plantmedicine

Psoriasis is an extremely common chronic skin disorder associated with severe itching  and the presence of well defines , reddish plaques covered with scales that turn white and turn off, especially when scratched. Sometimes plaques occur under the nails causing them to lift off and become deformed. It usually develop in clearly defined areas of the body such as the elbow, knees and scalp, but it occur the entire body HERBAL TREATMENT—INTERNAL USAGE For healthy skin 1.        Evening primrose- Capsules 500 g oil are available. Take 3 calsules a day For stress and anxiety 1.        Ashwagandha tincture- 1:3  in 45 percent alcohol. Take 20 drops in a glass of water  three times a day 2.        Lavender— Put 2-3 g of dried flowers in to a cup of boiling water  for 5- 10 mts, then strain. Drink 3 -4 cups a day before meals 3.        L...

Under new World Health Organization guidance, people are advised to halve the amount of sugar in their diet. The recommended sugar intake will stay at below 10 percent of total calorie intake a day, with 5 percent the target, according to the WHO. The suggested limits apply to all sugars added to food, as well as sugar naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates, the BBC reported. UK campaigners say it is a “tragedy” that the WHO has taken 10 years to think about changing its advice. The recommendation that sugar should account for no more than 10 percent of the calories in the diet, was passed in 2002. It works out at about 50g a day for an adult of normal weight, the WHO said. However, a number of experts now think 10 percent is too high, amid rising obesity levels around the world. Announcing the new draft measures, the WHO said in a statement that the current recommendation, from 2002, is that sugars should make up less than 1...

Gout- this painful condition is caused by deposit of uric acid crystals in the joints. The uric acid is a bi product of the breakdown of proteins  in the body. The joint in the big toe is commonly the first  to be affected. Men are much more likely to suffer from gout than women. Herbal treatment A traditional remedy for gout was eating cherries. It has now been discovered that the consumption of 225 g of cherries a day , fresh or canned, lower levels of uric acid in the blood 1. To treat pain and inflammation Verbascum thapsus- Infuse 1.5 g of dried flower in a cup of boiling water for 15 mts. Drink 3 cup a day Aaron rod-- Capsules available. One capsule three times a day before meals Gypsy wort-- Tincture, 1: 5 in 45 percent alcohol. Take 2-6 ml in water three times a day Java tea -- Infuse 5 gm of gried leaves in 1 litre of boiling water for 5 mts. Strain. Drink 1-3 cups a day, the last one several hours before going to bed. Oats-- Tincture 1: ...

Garlic thins the blood. This gives promising hopes in case of heart attack, blood clots in blood vessels . Garlic even in moderate amounts thin the blood, reducing its capacity to form clots within the arteries . The effect of garlic came dramatically to the attention of dramatic community in the mid 1970s. Researchers in India studied the members of the Jain religious sect there. Some Jains abstain completely from onions and garlic , while others eat large amounts of them. A third group eat a moderate amount. Otherwise the three population  are very similar, making their situation ideal for a controlled study of garlic. The high garlic group consumed more than a pound of onion and at least 17 garlic cloves weekly. The blood of the members of that group  had less tendency to clot than the blood of the other groups, and the group that ate no garlic at all had the highest tendency to clot. The clinical importance of this thinning was shown in a clinical trial in patie...

Dried ginger is nothing but fresh ginger which undergoes a drying process before being used. The fresh rhizomes are soaked in water overnight after Dried which the outer peel is carefully removed using a knife or a peeler. They are washed again and then sun dried on mats or barbecues for around a week. During this period, they are turned periodically. The end result is a pale white dried ginger. Many a times, dried ginger is bleached with calcium carbonate to get a whitish covering on ginger. However, this is not required and can be avoided. Dried ginger will have a whitish powdery coating and will be extremely firm to touch.   ried ginger is nothing but fresh ginger which un Uses1 . Yavaksara and powdered dry ginger together with ghee in morning promotes appetite. This effect is obtained by taking ginger alone taken with water 2. Incase of indigestion , piles, constipation one should use regularly ginger or piper loganum, or terminalia chebuba or punica granatum ...

