Imphal, October 20: Over 120 varieties of plants having medicinal and nutritional value besides high demand for its aromatic are being nurtured at the Progeny Orchard cum Nursery Farm located at Mantripukhri.

The farm established under the Technology Mission of Dept of Horticulture and soil Conservation since last year has also been able to identify 20 exotic varieties.

Talking to The Sangai Express the herbal garden manager K Devdutta Sharma said the exotic plants having medicinal-aromatic value, are of high demand in the local market as well as beyond it.

Among the medicinal plants being reared at the garden are curcuma casea locally known as yaimu which is used to treating tonsil and bone and joint discdmfiture caused by bacterial infections.

Other plant varieties like acuros calamus (ok hidak), curcuma armada (yai heinou-nairi), tinospora cordifolia (ningthou khongli) and zinseng having curative elements for tonsil/bone related diseases, during child birth, animal ailments, stone cases are also groomed at the garden with maximum attention.

Some exotic plants normally used as colouring agents by people of Manipur from time immemorial also occupies sizeable space within the herbal garden.

Other plants reared/preserved at the garden include someng plant containing leprosy curable elements and khajing lei and black turmeric practically used in serious cases of bleeding.

The activities of the garden is not only confined to rearing and preservation but also to expand its base through sell of quality food and ornamental plants like cauliflower varieties and palm, VIP duranta, lettuce etc.

Processes are also underway to provide plants conducive in sub-tropical conditions through air-laying and grafting.

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