Archive for July, 2007

Betel Palm

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Betel palm contains arecoline, arecaidine, arecaine, arecolidine, guvacine, isoguvacine, and guvacoline, which cause central nervous system stimulation. Chewing the nut increases salivary flow and aids digestion.
Betel palm is available as quids, which are made from powdered or sliced areca (betel) nut, tobacco, and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) obtained from powdered snail shells. These ingredients [...]

Bistort

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

The leaves and rhizome of older bistort plants are cleaned, freed from green parts, cut up, and dried. Bistort contains 13% to 36% tannins, which give the herb the astringent effects that are helpful in treating diarrhea and sore or dry throat. Bistort powder is used to make an extract, infusion, ointment, or tincture [...]

Canker Sores (Apthous Ulcers)

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

Canker sores are viral infections of the mouth. They can occur on the cheeks, lips, gums, tongue, or soft palate. Heredity plays a role: You have a 90 percent chance of having canker sores if your parents had them. They are more common in adolescents, and women are twice as likely as men to [...]

Blessed Thistle

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Blessed thistle contains the sesquiterpene lactones cnicin and salonitenolide. Cnin, a glycoside, is responsible for the herb’s bitterness, which stimulates the appetite and aids in digestion by encouraging the secretion of saliva and gastric juice. It may also act directly on the stomach and part of the small intestine.
Blessed thistle stimulates menstruation. It’s characterized [...]

Angina Symptoms and Treatment

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

Angina is chest pain caused by the heart tissues not getting enough oxygen. This is usually a result of atherosclerosis, a buildup of cholesterol containing material that blocks the heart arteries. The most common type of angina is called stable angina, characterized by chest pain primarily upon exertion (usually relieved by the drug nitroglycerin). [...]

Aromatherapy

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Used since ancient times to heal the body, mind, and spirit, aromatherapy refers to the inhalation or application of essential oils distilled from various plants. Those who use aromatherapy today say it’s effective in reducing stress, preventing disease, and even treating certain illnesses, both physical and psychological.
Modern aromatherapy dates to the work of French [...]