Mangifera indica L belongs the family Anacardiaceae commonly known as mango or amra in sanskrit. It is an evergreen tree common and cultivated throughout the tropical India from kumaon to Assam, West bengal, Bihar, Orissa and southward to peninsular India Uses Diarrhea - 1. Seed kernel of syzygium cumini, mangifera indica, aegle marmelos, feronia limonia, and dry ginger - these should be taken with liquid gruel in case of diarrhea   2. Decoction of aegle marmelos and seed kernel of mangifera indica mixed with honey and sugar checks vomiting and diarrhea 3. Tender leaves of mangifera indica and feronia limonia fruit are pounded together and taken with rice water in case of diarrhea 4. Bark of boswellia serrata, ziziphus mauritiana, aegle marmelos, buchanama lanzan, mangifera indica, arjuna mixed  with honey and taken with milk checks hemorrhage in diarrhea 5. Juice of mangifera indica bark extracted by closed heating is added with oil and taken. It alleviated di...

Researchers have said that turmeric could protect against a host of brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Michael Murray, co-author of the Textbook of Natural Medicine and one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine, said that various spices in Indian curries are used not only for their flavour, also but for their medicinal properties, News.com.au reported. He said that since inflammation is a major factor in the development of most chronic degenerative diseases including cardiovascular disease, allergies, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory power holds great promise in all of these conditions and many more. Murray said that the antioxidant activity of curcumin is superior to antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C and E, as they are effective against only water and fat-soluble pro-oxidants. Curcumin also helps in preventing LDL cholesterol – one of the worst kind of cholesterol – from getting oxidised an...

Convolvulus pluricaulis commonly known as sankupushpi, is a perennial herb. Basically it is a brain tonic  Uses Primarily, shankhapushpi is used as a brain tonic. It is one of the best and prominent natural medicines that help in improving memory. The whole plant of shankhapushpi is used in medical treatment. Its consumption also prevents memory loss.  Sankupushpi is a rasayana specially  promoting intellect Ghee 10.24 kg should be cooked with three times juice of sankupushpi along with milk. By its regular use even the dull becomes sharp and intelligent    Insanity and epilepsy- Old ghee cooked with brahmi juice vaca, kustha and sankupushpi alleviates insanity and epilepsy It is also used in rejuvenation therapy as psycho stimulant and tranquilizer

A new research has revealed that there are powerful components in dark chocolate, which can ward off diabetes. Scientists have found that “superfoods”, such as dark chocolate, red wine, tea and berries that are rich in flavanoids, offer protection from Type 2 diabetes, the Daily Express reported. The research, conducted on almost 2,000 people, showed that high intakes of flavanoids are associated with lower insulin resistance and better blood glucose regulation. According to the study, this compound is found in plant-based foods, and that onions, apples, berries, kale, and broccoli have the highest concentrations of flavanoids. Aedin Cassidy, the lead researcher from University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, said that their research looked at the benefits of eating certain sub-groups of flavanoids. The study also found that these bioactive compounds lower inflammation associated with diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The study is published...

If you  are suffering from constipation cascara will help you. Rhamnus purshiana belongs the family Rhamnaceae. This  evergreen tree is native to the west coast of the USA but is now cultivated in East AfrIf youica, where the climate is similarly hot and dry. The bark- brownish and scattered with whitish spots- are used for the preparation of medicine. The bark contain an active principle hydroxyanthraquinone glycosides known ascascarosides which exert a laxative effect. Uses Cascara bark has a laxative or purgative effect according to how much is taken. These effects are due to the way the plant effects the absorption  of water and electrolytes and stimulates contractions within the intestine  Warning 1. Because of its action and possible side effects , cascara should not be used without medical supervision . Cascara bark can only be used on prescription basis. Although some cascara products are available commercially , it is advisable to consult a doctor ...

