The BBRC's flagship project is a cooperative organic farm and botanical garden and herbarium, for the propagation, conservation and study of plant-based resources for use in our treatment and fitness programmes and for commercial sale.
The BBRC organic farm and botanical garden is situated at a one thousand acre holding in Nongdam Sanglen (Wakha), which covers both lowland and hilly areas, about six miles from the centre of Imphal, the capital of Manipur.
As part of both the sub-Himalayan and Indo-Burman biodiversity hotspots, Manipur has the richest reservoir of plant life in India. The sub-tropical climate, rich fertile soil and history of organic agriculture have created the perfect environment for us to grow, conserve, study and utilise the vast array of botanical resources that are endemic to this region.
The term 'organic' refers to an integrated farming system based upon sustainability and the enhancement of soil fertility and biological diversity. At the same time it prohibits synthetic (chemical) pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified organisms. As well as promoting the formation of organic matter in soils, organic farming systems also mean significant amounts of carbon are retained in the soil which is an effective way of combating climate change.
The BBRC organic farm and garden is the starting point and bedrock of our overarching vision for a sustainable, multifaceted and multidisciplinary health and wellbeing research and treatment centre.
This project has FOUR key objectives:
1. To produce affordable, organic, plant-based foods and medicines, in a sustainable and ecologically responsible way, which the BBRC uses as part of its healthcare and fitness treatment programmes.
2. To conserve for future use and study some of the most valuable and rare plants and herbs endemic to this region; and to ensure that the culinary and medicinal uses of these bio-resources are not lost to future generations.
3. To work with local people, with the long-term aim of creating wealth, providing purpose and adding value to the lives of our employees and their families and communities. We will achieve this by promoting sustainable techniques which are also commercially viable – for example by helping local farmers develop high value crops and realise the organic price premium which their produce generates. We also advise and assist with cooperative marketing and route to market strategies.
4. To help reverse the gradual deforestation which is currently occurring in Manipur. Many people in Manipur are dependent on firewood and charcoal collected from the forests for furniture and for cooking at home and at roadside eateries. The use of firewood in Manipur is much higher than the nationwide average. The BBRC is implementing a re-forestation programme aimed at reversing this trend.
While the BBRC organic farm and botanical garden are still in the early stages of development, we have started planting and studying a number of medicinal foods which we use as part of our treatment regimes. For example, this season we are focused on growing a number of tea plants, the leaves of which are the main infusion ingredients of FOUR medicinal teas which we already use as natural remedies for a variety of conditions.
We are also now developing these four medicinal teas for commercial sale. Each tea fulfills specific preventative, curative and palliative functions including: the prevention and treatment of fevers and flu; treatment of the central nervous system; to assist digestion and prevent bloating and intestinal inflammation; and to remedy gastric conditions and reduce stomach acidity.
We are also looking at a variety of other crops for the next growing cycle. Some of these crops are premium foods, some are the raw ingredients for specialist medicines and remedies. Some are both. They are all high value, high demand crops. Organic Producer Certification will allow us to work with and advise local producers to grow, market and sell this produce across local, national and international markets.
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Examples of our organic crops and medicinal plants:
there are numerous types of black rice, including the glutinous variety called Chakhao Amubi, a powerhouse of nutrients which contains 18 amino acids, along with minerals like copper and iron, and very high levels of Anthocyanin antioxidants, which protect the functions of the heart by preventing plaque build-up in artery walls. Studies suggest it also protects against the onset of chronic diseases including Alzheimer’s and certain types of cancer. Chakhao Amubi is a key high-value crop for the BBRC organic farm project.
known as U-Morok in Manipur, the King Chilli is famed as the hottest chilli in the world. A high-value crop, King Chilli grows in hilly areas throughout the North East region of India and is mainly used in local cuisine for curries, pickles and chutnies. Due to increasing worldwide demand, many local traders across Manipur, Assam and Nagaland are now exporting the processed chilli to international markets.
a warm, aromatic, pepper-like herb with powerful, rejuvenating qualities, Long Pepper aids the digestive and respiratory systems and reduces excess body weight by scraping toxic build up from cell walls, arteries and tissues.
known in its native South America as the “Mother of all Grains” due to its high nutritional value, Black Quinoa (a hybrid developed in Colorado in the 1980s) is one of only a few plant foods that are considered a complete protein. Naturally gluten-free, it contains all nine essential amino acids, and anthocyanins which protect the body against free radicals, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Although not native to Manipur, we have chosen to grow Black Quinoa due to its amazing nutritional and medicinal (anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory) properties...and because the conditions here are perfect for producing this high-value crop.
