Cana Health Dictionary

See GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.... alimentary canal

The passage that extends from the neck of the womb (UTERUS), known as the CERVIX UTERI, to the opening of the VAGINA. The baby passes along this passage during childbirth.... birth canal

Canaliculus means a small channel, and is applied to (a) the minute passage leading from the lacrimal pore on each eyelid to the lacrimal sac on the side of the nose; (b) any one of the minute canals in bone.... canaliculus

A dental procedure performed to save a tooth in which the pulp (see pulp, dental) has died or become untreatably diseased, usually as the result of extensive dental caries.

The pulp is removed through a hole drilled in the crown. An antibiotic paste and a temporary filling are packed in. A few days later, the filling is removed and the canals are checked for infection. When no infection is detected the cavity is filled and the roots are sealed with cement. If the cavity is not filled completely, periodontitis may occur.

Treated teeth may turn grey but their appearance can be restored by bonding (see bonding, dental), fitting an artificial crown (see crown, dental), or by bleaching (see bleaching, dental).... root-canal treatment

(Greek) Born of the wind... canace

Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula).

Plant Part Used: Fruit (seed pod).

Dominican Medicinal Uses: Seed pods: decoction, orally, for constipation, to expel worms and as a laxative.

Safety: No health risks identified in literature for proper use; however, long-term or excessive use can have adverse effects.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, children under 12 y; persons with acute intestinal inflammatory disease or appendicitis.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vivo: anti-diabetic (leaf and bark extracts), antifertility, sedative, CNS depressant (seed extract), anti-inflammatory (leaf extract), anti-neoplastic, anti-tumor (fruit extract), antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic.

In vitro: anti-alzheimer’s (root extract), antibacterial.

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

Linn.

Synonym: C. vulgare Leench.

Family: Burseraceae.

Habitat: A tree indigenous to Malaysia. Now grown in South India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

English: Java Almond, Kenari Nut.

Folk: Jangali Baadaam.

Action: Fruit—laxative. Resin— anti-inflammatory. Tuber—styptic, bechic, diaphoretic.

The essential oil from oleoresin contain 34% anethole and a small quantity of terpenes.... canarium commune

Roxb.

Synonym: C. sikkimense King

Family: Burseraceae

Habitat: A large, deciduous tree distributed in West Ghats, Assam and Sikkim.

English: Black Dammar.

Ayurvedic: Raal Dhuup, Mand Dhuup.

Siddha/Tamil: Karunkungiliyam (gum).

Action: Resin—used for chronic cutaneous diseases, such as psoriasis, pityriasis; as a linament in rheumatic affections. Dammer Oil—used for rheumatism, asthma, venereal diseases.

Black dammer resin contains (+)- junenol, canarone and epikhusinal.

The plant contains a sesquiterpene ketone—canarone.

Canarium sikkimense King is known as Gogul Dhuup in Nepal.... canarium strictum

Walp.

Family: Papaveraceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas from Kumaon to Khasia Hills. Cultivated in Indian gardens.

English: Squirrel Corn. (A related species, Corydalis cucullaria, known as Turkey Pea, occurs in Canada and the USA.)

Action: Diuretic, alterative, anti- scrofula. Used for torpid and sluggish conditions, menstrual disorders and diseases due to vitiated blood. Also employed as a sedative for the relief of paralysis agitans and other muscular tremors.

A large number of physiologically active isoquinoline alkaloids have been isolated from the tubers of many species of Dicentra, but the use of Corydalis is not linked with the alkaloids they contain, only bulbocapnine, present in the tubers, exhibits therapeutic activity. It produces catalepsy in mammals and possesses sympathetic as well as parasympathetic central effects.

It has been employed for the relief of paralysis agitans and other muscular tremors, vesticular nystagmus and similar conditions.

The root contains protopine, cory- deline, bulbocapnine, cancentrine, de- hydrocancentrines A and B. Bicucul- line (an isoquinoline alkaloid) isolated from the tuber of Dicentra cucullaria, is a centrally-acting, spasmogenic antagonist of GABA.... dicentra canadensis

The ?ne canals in BONE which carry the blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves necessary for the maintenance and repair of bone.... haversian canals

Abies balsamea L. No longer used internally. Used externally by American Indians for indolent ulcers, burns. Reportedly used in treating tumours. (J.L. Hartwell, Lloydia, 33, 288 (1970)) ... canada balsam

Apocynum cannabinum L. French: Apocyn. German: Hanfhundsgift. Italian: Apocino a fiori erbacei. Rhizome, root.

Action: expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, emetic. Contains cardiac glycosides. Action similar to strophanthus, digitalis and adonis. General medical practitioner use only.

