Medicinal use of Phytolacca acinosa

Medicinal use of  Phytolacca acinosa : The root is antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antidote, antifungal, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and vermifuge. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis. The root is used internally in the treatment of urinary disorders, nephritis, oedema and abdominal distension. Externally, it is used to treat boils, carbuncles and sores. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. All parts of the plant are toxic, this remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Description of the plant:

Plant : Perennial
Height : 150 cm (5 feet)
Flovering : July to August

Habitat of the herb : Valleys, hillsides, forest understories, forest margins and roadsides at elevations of 500 - 3400 metres. It is also found in cultivated land houses, moist fertile lands and as a weed.

Edible parts of Phytolacca acinosa : Leaves - they must be cooked, and are then used as a spinach. Only the young leaves should be used since the leaves become toxic with age. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute. They have an excellent flavour. Root - cooked. Must be leeched first. Only the white root of the white flowered form (if it exists!) should be eaten. See notes above.

Other uses of the herb : A red ink is obtained from the fruit.

Propagation of  Phytolacca acinosa : Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring. Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb : Valleys, hillsides, forest understories, forest margins and roadsides at elevations of 500 - 3400 metres. It is also found in cultivated land houses, moist fertile lands and as a weed.

Known hazards of  Phytolacca acinosa : The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be safe to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. According to another report it is only a form with reddish purple flowers and a purple root that is poisonous.

For more details about planting material:-
Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC
Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail:jkmpi
web: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com

Medicinal use of Phytolacca acinosa

Medicinal use of  Phytolacca acinosa : The root is antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antidote, antifungal, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and vermifuge. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis. The root is used internally in the treatment of urinary disorders, nephritis, oedema and abdominal distension. Externally, it is used to treat boils, carbuncles and sores. The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. All parts of the plant are toxic, this remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Description of the plant:

Plant : Perennial
Height : 150 cm (5 feet)
Flovering : July to August

Habitat of the herb : Valleys, hillsides, forest understories, forest margins and roadsides at elevations of 500 - 3400 metres. It is also found in cultivated land houses, moist fertile lands and as a weed.

Edible parts of Phytolacca acinosa : Leaves - they must be cooked, and are then used as a spinach. Only the young leaves should be used since the leaves become toxic with age. The young shoots are used as an asparagus substitute. They have an excellent flavour. Root - cooked. Must be leeched first. Only the white root of the white flowered form (if it exists!) should be eaten. See notes above.

Other uses of the herb : A red ink is obtained from the fruit.

Propagation of  Phytolacca acinosa : Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring. Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb : Valleys, hillsides, forest understories, forest margins and roadsides at elevations of 500 - 3400 metres. It is also found in cultivated land houses, moist fertile lands and as a weed.

Known hazards of  Phytolacca acinosa : The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be safe to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. According to another report it is only a form with reddish purple flowers and a purple root that is poisonous.

For more details about planting material:-

JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre

Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121

Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001

Ph: 01933-223705

Call us: 09858986794

e.mail: jkmpic@gmail.com, jkmpic@yahoo.in

web: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Saw Palmetto-Serenoa repens seedlings available

Saw Palmetto-Serenoa repens seedlings available

Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre is one of the premier  Agriculture, Horticulture & Floriculture based institution involved in production, development, introduction, trading and manufacturing exporting of RAW HERBS, FRUITS, SPICES, Plant Leaves, Fruit, Medicinal Plants, Vegetable seeds from Kashmir.

Oak-Quercus robur Colchicum Luteum,Saffron Bulbs (Crocus sativus Linn), Marijuana-Cannabis indica, Hawthorn berries/seeds(Crataegus oxycantha), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Celosia Linn, Pyrethrum, Malus communis, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus serotina, Cedrus deodar, Aeaxulus indica Colebr, Capsicum annum, Ginkgo biloba Seeds,Wild Cherry, Sweet Cherry, Pomengranate , Sweet Appricort, Apple, Kewi, Plum,Lukat, Peach, Almond, Walnut Grapes, Sweet Chestnut, Ginkgo biloba plants, Althaea officinalis, cypress cashmiriana seeds,Ceratonia siliqua,Viola serpentine cashmiriana (Bunafsha), Dioscorea deltoidea, Saussurea costus cashmiriana, Gladiolus bulbs ,Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), Beldona seeds, Kuth (Saussuria lappa) etc. etc.

Plants/Seeds are available at:
Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121
Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
web: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Saffron Multiplication Seed Corms nursery set up at Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre,  has setup a first of its kind Saffron Multiplication Seed Corms (SMSC) Nursery over 5 hectares of land at Seed Multiplication Centre  in Kashmir. The Saffron nursery was inspected by Minister for Agriculture along with Chairperson Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre Sheikh Gulzaar. An official statement said that the nursery has been developed on scientific basis over an area of 5 hectares and 3000 kg of Healthy fifth calibar Saffron  corms planted in it that would in turn produce three times more Saffron seed corms for its  distribution among Saffron farmers under saffron Mission. The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre  has adopted two technologies in the nursery for seed multiplication of Saffron Seed corms, one is traditional which is mainly used in Kareves of Pampore and second is Spanish technology. 

More details can be obtained from:-

JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-(R&D)

Mob: 09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705

e.mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
web: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Kuth-Saussuria costus seeds/planting material

Kuth-Saussuria costus
Syn. S. lappa (Decne.) Sch. Bip.
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Vernacular name : Kuth
Kashmiri name: Kuth

Kuth (Saussuria costus) is a perennial root crop and belongs to the family Compositeae. It is cultivated in Kashmir. It is an important cash crop of the Kashmir valley.

Distribution : Western Himalayas all along in temperate conditions.

Botanical features : Perennial herb. Stem upto 2m, generally unbranched. Basal leaves long stalked, pinnate with a large tringular terminal lobe upto 30 cm across. Stem leaves smaller, irregularly tothed. Flower-heads in dense rounded terminal clusters, purplish in colour. Involucral bracts numerous, rigid with twisted and recurved tips. Achenes upto 5 mm long., obovate, shining.

Medicinal uses: Root-Insect repellant, smoked as substitute for opium. Used in cough and asthma. The alcoholic extract useful in treatment of bronchial asthma particularly of vagotonic type.

In Kashmir, US, Afghanistan, and IRAN  the root oil is used to protect valuable garments from insect damage. Dried stems used as fodder in H.P.

Soil :Well drained loam soil is the best for the cultivation of this crop. Its cultivation should be avoided on sloppy and stoney field.

Preparatory tillage : As recommended for wheat.

Sowing and seed rate : The sowing of kuth should be done before the onset of winter season as the seed of this crop requires chilling for germination. Seed starts germination only after the melting of snow during April-May. Seed rate of 32 kg per ha is recommended. It should be sown by hand dibbling or kera in rows 23 cm apart. The seed should be dibbled 3-4 cm deep.

Manuring : Apply 25 kg N, 25 kg P2O5 and 25 kg K2O per hectare each year with first irrigation in May. This dose is to be applied for three consecutive years required for the crop to be matured.

Irrigation : The crop requires frequent irrigations from May to September during all the three years.

Interculture and weeding : Hoeing in May after each winter is necessary. In addition, 3 weedings are necessary in each year.

Harvesting : The crop is ready for harvest at the end of the third year in September-October. Before harvesting the crop, irrigate the field thoroughly for ease in uprooting the roots with pick axes. After harvesting, the roots are cut in 7-10 cm pieces, dried for 2-3 weeks and cleaned thoroughly for storing and marketing.

Seeds and plants can be obtained from:
JK Medicinal Plants Introduction centre
Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121
Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
web: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com