Cala Health Dictionary

A mild astringent used, as calamine lotion, to soothe and protect the skin in many conditions such as eczema and urticaria.... calamine

Luck, Healing, Money, Protection... calamus

Linn.

Habitat: The alpine zone of the Himalayas from Gilgit to Kumaon.

Ayurvedic: Vatsanaabha (related sp.).

Folk: Tilia Kachnaag, Dudhia.

Action: Nervine tonic.

Air-dried roots of the plant are reported to contain 1% indaconitine.... acorus calamus

See Higüero.... calabash

See Auyama.... calabaza

Rabbit’s foot fern (Polypodium aureum).

Plant Part Used: Leaf (fern frond).

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The leaf is traditionally prepared as an infusion and taken orally for the common cold, flu and upper respiratory tract infections.

Safety: In a human clinical trial of the plant extract, no toxic or adverse effects were reported.

Contraindications: Insufficient information identified in the available literature.

Drug Interactions: Insufficient information identified in the available literature.

Clinical Data: The plant extract has been studied in one human clinical trial for its photoprotective effects and was recommended as a potential therapy.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: Plant extracts have shown antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunosuppressant effects in animal studies. Isolated constituents (calagualine) or plant extracts have shown anti-tumor, antiviral, immunomodulatory and leukotriene formation inhibition activity in vitro.... calaguala

(French) From the city in France... calais

Linn.

Synonym: C. roxburghii Griff.

Family: Palmae; Arecaceae.

Habitat: Central and South India.

English: Rotang, Rattan, Chair Bottom Cane.

Ayurvedic: Vetra, Abhrapushpa.

Siddha/Tamil: Pirambu.

Action: Astringent, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory (used in chronic fevers, piles, abdominal tumours, strangury), antibilious, spasmolytic. Wood—vermifuge.

The plant is used in convulsions and cramps. The presence of a saponin in the stem, an alkaloid in the leaves and a flavonoid in the root is reported.... calamus rotang

Calamus tea is a good remedy against a large array of ailments such as laryngitis, but not only. It has a good taste when drank and it can fight the desire for tobacco. Calamus Tea description Calamus is a perennial semi-aquatic plant that grows in wetlands. It is found in Europe, Russia, East and South Asia, and the United States and Canada. Its leaves and rhizomes have a strong scent, due to which Calamus is appreciated in the perfume industry. Calamus tea is the resulting beverage from brewing the abovementioned plant. Calamus Tea brewing To prepare Calamus tea:

• pour a cup of boiling water on 2 teaspoonfuls of the calamus root
• leave it to steep for about 10 to 15 minutes

Calamus tea is recommended to be drunk an hour before eating. Calamus Tea benefits Calamus tea has been successfully used to:

• treat chest congestion
• treat digestive problems (flatulence and bloating)
• relieve stomach spasms
• enhance the appetite
• treat laryngitis
• fight the desire for tobacco
• fight fever

Calamus Tea side effects Calamus tea is not recommended to pregnant or nursing women. Calamus tea is a medicinal beverage efficient in dealing with stomach spasms, digestive problems and chest congestion.... calamus tea is good for laryngitis

Roxb.

Synonym: C. amarus Lour.

Family: Palmae; Arecaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract from Dehra Dun to Assam.

English: Bareilly Cane.

Ayurvedic: Vetra (var.) (Vetasa, Salix caprea Linn., is a different drug).

Action: See C. rotang.... calamus tenuis

Bedd. ex Hook. f.

Family: Palmae; Arecaceae.

Habitat: Deccan peninsula, from Malabar to Travancore.

English: Cane.

Ayurvedic: Vetra.

Siddha/Tamil: Pirambu.

Action: Tender leaves are used in dyspepsia, biliousness and as an anthelmintic. See C. rotang.... calamus travancoricus

(Greek) Resembling a songbird; a lark

Calendre, Calynda, Calinda, Calandria, Callyr, Calynda... calandra

(Greek) Resembling a lovely flower

Calanthe, Calanthia, Calanthiah, Calantheah, Calanthea... calantha

(Greek) A flowering woman Calateah, Calatia, Calatiah, Calatee, Calati, Calatie, Calaty, Calatey... calatea

Basil Thyme. Calaminta ascendens Jord. French: Calament. German: Waldurze. Spanish: Calamento. Italian: Calamina. Dutch: Vold mynte. Part used: herb.

Constituents: volatile oil, ketones, terpenes.

Action: expectorant, diaphoretic.

Uses: upper airways obstruction, catarrh, bronchitis, colds.

Preparation. Tea: 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 10 minutes. Dose: Half-1 cup thrice daily. ... calamint

Calamintha officinalis

FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

SYNONYMS: C. clinopodium, Melissa calaminta, calamint, common calamint, mill mountain, mountain balm, mountain mint, basil thyme, nepeta (oil), French marjoram (oil), wild basil (oil), catnip (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An erect, bushy, perennial plant not more than one metre high, with square stems, soft oval serrated leaves, greyish-green beneath, and rather inconspicuous pale purple flowers. The whole plant has a strong aromatic scent which is attractive to cats.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Europe and parts of Asia (Himalayas), naturalized throughout North America and South Africa. Cultivated for its oil in the Mediterranean region, Yugoslavia, Poland and in the USA.

OTHER SPECIES: There are numerous similar species found throughout the world, such as the lesser calamintha (C. nepeta) which has a stronger odour and is often used interchangeably with common calamint. It is also closely related to catmint or catnip (Nepeta cataria) also known as calamint, with which it shares similar properties. Not to be confused with winter and summer savory (Satureja montana and S. hortensis).

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It has a long history of use as a herbal remedy mainly for nervous and digestive complaints, also menstrual pain, colds, chills and cramp. Catmint is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for flatulent colic in children and for the common cold.

ACTIONS: Anaesthetic (local), antirheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative, tonic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the flowering tops.

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow liquid with a herbaceous-woody, pungent odour, somewhat resembling pennyroyal.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Citral, nerol, citronellol, limonene and geraniol, among others. The active ingredient that attracts cats is metatabilacetone (3–5 percent). Constituents vary according to source.

SAFETY DATA: Non-irritant, non-sensitizing; possible toxic effects in concentration. (The Chinese shrub Actinidia polygama also contains metatabilacetone, which is responsible for its hallucinogenic and narcotic effects.) Use in moderation. Avoid during pregnancy.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation Muscles And Joints: Chills, cold in the joints, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

Digestive System: Colic, flatulence, nervous dyspepsia.

Nervous System: Insomnia, nervous tension and stress-related conditions.

OTHER USES: Used as a wild cat lure in the USA. Occasionally used in perfumery work.... calamintha