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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Biodynamic Planting Calendars

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  • From: "Allan.Balliett" <allan.balliett AT gmail.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Biodynamic Planting Calendars
  • Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:22:29 -0500

Friends -

Here's a little 'scientific information' to bolster the use of celestial calendars in plant work. It's important information for anyone who wants to maximize the essential oils in their herbs and "increase the quality of (botanical) products and increase the efficiency of farming and management practices."


HerbalGram. 2010;85:50-56 American Botanical Council (should be on the shelf at Borders of Barnes et Noble)

Lunar Influence: Understanding Chemical Variation and Seasonal Impacts on Botanicals
By Ian B. Cole and Michael J. Balick, PhD

Conclusions drawn from the article that above:

Through many generations, traditional cultures have learned that harvest practices, specifically the time of harvest, can greatly impact the characteristics and qualities of plant products. Wood is harvested at different times depending on if it is a "soft" or "hard" wood, and depending on if it is destined to become a chimney, cheese box, or a load-bearing beam for a building. Similarly, farmers have reported the best times to plant seeds, weed gardens, and harvest crops. These practices increase the quality of products and increase the efficiency of farming and management practices.



In the modern world of botanical products research and the quest to develop and improve plant-based medicines, numerous challenges exist. Inconsistent phytochemical profiles and commercial agriculture-based management practices of botanicals can sometimes make it difficult to prove efficacy in clinical trials and develop new commercial products. Traditional cultures often paid special attention to the lunar phase when harvesting and planting crops, but these practices have not been effectively applied to modern agriculture or critically examined by contemporary scientific research. With modern chemical tools and guidance from ancient wisdom, researchers could examine and optimize harvest practices for high quality botanical products.

It's what we've known all along, but here is a scientific journal article that substantiates much of our observation. And another explanation of why wildcrafted herbs are often more effective than garden raised herbs. _AB








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