Carbuncle Health Dictionary

A skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, beginning in adjacent hair follicles (see FOLLICLE). As the folliculitis becomes con?uent, a tender red lump develops which becomes necrotic (see NECROSIS) centrally with pus formation. A cluster of boils becoming con?uent is called a carbuncle. Release of the pus and an oral antibiotic lead to rapid healing.

Recurrent boils are usually due to a reservoir of staphylococcal bacteria (see STAPHYLOCOCCUS) in a nostril or elsewhere, so an intranasal antibiotic cream may be prescribed. Underlying DIABETES MELLITUS should always be excluded.... boils (furunculosis)

Arctium lappa. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Hill, Lappa, Thorny Burr.

Habitat; This large plant, which grows to a height of five feet, is very commonly met along roadsides and in all waste places—indeed, wherever we see nettles, there also will be found Burdock.

Features ? Stout stems with wide spreading branches carrying alternately fleshy, heart-shaped leaves. The purple flowers bloom luxuriously in July and August, and the bristly burs or bracts adhere lightly to the clothes and coats of animals. The root is thick, brownish-grey externally, whitish inside. Roots and seeds have a sweetish, slimy taste, the leaves and stems being bitter.

Part used ? Root, seeds and the herb itself are used.

Action: Possesses alterative, diuretic and diaphoretic qualities, the root and herb

being predominantly alterative, while the seeds affect more specifically the kidneys.

The liquid from 1 ounce of the root boiled in 1^ pints of water simmered down to 1 pint, is taken four times daily in wineglass doses for many forms of skin trouble, noticeably boils, carbuncles and similar eruptions. Obstinate cases of eczema and even psoriasis have been known to yield to these decoctions of Burdock root, either alone or combined with other remedies.

An excellent lotion may be made by infusing the leaves in the proportion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of water.... burdock

Linn.

Family: Caricaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Indies and Central America; now cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and South India.

English: Papaya, Papaw.

Ayurvedic: Erand-karkati, Papitaa.

Unani: Papitaa Desi.

Siddha/Tamil: Pappaali, Pappayi.

Action: Ripe fruit—stomachic, digestive, carminative, diuretic, galactagogue. Useful in bleeding piles, haemoptysis, dysentery and chronic diarrhoea. Seeds— emmengagogue, abortifacient, vermifuge. Juice of seeds is administered in enlarged liver and spleen, and in bleeding piles.

Key application: Papain, the enzyme mixture extracted from raw papain (latex of Carica papaya), has been included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E. Experiment-based as well as clinical research indicate that papain may be effective (in the treatment of inflammations) in high doses (daily dose 1500 mg corresponding to 2520 FIP units).

Unripe fruit—emmengagogue and abortifacient. Latex—applied topically on eczema, ringworm, psoriasis, corns, warts, sloughing wounds, carbuncles and eschar of burns.

Green parts of the plant and seed contain an alkaloid carpaine. Seeds also contain carpasemine.

Latex contain enzymes—papain and chymopapain and alkaloids carpaine and pseudocarpaine. A proteinaceous material from latex showed anticoagulant activity; in higher doses it is heart depressant and as a spasmogen on smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum. An alkaloid solution showed depressant action on heart, blood pressure and intestine.

The anthelmintic action of seeds against Ascaris lumbricoides is due to carpasemine.

Papain, an enzyme mixture prepared from the fruit, seeds and leaf, hydrolyses polypeptides, amides and esters, particularly when used in an alkaline environment, and is used in digestive disorders.

Papain inhibits platelet aggregation, which may further increase the risk of bleeding in patients also taking anticoagulants. Concurrent administration of cyclophosphamide with papain caused sever damage to lung tissues in rats. (Sharon M. Herr.)

Chymopapin C is an immunosup- pressive enzyme from plant extract. Carpaine, extracted from the plant, exhibited anti-tubercular activity, also antitumour in vitro, and hypotensive.

Dosage: Leaf—40-80 ml infusion; latex—3-6 g (CCRAS.)... carica papaya

This is short for Staphylococcus, a genus of micrococci bacteria with many members that can cause disease. They are gram-positive, nonmotile bacteria that are aerobic-(unless they need to be anaerobic). Staph of various types are responsible for boils and carbuncles; they may be involved in impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and urinary tract infections, as well as some food poisoning. They stay around hospitals and veterinary clinics waiting to get you. They are also a normal part of the mouth, throat, and skin flora in a third to a half of all of us, causing no problems, but just waiting. Staph has always been with us. Some even eat our antibiotics for breakfast.... staph

An inflamed, pus-filled area of skin, usually an infected hair follicle. A more severe and extensive form of a boil that involves several hair follicles is a carbuncle. The usual cause of a boil is infection with the bacterium STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. Recurrent boils may occur in people with known or unrecognized diabetes mellitus or with other conditions in which general resistance to infection is impaired. Treatment may be with antibiotic drugs but, if pus is released surgically, the boil will usually heal without antibiotics.... boil

Linn.

