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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Armeria velutina
Culcita macrocarpa
Eryngium viviparum
Gentiana lutea subsp. lutea L.
Lycopodium clavatum L.
Marsilea quadrifolia L.
Narcissus cavanillesii
Omphalodes kuzinskyanae
Palhinhaea cernua
Rhaponticum exaltatum
Vandenboschia speciosa

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea 

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea 

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Marsilea quadrifolia

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Marsilea quadrifolia

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Jardim Botânico UTAD | Espécie Marsilea quadrifolia

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Espécie Marsilea quadrifolia da família Marsileaceae ordem das Salviniales na Flora Digital de Portugal

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Linaria ricardoi

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea 

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea 

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Linaria ricardoi

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Annotated checklist of medicinal plants 

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BIOTALENT is a blended e-learning biodiversity training programme. Biodiversity and its protection are tightly linked to a societal change which can only be achieved by a strong investment in environmental education. BIOTALENT creates talent in biodiversity through innovative education and new skills to increase engagement in science.

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Medicinal Plants and Poverty Reduction in a Changing Climate by United Nations Development Programme on Exposure

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Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), virtually unknown outside of the Himalaya, is an important and highly sought after plant in Nepal. Timur is an indigenous plant whose fruits are aromatic and holds medicinal value and are commonly used as a spice in Nepali cooking either fresh or in dried form.

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Conservation of Medicinal Plants - Proceedings of an International Consultation, Chiang Mai, Thailand

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In the light of this situation, the World Health Organization, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, and the World Wide Fund for Nature convened an International Consultation on the conservation of medicinal plants, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 1988 and hosted by the Ministry of Public Health of the Royal Thai Government.

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international journal of applied research on medicinal plants

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International Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal Plants

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International Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal Plants

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Science Alert is a leading international scientific publisher

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Science Alert is a leading international scientific publisher dedicated to publish peer-reviewed significant research work

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Here are some common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been completely tested to see how well they work or to see if they interact with other herbs, supplements, medicines, or foods. Products added to herbal preparations may also cause interactions. Be aware that "natural" does not mean "safe." It's important to tell your healthcare providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using.

Chamomile

(Flower)

Considered by some to be a cure-all, chamomile is commonly used in the U.S. for anxiety and relaxation. It is used in Europe for wound healing and to reduce inflammation or swelling. Few studies have looked at how well it works for any condition. Chamomile is used as a tea or applied as a compress. It is considered safe by the FDA. It may increase drowsiness caused by medicines or other herbs or supplements. Chamomile may interfere with the way the body uses some medicines, causing too high a level of the medicine in some people.

Chamomile for the skin (topical) may be used to treat skin irritation from radiation cancer treatments. Chamomile in capsule form may be used to control vomiting during chemotherapy.

Echinacea

(Leaf, stalk, root)

Echinacea is commonly used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and infections, and for wound healing. Many studies have looked at how well echinacea works to prevent or shorten the course of a cold, but none were conclusive. Some studies do show some benefit of using echinacea for upper respiratory infections.

Short-term use is advised because other studies have also shown that long-term use can affect the body's immune system. Always check with your healthcare provider about any interactions with medicines that you are already taking. People allergic to plants in the daisy family may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to echinacea. The daisy family includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.

Feverfew

(Leaf)

Feverfew was traditionally used to treat fevers. It is now commonly used to prevent migraines and treat arthritis. Some research has shown that certain feverfew preparations can prevent migraines. Side effects include mouth ulcers if the leaves are chewed and digestive irritation. People who suddenly stop taking feverfew for migraines may have their headaches return. Feverfew should not be used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines because these medicines may change how well feverfew works. It should not be used with warfarin or other anticoagulant medicines.

Garlic

(Cloves, root)

Garlic has been used all over the world in cooking and for its many medicinal properties. The compounds isolated from garlic have been shown to have antimicrobial, cardioprotective, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may play a role in the belief that garlic helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Unfortunately, the evidence is conflicting. The FDA considers garlic safe. But it can increase the risk of bleeding and should not be used with warfarin, a blood thinner. For the same reason, large amounts should not be taken before dental procedures or surgery.

Ginger

(Root)

Ginger is most commonly known as an herb for easing nausea and motion sickness. Research suggests that ginger may relieve the nausea caused by pregnancy and chemotherapy. Other areas under investigation in the use of ginger are in surgery and as an anticancer agent. It's wide range of actions may be due in part to its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.

Reported side effects may include bloating, gas, heartburn, and nausea in certain people.

Gingko

(Leaf)

Ginkgo leaf extract has been used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus. It is also used to improve memory and to prevent dementia and other brain disorders. Some studies have supported its slight effectiveness. But exactly how gingko works isn't understood. Only extract from leaves should be used. Seeds contain ginkgo toxin. This toxin can cause seizures and, in large amounts, death. Because some information suggests that ginkgo can increase the risk of bleeding, it should not be used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, anticoagulants, anticonvulsant medicines, or tricyclic antidepressants.

Ginseng

(Root)

Ginseng is used as a tonic and aphrodisiac, even as a cure-all. Research is uncertain how well it works, partly because of the difficulty in defining "vitality" and "quality of life." There is a large variation in the quality of ginseng sold. Side effects are high blood pressure and tachycardia. It's considered safe by the FDA. But it shouldn't be used with warfarin, heparin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, estrogens, corticosteroids, or digoxin. People with diabetes should not use ginseng.

Goldenseal

(Root, rhizome)

Goldenseal is used to treat diarrhea and eye and skin irritations. It is also used as an antiseptic. It is also an unproven treatment for colds. Goldenseal contains berberine, a plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Studies have shown that goldenseal is effective for diarrhea. But it's not recommended because it can be poisonous in high doses. It can cause skin, mouth, throat, and gastric irritation.

Milk thistle

(Fruit)

Milk thistle is used to treat liver conditions and high cholesterol, and to reduce the growth of cancer cells. Milk thistle is a plant that originated in the Mediterranean region. It has been used for many different illnesses over the last several thousand years, especially liver problems. Study results are uncertain about the actual benefits of milk thistle for liver disease.

Saint John's wort

(Flower, leaf)

Saint John's wort is used as an antidepressant. Studies have shown that it has a small effect on mild to moderate depression over a period of about 12 weeks. But it is not clear if it is effective for severe depression. A side effect is sensitivity to light, but this is only noted in people taking large doses of the herb. St. John's has been shown to cause dangerous and possibly deadly interactions with commonly used medicines. It is very important to always talk with your healthcare provider before using this herb.

Saw palmetto

(Fruit)

Saw palmetto is used to treat urine symptoms from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). But recent studies have not found it to be effective for this condition. Side effects are digestive upset and headache, both mild.

Valerian

(Root)

Valerian is used to treat sleeplessness and to reduce anxiety. Research suggests that valerian may be a helpful sleep aid, but the evidence is not consistent to confirm it. In the U.S., valerian is used as a flavoring for root beer and other foods. As with any medicinal herb, always talk with your healthcare provider before taking it.
Medical Reviewers:

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Here are some common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been completely tested to see how well they work or to see if they interact with other herbs, supplements, medicines, or foods. Products added to herbal preparations may also cause interactions. Be aware that "natural" does not mean "safe."

