funpics

Banyan (Bat), Its Uses and Benefits
Characteristics
How it looks - It is a very large tree with widely spreading branches having typical aerial roots-prop roots. The bark is greenish 'white and the fruit, contained in red, fleshy receptacles.

What we use - Aerial root, bark, leaves, buds, fruit, latex.

What it does - Astringent, refrigerant, anodyne, depurative, anti-inflammatory, styptic, antiarthritic, antidiarrhoeal, anti-emetic, tonic.

Herbal Medicines for the Cure of Common Disorders
In sterility in women - Powder the dry roots finely and store. Take a tsp of this powder with half a glass of cow's milk at bedtime, for at least 3 menstrual cycles.

In white discharge and vomiting - Make a decoction of the aerial roots and consume half a glass twice a day.

In skin disorders - Whether it is burning sensation, scars, abscesses or ulcers, the banyan has an answer. Paste banyan and peepal bark in coconut milk and apply on the affected areas to prevent scars and heal ulcers.

In diarrhoea and dysentery - Soak the buds of the banyan tree in water overnight and take the infusion every morning until diarrhoea is controlled.

In bleeding piles - Mix a few drops of the milky latex of the banyan tree in milk and take daily to cure bleeding piles.

In painful joints - The milky juice from the banyan tree is good to massage aching joints with, as it relieves swelhng and rheumatic pain.

Tooth care - The aerial roots of the banyan make for effective toothbrushes, owing to the astringent secretions from the stick which is to be chewed while brushing.

Hair growth - Powder equal quantities of the aerial roots of banyan and lime skin. Boil the powder in coconut oil and store. This oil promotes hair growth and leaves hair with a fine sheen.

In baldness - Powder the aerial roots of banyan and lotus roots and use the same way as above. This preparation irritates the bald scalp and stimulates hair growth.





Betel (Pan), How it Looks and What it Does
Characteristics
How it looks - It is a perennial climber, with semi-woody stem. The leaves are heart ­ shaped resembling pepper leaves and Clre bright green ill colour. Fruits are rarely produced, imnlersed in fleshy spikes forming nodule- like structures.

What we use - Whole plant

What it does - It is astringent, carminative, stomachic, sialogogue, anthelmentic, aromatic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic.

Cure of Common Disorders
In filariasis - Take 7 betel leaves and paste them with a little sendha or rock salt. Take it with warm water everyday for a few weeks in filariasis.

In worm infestation - In such a common Clilment, chewing pan leaves and spitting the juice out serves to remove immature larvae from the mouth reducing intensity of infection.

In phlegmatic cough and cold - Chewing betel leaves is highly beneficial as it is an expectorant and helps break down solidified phlegm and expel it. You could also combine the juices of the leav'es of tulsi, betel and karpuravalli or panjiri­ka-pat. A few drops of the mixture with a tsp of honey is the safest and best remedy for cough in small children.

In ulcerated burns - Bathe the burns in betel leaf juice. The astringent action of betel helps regenerate cells and quickens healing.

In fungal infections - Especially over the face, back and chest applying a mixture of onion and betel juice twice a day ensures getting rid of patches immediately.

In headache - A simple home remedy is to cut a betel leaf into 2 halves lengthwise, gently warm the halves over fire and apply over each temple. Its aromatic and tonic properties help soothe the headache.

In difficult urination - Mix betel leaf juice with milk, add some sugar and drink it to promote urination and ensure free flow.

In whitlow - To heal this finger infection, make a paste of quicklime and betel, pack the finger with this and tie a cloth around it. Change the pack everyday and keep the finger free of moisture. Cure is usually complete in 4-5 days.

In fresh eye inflammation - Instill a few drops of a mixture of betel leaf juice and honey to combat infection and effect quick healing.

Use of Curd (Yoghurt, Dahi)
Curd is a fermented form of milk. It is almost a specific for heart ailments, for senile state in preventing and delaying degeneration of body, purifies blood, keeps digestive system healthy, has more Vitamin B Complex than milk. It renders the complexion fair, lustrous, oily. It is a mild laxative but, in case of diarrhoea and dysentery, it is a boon, if used with rice. It keeps the mind alert, protects mucus lining of the stomach, it is bactericide. Rub curd on face, hands, head, rather on entire body before taking bath to dispel odour and impart glow, shine and lustre to body. If there is (dry) itching on the skin as often happens in winter due to cold and dry winds, mix mustard oil with curd (1:10 Ratio) and rub on the affected parts. It is rejuvenator of entire body 5ystem, as it destroys toxins in the body, improves digestion and improves general well­being.