Family: Amaryllidaceae.

Habitat: Wild as well as cultivated as an ornamental.

English: St. John's Lily, Poison Bulb.

Ayurvedic: Naagadamani, Naa- gapatra, Sudarshana (var.). C. defixum Ker.-Gawl, is equated with Sukhadarshana.

Siddha/Tamil: Vishamoongil.

Action: Bulb—laxative (a substitute for ipecacuanha), expectorant. Used in biliousness, and in strangury and other urinary affections. Also used for the treatment of burns, whitlow and carbuncle. Fresh root—diaphoretic, emetic. Leaves— expectorant; externally, anti- inflammatory (used in skin diseases and for reducing inflammations). Seed—emmenagogue, diuretic.

The bark gave sterols and triter- penoids. Seeds contain alkaloids— lycorine, crinamine and crinasiatine.... crinum asiaticum

Schizonepeta tea is a pretty aromatic herbal tea, which can work as a perfect daily hot beverage. It has plenty of health benefits which should convince you to give it a try. Find out more about this herbal tea. About Schizonepeta Tea Schizonepeta tea is made from the leaves, stems and/or flowers of the schizonepeta plant. Also known as Japanese catnip, it grows especially in China and Japan. Schizonepeta is an annual plant that has a scent similar to that of pine. The plant has small, lavender flowers that grow together in bunches. The plants are usually harvested during autumn and winter. The useful parts (stems, leaves and flowers) are dried in the shade and cut into pieces. How to prepare Schizonepeta Tea To enjoy schizonepeta tea, add stems, leaves or flowers to a cup of freshly boiled water. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes, then strain to remove the herbs. If you want your tea to have a stronger flavor, let it steep for about 10 minutes. Schizonepeta Tea Benefits Schizonepeta tea has plenty of health benefits, thanks to the active constituents of the plant. These include menthol, menthone, caffeic acid, schizonodiol, cineole, and hesperidin. Schizonepeta tea is useful when you’re dealing with hemorrhages. It can be generally used to help with post-natal bleeding and excessive menstruation. Also, it can be used to treat uterine hemorrhage, vomiting blood, and hemafecia. This tea can help with itchiness, especially in the nose, throat, and palate. It is useful when you’ve got an allergic reaction, as well, and can treat fevers. Schizonepeta tea can also be applied topically. It can be used when you’ve got skin conditions, such as psoriasis, boils and rashes. Also, together with honeysuckle, forsythia, and ledebouriella root, it can treat pus-generating infections. Drinking schizonepeta tea can also help you when you’re dealing with mastitis and carbuncle. It is also used to lessen inflammations and swellings. Schizonepeta Tea Side Effects When it comes to schizonepeta tea side effects, there aren’t too many to mention. It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women shouldn’t drink this tea, as it might affect the baby in both cases. Also, if you’ve got liver problems, you should stay away from schizonepeta tea, as well. It might cause more damage.   Schizonepeta tea definitely has more health benefits than side effects. This should convince you to give it a try and maybe include it in your daily diet.... have some schizonepeta tea!

(L.) Sw.

Synonym: L. pinnatifidum Sw.

Family: Schizaeaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India; up to an elevation of 1,500 m in the Himalayas.

Folk: Vallipana (Malyalam); Bhuuta-bhairavi (Bengal), Bhuuta- raaj; Kalzhaa (Bihar). Rudrajataa is a doubtful synonym.

Action: Plant—expectorant. Root— used in external applications for rheumatism, sprains, cut wounds, eczema, scabies, carbuncles. A decoction in drunk in gastric attacks.

The acetone extract of fresh leaves exhibits antifungal activity. The fern contains a methyl ester of gibberellin.

The plant contains lygodinolide, dryocrassol, tectoquinone, kaempfer- ol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The root contains quercetin.

Alcoholic extract of the plant exhibited potent antifertility activity.

L. japonicum Sw., found in North India from Kashmir to Sikkim and Bhutan, and in Western mountains of South India, is used as an expectorant in China.... lygodium flexuosum

Linn.

Family: Nyctaginaceae.

Habitat: North-West Himalayas, Bengal and Manipur.

English: Four-O'Clock Plant, Marvel of Peru.