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The emphasis on the use of medicinal plants had hitherto been placed on the treatment rather than prevention of diseases. However, there exists in the literature considerable report in recent times on research work on the use of medicinal plants and their constituents in disease prevention. A World Health Organisation (WHO) Expert Group defined Traditional Medicine as the sum total of all knowledge and practices, whether explicable or not, used in diagnosis, prevention and elimination of physical, mental, or social imbalance and relying exclusively on practical experience and observation handed down from generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing ( WHO, 1976). For Africa, this may be extended further by including an expression, such as 'while bearing in mind the original concept of nature which includes the material world, the sociological environment whether living or dead and the metaphysical forces of the universe'.

Over 90% of traditional medicine recipes/remedies contain medicinal plants but this paper will address, specifically, the medicinal plants that have been implicated with preventive measures in disease control strategies. However, it must be noted that only a very thin divide exists between treatment and prevention in some cases. A quick example is the fact that by treating mild elevation of blood pressure renal disease can be prevented.

What is a medicinal plant?

A medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its organs, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs. This description makes it possible to distinguish between medicinal plants whose therapeutic properties and constituents have been established scientifically, and plants that are regarded as medicinal but which have not yet been subjected to a thorough scientific study.

A number of plants have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Some do seem to work although there may not be sufficient scientific data (double-blind trials, for example) to confirm their efficacy. Such plants should qualify as medicinal plants. The term 'crude drugs of natural or biological origin' is used by pharmacists and pharmacologists to describe whole plants or parts of plants which have medicinal properties. A definition of medicinal plants for the purpose of this presentation should include the following ( Sofowora 2008; Evans, 2008):

1. plants or plant parts used medicinally in galenical preparations (e.g. decoctions, infusions, etc.) e.g. Cascara bark;

2. plants used for extraction of pure substances either for direct medicinal use or for the hemi-synthesis of medicinal compounds (e.g. hemi-synthesis of sex hormones from diosgenin obtained from Dioscorea yams);

3. food, spice, and perfumery plants used medicinally, e.g. ginger;

4. microscopic plants, e.g. fungi, actinomycetes, used for isolation of drugs, especially antibiotics. Examples are ergot ( Claviceps purpurea growing on rye) or Streptomyces griseus; and

5. fibre plants, e.g. cotton, flax, jute, used for the preparation of surgical dressings.

The growing importance of medicinal plants can be appreciated from the economic stand point when the following facts are considered:

Global trade in herbs is over USD 100 Billion per annum

India and China's medicinal plant trade is about two to five billion US dollars annually

In Germany, it is over one billion US dollars annually

Rose Periwinkle which is endemic to Madagascar fetches US$100 million per annum

China trades in 7,000 species and 700,000 tons of medicinal plants per annum

India trades in 7,000 species of medicinal plants

Morocco exports 58.7 tons of medicinal plants annually

In the last 5 years, sales of medicinal plants doubled in China, tripled in India and grew by 25% in Europe.

A Presidential Initiative Committee on the Development, Promotion, and Commercialisation of Nigerian Herbal Medicinal Products was inaugurated on 30th May 2006 and was given a target of US$1billion sales of medicinal plants and its products within 10 years for Nigeria. Based on current research and financial investments, medicinal plants will, seemingly, continue to play an important role as a health aid ( Hoareau and DaSilva, 1999). The use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in most developing countries, as a normative basis for the maintenance of good health, has been widely observed ( UNESCO, 1996). Furthermore, an increasing reliance on the use of medicinal plants in the industrialised societies has been traced to the extraction and development of several drugs and chemotherapeutics from these plants as well as from traditionally used rural herbal remedies ( UNESCO, 1998). Moreover, in these societies, herbal remedies have become more popular in the treatment of minor ailments, and also on account of the increasing costs of personal health maintenance. Indeed, the market and public demand has been so great that there is a great risk that many medicinal plants today face either extinction or loss of genetic diversity.

Preventive strategies

Health promotion, disease prevention and chronic disease management are proactive approaches to health care that stresses prevention at different points along the health care continuum. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies focus on keeping people well and preventing diseases from occurring. These strategies are referred to as primary prevention activities. Prevention is categorised into three levels (Commission on Chronic Illness, 1957):

1. Primary Prevention, which seeks to decrease the number of new cases of a disorder or illness. At this level of prevention we have:

2. Secondary Prevention, which seeks to lower the rate of established cases of a disorder or illness in the population (prevalence). This level essentially involves measures that ensure early diagnosis (such as screening) and prompt management

3. Tertiary Prevention, which seeks to decrease the amount of disability associated with an existing disorder. This level involves:

The secondary and tertiary prevention activities focus on maintaining the health of individuals with chronic conditions, delaying progression of their conditions, and preventing complications.

Disease prevention should focus on strategies that reduce the risk of disease, identify risk factors, or detect disease in its early, most treatable stages. Examples of disease prevention activities include well-baby visits, immunisations, calcium and Vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, blood pressure and cholesterol assessments during annual health exams, and screening for illnesses such as breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer ( Family Health Teams, 2006).

Public health, diet, food production and the environment are deeply interrelated, and understanding these relationships is crucial in pursuing a liveable future. Sometimes therefore, there is only a thin line between treatment and prevention of certain diseases. For example, treatment of mild hypertension will prevent many chronic renal diseases. This is also true for obesity, cancers, coronary heart diseases (CHDs) as well as diabetes and its sequelae, though these are non-communicable diseases.

The burden of healthcare and its human and financial resources requirement

In developing countries all over the world, large numbers of people die daily of preventable or curable diseases because of the lack of even simple health care. Diseases in these countries are often associated with malnutrition. As a result, those that do survive often never recover completely from the effects. The developing world is not a homogenous entity, but is made up of a variety of widely differing countries and areas which are at different stages of development. Nevertheless, these developing countries have certain features in common, including extremely limited resources, poor communications, vast distances, low levels of education, and individual and community poverty. These factors act together to keep these countries in a perpetual state of poverty. Yet, their populations continue to rise, especially in the rural regions which usually account for about 80 per cent of the total population.

Another special characteristic of the developing world is the nomadic lifestyle of some of its people. Some 50 to 100 million nomads have been estimated to be present in the world, and 90 per cent of these live in Africa or Asia. Nomads have their own needs and problems peculiar to their lifestyle. Because of their constant movement and dispersion it is difficult for conventional health services to reach these people. The striking difference between the developed and the developing world in terms of health care is reflected in the differing life expectancy of their populations. For example, according to WHO (2012), in 2009 the life expectancy at birth was estimated at 51 years in Angola and Burkina Faso, while for Malawi it was 47 years (African countries) compared with 80 years in the United Kingdom, USA and Austria. Although the situation is improving in some African countries, this gap is still wide. Twenty-six African countries are ranked among the 'Low Income Group', 17 in the 'Lower Middle Income Group' and 9 in the 'Upper Middle Income Group', while only Equatorial Guinea is ranked in the 'High Income Group' ( WHO, 2012). Several of the people in Africa earn less than US$2 per day.

