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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Cichorium intybus plant

Chicory plant

Family: Compositae

Chicory is also known as Blue Sailors, Garden Endive, Succory, Wild Succory and Hendibeh. The seeds, leaves and root have carminative and cordial properties and are useful as a brain tonic and for headache, asthma and bilious vomiting. It is an acclaimed hepatoprotective and, is used in hepatic enlargement,  sluggishness, jaundice, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. Cleanses the urinary tract.

Chicory can lower pulse rate and reduce cholesterol levels. It has cholagogue and antiinflammatory properties and is useful in rheumatic condition and gout. Strengthens the liver and checks bilious enlargements of the spleen with general dropsy. Contains 45-60% inulin, which can lower levels of blood cholesterol.

Women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may find that regular use of chicory root as a bitter and a liver tonic may assist in maintaining hormone balance and lessening the symptoms of PMS.


Chicory also supports the body’s ability to absorb calcium, a nutrient that helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones.
 

Parts used :Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are rather bitter, especially when the plants are flowering. The leaves are often blanched by excluding light, either by removing all the leaves and then earthing up the new growth, or by covering the plant with a bucket or something similar. Whilst this greatly reduces any bitterness, there is also a corresponding loss of vitamins and minerals. The blanched leaves are often used in winter salads (they are known as chicons) and are also cooked. The unblanched leaves are much less bitter in winter and make an excellent addition to salads at this time of year. A nutritional analysis of the leaves is available. Flowers - raw. An attractive addition to the salad bowl, but rather bitter. Root - cooked like parsnip. The boiled young roots form a very palatable vegetable. The root is said to be an ideal food for diabetics because of its inulin content. Inulin is a starch that cannot be digested by humans, it tends to pass straight through the digestive system and is therefore unlikely to be of use to a diabetic. However, the inulin can be used to make a sweetener that is suitable for diabetics to use. Chicory-root is free of harmful ingredients, and is essentially a concentrated combination of three sugars (pentose, levulose and dextrose) along with taraxarcine (the bitter principle of dandelion). It is especially important as source of levulose. Roots are used in seasoning soups, sauces and gravies, and to impart a rich deep colour. The roasted root is used as a caffeine-free coffee adulterant or substitute. Young roots have a slightly bitter caramel flavour when roasted, roots over 2 years old are much more bitter.

Other uses of the herb: The roots have the potential to be used for the production of biomass for industrial use. They are rich in the starch "inulin" which can easily be converted to alcohol. A blue dye has been obtained from the leaves. The flowers are an alternative ingredient of "QR" herbal compost activator. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost.


Availablilty of parts
Cichorium intybus seed, Cichorium intybus  plant, Cichorium intybus  leaves, Cichorium intybus  Roots, Chicory Seeds, Chicory Roots, Chicory Plant, Chicory Leaves, Kasni seed
, Kasni powder  

More details:- The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
Admin. office: “Ginkgo House” Azizabad,Via Wuyan-Meej Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121
 Postal adrress: PO Box 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: +91-1933-223705, Cell, (Head) +91-9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com 
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

International Week of Disappeared

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Srinagar, May 29: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday alleged that over 10000 persons had been subjected to enforced disappearance in Kashmir.

“None other than Kashmiris can feel the pain of the persons who were subjected to enforced disappearance by the forces. More than 10000 people have been subjected to enforced disappearance in Kashmir so far while as 9500 unmarked graves have been discovered. The family members of disappeared persons are suffering from pain for the past 23 years,” said Mirwaiz in a statement today.

Mirwaiz said the real motive behind observing the “International Week of Disappeared” was to demand the return of thousands of people who were subjected to enforced disappearance across the globe.

Mirwiaz said the day was observed to take measures for alleviating the problems of the families of the victims. He said the silence of international community in this regard was contrary to human values and it seems they were attempting to provide protection to crimes committed by the State.
“It is the duty of international bodies like UN and Human Rights organizations to play an active role and press the Indian government to return the thousands of people who were subjected to enforced disappearance from Kashmir by their forces,” Mirwaiz said.

“Thousands of women have become widows and equal number of children has become orphans in the past 23 years. It is the duty of Kashmiri nation to take care of them and provide them whatever help they need,” said Mirwaiz, adding that “the Hurriyat has strengthened its HR cell and documented the statistical record pertaining to enforced disappearances, prisoners, and affected families. In near future Hurriyat will formulate an effective strategy to deal with these human issues.”(Writer-South Asia)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Pyrethrum seedlings

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Pyrethrum-Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium
Aromatic perennial, leaves dissected into liner segments. Flowers white, 2-5cm.across.Pyrethrum refers to several Old World plants of the genus Chrysanthemum (e.g., C. coccineum) which are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flower heads. Pyrethrum is also the name of a natural insecticide made from the dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and Chrysanthemum coccineum.

Other uses of the herb: The dried flower heads are used as an insecticide, they are a source of the commercially available insecticide "pyrethrum", which is non-toxic to mammals. This species is less effective than T. cinerariifolium. Only the yellow disk rays contain pyrethrins. Once dried, the flowers or the powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinitely.

Propagation of Pyrethrum: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Parts available:
Pyrethrum seed, Pyrethrum seedlings,Chrysanthemum, Pyrethrum flowers cinerarifolium,Chrysanthemum coccineum, Wilf Pyrethrum, Pyrethrum plant, Pyrethrum Kartik Posh

Min. seeds : 50 seeds/per packet
Organic from Kashmir Himalaya.No GMO's.
(Only for research Purpose)
__________________
The Jammu and Kashmir medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
"Ginkgo House", Nambalbal, New Coloney Azizabad, Via Wuyan-Meej Road, Pampore PPR J&K 192121

Mob:09858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.in