Researchers have shown that consumers can improve their diets simply by enjoying white or brown rice as part of their daily meals. In a study, lead author Theresa Nicklas, DrPH, of Baylor College of Medicine, analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets from 2005-2010 and evaluated the association of rice consumption with overall diet quality and key nutrient intakes in a nationally representative sample of 14,386 U.S. adults.1 Nicklas said their results show that adults who eat rice had diets more consistent with what is recommended in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, and they showed higher amounts of potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber while eating less saturated fat and added sugars. She said that eating rice is also associated with eating more servings of fruit, vegetables, meat and beans. In addition to the positive results in cross-sectional studies linking rice consumption with healthier diets, a human clinical trial found that having ...

.In ayuerveda hydrocotyle is considerd as a rasayana. Hydrocotyle asiatica L is commonly known as Indian pennywort , belongs the family umbelliferae. This herb is common throughout India in waste places, gardens and shady localities. Whole plant and leaves are used in pharmaceutical uses.  Uses Hydrocotyle is a rejuvenative nervine recommended for nervous disorders, including epilepsy, senility and premature aging. As a brian tonic it is said to aid intelligence and memory. 1. Juice of hydrocotyle , owder od madhuca indica, juice of the whole plant of Tinospora cordifolia and paste of convolvulus pluricaulis should be used with milk . They are life- giving , disease destroyers and promoters of strength, digestive power, complexion and voice. These are intellect promoting rasayanas of which convolvulus is the outstanding one. 2. Regular use of hydrocotyle fried in ghee for a month keeping on non cereal diet acts as rasayana 3. Insanity - Juice of hydrocotyle combined...

Pausinystalia yohimbe , commonly known as yohimbe belongs the family Rubiaceae. It is a native of the forests of tropical Africa. Its reddish bark is used in pharmaceutical products. It contain alkaloids like yohimbine, ajmalicine etc. Uses - For impotence Yohimbe is traditionally used for male impotence. It is considered as a natural alternative to Viagra  One of the plants most popular use is to treat impotence in diabetic patients. Reasearchers found that yohimbine prevented an increase in blood sugar in both diabetic and non diabetic rats through inhibition of alpha- 2- adrenreceptors. These nerve receptors are also responsible for constricting blood vessels, and so their inhibition results in widening of  the vessels- a key to its potential for treating impotence Other uses To treat low blood pressure, for example during tricyclic antidepressant treatment . Constipation- Yohimbine improves the strength and efficiency of intestinal muscles and thus rel...

When eaten on a regular basis, foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation in the body, helping to prevent the long-term health consequences associated with it — but only if you also eliminate the foods that cause inflammation. When inflammation is under control, not only will you have more energy and feel better overall, but you’ll also find that weight loss and reduction of belly fat both become easier! Try adding anti-inflammatory foods into your meal plan on a daily basis. The more often you eat these foods, the less inflammation that will be present in your body. The following foods and nutrients can fight inflammation: Fruits and vegetables All fruits and vegetables, due to their rich nutrient and fiber content, help to combat chronic inflammation, so make sure to include adequate amounts of these foods daily. Some types of fresh produce, however, are even more potent than others. Some terrific anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables to inclu...

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN HOMOEOPATHY Author- Dr. KS Gopi, Bsc, BHMS, MD Professor ( Rtd )_ Govt Homoeopathic medical College Kozhikode, Kerala, India Price. Rs 950 or $20 Contents:   1. Introduction. 2. Plant description. 3. Plant anatomy. 4. Drug constituents. 5. Cultivation & collection. 6. Classification. 7. Ranunculaceae. 8. Magnoliaceae. 9. Menispermaceae. 10. Papaveraceae. 11. Fumariaceae. 12. Cruciferae. 13. Annonaceae. 14. Bixaceae. 15. Violaceae. 16. Berberidaceae. 17. Poligonaceae. 18. Caryophyllaceae. 19. Hypericaceae. 20. Guttiferae. 21. Malvaceae. 22. Sterculiaceae. 23. Tiliaceae. 24. Linaceae. 25. Zygophyllaceae. 26. Rutaceae. Glossary. Bibliography. Index of plant species. "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Used in Homoeopathy, Vol. 1 is an extremely useful reference work – ideal for identifying and studying the properties and therapeutic uses of medicinal plants. Special features Scientific name and ...