Any strategy for disease prevention in the developing countries, especially in Africa, must take these socioeconomic factors into account. With the abundant biodiversity of plants in the African Region and the relative lower cost of using plant derived medicines instead of processed synthetic drugs, medicinal plants should have a role to play in disease prevention strategies in Africa.

Medicinal plants and disease prevention

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The Role and Place of Medicinal Plants in the Strategies for Disease Prevention

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Medicinal plants have been used in healthcare since time immemorial. Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. The global market value of medicinal plant ...

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lino is an online web sticky note service that can be used to post memos, to-do lists, ideas, and photos anywhere on an online web canvas. lino is a completely free service that runs on all popular web browsers.

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Pruritus is a distressing sensation of the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. Medicinal plants have been proposed as a worthful source for identifying new bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate some medicinal plants and their phytochemicals used in the management of pruritus. Medicinal plants including Avena sativa, Borago officinalis, Capsicum frutescens, Curcuma longa, Fumaria spp., Mentha x piperita and Oenothera biennis showed the promising anti-pruritic activity in human studies. In experimental studies, Angelica sinensis, Betula platyphylla, Matricaria chamomilla, Rumex Japonicus, Saururus chinensis and Vaccinium myrtillus are among the best medicinal plants for management of pruritus. Essential oils, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, terpens, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids were the bioactive constituents of herbs which exhibited their anti-pruritic activity through different mechanisms. The most predominant mechanisms involved in activity of plant-derived molecules in pruritis include reducing serum IgE and proinflammatory cytokines, stabilizing mast cells, suppressing the Th2 cellular response, suppressing the expression of substance P and NF- κB, inhibiting prostaglandin E2 production, and activating receptors involved in itch sensation. Overall, several medicinal plants and its bioactive compounds have shown marked activity in the management of pruritus and therefore can be considered as an alternative source of treatment.

Keywords: Itch; Pruritus; Plant; Scratch; Herbal medicine; Phytochemical.

Las plantas medicinales como fuente de futuros fármacos antipruríticos: una revisión exhaustiva

El prurito es una sensación molesta en la piel que provoca el deseo de rascarse. Las plantas medicinales han sido propuestas como una fuente valiosa para identificar nuevas moléculas bioactivas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar algunas plantas medicinales y sus fitoquímicos en el manejo del prurito. Plantas medicinales que incluyen Avena sativa, Borago officinalis, Capsicum frutescens, Curcuma longa, Fumaria spp., Mentha x piperita y Oenothera biennis mostraron una prometedora actividad antiprurítica en estudios humanos. En estudios experimentales, Angelica sinensis, Betula platyphylla, Matricaria chamomilla, Rumex Japonicus, Saururus chinensis y Vaccinium myrtillus se encuentran entre las mejores plantas medicinales para el manejo del prurito. Los aceites esenciales, alcaloides, saponinas, esteroles, terpenos, compuestos fenólicos y ácidos grasos fueron los constituyentes bioactivos de las hierbas que mostraron actividad antiprurítica a través de diferentes mecanismos. Los mecanismos más predominantes implicados en la actividad de las moléculas derivadas de plantas en el prurito incluyen la reducción de la IgE sérica y las citoquinas proinflamatorias, la estabilización de los mastocitos, la supresión de la respuesta celular Th2, la supresión de la expresión de la sustancia P y NF-κB, la inhibición de la producción de prostaglandina E2 y la activación de receptores implicados en la sensación de picazón. En general, varias plantas medicinales y sus compuestos bioactivos han mostrado una actividad efectiva en el manejo del prurito y, por lo tanto, pueden ser consideradas como una fuente alternativa para su tratamiento.

Palabras clave: Picazón; Prurito; Planta; Rascarse; Medicina herbaria; Fitoquímico.

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Medicinal plants as a source of future anti-pruritic drugs: A comprehensive review

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Pruritus is a distressing sensation of the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. Medicinal plants have been proposed as a worthful source for identifying new bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate some medicinal plants and their phytochemicals used in the management of pruritus.

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Biogeographical regions of Europe - My PlantArea

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Biogeographical regions of Europe - My PlantArea

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Map with the terrestrial Biogeographic Regions of mainland Portugal and Autonomous Regions.

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Browse the knowledge base - European Commission

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My PlantArea

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Humboldt's father, Alexander Georg von Humboldt, belonged to a prominent Pomeranian family, although not one of the titled gentry; a major in the Prussian Army, who had served with the Duke of Brunswick. At age 42, Alexander Georg was rewarded for his services in the Seven Years' War with the post of Royal Chamberlain.

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Environmental stress factors that influence plant growth 

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Environmental stress factors that influence plant growth 

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Plant growth and geographic distribution (where the plant can grow) are greatly affected by the environment. If any environmental factor is less than ideal, it limits a plant's growth and/or distribution. For example, only plants adapted to limited amounts of water can live in deserts.

Either directly or indirectly, most plant problems are caused by environmental stress.

Either directly or indirectly, most plant problems are caused by environmental stress. In some cases, poor environmental conditions (e.g., too little water) damage a plant directly. In other cases, environmental stress weakens a plant and makes it more susceptible to disease or insect attack.

Environmental factors that affect plant growth include light, temperature, water, humidity and nutrition. It's important to understand how these factors affect plant growth and development. With a basic understanding of these factors, you may be able to manipulate plants to meet your needs, whether for increased leaf, flower or fruit production. By recognizing the roles of these factors, you'll also be better able to diagnose plant problems caused by environmental stress.

Light

Three principal characteristics of light affect plant growth: quantity, quality and duration.

Quantity

Light quantity refers to the intensity, or concentration, of sunlight. It varies with the seasons. The maximum amount of light is present in summer, and the minimum in winter. Up to a point, the more sunlight a plant receives, the greater its capacity for producing food via photosynthesis.

You can manipulate light quantity to achieve different plant growth patterns.

You can manipulate light quantity to achieve different plant growth patterns. Increase light by surrounding plants with reflective materials, a white background or supplemental lights. Decrease it by shading plants with cheesecloth or woven shade cloths.

Quality

Light quality refers to the color (wavelength) of light. Sunlight supplies the complete range of wavelengths and can be broken up by a prism into bands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Blue and red light, which plants absorb, have the greatest effect on plant growth. Blue light is responsible primarily for vegetative (leaf) growth. Red light, when combined with blue light, encourages flowering. Plants look green to us because they reflect, rather than absorb, green light.

Knowing which light source to use is important for manipulating plant growth. For example, fluorescent (cool white) light is high in the blue wavelength. It encourages leafy growth and is excellent for starting seedlings. Incandescent light is high in the red or orange range, but generally produces too much heat to be a valuable light source for plants. Fluorescent grow-lights attempt to imitate sunlight with a mixture of red and blue wavelengths, but they are costly and generally no better than regular fluorescent lights.