Curd should, in fact, form an essential part of daily diet. It has been observed that persons using curd regularly are healthier, more alert, have soft and glowing skin, better bowel movement when compared to those who shun or abhor use of curd. Mixing black salt, cumin powder, black pepper powder with milk will serve as an appetiser.

Butter milk is lighter, cooling, more easily digestible, and a tonic. It is a natural laxative and stimulator of colon.

Herbal Medicines
Regular and free use of butter milk, by all age groups (particularly by the young and the old) promotes growth, longevity, corrects disorders of liver, stomach., colon and, gives a feeling of general betterment of the body and brain.

Diabetics can also use both curd and whey.

Mixing some sliced pieces of onion in curd, adding some salt to taste, should be a part of every inebrient's diet, also before and after a drink.

It will stop nausea and vomiting tendency.

When cheese has been separated from milk, it is called 'whey' which contains milk-sugar, mineral and vitamin and is useful in loose motions. It is a digestive tonic of very high fo od value.

Curd and buttermilk should be avoided during rainy days, but whey can be used all the year round.

During summer 'Raita' of cucumber prevents heat.

Hand-beaten unpuffed rice (chiwda) should be mixed after dipping in water and used when softened with curd to give coolness to stomach, cure loose motions. It is, in fact, a complete diet. Banana (sliced into pieces), curd and honey mixed together, make an excellent food tonic.





Black Root - Some Benefits on Usage of Black Root
Taxonomic Class
Scrophulariaceae

Common Trade Names
None known.

Common Forms
Available as dried root or tincture.

Source
Black root is made from the dried rhizome and roots of Veronicastrum virginicum, which grows in Canada and the United States.

Chemical Components
Tannic acid, verosterol (a volatile oil), cinnamic and paramethoxycinnamic acids, gum, resin, mannite, and d-mannitol have been isolated from black root. Early studies yielded a substance called leptandrin, which was thought to be the active component . No recent data support this.

Actions
Black root has a bitter, nauseating taste and irritates GI mucosa, primarily because of the herb's tannin content . Tannic acid has astringent properties that act locally on GI mucosa. Tannic acid also forms insoluble complexes with alkaloids, glycosides, and certain heavy metal ions.

Black root also has antisecretory and anti ulcerative effects in the GI tract as a result of an inhibitory action on the gastric enzyme system.

Mannite and d-mannitol are considered osmotic diuretics and work by increasing the transport of sodium and water out of the loop of Henle. Some data also suggest that cinnamic acid exerts some choleretic effect. In animal studies, cinnamic acid injections increased bile acid flow by 50% . Other animal studies confirmed this effect .

Reported Uses
Black root is claimed to be useful as a cathartic and an emetic. Because of its purported biliary action within the GI tract, it has been claimed to be beneficial in relieving jaundice and other symptoms related to hepatic or biliary congestion. Human trials are lacking.

Dosage
Black root possesses cathartic and emetic properties at 15 to 40 grains (1 to 2.6 g); the usual reported dose is 1 g. Tea may be made by mixing

1 to 2 tsp of dried black root in cold water, boiling this solution, and then simmering it for 10 minutes. The dosage of this solution is typically 1 cup t.i.d. The tincture has been administered in doses of 1 to 2 ml t.i.d.

Adverse Reactions
CNS: drowsiness, headache.

GI: abdominal pain or cramps, changes in stool color or odor, nausea, vomiting.

Hepatic: hepatotoxicity.

Interactions
None reported.

Contraindications And Precautions
Black root is contraindicated in pregnant or breast-feeding patients; effects are unknown. Avoid large amounts of black root, especially in patients with existing hepatic disease, because of the potential toxic effects of tannic acid on the liver.

Special Considerations
Alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine, glycosides such as digoxin, and products that contain iron may form insoluble complexes with tannins. Advise the patient to avoid taking black root along with these drugs.

Alert Hepatotoxicity after ingestion of large amounts of dried tea

leaves (in the range of one1/2 lb of tea every 3 to 4 days) has been reported

Alert Caution the patient to discontinue using this herb if abnormal increases in hepatic transaminase levels occur.