Ayurvedic: Trisandhi.

Unani: Gul-abbaas.

Siddha/Tamil: Andhimalligai.

Action: Leaf—used for treating uterine discharge; as poultice for abscesses and boils; fresh juice is applied to body in urticaria, also for inflammations and bruises. Tuber— used as a poultice on carbuncles. Root—mild purgative, spasmolytic.

The tuberous roots were erroneously thought to be the source of jalap.

The plant is used for its antitumour and virus-inhibitory activity.

The plant contains triterpenes, al- pha-amyrin and its acetate. Mirabilis Antiviral Protein (MAP) was isolated from the tuberous roots. MAP also showed antiproliferative effect on tumour cells. (MAP is abortifacient.)

Two Mirabilis jalapa antimicrobial proteins, Mj-AMP-1 and Mj-AMP-2, isolated from seeds, showed broad spectrum antifungal actvity involving a number of pathogenic fungi.

Miraxanthins I, II, III and IV, indi- caxanthin and vulgaxanthin have been isolated from flowers.... mirabilis jalapa

N. E. Br.

Synonym: P. daemia (Forsk.) Chiov.

Family: Asclepiadaceae; Periplo- caceae.

Habitat: Throughout India and hotter parts.

English: Hairknot Plant, Whitlow Plant.

Ayurvedic: Uttamaarani, Vrischikaali, Vishaanikaa. Phala- kantaka. Ajashringi is a doubtful synonym.

Siddha/Tamil: Utthaamani, Veli- paruthi.

Folk: Utaran.

Action: Plant—Uterine stimulant, tones up urinary bladder, stimulates gastric secretion, expectorant, emetic. Leaf—used for amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea; externally applied to carbuncles.

The plant gave betaine, a polypep- tide, hentriacontane, lupeol, alpha-and beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol as major constituents. Seeds and stems gave car- denolides—calactin, calotropin, calo- tropagenin, uzarigenin and coroglau- cigenin.

The plant extract exhibits stimulating action on uterine and other involuntary muscles. The extracts cause rise in arterial blood pressure, increase in movement and tone of urinary bladder, and stimulation of gastric secretions. An aqueous extract of the leaves shows antibacterial activity against E. coli and Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus.... pergularia extensa

Linn.

Synonym: P. heyneana Wall. ex W. & A.

Family: Polygalaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the Himalayas and Western Ghats.

English: Common Milkwort.

Folk: Negali, Meradu (var.).

Action: Leaves—used in spermatorrhoea. Root—a decoction is given as an expectorant in cold and cough and chronic chest diseases. (Used as a substitute for Senega.) Also used for inflammation of urinary bladder; externally for mammary abscesses and carbuncles.... polygala sibirica

Ulmus fulva. N.O. Urticaceae.

Synonym: Moose Elm, Red Elm.

Habitat; North America, particularly Canada.

Features ? The dried inner bark of Ulmus fulva is one of the most valued articles in herbal medicine. It is tough and fibrous, becoming soft and mucilaginous when moistened. It is this mucilaginous quality which originated the popular name of Slippery Elm. The inner bark has a slight pinkish or rusty tint, is faintly striated longitudinally, has a strong characteristic odour, and the distinctive "slimy" taste.

Action: Emollient, demulcent, pectoral.

The finely powdered bark, prepared as an ordinary gruel, has shown remarkable results as a demulcent in catarrhal affections of the whole digestive and urinary tracts, and in all diseases involving inflammation of the mucous membranes. Both bronchitis and gastritis yield to its soothing

and healing properties, and as a nutrient in general debility it is probably unrivalled.

A teaspoonful of the powder to 1 pint of boiling water makes the food or gruel. The powder should be first thoroughly mixed with an equal quantity of brown sugar and the boiling water added in small quantities, say four to the pint, mixing each time until a smooth result is obtained.

Slippery Elm bark coarsely powdered makes one of the best possible poultices for boils, carbuncles, chilblains, and skin eruptions generally. It soothes the part, disperses inflammation, draws out impurities, and heals rapidly.... slippery elm

Linn. 643

English: Big Marigold, Aztec or African Marigold.

Ayurvedic: Jhandu, Gendaa.

Unani: Sadbarg, Gul-hazaaraa, Gul-jaafari.

Siddha: Thuruksaamanthi.

Action: Whole plant—infusion useful in cold and bronchitis, also in the treatment of rheumatism.

Flowers—alterative; juice used for bleeding piles. Leaves—styptic, applied externally to boils and carbuncles; muscle pains. Leaves and florets— emengagogue, diuretic, vermifuge.