Duration

Duration, or photoperiod, refers to the amount of time a plant is exposed to light. Photoperiod controls flowering in many plants (Figure 1). Scientists used to think that the length of light period triggered flowering and other responses within plants. Thus, they describe plants as short-day or long-day, depending on what conditions they flower under. We now know that it is not the length of the light period, but rather the length of uninterrupted darkness, that is critical to floral development.

Plants are classified into three categories: short-day (long-night), long-day (short-night), or day-neutral, depending on their response to the duration of light or darkness. Short-day plants form flowers only when day length is less than about 12 hours. Many spring- and fall-flowering plants, such as chrysanthemum, poinsettia and Christmas cactus, are in this category.

In contrast, long-day plants form flowers only when day length exceeds 12 hours. Most summer-flowering plants (e.g., rudbeckia, California poppy and aster), as well as many vegetables (beet, radish, lettuce, spinach and potato), are in this category.

Day-neutral plants form flowers regardless of day length. Examples are tomato, corn, cucumber and some strawberry cultivars. Some plants do not fit into any category, but may respond to combinations of day lengths. Petunias, for example, flower regardless of day length, but flower earlier and more profusely with long days.

Environmental factors that affect plant growth include light, temperature, water, humidity and nutrition.

You can easily manipulate photoperiod to stimulate flowering. For example, chrysanthemums normally flower in the short days of spring or fall, but you can get them to bloom in midsummer by covering them with a cloth that completely blocks out light for 12 hours each day. After several weeks of this treatment, the artificial dark period no longer is needed, and the plants will bloom as if it were spring or fall. This method also is used to make poinsettias flower in time for Christmas.

To bring a long-day plant into flower when day length is less than 12 hours, expose the plant to supplemental light. After a few weeks, flower buds will form.

Temperature

Temperature influences most plant processes, including photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, germination and flowering. As temperature increases (up to a point), photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration increase. When combined with day length, temperature also affects the change from vegetative (leafy) to reproductive (flowering) growth. Depending on the situation and the specific plant, the effect of temperature can either speed up or slow down this transition.

Germination

The temperature required for germination varies by species. Generally, cool-season crops (e.g., spinach, radish and lettuce) germinate best at 55° to 65°F, while warm-season crops (e.g., tomato, petunia and lobelia) germinate best at 65° to 75°F.

Flowering

Sometimes horticulturists use temperature in combination with day length to manipulate flowering. For example, a Christmas cactus forms flowers as a result of short days and low temperatures (Figure 1). To encourage a Christmas cactus to bloom, place it in a room with more than 12 hours of darkness each day and a temperature of 50° to 55°F until flower buds form.

If temperatures are high and days are long, cool-season crops such as spinach will flower (bolt). However, if temperatures are too cool, fruit will not set on warm-season crops such as tomato.

Crop quality

Low temperatures reduce energy use and increase sugar storage. Thus, leaving crops such as ripe winter squash on the vine during cool, fall nights increases their sweetness.

Adverse temperatures, however, cause stunted growth and poor-quality vegetables. For example, high temperatures cause bitter lettuce.

Photosynthesis and respiration

Thermoperiod refers to daily temperature change. Plants grow best when daytime temperature is about 10 to 15 degrees higher than nighttime temperature. Under these conditions, plants photosynthesize (build up) and respire (break down) during optimum daytime temperatures and then curtail respiration at night. However, not all plants grow best under the same range between nighttime and daytime temperatures. For example, snapdragons grow best at nighttime temperatures of 55°F; poinsettias, at 62°F.

Temperatures higher than needed increase respiration, sometimes above the rate of photosynthesis. Thus, photosynthates are used faster than they are produced. For growth to occur, photosynthesis must be greater than respiration.

Daytime temperatures that are too low often produce poor growth by slowing down photosynthesis. The result is reduced yield (i.e., fruit or grain production).

Breaking dormancy

Some plants that grow in cold regions need a certain number of days of low temperature (dormancy). Knowing the period of low temperature required by a plant, if any, is essential in getting it to grow to its potential.

Peaches are a prime example; most varieties require 700 to 1,000 hours between 32° and 45°F before breaking their rest period and beginning growth. Lilies need six weeks of temperatures at or slightly below 33°F before blooming.

Daffodils can be forced to flower by storing the bulbs at 35° to 40°F in October. The cold temperature allows the bulbs to mature. When transferred to a greenhouse in midwinter, they begin to grow, and flowers are ready to cut in three to four weeks.

Hardiness

Plants are classified as hardy or nonhardy depending on their ability to withstand cold temperatures. Hardy plants are those that are adapted to the cold temperatures of their growing environment.

Woody plants in the temperate zone have very sophisticated means for sensing the progression from fall to winter. Decreasing day length and temperature trigger hormonal changes that cause leaves to stop photosynthesizing and to ship nutrients to twigs, buds, stems and roots. An abscission layer forms where each petiole joins a stem, and the leaves eventually fall off. Changes within the trunk and stem tissues over a relatively short period of time "freeze-proof" the plant.

Winter injury to hardy plants generally occurs when temperatures drop too quickly in the fall before a plant has progressed to full dormancy. In other cases, a plant may break dormancy in mid- or late winter if the weather is unseasonably warm. If a sudden, severe cold snap follows the warm spell, otherwise hardy plants can be seriously damaged.

It is worth noting that the tops of hardy plants are much more cold-tolerant than the roots. Plants that normally are hardy to 10°F may be killed if they are in containers and the roots are exposed to 20°F.

People often forget that plants need water even during winter.

Winter injury also may occur because of desiccation (drying out) of plant tissues. People often forget that plants need water even during winter. When the soil is frozen, water movement into a plant is severely restricted. On a windy winter day, broadleaf evergreens can become water-deficient in a few minutes, and the leaves or needles then turn brown. To minimize the risk of this type of injury, make sure your plants go into the winter well watered.

Water and humidity

Most growing plants contain about 90 percent water. Water plays many roles in plants. It is:

A primary component in photosynthesis and respiration

Responsible for turgor pressure in cells (Like air in an inflated balloon, water is responsible for the fullness and firmness of plant tissue. Turgor is needed to maintain cell shape and ensure cell growth.)

A solvent for minerals and carbohydrates moving through the plant

Responsible for cooling leaves as it evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration

A regulator of stomatal opening and closing, thus controlling transpiration and, to some degree, photosynthesis

The source of pressure to move roots through the soil

The medium in which most biochemical reactions take place

Relative humidity is the ratio of water vapor in the air to the amount of water the air could hold at the current temperature and pressure. Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. Relative humidity (RH) is expressed by the following equation:

RH = water in air ÷ water air could hold (at constant temperature and pressure)

Relative humidity is given as a percent. For example, if a pound of air at 75°F could hold 4 grams of water vapor, and there are only 3 grams of water in the air, then the relative humidity (RH) is:

3 ÷ 4 = 0.75 = 75%

Water vapor moves from an area of high relative humidity to one of low relative humidity. The greater the difference in humidity, the faster water moves. This factor is important because the rate of water movement directly affects a plant's transpiration rate.

