Ara Health Dictionary

Arachnodactyly, or MARFAN’S SYNDROME, is a congenital condition characterised by extreme length and slenderness of the ?ngers and toes – and, to a lesser extent, of the limbs and trunk; laxity of the ligaments; and dislocation of the lens of the eye. The antero-posterior diameter of the skull is abnormally long, and the jaw is prominent. There may also be abnormalities of the heart.... arachnodactyly

One of the fatty acids in the body that are essential for growth.... arachidonic acid

A rare condition that is characterized by chronic inflammation and thickening of the arachnoid mater, which is the middle of the 3 meninges (the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord).... arachnoiditis

Willd. var. indica Benth.

Synonym: A. nilotica (Linn.) Delile subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan.

Family: Mimosaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the drier parts of India.

English: Babul, Black Babul, Indian Gum arabic tree.

Ayurvedic: Babbuula, Babbuuri, Baavari, Aabhaa, Shuulikaa, Shitaka, Kinkiraata, Yugmakantaka, Sukshmapatra, Pitapushpaka.

Unani: Aqaaqia, Babuul, Kikar, Mughilaan, Samur.

Siddha/Tamil: Karu-velamaram, Karuvelei. Velampisin (gum).

Action: Stembark—astringent, spasmolytic, hypoglycaemic. Gum—demulcent (soothing agent for inflammatory conditions of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts). Pods—used in urogenital disorders. Seeds—hypoglycaemic in normal rats; no such effect in diabetic rats. Seed oil—antifungal. Flowers, pods and gum resin—used in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of stembark in acute diarrhoea and helminthiasis.

Tannin contents of the bark varies considerably (12-20%). Several poly- phenolic compounds have been reported in the bark, also in the pods. The whole pod contains 12-19% tannins and 18-27% after the removal of seeds.

The seeds of A. benthamii, A. nilotica ssp. subulata, probably same as ssp. indica, are considered hypoglycaemic. Some seed components stimulate insulin secretion by beta cells.

The gum contains galactose; l-ara- binose, l-rhamnose and aldobiouronic acids, also arabinobioses.

The flowers contain flavonoids— kaempferol-3-glucoside, iso-quercitrin and leucocyanidin.

Dosage: Stembark—20-30 g for decoction. (API Vol. I.)... acacia arabica

(Latin) An answered prayer; beautiful altar

Arabel, Arabela, Arabelle, Arabele, Arabell... arabella

Spirituality, Purify Negativity and Evil... arabic gum

(Spanish) From the altar of heaven Aricela, Arcilla, Aracelia, Arcelia, Aracely, Araseli, Arasely, Arceli, Aracelli, Aracele, Aracelea... araceli

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae

Habitat: Native to Brazil, but widely grown for its pods in southern India, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

English: Groundnut, Peanut, Monkeynut.

Ayurvedic: Mandapi, Tailamudga, Bhuumimudga.

Unani: Moongphali.

Siddha/Tamil: Nelakadalai, Verkadalai.

Action: Kernels—contain protease inhibitors. Peanut skin— haemostatic.

There is a haemostatic principle in the peanut flour, which is said to improve the condition of haemophiliacs. The protease inhibitor acts on the fib- rinolytic system, primarily as an an- tiplasmin. It is reported to form complexes not only with the enzymes, but also with the corresponding zymogens.

The peanut (red) skin contains bio- flavonoids, which possess vitamin- P activity; tannins; a lipoxidase and a protease inhibitor. Capric acid, obtained from the (red) skin, showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger.... arachis hypogaea

(Greek) In mythology, a young woman who was changed into a spider by Athena

Arachnie, Arachni, Arachny, Arachney, Arackne, Aracknie, Arackni, Arackny, Arackney, Arachnee, Aracknee, Arakne, Araknie, Arakni, Arakny, Arakney, Araknee, Arachnea, Araknea, Arachneah, Arakneah... arachne

One of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (see BRAIN). Arachnoiditis is the name applied to in?ammation of this membrane.... arachnoid membrane

(Greek) In mythology, the goddess of witches; the daughter of Diana and Lucifer

Aradiah, Aradea, Aradeah... aradia

(Seem.) Clarke.

Synonym: A. pseudo-ginseng Wall. ssp. himalaicus Hara.

Family: Araliaceae.

Habitat: Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan, Khasi Hills.

Folk: Taapamaari (Maharashtra).

