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Natural Straw – Giant Reed

INTRODUCTION
Giant Reed (Arundo Donax) was mainly considered as an environmental weed in many parts of the world at one time.
But now this resilient, versatile perrineal crop has now been utilised for a wide range of applications and innumerable advantages compared to other energy crops and is being considered as a plant with strong competitive abilities.

ABOUT THE CROP
Giant reed crop is tall erect and cane reed in appearance are very similar to bamboo species. They grow to a height of about 2-8m in ht, with flat leaves, stems are hollow like bamboo with a diameter of around 1-4cm and 2-7cm thick. The outer surface is hard and brittle with a smooth glossy surface.            Another important feature of the crop is that it grows well in different types of environmental conditions and adapts well to a variety of soil and growing conditions thereby making the crop available without any shortage at almost all seasons
Every part of the crop is being utilised for various aspects both economically and medically.
MEDICINAL USES OF CROP  
1. The roots(rhizome) of the crop are the main edible part as they contain calories in the form of starch and sugar.
2. The root of the plant serves as a diuretic, emollient, diaphoretic and galactofuge.
3. The roots, when boiled with honey, has been used for the treatment of cancer and Dropsy problem.
4. A paste of root application over the forehead is known to relieve headache.
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
1. Giant Reed (leaves) has also proved its success in various other small scale household items such as brooms, baskets, weave mats etc.
2. Flexible fibres of the crop also make it excellent for paper production.
3. In Italy, a type of cellulose obtained from the plant is used for making Rayon material.
4. Stems serve for a multitude of applications such as splints for broken limbs, walking sticks, fishing poles, musical instruments such as flutes and furniture products.
WHY DO WE CHOOSE GIANT REED OVER BAMBOO PLANT?
The main part of the crop we are concerned about is the stem. Giant Reed as said earlier is a bamboo-like species which produces erect, less woody thin-walled hollow stems (diam-2-4 cm; thick- 2-7 cm).
1. It is cost-effective.
2. It is easily biodegradable and reusable making it an ecofriendly product.
3. Being a medically favourable crop, its more desirous to heath than bamboo.
4. The most striking feature of the crop is that it is both strong and flexible making it easy to be moulded for various purposes.
5. The stem of the crop contains silica making it more durable for use.
CONCLUSION
We proudly present before you, a new idea of bringing up the more durable and reusable organic straws by purely natural methods. All the needed processes for making the raw crop to the useful form such as drying up the crop and durability promoting measures are being strictly done through the natural chemical-free methods making it more desirous for health and eco-friendly than straws made from bamboo.
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