The flowers gave lutein esters of dipalmitate, dimyristate and mono- myristate. Fresh petals gave hydrox- yflavones, quercetagetin and tagetiin.

The plant yields an essential oil containing limonene, ocimene, linalyl acetate, linalool, tagetone and n-nonyl aldehyde as major components.

The aqueous extract of flowers showed activity against Gram-positive bacteria.

Tagetes mmuta Linn., synonym T. glandulifera Schrank (North-west Himalayas; native to South America), known as Stinking-Roger, gives highest yield of the essential oil with high carbonyl content, calculated as tagetone among the Tagetes sp. grown in India.... tamarindus indica

(Lam.) Gaertn. non-Mill.

Synonym: Z. mauritiana Lam. Rhamnus jujuba L.

Family: Rhamnaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India and in the outer Himalayas up to 1,350 m.

English: Indian Jujube, Common Jujube.

Ayurvedic: Badar, Kola.

Unani: Ber.

Siddha: Handai.

Action: Fruits—wild var.: astringent, anodyne, cooling, stomachic, styptic. Ripe and dry cultivated var.: mild laxative, expectorant. Seeds—antidiarrhoeal. Kernels— antispasmodic, sedative, antiemetic. Leaves—astringent and diaphoretic. Stem bark—astringent, used in diarrhoea. Root bark—juice purgative, externally applied to rheumatic inflammations and gout. Leaves and twigs—paste applied to abscesses, boils and carbuncles and in strangury.

Leaves gave protopine and berberine; exhibited anticholinergic activity. Fruits gave cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, Sisyphus saponins I, II and III; jujubo- side B and p-coumaroylates of alphi- tolic acid. Seeds gave saponins—juju- bosides A and B; the saponin yields the sapogenin—jujubogenin.

A variety grown in Haryana (Naazu- ka) contains sugars 10.5% and ascorbic acid 205 mg/100 g.

Dosage: Dried fruit pulp, devoid of seed—3-6 g; stem bark—3- 5 g powder, 10-20 g for decoction. (API, Vol. III.)... ziziphus jujuba

Furuncles. A boil is a hard swelling arising from infection of the hair roots and sweat glands caused by staphylococcus bacteria and dead white corpuscles. It is red and inflamed, with a central point, and can occur anywhere, especially, back of the neck, under armpit, on buttocks. A pustule develops, which increases in size and tension. A poultice may be necessary to bring the boil to bursting point and to discharge its contents. Severe cases require lancing with a sharp sterile instrument. Defective personal hygiene may produce satellite lesions nearby by pus infecting other hair follicles or by burrowing under the skin (carbuncle). Where persistent, test for diabetes.

Care should be taken to trace any underlying cause which should receive primary treatment: diabetes, kidney inflammation, anaemia, etc. The ‘core’ or centre of the boil should be extracted, although pustular matter may disperse and eruption aborted. Echinacea counters infection and hastens ripening. Goldenseal is shown to be effective for staph. aureus.

Alternatives. Teas. Chickweed, Clivers, Comfrey leaves, Figwort, Linseed, Marshmallow leaves, Plantain, Nettles.

Combination tea. Equal parts: Dandelion root, Nettles, Senna leaf, Burdock leaves. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water, thrice daily.

Decoctions from any of the following: one teaspoon to two cups water; gently simmer 20 minutes; strain when cold. Half-1 cup thrice daily. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Echinacea root, Marshmallow root, Yellow Dock, Wild Indigo.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea, Blue Flag, Queen’s Delight, Poke root.

Powders. Formula: Echinacea 1; Poke root half; Goldenseal quarter. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 1; Burdock 1; Yellow Dock 1; Few drops Tincture Myrrh. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily.

Tincture Myrrh, BPC (1973). 10-20 drops in water, 3 times daily.

BHP (1983) recommends, internal – combination: Burdock, Poke root, Violet and Wild Indigo.

Topical. Self-cleansing process is promoted by hot poultices of equal parts: Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm bark (preferably in powder form). An ointment with this combination is available. In the absence of herbs, use honey on clean lint, cover with cotton wool and fix in position. Alternatives: poultices of Carrot, Cabbage, White Pond Lily, Chickweed, Comfrey, Plantain, Linseed, Fenugreek. Cover with clean linen or gauze.

Dr A. Vogel. Tincture Marigold; pulped Cabbage leaves.

Tea Tree oil. After cleansing site, use lotion: 5 drops oil in eggcup boiled water, 3-4 times daily. Supplements. Vitamins A, C, D, E. Zinc.