The relative humidity in the air spaces between leaf cells approaches 100 percent. When a stoma opens, water vapor inside the leaf rushes out into the surrounding air (Figure 2), and a bubble of high humidity forms around the stoma. By saturating this small area of air, the bubble reduces the difference in relative humidity between the air spaces within the leaf and the air adjacent to the leaf. As a result, transpiration slows down.

If wind blows the humidity bubble away, however, transpiration increases. Thus, transpiration usually is at its peak on hot, dry, windy days. On the other hand, transpiration generally is quite slow when temperatures are cool, humidity is high, and there is no wind.

Hot, dry conditions generally occur during the summer, which partially explains why plants wilt quickly in the summer. If a constant supply of water is not available to be absorbed by the roots and moved to the leaves, turgor pressure is lost and leaves go limp.

Plant nutrition

Plant nutrition often is confused with fertilization. Plant nutrition refers to a plant's need for and use of basic chemical elements. Fertilization is the term used when these materials are added to the environment around a plant. A lot must happen before a chemical element in a fertilizer can be used by a plant.

Plants need 17 elements for normal growth. Three of them--carbon, hydrogen and oxygen--are found in air and water. The rest are found in the soil.

Six soil elements are called macronutrients because they are used in relatively large amounts by plants. They are nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and sulfur.

Element

Absorbed as

Leaches from soil/ Mobility in plant

Signs of excess

Signs of deficiency

Notes

Nitrogen (N)

NO ₃-, (nitrate), NH ₄+ (ammonium)

Leachable, especially NO ₃-. Mobile in plants.

Succulent growth; dark green color; weak, spindly growth; few fruits. May cause brittle growth, especially under high temperatures.

Reduced growth; yellowing (chlorosis); reds and purples may intensify in some plants; reduced lateral bud breaks. Symptoms appear first on older growth.

In general, the best NH ₄+:NO ₃- ratio is 1:1. Under low-sugar conditions (low light), high NH ₄+ can cause leaf curl. Uptake is inhibited by high P levels. The N:K ratio is extremely important. Indoors, the best N:K ratio is 1:1 unless light is extremely high. In soils with a high C:N ratio, more N should be supplied.

Phosphorus (P)

Normally not leachable, but may leach from soil high in bark or peat. Not readily mobile in plants.

Shows up as micronutrient deficiency of Zn, Fe or Co.

Reduced growth. Color may intensify; browning or purpling of foliage in some plants; thin stems; reduced lateral bud breaks; loss of lower leaves; reduced flowering.

Rapidly bound (fixed) on soil particles. Under acid conditions, fixed with Fe, Mg and Al. Under alkaline conditions, fixed with Ca. Important for young plant and seedling growth. High P interferes with micronutrient absorption and N absorption. Used in relatively small amounts when compared to N and K.

Potassium (K)

K+

Can leach in sandy soils. Mobile in plants.

Causes N deficiency in plant and may affect the uptake of other positive ions.

Reduced growth; shortened internodes; marginal burn or scorch (brown leaf edges); necrotic (dead) spots in leaves; reduction of lateral bud breaks; tendency to wilt readily.

N:K balance is important. High N:low K favors vegetative growth; low N:high K promotes reproductive growth (flowers, fruit).

Magnesium (Mg)

Mg++

Leachable. Mobile in plants.

Interferes with Ca uptake.

Reduction in growth; marginal chlorosis, interveinal chlorosis (yellow between the veins) in some species (may occur on middle or lower leaves; reduction in seed production; cupped leaves.

Mg commonly is deficient in foliage plants because it is leached and not replaced. Epsom salts at a rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon may be used two times per year. Mg also can be absorbed by leaves if sprayed in a weak solution. Dolomitic limestone can be applied in outdoor situations to correct a deficiency.

Calcium (Ca)

Ca++

Normally not leachable. Moderately limited mobility in plants. Interferes with Mg absorption.

High Ca usually causes high pH, which then precipitates many micronutrients so that they become unavailable to plants.

Inhibition of bud growth; death of root tips; cupping of maturing leaves; weak growth; blossom-end rot of many fruits; pits on root vegetables.

Ca is important to pH control and rarely is deficient if the correct pH is maintained. Water stress (too much or too little) can affect Ca relations within plants, causing deficiency in the location where Ca was needed at the time of stress.

Sulfur (S)

SO ₄- (sulfate)

Leachable. Not mobile in plants.

Sulfur excess usually is in the form of air pollution.

General yellowing of affected leaves or the entire plant.

S often is a carrier or impurity in fertilizers and rarely is deficient. It also may be absorbed from the air and is a by-product of combustion.

Eight other soil elements are used in much smaller amounts and are called micronutrients or trace elements. They are iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt and chlorine.

Element

Absorbed as

Signs of excess

Signs of deficiency

Notes

Boron (B)

Blackening or death of tissue between veins.

Failure to set seed; internal breakdown; death of apical buds.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Interveinal chlorosis on older or midstem leaves; twisted leaves (whiptail).

Most of the nutrients a plant needs are dissolved in water and then absorbed by its roots. In fact, 98 percent are absorbed from the soil-water solution, and only about 2 percent are actually extracted from soil particles.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers are materials containing plant nutrients that are added to the environment around a plant. Generally, they are added to the water or soil, but some can be sprayed on leaves. This method is called foliar fertilization. It should be done carefully with a dilute solution, because a high fertilizer concentration can injure leaf cells. The nutrient, however, does need to pass through the thin layer of wax (cutin) on the leaf surface.

Fertilizers are not plant food! Plants produce their own food from water, carbon dioxide and solar energy through photosynthesis. This food (sugars and carbohydrates) is combined with plant nutrients to produce proteins, enzymes, vitamins and other elements essential to growth.

Nutrient absorption

Anything that reduces or stops sugar production in leaves can lower nutrient absorption. Thus, if a plant is under stress because of low light or extreme temperatures, nutrient deficiency may develop.

A plant's developmental stage or rate of growth also may affect the amount of nutrients absorbed. Many plants have a rest (dormant) period during part of the year. During this time, few nutrients are absorbed. Plants also may absorb different nutrients as flower buds begin to develop than they do during periods of rapid vegetative growth.

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Environmental factors affecting plant growth

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Learn about the environmental factors that affect plant growth: light, temperature, water, humidity and nutrition. Either directly or indirectly, most plant problems are caused by environmental stress.

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Theophrastus has been hailed as the 'father of Botany' by many, thereby often referring to these two large botanical treaties: 'Enquiry into Plants' , and 'On the Causes of Plants'.

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The threat of climate change and the knowledge that it is related to CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels has led scientists to look for alternatives for our energy needs, that is in the cultivation of biofuel crops.
My answer
Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is highly controversial since it solves one problem but creates new ones.

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Águardente de medronho

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Águardente de medronho

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Theophrastus has been hailed as the 'father of Botany' by many, thereby often referring to these two large botanical treaties: 'Enquiry into Plants' , and 'On the Causes of Plants'.

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Theophrastus (; Greek: Θεόφραστος Theόphrastos; c. 371 - c. 287 BC), a Greek native of Eresos in Lesbos, was the successor to Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. He came to Athens at a young age and initially studied in Plato's school. After Plato's death, he attached himself to Aristotle who took to Theophrastus his writings.

