Gully Root

Transplanting:

If you notice your gully root appears small, has extreme root bound or you would like to incorporate it in your garden, you can transplant gully root to the ground or in a larger pot. To transplant gully root to the ground or a larger area, ensure that:

• If the Plant is Not Root Bound -
  It is advised not to remove much of the roots from the gully root when transplanting, provided that the plant (does not have extreme root bound) does not have lots of roots that are knotted up particularly at the bottom of the pot.
• If the Plant is Root Bound -
  If the plant (has extreme root bound) has lots of roots that are knotted up particularly at the bottom of the pot, you can cut under 30% of the roots, primarily at the bottom of the pot, and also remove some of the older leaves from the gully root if the plant has lots of leaves.
• For the Ground -
  The hole is made twice as wide as the plant pot, and the depth of the hole is such that the top of the soil from the gully root plant is level with the surface soil of the ground.
• For the Large Pot -
  The larger pot is around 2 to 4 inches bigger than the current plant pot.
• Apply lots of water shortly after transplanting to lessen the effects of plant shock.

Light Conditions:

• Partial Shade:
  In our climate, gully root may grow well with 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day, primarily morning sun.

Soil:

• Well-drained soil that is poor, average or rich in nutrients. The plant has been reported to grow in disturbed areas, edges of humid forests, along roadsides, riverbanks, pastures, gardens, farming areas and pastureland.
• Mulch (such as grass clippings and wood chips) can be added to the surface of the soil to retain moisture and keep down weeds.

Watering Frequency:

• Water the soil primarily when the soil is dry or almost dry.
• Watering should be such that the soil is kept moist.

Amendments and Fertiliser:

• Gully root is regarded as an 'agricultural weed' in some parts and as a result, amendments and fertiliser would not be necessary.
• If you notice that the plant appears to wither, monitor the lighting conditions, the soil moisture and whether the plant is root bound.

Pruning:

• Prune (deadhead) stems or leaves when they appear to wilt or turn brown.

• Benzaldehyde
  • Benzoic Acid
  • Benzyl 2-Hydroxyethyl Trisulphide
  • Coumarin
  • Isoarborinol
  • Isoarborinol Acetate
  • Isoarborinol Cinnamate
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Polyphenols
  • Senfol
  • Tannins
  • Trithiolaniacine

   

  . .Leaves -

  • Alkaloids (such as Trans-N-Metil-4-Methoxyproline, Allantoin)

   

  . .Stems -

  • Alkaloids (such as Trans-N-Metil-4-Methoxyproline, Allantoin)

   

  . .Roots -

  • Benzaldehyde
  • Cinnamaldehyde
  • Coumarin
  • Dibenzyl Disulphide
  • Trans-Stilbene

Entire Plant -

A decoction of the entire plant combined with Barbadine, Black Sage, Gully Root and Spanish Thyme can be taken for dysmenorrhoea (painful menstrual periods) and as a post-menstrual cleaner.

 

Leaves -

A leaf infusion or decoction for colds, coughs, aches and pains.

 

Roots -

The roots are thought to be more powerful than the leaves. It is considered anesthetic, analgesic, and is often used in topical remedies for the skin, headache, rheumatic pain, and other types of pain.

 

Used for cancer, edema, arthritis, malaria, rheumatism, poor memory, and as a topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory for skin conditions.

 

Anticancer -

Gully root may restrain growth and replication of tumours, and kill cancer cells. Some studies of plant extracts have provided promising results. For instance, water, methanol and ethanol extracts of the entire plant are reported to slow the growth of leukaemia cells and several other strains of cancerous tumour cells in vitro. The water extracts of gully root are toxic to leukaemia, lymphoma and several other cancer cell lines.

 

Immune System -

Gully root boosts the immune system. It has been found that water extracts stimulate the body’s immune system. Plus, extracts of stems and leaves raise the phagocytotic index of human granulocytes that help fight infections.

 

Antimicrobial -

Reported to have antibacterial and antifungal properties; which can be contributed by the sulphur compounds.

 

Anti-inflammatory -

Root extracts provide pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. The roots have been adopted to treat toothaches. Gully root can combat earaches and headaches when applied (topically) externally to the body. The liquid from the leaves can be used as nose drops to relieve headaches and sinusitis.

 

Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders -

the active constituents of gully root aid in combating anxiety, depression, pain, epilepsy and memory impairments.

 

Mental Performance -

Leaves may enhance short-term and long-term memory. Animal studies on leaf extracts have produced promising results.

 

Pest Repellent -

It can be used as a repellent for insects and bats. To have the desired effect, it is recommended that you crush the roots and leaves until you can smell the strong garlic scent.

 

Acaricide -

Stems and leaves can be applied to chicken nests or other livestock (as an acaricide) to kill ticks and mites. Leaf extracts have been effective as an acaricide to the Asian blue tick (rhipicephalus microplus), sweet potato weevils (cylas formicarius elegantulus) and adult coffee borer beetle (hypothenemus hampei) when topically applied. It is advised to limit regular access of livestock feeding on the stems and leaves to prevent any potential toxicosis.

 

Antifeedant -

The leaf extracts are reported to be an antifeedant to the painted grasshopper (zonocerus variegatus), a crop pest.

Abortifacient -

Caution is advised for women who are pregnant as consumption can induce abortion; the reason being that the methanol extracts of the plant can cause (uterine contractions) tightening of the muscles of the uterus.

 

Blood Thinner -

Gully root contains small amounts of coumadin which can thin the blood. Thus, it is advised to limit or avoid use of gully root when consuming blood thinners.

 

Toxicosis -

Caution is advised for consumption by cattle since the plant nitrates can (cause toxicosis) poison.

 

Aroma -

The roots and leaves have a garlic odour when crushed primarily due to sulphur components. Animal consumption of gully root can result in the aroma component of the plant being found in the animal’s meat, eggs and/or milk.

 

Invasiveness -

It can be invasive since it grows quickly and its seeds disperse easily by attaching to humans and animals that touch it.

 

It is advised that you consult with your physician before taking any herbal medicine.