Botanical Name : Gardenia resinifera Roth
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Ixoroideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Tribe: Gardenieae
Genus: Gardenia
Synonyms : Gardenia lucida Roxb.
Common Name :Gandhoraj (Bengali), King of the Day, Dikamali, Malan, Brilliant Gardenia, Cambi Resin Tree, White Emetic Nut, Brilliant Gardenia,Dikamali,Dikemali,Kambi
Habitat: Gardenia is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands, and Australia.
Description:
Gardenias are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–15 metres (3.3–49.2 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three or four, 5–50 centimetres (2.0–19.7 in) long and 3–25 centimetres (1.2–9.8 in) broad, dark green and glossy with a leathery texture.
The flowers are solitary or in small clusters, white, or pale yellow, with a tubular-based corolla (botany) with 5–12 lobes (petals) from 5 to 12 centimetres (2.0 to 4.7 in) diameter. Flowering is from about mid-spring to mid-summer, and many species are strongly scented.
Cultivation:
*Dig a hole that is twice as wide and a bit deeper than the root ball.
*Put a couple of inches of fresh soil in the bottom of the hole.
*Place the gardenia in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface.
*Fill in with soil around the root ball.
*Water deeply.
Propagation:
The first step in propagating gardenia is to get a cutting. A simple way of doing this is by removing a branch from your plant and putting it in water until roots form, or you have the time available to pot up the cutting. Ideally, use an old piece of pantyhose as a rooting medium so that air can pass through while still retaining moisture.
Edible Uses:
Gardenia flowers can be added to salads, used as garnish, and the fruits can be eaten out of hand. However, this herb is primarily valued for its natural yellow coloring, from its fruit, used in the food industry as a less expensive substitute for the spice, Saffron.
Medicinal Uses:
The first documented use of gardenia in Chinese herbology, or herbal medicine, was from the Han dynasty ( AD25-AD220). Gardenia leaves, flowers and fruits were included in several canon or formulas, which are mostly remedies for the common cold. In Asia, gardenia is known as the ‘happiness herb’ because it is said to detoxify the liver, thereby releasing negative emotions. This may have led to the association between gardenia and love, healing and spiritually.
In China, gardenia flowers are used to flavor herbal teas, often in combination with other herbs and flowers such as chrysanthemums. Gardenia infused teas are known to detoxify the blood, relieve congestion and help lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol. Externally, gardenia is used for skin inflammation, sprains and has blood staunching properties. It is still used in the traditional medicine of Vietnam, internally as a hemostatic agent.
Nutrition: Some of the curative effects of gardenia are no doubt the result of the many phytochemicals found in the color pigments of gardenia fruits and flowers. Indeed, gardenia fruits contain carotenoids including crocin and crocetin, also found in the Crocus species of plant, of which saffron is a member. Aside from their ability to add a subtle yellow color to foods, the carotenoids have numerous health benefits.
Both crocin and crocetin, of which crocetin is a central component of, are antioxidants or free radical scavengers, and may, according to in vitro studies, reduce or inhibit the grow of cancer.
A 2009 study at the Military Medical Univercity in Shanghai, China on Crocus satvia (saffron) found that the carotenoid crocin has antidepressant properties and merits further investigation as a possible plant material for curing depression.
In another study by the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, in 2007, extract of crocin from saffron was given to male lab rats and their sexual activity was monitored. Results suggest that crocin is a natural aphrodisiac, at least for rodents.
Traditionally used as a treatment for diabetes in Chinese herbal medicine, gardenia extract was found to contain a chemical called genipin. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that genipin inhibits the functions of an enzyme which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Other Uses: Gardenia flowers have very sweet smell , so people wants this plant in their flower garden. Parts Used Gum, Combee resin .
Known Hazards:
Gardenia might work like a laxative and cause diarrhea when taken by mouth. When applied to the skin, gardenia might cause skin irritation. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of gardenia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Gardenia
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenia
https://knoji.com/article/herbs-gardenia-or-cape-jasmine-culinary-medicinal-uses-and-nutrition/
