Crocus sativus Linn corms

Saffron -Crocus sativus Linn

Family: Iridaceae

English name: Saffron

Kashmiri: Kung

Habitat            : Dry raised slopes

Distribution : Native of S. Europe and west Asia. Cultivated in Kashmir.

Botinical features: Corms of walnut size with fibrous scales remaining upto 30 cm deep in soil. Flowers stalkless with a long slender corolla tube and 6 equal perianth lobes of deep blue-violet colour. Stamens 3; style 3-lobed deep brick-red.

Medicinal uses: Saffron is highly valued spice and colouring agent often cited folk remedy for various types of cancers e.g. tumors of abdomen, bladder, ear, eye, kidney, spleen, stomach and tonsils. It is used as a nervine sedative and given in fevers, melancholia and enlargement of Liver.

Chemical composition: Saffron contains: 12.6% protein, 4.7% fixed oil, 0.8% volatile oil, 57.3% N-free extract, 12.0% starch equivalent, 4.9% fibres and 4.9% fibres and 4.0% ash. Saffron contains a mixture of yellow glycosides, crocin yields gentiobiose and crocetin

Other uses: Dye obtained from flower petals is used to flavour and colour food material. Corms have been used as scarcity food.

Crocus sativus Linn corms are available at:
JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Medicinal Plants of India

Medicinal plants play an important ROLE IN HUMAN LIFE TO COMBAT DISEASES SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.

The rural folks and tribals in India even now depend largely on the surrounding plants/forests for their day-to-day needs. Medicinal plant are being looked upon not only as a source of health care but also as a source of income. The value of medicinal plants related trade in India is of the order of 5.5 billion US$ (Exim Report-1997) and is further increasing day-by-day. The international market of herbal products is estimated to be US $ 62 BILLION. India share in the global market of medicinal plants trade is less than 0.5%. In view of the innate Indian strengths, which include diverse ecosystems for growth of medicinal plants, technical/farming capacity, strong manufacturing sector, the medicinal plants sector can provide a huge export opportunity after fulfilling domestic needs.

The present e-book covers systematic account of most different plants with pictures used in medicines. It covers Medicinal Plants containing alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, additives and other active matabolites.

We hope that this e. book will be useful not only for technologists, professionals, but also for farmers, traders, students, NGOs, institutions, exporters and importers of Medicinal Plants. 

The CD-based book costs Rs. 575/-
More information:
International Information Resource Centre
Mailing address: POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001

Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705

e-mail: iirc@rediffmail.com, cikashmir@gmail.com