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Posts Tagged ‘Cough’

Side effects of chemical cough drugs bared

October 25th, 2008

Von

Health organizations have expressed alarm over the potential hazardous side effects of over-the-counter (OTC) chemical cough medications to one’s health, including the development of hypertension, drug dependence, irregular heartbeat and confusion.

According to Mayo Clinic, a respected online medical research organization of around 2,500 physicians worldwide that is known for its online diagnosis and treatment of diseases (www.mayoclinic.com), these cough medications may actually cause more harm than good.

“Most OTC cough medicines contain a mixture of decongestant, antihistamine, pain reliever, cough suppressant or a combination of these drugs. This combination is meant to treat many symptoms at once but all of them have potential side effects,” the organization said in an online statement. (more…)

Posted in Health Tips

Tags: Antihistamine, Breathing Difficulty, Cough, Cough Medicines, Cough Remedies, Cough Suppressant, Drug Dependence, Health Organizations, Health Supplements, Hypertension Drug, Irregular Heartbeat, Loss Of Appetite, Medical Research Organization, Nasal Congestion, Online Diagnosis, Pain Reliever, Prescription Drugs, Research Institution, Ringing In The Ears, Runny Nose, Symptoms Of Hay Fever

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How to prepare Ginger Lozenges

January 16th, 2007

Von

Medicated candies prepared from rhizomes of luya, Zingiber officinale, for sore throat, cough and as breath freshener, dissolved in the mouth as needed.

Materials:

Ginger rhizomes, powdered;
confectioner’s sugar,
gum Arabic powder, USP;
cornstarch,
water, mortar and pestle,
spatula,
spoon,
knife,
tray,
wax paper,
aluminum foil

Proportion: 2 tablespoon powdered ginger for every cup of confectioner’s sugar.

Procedure:

1. Mix powdered ginger, confectioner’s sugar, a little gum Arabic powder in a mortar and pestle.

2. Add water, a few drops at a time, enough to form a mass/ball.

3. Line a tray/plate with cornstarch lightly. Transfer the mass/ball to the starch-lined tray.

4. Flatten the mass/ball to desired thickness, or make a long roll.

5. Divide the flattened mass or roll, as the case maybe, into equal portions, as desired.

6. Allow the discs to dry (air-dry or place in an oven briefly); then wrap each one in aluminum foil.

Source: www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

Posted in Zingiber officinale

Tags: Aluminum Foil, Candies, Confectioner, Cornstarch Water, Cough, Ginger, Ginger Lozenges, Gum Arabic, Mortar And Pestle, Powdered Ginger, Rhizomes, Sore Throat, Spatula, Spoon, Starch, Sugar Gum, Tablespoon, Usp, Wax Paper, Zingiber officinale

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Five-leaf Chaste Tree (Lagundi)

January 9th, 2007

Von

Description: a shrub about 5 meters in height. The leaves are arranged like the fingers of the hand.

How to plant Lagunduni: Plant cuttings of 20 centimeters long. Make sure that the cuttings have 3 or more nodes (where the new leaf comes out).

How to care for the plants:

* Water the newly planted cuttings everyday and remove weeds/grass around it.

* Remove leaves or branches that have been destroyed by pests or by plant diseases to prevent them from spreading to the rest of the plant.

* May use compost or organic fertilizer. NEVER use pesticides because the chemicals may remain in the plant.

Harvesting and Proper Storage:

* It would be better if the leaves are collected during the following season.
* Collect only the mature and healthy leaves.
* Make sure that there are enough leaves left on the plant to prevent the plant from dying.
* Completely dry the leaves before storing them and place them in a sealed plastic bag or tightly covered brown container.

Used for:

* Asthma
* Cough
* Body pains
* Fever

Preparation:

* Chop the leaves and place them in an earthen jar according to the following amounts:

For Dried Leaves:

ADULTS = 4 tbspful
7-12 y/o = 2 tbspful
2- 6 y/o = 1 tbspful

For Fresh Leaves:

ADULTS = 6 tbspful
7-12 y/o = 3 tbspful
2-6 y/o = 1 1/2 tbspful

* Pour in 2 glassfuls of water. Cover it. glassfuls of water. Cover it.
* Bring the mixture to a boil.
* Remove the cover and let it continue to boil for another 15 minutes.
* Let it cool, and then strain the mixture.

How to Use:

* Divide the decoction into 3 parts:

- for asthma and cough – drink 1 part 3 times a day
- for fever and body pains- drink 1 part every 4 hours

Source: doh.gov.ph

Posted in Dosage, Lagundi, Preparation