Cycas Revoluta Essay

Description of Cycas revoluta

Cycas revoluta or commonly known as Japanese Sago is a species of plant that is said to originate from the southern Japanese islands of Kyushu, Ryukyu, Mitsuhama and Satsuma as it is found widely distributed in these islands. Natural occurrences of this species have also been reported in coastal Fukien Province of China however the claims were not enough to declare this location as the origin of the plant (Lim, 2012). This Cycadaceae family species can be found in many countries especially in temperate and subtropical areas, and it can also adapt in the tropics. A sunny, well drained spot with deep soil and some organic matter is preferable for its growth. It can be grown in glasshouses as an indoor plant as

In India, the food bearing female cone was traditionally used to relieve kidney pain. Meanwhile in the former Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) it was used to treat flatulence and haematemesis. Chinese traditional medicine used the young leaves and the wooly bracts which bears the female spores to stop bleeding wounds (Williams, 2012). The Chinese also use the seeds to treat cough, hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbances, and musculoskeletal pain (Barceloux, 2012). Researches over the last few decades have proactively encouraged the modern medicine uses and technologies over the traditional use of Cycas revoluta. The traditional uses of Cycas revoluta depends greatly on detoxification procedures. Over time some important techniques are being forgotten or less rigorously applied. This could lead to a condition resulting in partial and progressively toxicity due to incomplete processing. Thus, the relationship between plant and development of diseases may become obscured (Williams, 2102). Simple techniques such as adequate washing of seeds or starch can leave out residual toxins from the diet. Toxin compound such as cycasin has been identified in Cycas revoluta since the past few decades. This compound is carcinogenic and can be very toxin without proper technique and processing. Without doubt, there are several side effects that may appear from Cycas