Preventative: 2 Garlic capsules at night. ... boils

Leptospermum scoparium

FAMILY: Myrtaceae

SYNONYMS: New Zealand tea tree, kahikatoa, red manuka, manex.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Manuka plant is an elegant, bushy evergreen shrub with deep green small spiky leaves that bears small flowers of white to pink in colour. The blossom is produced from September to February and most profusely in the later months. Its size ranges from a creeping plant to a small tree – trees can reach heights of up to 8 metres, especially when found within dense woodland. The leaves and flowers are strongly aromatic.

DISTRIBUTION: Manuka is the only Leptospermum species native to New Zealand, where it is widely distributed in various climatic and altitudinal zones. The physical characteristics, such as flower and leaf colour, leaf size and shape, branching habit, and foliage density vary considerably among populations. The plant can now be found in Australia where it seems to acclimatize well to varied terrain from marshland to dry mountain slopes. The essential oil is generally harvested from wild plants, as little farming of Manuka is currently undertaken.

OTHER SPECIES: The family Myrtaceae yields many valuable essential oils including eucalyptus, myrtle and tea tree. Another native tree of New Zealand called kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), sometimes called white or tree manuka, although superficially similar to L. scoparium in that both are collectively known as ‘tea trees’, is actually genetically a very distinct species. Kanuka in its typical form can grow into a tree up to 30 metres tall. It is also used to produce an essential oil.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: For centuries, New Zealand Maori have used manuka to treat a wide range of complaints. Early New Zealand records indicate that the plant’s bark, leaves, sap and seed capsules were used in beverages and medicinal preparations. A decoction of the leaves was drunk for urinary complaints and as a febrifuge. The steam from leaves boiled in water was inhaled for head colds. A decoction was prepared from the leaves and bark and the warm liquid was rubbed on stiff muscles and aching joints. The emollient white gum, called ‘pai manuka’, was given to nursing babies and also used to treat scalds and burns. Chewing the bark is said to have a relaxing effect and enhance sleep. It is said that Captain James Cook used the leaves of the plant as a tea to combat scurvy during long explorations of the southern hemisphere; later, early European settlers of New Zealand adopted Captain Cook’s use of the plant as a tea.

Recently, scientists have confirmed that manuka oil is up to 33 times stronger than tea tree essential oil for protecting against specific strains of bacteria; it is also effective against the MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staph. Aureus) bacteria, which is resistant to normal antibiotics.

ACTIONS: Analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, deodorant, digestive, expectorant, immune stimulant, insecticide, sedative, vulnerary.

EXTRACTION: Steam distilled from the leaves, twigs and branches.

CHARACTERISTICS: A mobile liquid with a distinctive fresh, spicy, herbaceous aroma with a honey-like sweetness. It blends well with bay leaf, bergamot, black pepper, cajuput, cedarwood atlas, cinnamon, clove bud, elemi, ginger, juniper, lavender, nutmeg, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme, vetiver and ylang ylang.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: The main active constituents of manuka oil are isoleptospermone, ?-pinene, ?-pinene, myrcene, ?-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalol, methylcinnamate, ?-farnesine, isoleptospermone, leptospermone, sesquiterpenes such as cadina-3, 5-diene and ?-amorphene, and triketones. However, within the species of manuka there are at least nine different chemotypes: oil which contains high levels of triketones, found in the East Cape area of North Island in New Zealand appears to possess the greatest antimicrobial potential. Other chemotypes however are thought to reveal greater anti-inflammatory and analgesic tendencies. It is important to be aware of these various chemotypes when selecting an oil for therapeutic purposes.

SAFETY DATA: Generally it is thought to be non-sensitizing, non-toxic, and non-irritant. It can in some individuals, produce mild irritation but has a low irritancy compared to Australian tea tree oil. Avoid use during pregnancy because of spasmolytic activity.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Acne, abscesses, athlete’s foot skin, bed sores, blisters, boils, burns, carbuncles, cold sores, cracked skin, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, fungal infections, insect bites and stings, lice, nail infections, oily skin, pimples, ringworm, sores, sunburn, tinea and ulcers.

Circulation, muscles and joints: Aches and pains, muscular tension, sprains and stiffness in joints, rheumatism.

Respiratory system: Coughs, cold, ’flu congestion, as well as asthma and hayfever.

Immune system: Tonic

Nervous system: Nervous debility.

OTHER USES: The essential oil is much used in phyto-cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations mainly for its potent antimicrobial properties. Commercial development of the essential oil has led to a range of products for the topical treatment of various conditions including joint pain, eczema and psoriasis. The oil is also used in perfumes and soaps. The scented flowers of the shrub attract bees, which are used for making the popular manuka honey.... manuka