Turmeric is a member of the Curcuma botanical group, which is part of the ginger family of herbs, the Zingiberaceae. The root and rhizome stem of the Curcuma longa plant is crushed and powdered into ground Turmeric spice. Used worldwide as a seasoning, it is also the source of extracted Curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
also known as Jelly Ear, in the West this fungus was used in folk medicine as recently as the 19th century for complaints including sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice. A good astringent, and packed with polysaccharides, Wood Ear is still widely used as a medicinal food in China where it is eaten to relieve tonsillitis, swelling, and is also regarded as a powerful anti-carcinogen, used to prevent and treat tumours. It's also delicious!
locally known as Ok-hidak or Sweet flag, the leaves, stems and roots of this tall perennial wetland monocot of the Acoraceae family are widely employed in modern herbal medicine for their sedative, laxative, diuretic, and carminative (flatulence-reducing!) properties. The rhizome (underground stem) is also used to treat cough, fever and itching. Sweet flag has a very long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Indian herbal traditions. In Ayurveda/Maibarol it is also used to counter the side effects of hallucinogens.
known in Manipur as Dao pata achouba or Candle bush, the leaves and sap of this shrub contain a fungicide, chrysophanic acid, which is used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. It also contains saponin which acts as a laxative and expels intestinal parasites. The effectiveness of Candle bush against skin diseases is confirmed by recent scientific studies. The BBRC is interested in studying the anti-diabetic properties of its leaves.
or Bhubati or King of Bitters is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae. Since ancient times, it has been used in traditional systems of medicine in Manipur to treat infections, including the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
known locally as Yaithamna-manbi or Aromatic Ginger, this amazing plant has been used to treat conditions as diverse as heartburn, inflammation of the stomach, colds, sprains, diarrhea...and even male pattern baldness.
The young leaves and fruit of Mukthrubi Andaliman or Toothache Tree are effective in treating fever, cough and bronchitis.
known as Palukabi/Singju-pan or Chinese taro, this is a species of perennial herb in the arum family which has been used for generations as a remedy to treat infections, gout, abscesses, rheumatism, and arthritis. The BBRC is interested in studying the reported blood purifying properties of the plants rhizome.
For more information about the specific medicinal plants we are studying, please contact us.
How You Can Help:
You can support this project by making a donation by simply clicking on the Paypal button below and choosing the amount you would like to donate. Your money will help pay for land lease fees, manpower costs, our reforestation programme and for developing marketing initiatives and route to market strategies with local farmers.
If you plan to visit Manipur and would like to contribute to this or any of the other BBRC projects as a volunteer please contact us.
For more information about the BBRC Organic Farm and Plantation and to discuss sponsorship opportunities please complete the form on Our Contact Page.
BBRC Projects:
This project has FOUR key objectives:
1. To produce affordable, organic, plant-based foods and medicines, in a sustainable and ecologically responsible way, which the BBRC uses as part of its healthcare and fitness treatment programmes.
2. To conserve for future use and study some of the most valuable and rare plants and herbs endemic to this region; and to ensure that the culinary and medicinal uses of these bio-resources are not lost to future generations.
3. To work with local people, with the long-term aim of creating wealth, providing purpose and adding value to the lives of our employees and their families and communities. We will achieve this by promoting sustainable techniques which are also commercially viable – for example by helping local farmers develop high value crops and realise the organic price premium which their produce generates. We also advise and assist with cooperative marketing and route to market strategies.4. To help reverse the gradual deforestation which is currently occurring in Manipur. Many people in Manipur are dependent on firewood and charcoal collected from the forests for furniture and for cooking at home and at roadside eateries. The use of firewood in Manipur is much higher than the nationwide average. The BBRC is implementing a re-forestation programme aimed at reversing this trend.
While the BBRC organic farm and botanical garden are still in the early stages of development, we have started planting and studying a number of medicinal foods which we use as part of our treatment regimes. For example, this season we are focused on growing a number of tea plants, the leaves of which are the main infusion ingredients of FOUR medicinal teas which we already use as natural remedies for a variety of conditions.
We are also now developing these four medicinal teas for commercial sale. Each tea fulfills specific preventative, curative and palliative functions including: the prevention and treatment of fevers and flu; treatment of the central nervous system; to assist digestion and prevent bloating and intestinal inflammation; and to remedy gastric conditions and reduce stomach acidity.
We are also looking at a variety of other crops for the next growing cycle. Some of these crops are premium foods, some are the raw ingredients for specialist medicines and remedies. Some are both. They are all high value, high demand crops. Organic Producer Certification will allow us to work with and advise local producers to grow, market and sell this produce across local, national and international markets.
Possibly some organic is great quote here.
For more information about the specific medicinal plants we are studying, please contact us.
How You Can Help:
You can support this project by making a donation by simply clicking on the Paypal button below and choosing the amount you would like to donate. Your money will help pay for land lease fees, manpower costs, our reforestation programme and for developing marketing initiatives and route to market strategies with local farmers.
If you plan to visit Manipur and would like to contribute to this or any of the other BBRC projects as a volunteer please contact us.
For more information about the BBRC Organic Farm and Plantation and to discuss sponsorship opportunities please complete the form on Our Contact Page.
