Friday, July 25, 2025

From China's Temples to Kashmir's Gardens: The Ginkgo Biloba Odyssey

 trade and connectivity corridor that has been a vital bridge of 
historical connections between Kashmir and Central Asia (KazakhstanKyrgyzstanTajikistanTurkmenistan
Uzbekistan) for centuries. The people of Kashmir used 
this highway for their trade until 1947. 

Thanks to this route, treesplantsflowers and herbs from various countries have made their home in Kashmir, the most prominent of which is the Ginkgo biloba tree.

Availability : Ginkgo biloba leaf/plants
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Origon : China
Source : Cultivated 
WhatsApp  9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
JKMPIC-POB 40 GPO Srinagar Kashmir, JK 190001
Ginkgo trees in Kashmir

Thursday, July 24, 2025

From Garden to Gourmet: How Restaurants Are Using Angelica Spice

Angelica spice Kashmir

Angelica spice, often derived from the roots of the Angelica plant, is a fragrant herb used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a distinctive, slightly sweet and earthy flavor with a celery-like aroma. Beyond its flavor profile, angelica is known for potential digestive and other health benefits. 

Angelica (Angelica Kashmir ) is an aromatic herb and spice with a long history in European, Middle
Eastern, and Asian cuisines. Though not very common in Indian restaurants, some gourmet and fusion restaurants, herbal cafes, or health-focused establishments do use it for its distinct flavor and medicinal properties.

How Angelica Is Used in Restaurants:

1. As a Spice in Cooking:

Seeds & Roots: Used for flavoring meats, stews, soups, and sauces. Tastes similar to fennel or celery but slightly more bitter and herbal.

Stems: Often candied and used in desserts, especially in European and French patisserie.

Leaves: Occasionally used to flavor fish, salads, or broths.

2. In Beverages:
Infused in herbal teas, tonic waters, or bitters.

A key ingredient in gin (used in botanical blends).
Sometimes found in craft cocktails for its aromatic bitterness.

3. As a Garnish or Decoration:
Candied angelica stem is used to decorate cakes and pastries.

Restaurants Likely to Use Angelica:
Farm-to-table or organic restaurants
Scandinavian/Nordic cuisine restaurants
Gourmet European bakeries
Herbal cafes or Ayurvedic food outlets
Fusion restaurants using medicinal herbs

Flavor Profile:
Earthy, slightly sweet, bitter, and musky
A cross between celery and licorice

Culinary Uses:
Seasoning : Angelica root can be used as a seasoning, particularly in spice blends, to add a subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity. 

Flavoring : It's used to flavor various dishes, including meats, poultry, vegetables, and soups. 
Tea : Angelica root can be steeped in hot water to create a soothing and aromatic tea. 
Liqueurs and Spirits : Angelica is a key ingredient in some liqueurs, such as gin and bitters, due to its aromatic properties. 

Confectionery : It's also used in some confectionery and baked goods to enhance their flavor. 

Medicinal Uses:
Digestive Aid : Angelica is traditionally used to aid digestion, potentially relieving bloating, gas, and indigestion. 

Other Benefits : Some sources suggest it may help with wound healing, and menopausal symptoms, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Important Considerations:
Toxicity : While generally safe in moderate amounts, angelica root contains compounds that can increase sun sensitivity and cause dermatitis in some individuals. 

Availability : Seed/Roots/Leaves
WhatsApp : 9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com


Ginkgo House: Pioneering Medicinal Plant Research in the Himalayas

https://ginkgohouse.blogspot.com

From Leaf to Lab: Ginkgo House’s Role in Herbal Science

Ginkgo House is increasingly becoming a hub for cutting-edge research centered around Ginkgo biloba, one of the oldest living tree species known for its medicinal and ecological importance. The facility is dedicated to exploring the plant's therapeutic potential, genetic diversity, and cultivation techniques, particularly in cold or temperate climates like those found in Kashmir and the Himalayan belt.

Research initiatives at Ginkgo House focus on :

Medicinal Applications: Investigating Ginkgo's neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in both traditional and modern pharmacology.

Conservation Genetics: Preserving genetic purity and studying biodiversity through seed banks and DNA profiling.

Agroforestry Systems: Developing sustainable models for integrating Ginkgo cultivation into local farming practices.

Climate Adaptation: Studying the resilience of Ginkgo biloba in changing climatic conditions, especially in high-altitude or drought-prone regions.

Ginkgo House collaborates with botanical institutions, university departments, and independent researchers, contributing significantly to the global knowledge pool on medicinal trees. It also serves as an educational center for students, herbalists, and progressive farmers looking to integrate high-value trees into their landscapes.

For more information
Head,
Ginkgo House, Shaheed-e-Azemat Road, Pampore, Pulwama, South Kashmir, JK 192121
POB 40 GPO Srinagar, Kashmir, JK 190001
Ph/WhatsApp: 9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com


Conium maculatum and Cancer: Ancient Poison, Modern Potential

Conium maculatum (poison hemlock) has been studied in medical and pharmacological experiments primarily for its toxicologyneuropharmacological effects, and potential therapeutic uses in controlled settings. While its extreme toxicity limits practical medical application, it has been of interest in laboratory studies and homeopathic research.
Availability : Whole plant
WhatsApp :9858986794
e-mail : jkmpic@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

The Royal Charm of the Princess Tree in Full Bloom

Paulownia tomentosa, commonly known as the Empress or Princess Tree, is admired for its striking beauty.  It features large, heart-shaped leaves and, in the spring, produces  showy, lavender to purple,   trumpet-shaped flowers before the leaves emerge. These flowers, often fragrant, create a  stunning display against the blue spring sky.  The tree's rapid growth and large leaves also contribute to its aesthetic appeal, especially when coppiced to produce dramatic, oversized foliage. 
Paulownia tomentosa tree seeds

More detailed look at its beauty :

Flowers : The tree's most prominent feature is its early spring blossoms. These are large, upright panicles of fragrant, lavender-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers.
 