Coriander sativum, commonly known as coriander belongs the family umbelliferae .It is cultivated throughout India. Whole plant , fruits, seeds, leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Fever--1.  The cold infusion of coriander with sugar and taken in morning alleviates even severe burning sensation immediately 2. In order to improve digestive fire, one suffering from fever should take water processed with coriander two parts and dry ginger one part 3. Decoction of coriander and dry ginger added with lemon juice and sugar sugar is useful in fever of autumn Other uses-1.  Strong decoction of im milk 1 in 40, with sugar is useful in dyspnea, flatulence, indigestion and bleeding piles 2. Seeds are chewed to correct foul breath 

If you get battered by frequent respiratory infections, consider taking a daily dose of ginseng—starting now. Taking ginseng regularly well in advance of the germy fall and winter seasons can help prevent colds, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), finds new research published in the journal Nutrients . More from Prevention:   Because there is not yet a vaccine for RSV, and because   flu  vaccines aren’t 100% effective, researchers decided to investigate red ginseng extract, which had already been proven a worthy immune-enhancer (ginseng’s ability to successfully help ward off colds was shown in a 2006 study, and earlier research also suggests it has antiviral action against RSV and flu). In this new study, Sang-Moo Kang, PhD, a professor at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State in Atlanta, who specializes in developing vaccines that protect against bacterial and viral disease such as influenza  and R...

Drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helped reduce athletes' heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That's because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body to arginine that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation. A  study's that includes  seven participants, all men, were given 17 ounces (500 mL) of either natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched with additional citrulline, or a placebo drink an hour before their workouts. Interestingly, the natural juice was just as effective as the enriched juice. The researchers also determined that intestinal cells can absorb more citrulline from watermelon juice than from citrulline supplements, especially when the juice is unpasteurized. 2. It helps heart health. Postmenopausal women experienced improved cardiovascular health after six weeks of taking commercially available watermelon extract supplements containing citrulline and arginine It alleviate hi...

Researchers have found a way to produce broccoli that has more anti-cancer benefits and won’t spoil quickly in refrigerator. Jack Juvik, a University of Illinois crop sciences researcher, explained that the combined application of two compounds, both are natural products extracted from plants, increased the presence of cancer-fighting agents in broccoli while prolonging the post-harvest storage period. The researchers used methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a non-toxic plant-signal compound (produced naturally in plants) to increase the broccoli’s anti-cancer potential, which they sprayed on the broccoli about four days before harvest. When applied, MeJA initiates a process of gene activity affiliated with the biosynthesis of glucosinolates (GS), which are compounds found in the tissue of broccoli and other brassica vegetables (such as cauliflower, cabbage, and kale). However, during this process, MeJA also signals a network of genes that lead to plant decay by inducing the release ...

Terminalia arjuna commonly known as arjuna, belongs the family combretaceae.Here the bark is used for the preparation of medicine. It is mainly used for various heart conditions Heart disease -- In cardiac disorders milk processed with arjuna bark should be used. In the same way , milk processed with sarkara, or pancamula, or bala or madhuka may be used. 2. Those who take arjuna bark with ghee, milk, or jaggery water are relieved of heart disease , chronic fever, intrinsic haemorrhage and attain longevity 3. One who takes powder of wheat and arjuna bark cooked with oil, ghee, and jaggery with milk overcomes all the cardiac disorders Dose Powder-- 3--6 gm Decoction--50- 100 ml

Using a screening method that previously identified a compound in apple peel as a muscle-boosting agent, a team of University of Iowa scientists has now discovered that tomatidine, a compound from green tomatoes, is even more potent for building muscle and protecting against muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy, or wasting, is caused by aging and a variety of illnesses and injuries, including cancer, heart failure, and orthopedic injuries, to name a few. It makes people weak and fatigued, impairs physical activity and quality of life, and predisposes people to falls and fractures. The condition affects more than 50 million Americans annually, including 30 million people over age 60, and often forces people into nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities. “Muscle atrophy causes many problems for people, their families, and the health care system in general,” Christopher Adams, M.D., Ph.D., UI associate professor of internal medicine and molecular physiology and biophysics, said. “How...