Uses: cardiac dropsy, pleuritic effusion. Preparations. Liquid Extract: 0.05 to 0.25ml. Tincture: 0.2 to 0.5ml, in water. ... canadian hemp

A structure in the inner ear that plays a role in balance. There are 3 semicircular canals in each ear, at right angles to each other, and connected via a chamber called the vestibule. The fluid-filled canals contain small hairs that detect movement and acceleration, and transmit information to the brain via the vestibular nerve.... semicircular canal

the terminal portion of the large intestine, which is surrounded by the muscles of defecation (anal sphincters). The canal ends on the surface at the anal orifice (see anus).... anal canal

Linn.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Punjab, Upper Gangetic Plain, Assam, Western Ghats and Western Himalayas.

English: Canadian Fleabane.

Ayurvedic: Jaraayupriya, Makshikaa-visha, Palit (non- classical).

Action: Astringent, haemostatic, antirheumatic, diuretic. Used for diarrhoea, kidney disorders, bronchitis and for bleeding piles, wounds, bruises. Essential oil— used in bronchial catarrh and cystitis.

The extracts of the plant gave ses- quiterpenes, beta-santalen, beta-hima- chalene, cuparene, alpha-curcumene, gamma-cadinene.

The petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Aqueous extract of powdered plant produces fall in blood pressure, depresses the heart and increases respiration in animals.

The essential oil, obtained from aerial parts in Japan, is found to contain 47 volatile compounds of which 91.0% are terpenoids. The leaves contain cumu- lene derivatives.

For preparing plant extract as a drug, the volatile oil is removed from a hot aqueous extract and the residue is filtered and concentrated to 24% or 60% of dry matter content. The 6% dry matter extract contains flavones 0.83, tannins 0.52, reducing sugars 6.37 and total sugars 12.6%. The extract is anti- inflammatory, analgesic, bactericidal and fungicidal.... erigeron canadensis

Bird fancier’s lung. Allergic alveolitis following antigens from pet birds: pigeons, budgerigars, canaries, chickens.

Symptoms: dry cough, difficult breathing usually at night. Loss of weight, tiredness, feverishness with rise of temperature. (Clinical Allergy, 1984. 14,429)

Tea. Yarrow, Elderflowers, Comfrey herb: equal parts.

Tablets/capsules. Garlic. Lobelia. Iceland Moss.

Powders. Formula. Pleurisy root 2; Hyssop 1; Iceland Moss 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid Extracts. Formula. Pleurisy root 2; Liquorice 1; Hyssop 1. 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily, and when necessary. ... canary fancier’s lung

Surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve root emerging from it (see microdiscectomy). Pressure may have various causes, including a disc prolapse, a tumour or abscess of the spinal cord, or a tumour, abscess or fracture of the vertebrae. Any of these conditions can cause weakness or paralysis of the limbs and loss of bladder control.

To treat major disc prolapses and tumours, a laminectomy (removal of the bony arches of 1 or more vertebrae) to expose the affected part of the cord or nerve roots may be performed. Recovery after treatment depends on the severity and duration of the pressure, the success of the surgery in relieving the pressure, and whether any damage is sustained by the nerves during the operation.... decompression, spinal canal

(auditory meatus) the canal leading from the pinna to the eardrum.... auditory canal

n. see SGLT-2 inhibitors.... canaglifozin

n. a tubular channel or passage; e.g. the *alimentary canal and the auditory canal of the ear.... canal

n. inflammation of a canaliculus, especially a lacrimal canaliculus (see lacrimal apparatus).... canaliculitis

n. a particle derived from *otoliths in the *utricle of the inner ear, displaced from its normal site and located within the canal portion of one of the semicircular canals. Canaliths are implicated in *benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.... canalith

one of the small canals (diameter about 50 ?m) that ramify throughout compact *bone. See also Haversian system. [C. Havers (1650–1702), English anatomist]... haversian canal

a channel within the vitreous humour of the *eye. It extends from the centre of the optic disc, where it communicates with the lymph spaces of the optic nerve, to the posterior wall of the lens.... hyaloid canal

a bony canal in the *mandible on each side. It carries the inferior *dental nerve and vessels and for part of its length its outline is visible on a radiograph.... inferior dental canal

either of a pair of openings that connect the abdominal cavity with the scrotum in the male fetus. The inguinal canals provide a route for the descent of the testes into the scrotum, after which they normally become obliterated.... inguinal canal

see apicectomy.... retrograde root canal treatment

a channel in the eye, at the junction of the cornea and the sclera, through which the aqueous humour drains. [F. Schlemm (1795–1858), German anatomist]... schlemm’s canal

three tubes that form part of the membranous *labyrinth of the ear. They are concerned with balance and each canal registers movement in a different plane. At the base of each canal is a small swelling (an ampulla), which contains a *crista. When the head moves the fluid (endolymph) in the canals presses on the cristae, which register the movement and send nerve impulses to the brain.... semicircular canals

