing of 20~25 cm, sow the seeds into the furrows, cover with 1~1.5 cm of soil, press lightly, and water promptly after sowing to keep the soil moist. Seedlings emerge in 7~10 days.
3. Watering
Run one sprinkler tape (micro-sprinkler irrigation) every 3 m. During the seedling stage, water lightly whenever the surface dries. After the seedling stage, water once every 7~10 days in general. In the middle and late growth stages, water as little as possible to promote root development.
4. Field management
(1) Thinning and final thinning
When the seedlings are 7 cm tall, thin and fix the plants in good time at a plant spacing of 6~8 cm.
(2) Cultivation and weeding
Cultivate and weed promptly during the seedling stage. Weed by hand once at the same time as thinning. Carry out a second hand weeding when the seedlings are 15 cm tall. After that, weed once every 15 days to keep the field free of weeds.
(3) Topdressing and watering
After thinning, apply 20 kg of organic water-soluble fertilizer or 5 kg of urea per mu together with watering. In dry conditions, water in the morning or evening. The soil should be kept moist during the seedling stage; when the Isatis root leaves have grown large and are about to close the rows, water less, following the principle of not watering unless there is drought.
5. Pest and disease control
Implement the plant protection policy of “prevention first, integrated control”. Prevent pests and diseases through cultivation measures such as choosing excellent varieties and rational fertilization and watering, and adopt an integrated control method combining physical, agricultural, biological and chemical control to keep pests and diseases within allowable limits, so that the products produced are safe and meet national organic food requirements and standards.
(1) Powdery mildew and gray mold
In the early stage of the disease, the leaves turn from yellow to brownish yellow, with no obvious lesion symptoms on the leaves. As the disease worsens, gray-black mold appears on the leaf surface, and in severe cases the leaves wither and die. Control method: use difenoconazole (kresoxim-methyl) + ethirimol + foliar fertilizer (Yishibang), spraying once every 15 days for 2~3 consecutive sprays.
(2) Diamondback moth
Its larvae bite and eat the leaves, causing notches and holes, and in severe cases leaving only the leaf veins. Control method: when the larvae are young, spray with a biological preparation of alkaloids for control, spraying once every 7~10 days for 2~3 consecutive sprays.
6. Harvesting and primary processing
(1) Harvesting Daecheong leaf (Isatis leaf)
Harvest Daecheong leaf in mid to late August, with a yield of 400~500 kg of fresh leaves per mu. Cut from the base of the plant 2 cm above the ground. After cutting, sun-dry until 70-80% dry, tie into small bundles, and continue sun-drying until completely dry.
(2) Harvesting Isatis root
In early October, before the ground freezes, when the aboveground stems and leaves wither, dig out the roots, with a yield of 300~500 kg of fresh roots per mu. Remove soil, stems and leaves, wash clean, sun-dry until 70-80% dry, tie into small bundles, and sun-dry until completely dry.