Archive for April, 2009

New Study: Pine Bark Significantly Reduces Menstrual Pain

A new study reveals dysmenorrhea, a condition that causes extremely painful menstrual periods affecting millions of women each year, can be reduced naturally by taking Pycnogenol(R) (pic-noj- en-all), pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree.

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr.



Description:

Rigid shrub, diffuse. Stems ascending, spiny. Leaves alternate, 3-5 – palmifoliate; leaflets with margins toothed and spines on the nerves. Inflorescence in terminal panicle of some umbels; flowers small, greenish-white. Fruit globose, black when ripe. All parts of the plant are particularly fragrant.

Flowering period:

September – November.

Distribution:

Grows wild in mountainous regions, occasionally found on the forest-edge.

Parts used:

The root bark and stem bark are collected in summer and autumn. The bark is wrapped to bring out the aroma then subjected to thorough air-drying.

Chemical composition:

The root bark and stem bark contain triterpenoid saponins and oleanolic acid

Therapeutic uses:

The root bark and stem bark are prescribed in the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago, ostealgia and impotence. The drug is also considered as a central nervous system stimulant and tonic. It improves the memory. The usual dose is 6 to 12g per day in the form of a decoction or tincture.

Source:Medicinal plants in Viet Nam (Institute of Materia Medica – HANOI – WHO/WPRO, 1990, 444 p.)

Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet

English names:

Country mallow, Indian mallow, Indian abutilon.

Description:

Perennial shrub, hoary-stellate tomentose, 1-1.5m. high. Leaves alternate, cordate, toothed, long-petioled. Flowers yellow, solitary in the axil of the leaves; pedicel long, jointed near the top. Carpels numerous, hairy, dark brown. Seeds reniform, glabrous, dull black.

Flowering period:

February – April.

Distribution:

Wild and cultivated species.

Parts used:

The whole plant is collected in summer and autumn and used fresh or dried.

Chemical composition:

The whole plant contains mucilaginous substances and asparagine. The seeds yield raffinose and a semi-drying oil consisting of linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids.

Therapeutic uses:

The roots and leaves are employed in the treatment of coryza, hyperthermia, headache, dysuria and metrorrhoea, in a daily dose of 4 to 8g of dried plant material in the form of a decoction. The juice of pounded fresh leaves and seeds internally applied is active on furunculosis, dysentery and snake-bite; the residue is used for poultices. The dose of seeds is 8 to 12g per day. A combination with some other plants is prescribed for jaundice and certain post-partum diseases.

Source:Medicinal plants in Viet Nam (Institute of Materia Medica – HANOI – WHO/WPRO, 1990, 444 p.)

Eat, drink and be wary

by Ching M. Alano

Long time ago, there was just one kind of water — the one that you drank straight from the tap or faucet. No fuss, no muss; no fear, no tears. Life was pure and so much simpler then.

Fast-forward to today: Most people dread drinking tap water like the plague. Which is probably why even at home, everybody drinks bottled (mineral) water (we do!). Fact is, some people never leave home without a small bottle of water stashed away in their bags; they bring one anywhere they go it’s almost an indispensable accessory.

Bottled water or tap water?

Of course, the choice is crystal clear, especially in areas where tap water may be contaminated. Barring that, the only difference between some bottled water and tap water, according to the International Bottled Water Association, is that one is distributed in bottles while the other comes from the pipes. (more…)

CDC Warns of Tainted Tomatoes

CDC: Roma and red round tomatoes tainted with salmonella have sickened dozens of people in nine states.

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