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Alcoholic drinks consumed in my PlantArea together with their plant source material;

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Licor Beirão

Licor Beirão is a typical liquor from Portugal, particularly from the region of Beira.  Its production began in the 19th century, in the village of Lousã, based on several plants - including eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary and lavender - and aromatic seeds, undergoing a double distillation process. The product thus obtained has a transparent, sweet-tasting topaz shade.

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In the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world, located in south America, tree species are ‘on the run’, trying to move to ground of higher altitude. They are shifting roughly 2.5 to 3.5 vertical meters a year on average, but in fact they need to migrate more than 20 vertical feet a year!
My Answer:
2. Tropical Andean trees migrate to higher altitudes where the air is cool enough to support their existence. Due to the fast climatic change they have to move faster in order to remain in equilibrium with their preferred temperatures.

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APA - Políticas > Alterações Climáticas > Adaptação > O Clima em Portugal

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Projected changes in annual mean temperature (left) and annual precipitation (right)

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Projected changes in annual mean temperature (left) and annual precipitation (right)

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https://www.eea.europa.eu

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Impact of climate change: What are the consequences for biodiversity?

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Impact of climate change: What are the consequences for biodiversity?

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Biosfera 520 - Impacto das alterações climáticas: Quais as consequências para a biodiversidade?

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Só em 2015, Portugal viu 269 espécies de fauna e flora na lista vermelha da União Internacional de Conservação da Natureza, um valor acima da média europeia. A perda de biodiversidade é uma das consequências das alterações climáticas. Como reagem os diferentes grupos biológicos às alterações da temperatura média dos oceanos ou à concentração de CO2 na atmosfera?

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Concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

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Concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

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Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera

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Nos laboratórios da NOAA são analisados um conjunto de gases com efeito de estufa, dos quais se destacam o dióxido de carbono, o metano, o monóxido de carbono e o óxido nitroso. Esta série de dados é a mais longa obtida em território Português e demonstra claramente o aumento deste gás observado durante os últimos 35 anos.

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Check if there is a typo in www.meteo.pt.

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Scientists have long assumed that species would shift their range as climate conditions shift. They just didn't expect it would happen so fast.

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Refugia – areas for the growth and survival of species during adverse or unfavourable environmental conditions. Sources for subsequent recolonisations when environmental conditions become more favourable.
Cryptic refugia – restricted refugia in northern Europe; areas of sheltered topography with buffered, stable local microclimates. Possibly not detectable by pollen analysis.

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Geranium purpureum

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Geranium purpureum

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Geranium purpureum

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FICHA BOTÂNICA
NOME COMUM: Erva-de-São-Roberto

NOME CIENTÍFICO: Geranium purpureum L.

Reino Plantae

Divisão Magnoliophyta

Classe Magnoliopsida

Ordem Geraniales

Família Geraniaceae

Género Geranium

Espécie G. purpureum

ORIGEM: Europa e Ásia
CARACTERÍSTICAS: CULTIVO:
Prefere terrenos húmidos e zonas com sombra.

PROPAGAÇÃO:

Por sementes.
CURIOSIDADES: Medicinal
Apresentou ação anticancerígena, anti-inflamatória, antisséptica, antiviral e reguladora hormonal. É recomendada em casos de problemas gastrointestinais, nomeadamente úlceras de estômago, azia, digestões difíceis e diarreias. É ainda utilizada em oncologia, principalmente no tratamento do cancro do tubo digestivo.
Observações
Era muito conhecida na Idade Média e utilizada em rituais de magia e sobretudo na farmacopeia.
Precauções
Pode apresentar algumas semelhanças com a Cicuta que é uma planta extremamente venenosa. Se não estiver seguro da sua identificação, não deverá consumi-la.
Bibliografia
ARAGÃO,M.J., Plantas e Algas Medicinais de A a Z. 2009. 198

CASTRO, F. L., Cultura de Plantas Aromáticas e Medicinais. 1995. 115

HAWKEY, S., Plantas Medicinais. 2004. 64

RAUSCH, A.; LOTZ, B., Ervas Aromáticas de A-Z. 2005. 298

PODLECH, D., Herbs and Healing Plants: of Britain & Europe. 1994. 249

PODLECH, D.; LIPPERT, W., Wild Flowers: of Britain & Europe. 1994. 252

ULLMANN, H. F., Botanicas's Pocket: Gardening Encyclopedia. 2007. 1008

Seleções do Reader's Digest, Segredos e Virtudes das Plantas Medicinais, 1983
Sites importantes
www.flora-on.pt
www.spbotanica.pt
http://naturdata.com
www.jb.utad.pt
http://www.uc.pt/herbario_digital/herb_uc
http://www.bioscripts.net/coloma/

A Câmara Municipal de Mafra não se responsabiliza por nenhuma utilização indevida da planta, pelo que o seu uso deverá sempre ser por indicação de um profissional.

O estado de desenvolvimento das plantas poderá não corresponder às imagens apresentadas, por variar naturalmente o estado vegetativo consoante a época do ano em que se encontra.

Toda a informação disponível encontra-se em atualização.

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FICHA BOTÂNICA NOME COMUM: Erva-de-São-Roberto NOME CIENTÍFICO: Geranium purpureum L. Reino Plantae Divisão Magnoliophyta Classe Magnoliopsida Ordem Geraniales Família Geraniaceae Género Geranium Espécie G. purpureum ORIGEM: Europa e Ásia CARACTERÍSTICAS: CULTIVO: Prefere terrenos húmidos e zonas com sombra. PROPAGAÇÃO: Por sementes. CURIOSIDADES: Medicinal Apresentou ação anticancerígena, anti-inflamatória, antisséptica, antiviral e reguladora hormonal.

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Melissa officinalis

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Melissa officinalis

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Geranium purpureum

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Flora-On | Flora de Portugal interactiva

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Pesquisa e identificação interactiva das espécies autóctones da flora de Portugal; fotos, informação e mapas de distribuição

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Melissa officinalis

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Cidreira Melissa, Melissa officinalis, Erva cidreira, Plantas medicinais, Cultivando vidas,

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Ranunculion fluitantis

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Erica ciliaris

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Erica ciliaris

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Quercus suber

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Quercus suber

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Ranunculion fluitantis

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The main tree species decorated during Christmas

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The main tree species decorated during Christmas

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In the 16th century, Martin Luther became the pioneer of bringing Christmas trees to the house and decorating them. Today, people use several types of trees for this purpose. Fir trees, pine trees, spruce trees, cypress trees, and cedar trees are popular Christmas tree types. People like to decorate the trees with lights, ornaments, sweets, and Christmas gifts.

5. Fir Trees

Traditionally, the pagans and Christians used the fig tree during the celebration of winter festivals. The species of fir trees considered best for Christmas purposes include Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Spanish Fir, and Balsam Fir. These types of fir trees are suitable since they have aromatic foliage. They also do not shed many of their needles when they get dry. The Balsam Fir is short, but has dense branches which enable people to decorate it for Christmas. The Spanish Fir is best fit for Christmas when it is still young and has a conical shape. As it matures, it loses its conical shape. Additionally, the Douglas Fir has fine needles and a lovely scent. It can also hold many ornaments and strands of lights. Many years ago, the Germans called the fir trees "Paradise trees." They hung apples on them to have the picture of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Today, Christians use the tree as a symbolism of the eternal life they await.