Tribuus terretris an Indian medicinal plant belongs the family Zygophyllaceae. It is commonly known  as Gokshura in Sanskrit , puncture wine in English. It is a small  , prostrate, hirsute or silky hairy herb. It is occasionally found in waste places and  dry habitats throughout the warmer regions of India. Fruits leaves, stem and root are used for the preparation of medicines. Uses Calculus- 1.        Ghrta cooked with decotion of tribulus and eight times milk should be taken 2.        Powder of the seeds o tribulus  mixed with honey  an taken with sheep milk for a week breaks calculus 3.        Powder of the seeds of Tribulus mixed with svarnamaksika and taken with baffalo’s milk fells calculus 4.        Roots of Tribulus , kokilaksa, eranda and two types of brhati are pounded together  with milk and dissolved in sweet curd...

A new research has revealed that regular consumption of grapes can benefit the functions of joints and relieve the pain caused due to symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee. Shanil Juma, Ph.D., said that the findings provide promising data that links grape consumption to two very important outcomes for those living with knee osteoarthritis: reduced pain and improvements in joint flexibility. However, a better understanding is required to recognize the results of the serum’s biomarkers and even the age and gender differences needed to be observed carefully. The research was presented at the Experimental Biology conference in San Diego, California.

Mucuna pruriens   is a tropical   legume   known as   velvet bean belongs the family fabaceae   .   The plant is notorious for the extreme itchiness it produces on contact, particularly with the young foliage and the seed pods. Seeds, hairs, and roots are used for the preparation of medicine Medicinal uses 1.     As aphrodisiac - It corrects sexual weakness. Wheat flour is mixed with the powder of mucuna seeds and cooked with milk. Then it is mixed with ghee and eaten followed by intake of milk. 2.     One who take powder of mucuna and iksuraka mixed with sugar along with milch- warm milk does not suffer  from the deficiency of semen Other uses 1.        Rheumatism - By taking decoction of the seeds of mucuna for a month one regain the strength in arms 2.        Worms -The hairs of the fruit of mucuna are put within the pulp of jaggery and swallowed ...

A team of researchers has found that incorporating antioxidant-rich strawberries into a daily diet may help lower cholesterol and boost cardiovascular health. A team of volunteers ate half a kilo of strawberries a day for a month to see whether it altered their blood parameters in any way. At the end of this unusual treatment, it was found that their levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides reduced significantly. Researchers from the Universita Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM, Italy), together with colleagues from the Universities of Salamanca, Granada and Seville (Spain), set up an experiment in which they added 500 g of strawberries to the daily diets of 23 healthy volunteers over a month. The results showed that the total amount of cholesterol, the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or bad cholesterol) and the quantity of triglycerides fell to 8.78 percent, 13.72 percent and 20.8 percent respectively. However, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL or good cholesterol)...

Eating beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils daily can reduce bad cholesterol A new study has revealed that eating one serving a day of beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils can significantly reduce “bad cholesterol”. The study, led by Dr. John Sievenpiper of St. Michael’s Hospital’s Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, has found that by eating one serving a day of pulses, people could lower their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by five per cent. According to Sievenpiper, the reduction of bad cholesterol would lead to a five to six per cent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study also revealed that pulses have a low glycemic index (meaning that they are foods that break down slowly) and tend to reduce or displace animal protein as well as “bad” fats such as trans fat in a dish or meal. The study was published in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers have shown that anger, anxiety, and depression not only affect the functioning of the heart, but also increase heart disease risk. Stroke and heart attacks are the end products of progressive damage to blood vessels supplying the heart and brain, a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis progresses when there are high levels of chemicals in the body called pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is thought that persisting stress increases the risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease by evoking negative emotions that, in turn, raise the levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body. Researchers have now investigated the underlying neural circuitry of this process, and report their findings in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry. To conduct the study, Dr. Peter Gianaros, Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and first author on the study and his colleagues recruited 157 healthy adult volunteers who were asked to regulate their emo...