The Study of Insects

Entomology is the study of insects. These critters - some call them bugs or crawlies - can be a blessing or a curse. As blessings, insects are vitally important in pollination of plants, eats up and digest pollutants, as food for certain aboroginal/tribal people, countercheck pest attacks by other insects or animals against human and other uses in the balance of the local eco-system. Insects such as locusts devour food meant for human consumption, spread diseases such as malaria and encephalitis, and sometimes overrun local insect populations and therefore result in ecological imbalance. Therefore they too can be a curse. Entomology then is a tool which helps us to better manage our eco-system. In agriculture entomologists are employed to help the farmer reduce loses from insect pests and boost productivity. Perhaps you'd like to enroll in such a study program?

Bountiful Harvest

I was in Sarawak last week and witnessed the bountiful rice harvest of farmers who are in the area which stretches from Serian town to Bentong. Its good to see the smiles on the face of the local people and I was pretty impresssed too with the numerous gunny sacks of rice being brought into the long-house for storage. The above pics depict mood of the people ...

Protecting the Patch

It irks some people to see empty patches of landscape. They bemoan the barren-ness of the garden when in fact it is by neglect a certain piece of the terrace has been left uncultivated. Perhaps the owner of the house has forgotten to water the lawn, or the house is empty at the moment, or that by overuse of weedicide chemicals that patch is bared, or any of a myriad of reasons. To rectify the owner can choose to re-seed the lawn, or plant some plants inside. Let me introduce a lovely looking landscape plant, which is fast growing, hardy, mops up empty spaces inside your heath, and is only about a few inches in height. The false heather (cuphea lythraceae) pictured above should be able to satisfy those who have been irked by the moonscape-like condition of their favourite patch.

Water melon to enhance your sex life?

The citruline in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is responsible for its Viagra-like effects, because the citruline is converted in the body to is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems. Your blood vessels will subsequently be relaxed by as the arginine boosts your nitric oxide levels. Increased nitric oxide levels will also help with angina, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. The highest concentrations of citruline are found in the rind

"The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is in providing natural enhancers to the human body", said Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station(Feb 2009) “We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study."

Source:agnews.tamu.edu Publication date: 7/1/2008

King of Bitter (andrographis paniculata)

King of Bitter (andrographis paniculata) is a common plant (or weed?) found throughout South East Asia, and India. Its Malay name is hempedu bumi. A decoction of its leaves is used for treatment of high blood pressure and for treatment of diabetes. The bitterness of the decoction also leads herbalists to believe the plant is useful for liver ailments also. A neighbor gave a cutting for me and eversince I have been keen on breeding the plant. As a weed its quite hardy, able to withstand tropical dry and hot weather. Sometimes I forget to water it and although it looks wimpy then, yet the plant soldiers on. After I water it - very quickly it seems to regain its rigors.

Prickly Pear (opuntia littoralis)

Prickly pear is native to the Western Hemisphere. My uncle David Ho brought this up at his Facebook page. Anyway the prickly pear, which he also grows, is found in many countries also, including Australia. Its fruits, also known as cactus figs, can be eaten provided its spiny needles are removed. The tiny spikes if not properly removed can cause irritation to the throat and stomach. Its used to make candies, jelly, and alcoholic drinks. Some people have reported its helpful to remedy a hangover. Its medicinal properties included treatment of type II diabetes. Other uses included hair conditioner (from its sap), and as red dye (from an insect which it hosts).

Cats whiskers (orthosiphon staminus Benth)

Cats Whiskers or misai kucing (Malay) is common herbal plant throughout the South East Asian region. It belongs to the lamiaceae family. Its leaves are decocted as tea for the treatment of bladder and kidney diseases, stone formation, removal of toxins, including uric acid, sodium chloride etc. Research shows the tea increases the rate of perspiration and control one's body weight. Latest research shows the plant may be potentially helpful against cancer.