Leaves : Paulownia tomentosa has large, heart-shaped leaves that can be 20-30 cm (or even larger on coppiced trees). They are a vibrant green above and pale green and hairy (tomentose) below. 

Form
 : The tree has a rounded, umbrella-shaped crown, making it a visually appealing specimen tree for lawns and gardens. 

Growth : Its rapid growth rate adds to its allure, with some specimens growing 3-6 meters in a single year. Coppicing (cutting it back to the ground in early spring) results in enormous leaves, adding to its unique aesthetic appeal. 

Note:- the Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) can tolerate hot climates, though it may need some extra care during heat waves. While it's known for its resilience to both cold and heat, withstanding temperatures from -20°C to 35°C, extreme heat can cause issues like leaf scorching and wilting. 

Availability : Plant/seeds
(25,50, 100 seeds pkts)
WhatsApp : +91-9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

The Paulownia tomentosa, also known as the Empress Tree or Princess Tree, is considered one of the most beautiful ornamental trees in the world. 

Buying Saffron in Bulk: A Guide for Indian Restaurant Owners

Indian Restaurant suppliers are businesses that provide essential products and ingredients needed to run restaurants, including everything from various spices to medicinal herbs, Herbal teas & aromatic spices. They play a vital role in ensuring that restaurants receive the right supplies at the right time to meet customer expectations.

Spice  suppliers for hotel & restaurants
Availability : Mongra Saffron, Angelica roots, Heeng, Prawan cashmeriana, Wild Garlic, Spices, Chillies, Zeera Kashmiri, Kashmiri Herbal teas, Medicinal herbs etc. etc. 
_______________________________________________________________________
WhatsApp: 9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

Sea buckthorn Farming in Kashmir: A Profitable and Sustainable Practice

Sea buckthorn is a high-altitude, resilient shrub found abundantly 
in the cold desert and mountainous regions of Ladakh, Leh, Kargil, 
and parts of north Kashmir (Gurez, Tangdhar, Kupwara, Kishtwar, 
Gulmarag, Gilgat, Baltistan & Swat velly).

It is gaining importance for its medicinal, nutritional, 
and economic value, especially for 
cold climate agroforestry and 
herbal industries.
Availability : Seeds/Planting materials
50-500 seeds pkt
WhatsAPP: 9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

Goji berry Cultivation: A Sustainable Income Source for Uttarakhand’s Hills

Goji berry Cultivation: A Sustainable Income Source for Uttarakhand’s Hills

Cultivating goji berries (Lycium barbarum or L. chinense) in Uttarakhand is quite feasible and aligns well with regional conditions. 

Organic Goji Berries from Uttarakhand: A Niche Export Opportunity
Uttarakhand offers an excellent environment for goji berry cultivation. With attention to proper soil, irrigation, and plant care, you can develop a thriving superfruit enterprise. Ready to explore seed sources, nurseries, or specific local varieties next?

Propagation & Planting
Use cuttings or tissue-cultured saplings for uniform fruiting; seeds possible but variable .

Best planting times in Uttarakhand: March–April or June–July (start of monsoon) 
Space plants about 90–120 cm between plants and 180–240 cm between rows.

Why the Princess Tree is Gaining Attention in India

Paulownia tomentosa, commonly known as the Empress or Princess Tree, is admired for its striking beauty.  It features large, heart-shaped leaves and, in the spring, produces  showy, lavender to purple, trumpet-shaped flowers before the leaves emerge. These flowers, often fragrant, create a  stunning display against the blue spring sky.  The tree's rapid growth and large leaves also contribute to its aesthetic appeal, especially when coppiced to produce dramatic, oversized foliage. 
Paulownia tomentosa tree seeds

More detailed look at its beauty :

Flowers : The tree's most prominent feature is its early spring blossoms. These are large, upright panicles of fragrant, lavender-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers.
 
Leaves : Paulownia tomentosa has large, heart-shaped leaves that can be 20-30 cm (or even larger on coppiced trees). They are a vibrant green above and pale green and hairy (tomentose) below. 

Form
 : The tree has a rounded, umbrella-shaped crown, making it a visually appealing specimen tree for lawns and gardens. 

Growth : Its rapid growth rate adds to its allure, with some specimens growing 3-6 meters in a single year. Coppicing (cutting it back to the ground in early spring) results in enormous leaves, adding to its unique aesthetic appeal. 

Note:- the Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) can tolerate hot climates, though it may need some extra care during heat waves. While it's known for its resilience to both cold and heat, withstanding temperatures from -20°C to 35°C, extreme heat can cause issues like leaf scorching and wilting. 

Availability : Plant/seeds
(25,50, 100 seeds pkts)
WhatsApp : +91-9858986794
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

The Paulownia tomentosa, also known as the Empress Tree or Princess Tree, is considered one of the most beautiful ornamental trees in the world. 
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From China's Temples to Kashmir's Gardens: The Ginkgo Biloba Odyssey

The Kashmir-Central Asia Economic Corridor  ( KCAEC ) is a major  trade and connectivity corridor that has been a vital bridge of  historica...