Melissa officinalis india

Buy Melissa officinalis

Bot. name Melissa officinalis
Family : Labiatea
Other names: Balm, Lemon Balm, Melissa Balm (USA), Balm Mint

CULTIVATION CONDITIONS
Distribution : Sonamarag, Ramban (Kashmir Himalayas), Iran, USA, Pakistan. Egypt, Italy, Ireland.
Ecological notes : Grows on rich soils
Status : Not so common

The herb is commercially produced in Hungary and the oil in Ireland.
Melissa grows best in alluvial soil, excess water is harmful, while yields diminish in light and dry soils (Guenther).

Major producing countries : Hungary, Egypt, Italy, for herb Ireland for essential oil

Yield and description : Genuine Melissa oil is a pale yellow sweet smelling oil with an odour of aromatic lemon. Yields are as low as 0.014% for distillation of the fresh herb to 0.112% for dried herb, increasing to 0.13% using cohobation. True oil is extremely expensive. The oil is held in high esteem for its use in aromatherapy, it is reported to have a sedative effect. There is little use for the oil in perfumery, where the odour is readily suggested by blends of the very cheap oils of Lemon, Lemongrass and fortified by Citronella oil. According to Arctander the plant is known in Europe as "Hearts Delight" since infusions of the herb were supposed to cure heart disease and melancholia and this led to the late 1930's perfume "Cosur-Joie", which had a melissa like top note.

Uses : Infusions are made from the herb; the oil has several names (Oil of Balm, Oil of Lemon Balm, Oil of Melissa Balam, Oil of Balm Mint, Oil of Melissa Officinalis) and is used as a sedative in alternative medicine.

Cultivation details: Planting is usually 40,000 plants/Ha. with propagation from seed. The plants have a life of 10 years but are usually replaced every five years with crop rotation to rejuvenate the soil. Propagation in the northern hemisphere is from April to July.

Harvesting period : In the first year the crop is in August, thereafter two crops are experienced. The first in June and the second in August.

Harvesting methods : Usually by hand on a clear warm day as the leaves will turn black if harvested wet. For good appearance leaves should not be left in the sun.

Post harvest treatment, preservation, storage pre-treatment : Weed control is recommended (Pank). It has been reported that, in Kashmir and Egypt, irradiating seeds has an effect on growth, essential oil content and composition. The quantity of herb was reduced but the oil content was increased, with the irradiation dosage varying the proportion of the constituents.

Preservation and storage : The oil should be stored in filled sealed containers, out of light and kept cool. The oil is subject to oxidation.

Processing method : Stainless Steel steam distillation retorts equipped for cohobation should be used to increase the yield.

Composition of oil : Many reports exist regarding the composition. An analysis, from New Zealand, given for Melissa officinalis L. subsp altissima (Dawson) not only gives a yield 0.33% but constituents totally different from those of Melissa officinalis L. subsp officinalis.

A summary of the composition is given by Lawrence as follows:
Compounds Percentage range
Methyl Heptenone 2.2 - 8.6
Citronellal 1.0 - 8.4
Linalool 0.5 - 2.7
Neral 19.6 - 36.1
Geranial 25.3 - 47.5
Geranyl Acetate 1.2 - 6.2
1.9 - 9.7
Carophyllene oxide 0.5 - 9.0
EQUIPMENT
Forage Harvester
Stainless steel distillation equipment

Melissa officinalis - Lemon Balm seedlings are available

Courtesy of http://plantoftheweek.org

Melissa officinalis
Herbaceous perennial. Native to the Kashmir, egypt. This is a classic medicinal tea herb. Assists in controlling high blood pressure, migraines, hysteria, melancholia, goiter, hyperthyroidism and Grave’s disease.