4. Pine Trees

Most pine trees are evergreen and bear corns. They are native to North America. The pines have great aesthetic value not only in every day life, but also during the Christmas season. Pine tree species such as Scotch Pine and Virginia Pine are commonly used as Christmas trees. The reason for this is that they have stiff branches which can hold heavy ornaments. Furthermore, their needles stay green for about four weeks. When the needles dry, they do not fall. Another significant reason why pine trees are great for Christmas tree lovers is that they have aromatic scent. The White Pine may be used during Christmas, but its branches are weak. Thus, it can only hold light decorations.

3. Spruce Trees

People harvest spruce trees during winter for Christmas tree purposes. They like them because of their evergreen nature and conical shape. In fact, most artificial trees today are made in the likeness of the spruce trees. However, they shed their leaves when kept in an indoor warm and dry environment. The most common spruce species for Christmas is the Colorado Blue Spruce. The tree grows to up to six feet and is normally used in landscaping. However, its delightful blue color and cone shape makes it beautiful for Christmas occasions. Another type of spruce for Christmas is the White Spruce. This spruce has very strong branches that people can hang heavy ornaments on. However, the White Spruce has an unpleasant odor and does not hold its needles for long.

2. Cypress Trees

The Leyland Cypress is the species of cypress that people popularly used for Christmas. Since it does not produce sap like pines or fir, the tree is best suited for those with sap allergy. Its leaves are dark green in color, very soft, and have little aroma. They have a beautiful pyramid shape and hold their needles for many weeks after the Christmas holidays. Furthermore, the foliage of the trees differs from one cultivar to the other making them unique. The Leyland Cypress is the most desired type of tree for Christmas by those living in southeastern states of the United States. Besides Leyland Cypress, however, there are also other species which people use for Christmas. They include Arizona Cypress and Blue Pyramid Cypress.

1. Cedar Trees

Cedar trees are also an excellent choice for Christmas trees. The most famous species for this purpose is the Eastern Red Cedar which is native to the southern US. They are preferred to other cedar species because of their piney aroma, natural pyramid crown, and its ease of maintenance. The needles of the red cedar are dark and green in color. They are also shiny and prickly. Another species of cedar is the Deodar or Himalayan Cedar, native to the Himalayas. The tree can also be used as a Christmas tree. The needles of Deodar Cedar are bluish green and short.

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What Type of Trees Make the Best Christmas Trees?

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In the 16th century, Martin Luther became the pioneer of bringing Christmas trees to the house and decorating them. Today, people use several types of trees for this purpose. Fir trees, pine trees, spruce trees, cypress trees, and cedar trees are popular Christmas tree types.

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Well...what can even you eat?

A question I'm sure most vegans and plant based eaters are VERY familiar with. It seems as though, when you take meat, dairy, eggs and fish out of your diet, all that's left is lettuce! When in reality, a plant based diet opens whole new doors when it comes to eating an abundance of different delicious foods for most people!

Just like any other way of eating, on a plant based diet it's important to take a balanced approach towards food and include foods from a variety of different sources and food groups in order to get all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients our bodies need to feel and function their best. It's not hard to get everything you need on a plant based diet, but incorporating a range of different foods and enough of them is key!

I've been there, done that when it comes to limiting certain food groups, eating only from one or two of them and not eating enough of any of them. It doesn't work. And it's the main reason I believe a number of people think a vegan diet 'doesn't work' for them.

Physiologically, humans were built for eating plants. We are all the same species and a wealth of studies and other evidence shows that plant based diets are not only nutritionally adequate, but capable of preventing, treating and reversing almost all major chronic diseases and health conditions, see here, here and here for just some of those studies. Plant foods promote optimal energy levels, skin, hair and nail health, healthy weight maintenance without restriction, healthy bones, hormonal balance, the list goes on!

How much of each of these food groups you need to feel and function your best will vary depending on a whole range of factors, including your age, gender, activity level, goals, height and more. But here is a guide of the five plant-based food groups that make up a healthy, wholesome and balanced diet:

1. Vegetables
No doubt we all know how amazing vegetables are for us! Packed with a whole range of different vitamins, minerals, phytochemical such as antioxidants (these are only found in plants and protect us from disease and cell damage!), fibre and more. Aim to fill your plate with as many different colours as possible, as usually different colours signify different nutrients and health benefits found in these veggies!

The majority of vegetables are low in energy, despite being very nutrient-dense, so they are great to bulk up your meals and keep you full, but it's also important to make sure you aren't just eating veggies and getting enough energy too.

Some of my favourite vegetables include: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, capsicum, cucumber, purple cabbage, beetroot, kale, bok choy, spinach, tomato, eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin, corn and potato.
2. Fruit
Despite what most people seem to believe, fruit is not just sugar. Sure, fruit does contain sugar but it also contains an abundance of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fibre (just like vegetables!) which allow for a slow and sustained release of glucose into the bloodstream and provide us with energy and plenty of amazing health benefits. In fact, studies show that even eating up to 20 servings of fruit per day was only associated with positives!

Being naturally sweet and packed with flavour, fruit makes the perfect snack and the perfect natural sweetener for breakfasts, baking, desserts, smoothies and more. Fruit always tastes and digests it's best when it's in season and ripe!

My favourites include: banana, mango, berries of all types, peaches, nectarines, passion fruit, persimmons, melons, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges, lime and papaya.

3. Whole grains
Grains are a fantastic source of energy in the form of slow digesting complex carbohydrates, which keep your blood sugar and energy levels stable. Going for the whole grain is always best, as you'll also be getting much more fibre, minerals, vitamins, protein and essential fatty acids than their refined counterparts! Whole grains make a great base to main meals when cooked whole or they can be ground up into flour for baking!

Grains I love include: oats, wheat, spelt, barley, rice, rye, millet, buckwheat and quinoa (the last three are technically seeds or 'pseudo-grains', but they have the same properties as grains so we'll include them in this section!).
4. Legumes
If it's one group of foods that are hugely neglected in our society, then it's legumes! Beans, lentils and other legumes are amazing sources of plant protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and have shown incredible health benefits in preventing and treating chronic disease, regulating blood sugar levels, promoting healthy gut bacteria and more! They are hearty, versatile, satisfying, delicious and also incredibly cheap. Plant power!

I love making legumes into dips like hummus and refried beans, or cooking up bean chilli, Dahl, curries and lentil bolognese. They are also great to throw into salads or even make into sweet treats like black beans brownies, blondies or cookies! Tempeh, tofu and other soy products are also legumes that are slightly more processed but still incredibly good for you!

