Ambrosia Health Dictionary

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Ambrosia: From 1 Different Sources

(Greek) Immortal; in mythology, the food of the gods Ambrosa, Ambrosiah, Ambrosyna, Ambrosina, Ambrosyn, Ambrosine, Ambrozin, Ambrozyn, Ambrozyna, Ambrozyne, Ambrozine, Ambrose, Ambrotosa, Ambruslne, Amhrosine
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Altamisa

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia and A. peruviana).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, aerial parts.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The leaf is traditionally prepared as a tea and taken orally for arthritis, delayed menses, diarrhea (in children and adults), infections, kidney ailments, menstrual pain, postpartum cleansing and stomach ache. It is also used externally as a poultice for menstrual pain and as a bath for energetic cleansing, good luck and spiritual protection.

Safety: The pollen of Ambrosia species is a common allergen and may cause symptoms of hayfever in hypersensitive individuals. Plant material should be washed thoroughly before use to remove pollen. Cases of contact dermatitis, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis and other adverse effects have been associated with this plant.

Contraindications: Due to lack of available safety information, avoid use during pregnancy or lactation and in children under 5 years of age.

Drug Interactions: Synergistic interactions may occur with medications that share similar biological activities to those demonstrated by this herb (see “Clinical Data” and “Laboratory & Preclinical Data” below).

Clinical Data: The following effects of Ambrosia artemisiifolia have been investigated in human clinical trials: allergenic, immunotherapeutic and irritant.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: Ambrosia species have shown the following biological activities in laboratory or preclinical studies using in vitro or animal models: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial and cytotoxic.

* See entry for Altamisa in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... altamisa

Amrita

(Hindi) Having immortality; full of ambrosia

Amritah, Amritta, Amryta, Amrytta, Amrytte, Amritte, Amryte, Amreeta, Amreetah, Amrieta, Amrietah, Amreita, Amreitah, Amreata, Amreatah... amrita

Bilharzia

Schistosomiasis. One of the serious diseases of the tropics, caused by schistosomes, or blood flukes. Goes back into Egyptian history by 3,000 years when it was referred to as ‘blood in the urine’ (haematuria).

Bilharzial calcified eggs have been found in the rectum and bladder of mummified bodies. There is evidence that they received treatment with the plants Valerian and Hyoscyamus. Today, Poke root is favoured.

More than 300 million people are infected. Cure is difficult, in spite of our greater knowledge. No natural medicine has yet been discovered to kill the parasite worms except deep-acting poisons: Antimony (tartar emetic).

Causative organism pierces the skin or mucous membranes of walkers, swimmers, or farmers wading in contaminated water.

Medicinal plants are used, with varying degrees of success to discourage the flukes from invading the host and to make good their depredations.

Anti-Bilharzials – Gum arabic, Cannabis sativa (hemp), Citrullus colocynthis, Citric acid (from lemons), Cyperus esculentus, Douma thebaica, Hordeum vulgare (Barley), Phoenix dactylifera, Ricinus communis (Castor oil), Thymus capitata (Thyme), Vitis vinifera (Grapes), Pistacea terebinthus (the Mastic Tree), Morus nigra (fresh fruits, root bark and leaves of the Mulberry Tree), Ficus carica (Common Fig), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme similar to English Garden Thyme). Later in history these remedies were joined by Ginger and Ambrosia artemisia. (Samir Yahia El-Gammal, MD, in “Medical Times”, Journal for the Promotion of Eastern Medicine. Hamdard Centre, Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan. Vol XIX, Winter 1984)

Ginger, powdered root and aqueous extract, prevents hatching of schistosome eggs in host. In trials with schoolchildren, bloody urine stopped and egg count in the urine dropped. (Kucera et al., 1975; Theakston et al., 1975)

CORIANDER SEED. Tea. Original research, Lawrence D. Hills, Henry Doubleday Research Association.

Note: Berries of a native Ethiopian plant, the endod or Soapberry (Phytolacca dodecandra) contain a potent toxin that can, in minute quantities, kill the snails carrying the schistosomes. (New Scientist, 1989, No 1690, p21)

To be treated by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... bilharzia


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