suci :

Cultivation:

The northerly limits for cultivating this plant are about 50 - 55° north and at an elevation between 100 - 200 metres.
Succeeds in any well-drained moisture retentive soil in sun or partial shade[

238

]. Prefers a calcareous soil. When grown as a medicinal plant, the highest levels of the medically active alkaloids are obtained from plants growing on a light, permeable chalky soil, especially when on a south-west facing slope The highest concentrations are also formed when the plant is growing in a sunny position and in hot summers
Plants tend to be short-lived
Slugs are very fond of this plant and have been known to completely remove the outer bark from the stems

Propogation:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Germination of stored seed is slow and erratic, usually taking 1 - 6 months at 10°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of softwood terminal shoots in spring
Root cuttings in winter

Harvesting:

The root is the most active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn and can be 1 - 3 years old, though the older roots are very large and difficult to dig up. The leaves are harvested in late spring and dried for later use

The entire plant, harvested when coming into flower, is used to make a homeopathic remedy. This is used especially in cases where there is localised and painful inflammation that radiates heat. It is also used to treat sunstroke and painful menstruation

Kotakkal Ayurveda - Mother land of modern ayurveda

suci - Atropa acuminata Rorle ex Lindley, Atropa belladonna Linn. - Solanaceae

suci :

Cultivation:

Propogation:

Harvesting:

Medicinal Plants