My favourites are: chickpeas, black beans, lentils, split peas, green peas, kidney beans, butter beans, tempeh and mung beans.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are nutrient and energy power-houses, packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein and essential fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids found in many nuts and seeds are anti-inflammatory and especially important for brain and skin health, hair and hormone production. Nuts and seeds also make meals much more interesting and satisfying, they make great snacks and are incredibly versatile for making into different things, such as nut milks and cheeses, raw cheesecakes, nut and seed butters and more!

Some of my favourites include: chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts and sesame seeds.

I hope you've found this post helpful in knowing what is needed for a balanced and wholesome plant based diet, and feel free to ask any questions you may have! xx

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The Five Food Groups of a Plant-based Diet

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Well...what can even you eat? A question I'm sure most vegans and plant based eaters are VERY familiar with. It seems as though, when you take meat, dairy, eggs and fish out of your diet, all that's left is lettuce!

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Two common spices together with their origin

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Two common spices together with their origin

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An index pointing to informative articles on 117 different herbs and spices; ordered by country of origin

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Two common spices together with their origin

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Two common spices together with their origin

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Spices for the longest time have been used to make food more palatable if not interesting. There are many countries in the world that grow and rear the herbs for the sole purpose of trade and distribution. The merchants of spices were among the most popular traders in the ancient times. India is well known for spices with a wide variety and common recipes that are spice laced. Spices come with a number of benefits other than making great dishes at the end of the day. There are Indian restaurants in Ireland today that you can get to try. You can also contact Dublin airport for some of the hotels and spots offering these dishes for your itinerary. Here are a few Indian spices and their health benefits.

Turmeric

This is one of the most common spices from India. It comes with colour and flavour that can be used to make a wide range of meals look and taste better. Turmeric comes with feature that make it great for its users in terms of health. It is an antioxidant and has been known to fight and also manage cancer. It is also a popular solution when it comes to preventing Alzheimer disease and the inflammation of body joint. The spice also comes with the benefit of keeping the liver safe by cleansing it from toxins that come with excess alcohol.

Asafoetida

This is one of the strongest spices with a pungent flavour from India. It will change the taste and the smell of any food that it is put into. It is used to prepare khatti mithi dal , a famous dish in India. This spice comes with a number of benefits under its name including treating asthma, Coughs, bronchitis and digestion. It is also know to relieve painful menses in women as well as excessive ones.

Cumin Seeds

Also known as Jeera, this is one of the most common spices in the home. It is used to prepare a wide variety of dishes and will work in almost anything. It is used to prepare Odiya in India which is a traditional dish. The health benefits of cumin seeds include a boost in the immune system, pain relief, relieving nausea, stomach pains and cramps, indigestion and diarrhea. It is also used as an iron supplements making it a good supplement.

Ginger

Ginger has a long history in India and many other Asian countries. It is a great tuber that is used to spice up a number of meals. It is impossible to miss in terms of the smell and state in food. It comes with many health benefits including relieving colds, joint pains and regulating blood pressure.

Cardamom

Found in wild India, the spice has healing properties similar to those of ginger. It is used to flavour foods ranging from sweet potatoes, pastries to squash. It also makes chai tea taste great.

Black Pepper

The amazing health benefits of black pepper includes to cure illness such as constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, and heart disease. Its native to south India and used antiquity for both its flavour and as a medicine.

Cloves

Cloves are know for their uniquely warm, sweet and aromatic taste along with medicinal properties for centuries. Clove has lots of healing properties and used for upset stomach and as an expectorant.

Saffron

Saffron knownas the golden spice of India for its expensive and exotic richness, so used on auspicious occasion and have the ability to improvement of digestion and appetite.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice with amazing health benefits and used in traditional medicine to control blood glucose levels and keeps diabetes under control. Cinnamon is known as dalchini in local India language.

Mustard Seeds

Most Indian households use mustard seeds or its oil for various purposes, It can help control symptoms of asthma, packed with B-complex vitamins and help to relieves rheumatoid, arthritic and muscle pain.

Some of the spices that originate from Ireland include:

Coriander

This spice has been used all over the world for over 7000 years to date. They are used to spice up a wide range of foods and salads. The health benefits include treating diabetes and being an antioxidant.

Arrow Roots Powder

This is used as a thickener in Ireland in the soups and many other dishes. It comes with the benefit of lowering blood pressure and cleansing properties. In case of travelling to America you need ESTA. Travellers entering the United States by sea or air and come under the VW program are required to hold an ESTA in order to board a flight or ship bound for the US.

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Health Benefits of 10 Most Common Indian Spices

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Spices for the longest time have been used to make food more palatable if not interesting. There are many countries in the world that grow and rear the herbs for the sole purpose of trade and distribution. The merchants of spices were among the most popular traders in the ancient times.

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Linaria ricardoi

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Espécie endémica de Portugal continental | Família Plantaginaceae | Ecologia/habitat: Searas, pousios e prados em olivais tradicionais ou montados, raramente em taludes e bermas de caminhos. Em solos calcários. | Observações: Endemismo restrito à região de Ferreira do Alentejo, Beja, Cuba e Serpa.

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea -  reasons threatening 

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea -  reasons threatening 

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Omphalodes kuzinskyanae

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Omphalodes kuzinskyanae

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Espécie endémica de Portugal continental | Família Boraginaceae | Ecologia/habitat: Em clareiras de matos em dunas consolidadas e arribas costeiras, em solos arenosos, calcários ou de origem em rochas ígneas. Apresenta preferência por locais algo sombrios. | Observações: Endemismo da faixa costeira de Sintra.

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Plantago almogravensis

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Espécie endémica de Portugal continental | Família Plantaginaceae | Distribuição em Portugal: 201 ocorrências registadas

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea  -  reasons threatening 

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea  -  reasons threatening 

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Plantago almogravensis

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea -  reasons threatening 

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea -  reasons threatening 

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Tuberaria major

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Tuberaria major

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Espécie endémica de Portugal continental | Família Cistaceae | Ecologia/habitat: Em clareiras de matos xerofíticos e pinhais, sobre solos ácidos, derivados de arenitos vermelhos e próximos do litoral. | Distribuição em Portugal: 116 ocorrências registadas

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Endangered Plant Species in My PlantaArea

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Tuberaria major

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When we are asked to compare the work of our colleagues we should have more concrete indicators. For example, how many PlantAreas should we compare? It is not easy to find the PlantAreas in Lino. We should compare two distinct areas of ours. I leave the question: why not make peer evaluation? The organization of the course assigned two or three areas to be evaluated by each course participant.
I visited some PlantAreas and noticed that some participants have too much information which makes access to essential information difficult. There are differences in how the PlantAreas are presented.
I Verify that there is a great diversity of information and that it allows us to increase the knowledge about the biodiversity in what concerns the plants. There are similarities and differences in terms of plant distribution and use in different countries. I think the result of the sharing was very positive.

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5 Medical Drugs that Actually Come from Plants - Unbelievable!

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Opium is called "Afeem" in India and it is obtained from poppy plant- scientifically known as Papaver somniferum. Opium is dried latex obtained from the opium poppy i.e. fruit of this plant. Seeds of poppy, locally known as Khas-khas are sowed in the month of November.