Action: Stimulant, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, dyspeptic, expectorant.... aralia binnatifida

(Spanish) Refers to the Virgin Mary Aramah, Aramma, Arammah... arama

(Hebrew) One who is lofty and exalted Aramintah, Aramynta, Araminte ... araminta

(Hungarian) The golden child... aranka

(Welsh) A large silver wheel; in mythology, the mother of a sea creature and a blob Arianrhod, Arianrod... aranrhod

(Basque) Resembling a thornbush... arantxa

(German) One who is tenacious Ararindah, Ararynda, Araryndah... ararinda

(Hebrew) From the strong and protected hill

Arashell, Arashelle, Arashele, Arashela, Arashella... arashel

(Hebrew) Resembling a willow; of an arid land

Aravah, Aravva, Aravvah... arava

(Armenian) From the river of inspiration

Araxi, Araxy, Araxey, Araxee, Araxea, Araxeah, Araxye... araxie

Linn.

Family: Rubiaceae.

Habitat: Grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

English: Arabian coffee.

Unani: Kahvaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Kaapi, Bannu.

Action: Diuretic, antinarcotic, psychotropic agent, direct heart stimulant (raises blood pressure). Neutralizes therapeutic effects of many herbs; potentiates the action of aspirin and paracetamol; depletes the body of B-vitamins. Charcoal of the outer seed parts—astringent, absorbent.

Key application: Powdered coffee charcoal—in nonspecific, acute diarrhoea; local therapy of mild inflammation of oral and pharyngeal mucosa (average daily dose 9 g). (German Commission E.)

According to WHO, coffee drinking is not responsible for breast cancer and may protect against cancer of colon and rectum. Caffeic and chlorogenic acids in coffee act as anticarcinogens.

Bronchial asthma is less frequent among coffee drinkers due to caffeine and theophylline.

The aroma components include several furfuryl methyl mercaptan derivatives. Coffee extracts yielded organic acids. Atractyloside, several sterols and acids, as well as alkaloids, have been reported. Caffeine is the major alkaloid of coffee. One cup of coffee contains approx. 60-120 mg caffeine; other active constituents include chlorogenic acid, caffeol and diterpenes.

Chlorogenic acid in coffee might inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase, which might lower hepatic glucose production caffeine seems to stimulate pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)... coffea arabica

Gaudich.

Synonym: Pogonia flabelliformis Lindl.

Family: Orchidaceae.

Habitat: Tropical Himalayas from Garhwal eastwards at altitudes of 1,200-1,500 m and in Bihar, Konkan, North Kanara and Travancore.

Ayurvedic: Padmachaarini, Shankhaaluka. (Sthala Kamala is a doubtful synonym.)

Action: Astringent, diuretic (used in dysuria).

A decoction of leaves is given after parturition.... nervilia aragoana

Arachis hypogaea L. Peanuts, Monkey nuts, Groundnuts. Part used: nuts; oil expressed from the nuts.

Constituents. Fixed oil; Vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, bioflavonoids, tannins.

Action. Emollient.

Uses: Internal. Reported improvement in case of haemophilia. Promotes production of oestrogen. External. Massage oil, creams, lotions.

Preparations: Flour: for use by haemophiliacs. Peanut oil for cooking purposes. ... arachis

Peanut oil, mostly used in enemas, to soften faeces and make bowel movements easier.

It may also be applied to the scalp, followed by shampooing, in the treatment of cradle cap.... arachis oil

The middle of the 3 layers of membrane (meninges) that cover the brain.... arachnoid mater

n. poisoning from the bite of a spider. Toxins from the less venomous species of spider cause only local pain, redness, and swelling. Toxins from more venomous species, such as the black widow (Lactrodectus mactans), cause muscular pains, convulsions, nausea, and paralysis.... arachnidism

(arachnoid mater) n. the middle of the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (see meninges), which has a fine, almost cobweb-like, texture. Between it and the pia mater within lies the subarachnoid space, containing cerebrospinal fluid and large blood vessels; the membrane itself has no blood supply.... arachnoid

one of the thin-walled projections outwards of the arachnoid membrane into the blood-filled sinuses of the dura, acting as a one-way valve for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space into the bloodstream. Large villi, known as arachnoid granulations (or Pacchionian bodies), are found in the region of the superior sagittal sinus. They may be so distended as to cause pitting of the adjacent bone.... arachnoid villus