Cultivation: Extra care. Light-dependent germinator. Sow outdoors in the fall or very early spring or provide 2 weeks of cold conditioning. Germ. in 10-40 days. Prefers full sun or shade; normal garden soil and minimal water. Plant 1.5 feet apart. Flowers yellow to 2 feet tall.
100 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

Melissa officinalis
[Approx. 1800 seeds/gram]
Rare, Open-pollinated & Heirloom Garden Seeds
Melissa officinalis seedlings/plants are also available

For more details:-
Sheikh GULZAAR
Head
JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
Home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Lycium Barbarum plants for sale

Buy Goji berry plant

Our goji berry seeds are derived from the Lycium Barbarum indigenous to the Kashmir Himalaya. All of our Goji berry seeds are naturally shade-dried untreated. Each berry contains approximately 20-35 seeds. They have been randomly tested and proved to have a high germination rate, rather than the typical dried berries processed for human consumption that are typically dried at 120-130 degrees in dehydrators, or dried in direct sunlight.

The seeds can be extracted from the dried berries by moistening them between dampened paper towels for one-two hours, then slicing them open and carefully removing the seeds. Seeds should then be immediately planted about one-fourth to one-half inch deep in loose, well draining soil and kept moist and in shade or indirect sunlight at all times.

Seedlings, once sprouted, should be gradually acclimated to direct sunlight until well established. Once established, they will be quite hardy and prolific growers, reaching maturity in 4-5 years, and standing 10'-12' high with vines reaching to 20' in length. If you are impatient and want to enjoy the health benefits that goji berries have to offer maybe you should consider purchasing some of our dried goji berries to tide you over until your plants produce their own berries.

Lycium Barbarum seeds/planting material are available:

For more details:

Sheikh GULZAAR
Head,
JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 09858986794,01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
More details: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com/

Hazenut cultivation in India

More details, click on JKMPIC

Horticulture in India

The diverse Agro-climatic conditions of India for great potential for growing a variety of fruits like Goji berry, Apple, Cherry, Apricort, Plum, Olive, Kiwi, Strawberry, Pecan-nut, Walnut, Almond, Sea buckhtorn, Howthorn, Hazelnut and Horse Chestnut etc.

Contact for planting materials of medicinal/fruit plants of India

Sheikh GULZAAR

Head,

The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC

Azizabad, Nambalbal, (Via Wuyan-Meej Road, Pampore PPR JK 192121

Or
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Aesculus hippocastanum plants for sale

Horse Chestnut tree

English name : Horse Chestnut
Bot. name: Aesculus hippocastanum
Family: Hippocastanaceae (Horse-chestnut Family)
Hindi: Kanor, Bankhor
Kashmiri: Hanudun, Kakra
Kannada: Kanor, Kanur
Kumaon: Kishing,

Medicinal use of Horse Chestnut : Horse chestnut is an astringent, anti-inflammatory herb that helps to tone the vein walls which, when slack or distended, may become varicose, haemorrhoidal or otherwise problematic. The plant also reduces fluid retention by increasing the permeability of the capillaries and allowing the re-absorption of excess fluid back into the circulatory system. This plant is potentially toxic if ingested and should not be used internally without professional supervision. Alterative, analgesic, haemostatic and vulnerary. The bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, narcotic, tonic and vasoconstrictive. It is harvested in the spring and dried for later use. The plant is taken in small doses internally for the treatment of a wide range of venous diseases, including hardening of the arteries, varicose veins, phlebitis, leg ulcers, haemorrhoids and frostbite. It is also made into a lotion or gel for external application. A tea made from the bark is used in the treatment of malaria and dysentery, externally in the treatment of lupus and skin ulcers. A tea made from the leaves is tonic and is used in the treatment of fevers and whooping cough. The pericarp is peripherally vasoconstrictive. The seeds are decongestant, expectorant and tonic. They have been used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia and haemorrhoids. They are said to be narcotic and that 10 grains of the nut are equal to 3 grains of opium. An oil extracted from the seeds has been used externally as a treatment for rheumatism. A compound of the powdered roots is analgesic and has been used to treat chest pains. The buds are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are "Failure to learn by experience", "Lack of observation in the lessons of life" and hence "The need of repetition". The flowers are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are "Persistent unwanted thoughts" and "Mental arguments and conversations".  