Inform the patient that few scientific data exist to support therapeutic uses for this plant in humans.

Monitor liver function test results.

Instruct the patient to immediately report symptoms of hepatic dysfunction, such as fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant pain. The patient should have periodic assessment of serum liver enzyme levels.

Advise women to avoid using black root during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Points of Interest
Settlers gathered knowledge of black root from Native Americans. The Delaware referred to the plant as quitel; the Missouri and Osage called ithini .

Early American doctors used black root as a cure for bilious fevers

Commentary
Little information is available about black root's therapeutic uses or efficacy. No human trials have supported therapeutic claims for this herb. The lack of clinical trials limits the usefulness of anecdotal or historical data.





Burdock - Drug Interactions, Side Effects and Precautions of Use
Taxonomic Class
Asteraceae

Common Trade Names
Multi-ingredient preparations: Anthraxiviore, Burdock Blend Extract, Burdock Root, Burdock Sarsaparilla Compound

Common Forms
Available as capsules (425 mg, 475 mg, cream for topical administration, dried root, liquid extract, tea, and tincture (made from crushed seeds).

Source
The crude drug is extracted from the dried root of the great burdock, Arctium lappa, or common burdock, Arctium minus. The seeds and leaves of burdock plants have also been used in folk medicine. Burdock is a large biennial herb grown in China, Europe, and the United States. The plant can be identified in the spring by the round heads of its purple flowers.

Chemical Components
The principal component of burdock root is a carbohydrate, inulin, which can account for up to 50% of the total plant mass. Additional components include anthroquinone glycosides; nonhydroxy acids; a plant hormone, gamma-guanidino-n-butyric acid; polyacetylenes; polyphenolic acids; tannins; and volatile acids. Seeds contain chlorogenic acid, fixed oils, a germacranolide, a glycoside (arctiin), Iignans, and other compounds. Some commercial teas that contain burdock have been prone to contamination with atropine.

Actions
Burdock is claimed to exert antimicrobial, antipyretic, diaphoretic, and diuretic activities. Uterine stimulation has been reported in in vivo studies. In animal studies, burdock extracts have reportedly demonstrated strong hypoglycemic activity and antagonism of platelet activating factor .

Various in vitro and animal studies have found that burdock possesses antimutagenic effects .

Reported Uses
Burdock is claimed to be useful for a wide range of ailments, including arthritis; cystitis; gout; hemorrhoids; lumbar pain; rheumatism; sciatica; skin disorders, such as acne, canker sores, dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis; and ulcers. It has also been used as a blood purifier. In the Far East, burdock is used to treat cancer, impotence, and sterility. Some studies have reported the use of burdock in the treatment of kidney stones and HIV infection.

Dosage
Burdock is taken internally as a tea or used externally as a compress.

Dried root: 2 to 6 g P.O. t.i.d.

Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 2 to 8 ml P.O. t.i.d.

Tea: I cup P.O. t.i.d. or q.i.d.

Tincture (1:10 in 45% alcohol): 8 to 12 ml P.O. t.i.d.

Adverse Reactions
Skin: allergic dermatitis.

Other: allergic reactions.

Interactions
Insulin, oral antidiabetics: May increase hypoglycemic effects. Avoid administration with burdock.

Contraindications And Precautions
Burdock is contraindicated during pregnancy-especially in the first trimester-because of the effects of anthraquinone glycosides found in the roots of burdock plants. It is also contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the herb or related plant species.

Special Considerations
Allergic reactions have been demonstrated in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Other members of this family include chrysanthemum, daisy, mangold, and ragweed.

Alert Poisoning caused by atropine contamination of some commercial burdock teas can occur. Signs and symptoms of toxicity include blurred vision, dilated pupils, and rapid pulse rate. Treatment, if needed, includes physostigmine reversal .

Inform the patient that burdock products may be significantly contaminated with atropine and that toxicity has resulted from this contamination.

Inform the diabetic patient that burdock may increase the risk of hypoglycemia and that insulin or oral antidiabetic drug doses may need to be reduced.

Inform the patient that few scientific data evaluate burdock's effects in humans.

Caution women to avoid using burdock during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Points of Interest
Burdock root is commonly eaten in Asia, less often in the United States.

Commentary
Animal and in vitro studies suggest that burdock use might offer therapeutic benefits. Clinical trials are needed to support these claims. Also, data regarding the safety and efficacy of burdock are lacking.