Rainforest Plants - Brazil Nut

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Family: LECYTHIDACEAE

Genre: Bertholletia

Species: excelsa

Common names: Brazil nuts, castania, castanheiro do Para, par-nut, creamnut

General Description: The Brazil nut tree is a tall rainforest canopy trees. It is the only species of the genus Bertholletia. This tree grows mainly in the forests with full canopies, it is enormous, reaching heights of 150 feet or more.

The Brazil nut tree is one of many similar species which illustrate the extraordinary ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, where plants and animals depend on each other for their survival. More specifically, this tree requires the carpenter bees to pollinate its flowers. It also depends on the agouti (a rodent living in Central America) to disperse its seeds. This rodent has teeth and jaws strong, nuts crack open, then transports them through the rainforest floor.

Of Brazil nut trees grow very slowly, taking as long as 10 to 30 years before producing nuts, and sometimes the production of more than 300 fruit to maturity. The fruits of Brazil nut trees are hand when they are ground from November each year.

Place: The tree is known castanheiro do Para, Brazil and is found throughout the Amazon forest in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.

Uses: The Amazon depends on the Brazil nut tree to a healthy economy. Exports of Brazil nuts began with the Dutch traders in the years 1600. Exporting the rainforest is one of the largest sources of income for the region. The monetary value is second to that of rubber. In addition, Brazil nut oil is an ingredient in skin creams because of its high content of selenium (antioxidant benefits) and its ability to lubricate and hydrates the skin. Brazil nuts tree bark is also used in a tea that May assist in the treatment of certain liver problems.

The main concern is the future of this important rainforest tree. If the uncontrolled extraction and export of Brazil nut continues, the survival of both the agouti and Brazil nut tree itself will be threatened.

From : ezinearticles

Cinnamon Essential Oil in Aromatherapy

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A native of South Asia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum is always a tree with very fragrant leaves and bark. Distilling the steam leaves, bark and roots yield three similar but distinct, essential oils. The oil of cinnamon bark and cinnamon leaf oil are thin yellow liquid with spicy, warm aromas. The oil of cinnamon bark, which is considered as “true” cinnamon essential oil by connoisseurs, is a brown viscous liquid with a rich, powerful fragrance.

Cinnamon is used in both the perfume and pharmaceutical industry. His strong antiseptic properties make the bark of cinnamon oil in the flavoring of choice for digestive, liniments and oral hygiene products. Cinnamon Leaf Oil, which is less pungent than the bark of cinnamon, oil, is used in the food industry to flavor candies, sauces and pastries. The bark of cinnamon, oil is also widely used in perfumes, soaps and lotions.

Cannelle in Aromatherapy

The cinnamon is used in aromatherapy for its ability to warm and stimulate the senses. Aromatherapists believe that the essential oil of cinnamon gives force and the fight against depression and melancholy. His familiar, comforting fragrance is recommended for those suffering from anxiety and fear. Cinnamon oil is also distributed in sick rooms to strengthen the immune system. It is a popular fragrance that is used in the early stages of a cold or fever.

Thanks in part to its high content eugenol, cinnamon bark, essential oil is a strong skin irritation. And awareness is common to cinnamon bark, oil is never used oral or topical. Cinnamon Leaf Oil, which is a little softer, is generally considered safe if properly diluted, but the irritation is possible with it, so that the essential oils of cinnamon are used primarily by broadcasting.

Choose a good oil of cinnamon

Cinnamon is easily recognizable a perfume that should smell clean and complete. It has a spicy aroma intense feel full and warm in the nose. Essential oils of cinnamon is always made of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and must never be confused with C. cassia, which is a totally different species.

Sheet cinnamon essential oil is considered an average score while the bark of cinnamon oil is generally classified as a base note. And cinnamon enjoys the distinction of being one of the few essential oils that can “balance” a mixture. Cinnamon oil can both reduce heavy mixture of wood and deepen grasses, herbs mixtures. Cinnamon and especially mixtures with other oils wood as incense, sandalwood and patchouli.

From : ezinearticles

World Agriculture Faces Serious Decline from Global Warming

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The world agriculture is facing a serious decline in this century because of global warming unless emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are significantly reduced by increasing their path, and countries Developing suffer much more than decreases high-income countries, according to a new study by a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and the Peterson Institute.

Developing countries, many of whom have average temperatures that are already near or above levels of tolerance, is expected to undergo an average of 10 to 25 per cent decline in agricultural productivity by 2080, in the event of a so-called “business as usual” scenario in which emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise, according to the study. Rich countries, which generally have lower average temperatures A lot more experience mild or even positive effect on average, ranging from 8 percent increase in productivity to a decline of 6 per cent.

Developing countries face an even bigger decline. India, for example, could see a drop of 30 to 40 per cent. Some small countries suffer what could only be described as a collapse in agricultural productivity. Sudan, already in the grip of civil war fueled in part by lack of rains, it is expected to suffer as much as a reduction of 56 per cent in the agricultural production potential; Senegal, 52 per cent fall.

China, others from the equator that most developing countries, could escape significant damage on average, while its south-central region would be in danger. The situation is similar in the USA, with projected reductions of 25 to 35 per cent in the south-east and south-west of the plain, but significant increases in the northern states.

Overall, agricultural productivity for the whole world is expected to decline from levels achieved elsewhere by between 3 and 16 percent in 2080 as a consequence of global warming. Damages will continue to deepen in the next century in the face yet more warming. Read the rest of this entry »

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