Preparations : Fluid extract, fruit, 5 to 20 drops. Fluid extract, bark, 1/2 to 2 drachms.

Horse Chestnuts as Fodder : In Eastern countries considerable use is made of Horse Chestnuts for feeding horses and cattle, and cattle are said to eat them with relish, though pigs will not touch them. The method of utilizing them is to first soak them in lime-water, which deprives them of the well-known bitter flavour inherent in the nuts, and then to grind them to a meal and mix them with the ordinary provender.

Constituents : Analysis has shown that the nuts contain 3.04 per cent. water; 2.66 per cent. ash; 10.99 crude protein; oil, 5.34 per cent.; and 73 97 per cent. carbohydrates. Experiments conducted at Wye College proved that the most satisfactory way to prepare the Horse Chestnuts as food for animals was to soak partly crushed nuts in cold water overnight, then boil them for half an hour or so and strain off the water. The nuts were then dried, partially husked and reduced to a meal, which, though slightly bitter, had a pleasant taste and appearance. The meal was fed to a calf, a sheep and two pigs. The calf received up to 5 lb. of the meal per day and made good increase in live weight, and the sheep suffered no ill effects, but the pig refused to eat the food containing the meal. It is concluded that Horse Chestnuts are not poisonous to any of the farm animals experimented with, within the limits of what they can be induced to eat, and that they form a highly nutritious food. Chestnut meal is a fairly concentrated food, and contains about 14 per cent of starch, it being calculated that 1 Ib. of Horse Chestnut meal would be equivalent to 1 Ib. 1 OZ. of feeding barley, 1 lb. 4 OZ. of oats, 1 lb. 8 oz. of bran, and 3 lb. 5 OZ. of good meadow hay.

Experiments made during the Great War proved that for every ton of Horse Chestnuts which are harvested, half a ton of grain can be saved for human consumption, and thus the Horse Chestnuts, though totally unfit for human food, can be utilized indirectly to increase the national food supply.

The genus Pavia is so closely allied as to be now generally grouped with the Aesculus. The Red Buckeye (Ae. pavia) is a handsome small tree with dense and large foliage, together with bright red flowers in large loose clusters in early summer. Sometimes it rises from 15 to 20 feet high, but some of its varieties are only low-spreading or trailing shrubs. The Yellow Buckeye (Ae. flava) is common and sometimes 40 feet high. It has somewhat the habit of the Red Horse Chestnut (Ae. rubicunda), but has smoother leaves. The DWARF HORSE CHESTNUT (Ae. parviflora) is a handsome shrub, 6 to 10 feet high, flowering in later summer. Its foliage is much like that of other Aesculi, and its small, white, fragrant flowers are in long, erect plume-flowers.

Other uses of the herb :  Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts. The seed contains variable amounts of saponins, up to a maximum of 10%. A starch obtained from the seed is used in laundering. The bark and other parts of the plant contain tannin, but the quantities are not given. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark. The flowers contain the dyestuff quercetin. Wood - soft, light, not durable. Of little commercial value, it is used for furniture, boxes, charcoal.

Propagation of Horse Chestnut : Seed - best sown outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. The seed germinates almost immediately and must be given protection from severe weather. The seed has a very limited viability and must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing and even after this may still not be viable. It is best to sow the seed with its "scar" downwards. If sowing the seed in a cold frame, pot up the seedlings in early spring and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

Cultivation of the herb :  Mountain woods.
Known hazards of Aesculus hippocastanum:

The seed is rich in saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.  

This tree has a magnificent appearance and is very ornamental on account of its foliage and beautiful multicoloured flowers. Because of these qualities, it is very suitable as an avenue tree.

Horse Chestnut  plants are available at

The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC 
Mailing address : POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001

Registered office : Ist street, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121                      

R&D plant introduction centre : Sonamarag/Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir)

Contact person:  Sheikh Gulzaar (Head)

Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705

e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

home: http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Note: Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future/International information Resource Centre