(SCDS) a rare condition characterized by sound- or pressure-induced vertigo (see Tullio phenomenon), hearing loss, *autophony, and a sense of fullness in the affected ear. It is associated with absence of the bone that normally lies over the superior *semicircular canal. Diagnosis involves computerized tomography and *vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing. Treatment involves surgery to repair the bony defect.... superior canal dehiscence syndrome

Abies balsamea

FAMILY: Pinaceae

SYNONYMS: A. balsamifera, Pinus balsamea, balsam fir, balsam tree, American silver fir, balm of Gilead fir, Canada turpentine (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tall, graceful evergreen tree up to 20 metres high, with a tapering trunk and numerous branches giving the tree an overall shape of a perfect cone. It forms blisters of oleoresin (the so-called ‘balsam’) on the trunk and branches, produced from special vesicles beneath the bark. The tree does not produce a ‘true’ balsam, since it does not contain benzoic or cinnamic acid in its esters; it is really an oleoresin, being a mixture of resin and essential oil.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to North America, particularly Quebec, Nova Scotia and Maine.

OTHER SPECIES: The hemlock spruce (Tsuga canadensis) also yields an exudation sold under the name of ‘Canada balsam’. There are also many other species of fir which produce oils from their needles – see entry on silver fir and Botanical Classification section. NB: Not to be confused with the genuine balsam of Gilead (Commiphora opabalsamum), of ancient repute.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The oleoresin is used extensively by the American Indians for ritual purposes and as an external treatment for burns, sores, cuts and to relieve heart and chest pains. It is also used internally for coughs.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic (genito-urinary, pulmonary), antitussive, astringent, cicatrisant, diuretic, expectorant, purgative, regulatory, sedative (nerve), tonic, vulnerary.

EXTRACTION: 1. The oleoresin is collected by punturing vesicles in the bark. 2. An essential oil is produced by steam distillation from the oleoresin, known as Canada balsam or Canada turpentine. (An essential oil is also produced by steam distillation from the leaf or needles, known as fir needle oil.)

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. The oleoresin is a thick pale yellow or green honeylike mass which dries to crystal clear varnish, with a fresh sweet balsamic, almost fruity odour. 2. A colourless mobile liquid with a sweet, soft-balsamic, pinelike scent. It blends well with pine, cedarwood, cypress, sandalwood, juniper, benzoin and other balsams.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Consists almost entirely of monoterpenes, pinene, phellandrene, esters and alcohols.

SAFETY DATA: Generally non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. ‘In large doses it is purgative and may cause nausea.’4

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin Care: Burns, cuts, haemorrhoids, wounds.

Respiratory System: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, chronic coughs, sore throat.

Genito-Urinary System: Cystitis, genito-urinary infections.

Nervous System: Depression, nervous tension, stress-related conditions – described as ‘appeasing, sedative, elevating, grounding, opening’.5

OTHER USES: The oil from the oleoresin is used in certain ointments and creams as an antiseptic and treatment for haemorrhoids. Used in dentistry as an ingredient in root canal sealers. Also used as a fixative or fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfurmes. There is some low-level use in food products, alcoholic and soft drinks. The oleoresin is used as a medium in microscopy and as a cement in glassware.... balsam, canadian

Cananga odorata

FAMILY: Annonaceae

SYNONYM: C. odoratum var. macrophylla.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tall tropical tree, up to 30 metres high, which flowers all year round. It bears large, fragrant, tender yellow flowers which are virtually identical to those of the ylang ylang.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to tropical Asia: Java, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Moluccas.

OTHER SPECIES: Very closely related to the tree which produces ylang ylang oil, C. odorata var. genuina. Cananga is considered an inferior product in perfumery work; being grown in different regions the oil has a different quality, heavier and less delicate than ylang ylang. However, cananga is truly a ‘complete’ oil whereas ylang ylang is made into several distillates.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Used locally for infectious illnesses, for example malaria. The beautiful flowers are also used for decorative purposes at festivals.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by water distillation from the flowers.

CHARACTERISTICS: Greenish-yellow or orange viscous liquid with a sweet, floral balsamic tenacious scent. It blends well with calamus, birch tar, copaiba balsam, labdanum, neroli, oakmoss, jasmine, guaiacwood and oriental-type bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Caryophyllene, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, farnesol, terpineol, borneol, geranyl acetate, safrol, linalol, limonrne, methyl salicylate and over 100 minor components.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization especially in those with sensitive skin.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin Care: Insect bites, fragrance, general skin care.

Nervous System: Anxiety, depression, nervous tension and stress-related complaints.

OTHER USES: Fragrance component in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes, especially men’s fragrances. Limited use as a flavour ingredient in some food products, alcoholic and soft drinks.... cananga