Diathesis Health Dictionary

Linn. var. oleraceus Duthie

Family: Amaranthaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

English: Trailing Amaranth, Wild Blite.

Ayurvedic: Maarisha.

Siddha/Tamil: Aarumathathandu, Kiraitandu.

Folk: Marasaa.

Action: Cooling, stomachic, emollient. Used in biliousness, haemorrhagic diathesis.... amaranthus blitum

Constitution, or DIATHESIS, means the general condition of the body, especially with reference to its liability to certain diseases.... constitution

Roxb.

Synonym: T. integrifolia Ker-Gawl.

Habitat: Aka hills in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ayurvedic: Vaaraahikanda (substitute), Vaaraahi. (Dioscorea bulbifera is equated with Vaaraahikanda.)

Folk: Duukarkand (Gujarat).

Action: Tuber—nutritive and digestive; applied to haemorrhagic diathesis, cachexia, leprosy and other cutaneous affections.

The tuber contains gamma-amino- butyric acid, glycine, leucine, valine, quercetin-3-arabinoside, D (-)-ribose, n-triacontanol, betulinic acid, castano- genin and taccalin.

Habitat: Entire Deccan Peninsula, extending into Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

English: Fiji Arrowroot, Tahiti Arrowroot.

Ayurvedic: Suurana. (Instead of wild var., cultivated elephant-foot- yam, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius var. campanulatus, is used.)

Siddha/Tamil: Karachunai.

Action: Tuber—acrid, astringent, carminative, anthelmintic. Used in the treatment of piles, haemophilic conditions, internal abscesses, colic, enlargement of spleen, vomiting, asthma, bronchitis, elephantiasis and intestinal worms.

The tuber, macerated and repeatedly washed with water, yield a starch (76.0%).

The presence ofbeta-sitosterol, ceryl alcohol and taccalin (a bitter principle) has been reported in the tuber.

Taccagenin and leontogenin have been isolated froma acid hydrolysate of leaf extract. Diosgenin and its derivatives, isonarthogenin and isonu- atigenin together with nuatigenin have also been isolated.

A bitter extract, prepared by washing the grated tubers in running water, is a rubefacient; and is also given in diarrhoea and dysentery.... tacca aspera

An acute arbovirus (see ARBOVIRUSES) infection caused by a ?avivirus of the togavirus family, transmitted from animals to humans by various species of forest mosquito (jungle/sylvan yellow fever), and from human to human by Aëdes aegypti (urban yellow fever). Mosquito transmission was shown by Walter Reed and his colleagues in 1900. It is ENDEMIC in much of tropical Africa and Central and South America but does not occur in Asia. In the urban cycle, humans constitute the reservoir of infection, and in the jungle/sylvan variety, mammals – especially subhuman primates – are involved in transmission. Historically, yellow fever was enormously important, causing devastating epidemics (see EPIDEMIC); it also carried a high mortality rate in travellers and explorers. Differentiation from other infections associated with JAUNDICE was often impossible.

Clinically, yellow fever is characterised by jaundice, fever, chills, headache, gastrointestinal haemorrhage(s), and ALBUMINURIA. The incubation period is 3–6 (up to 10) days. Differentiation from viral hepatitides, other viral haemorrhagic fevers, severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and several other infections is often impossible without sophisticated investigative techniques. Infection carries a high mortality rate. Liver histology (biopsy is contraindicated due to the haemorrhagic diathesis) shows characteristic changes; a fulminating hepatic infection is often present. Acute in?ammation of the kidneys and an in?amed, congested gastric mucosa, often accompanied by haemorrhage, are also demonstrable; myocardial involvement often occurs. Diagnosis is primarily based on virological techniques; serological tests are also of value. Yellow fever should be suspected in any travellers from an endemic area.

Management consists of instituting techniques for acute hepatocellular (liver-cell) failure. The affected individual should be kept in an isolation unit, away from mosquitoes which could transmit the disease to a healthy individual. Formerly, laboratory infections were occasionally acquired from infected blood samples. Prophylactically, a satisfactory attenuated VACCINE (17D) has been available for around 60 years; this is given subcutaneously and provides an individual with excellent protection for ten years; international certi?cates are valid for this length of time. Every traveller to an endemic area should be immunised; this is mandatory for entry to countries where the infection is endemic.... yellow fever

n. a tendency to be affected by a particular disease or kind of disease. Such a tendency may be hereditary or may arise because of such factors as lack of vitamins, food, or sleep. See also diathesis.... predisposition

Wax Myrtle. Myrica cerifera L. Root bark. German: Wachsgagel. French: Cirier. Spanish: Arraya?n. Italian: Mirica cerifera. Indian: Ka?iphala. Malayan: Maru tam toli.

Action. Diffusive circulatory stimulant, Deobstruent, Tonic. Astringent (local). Diaphoretic (in hot infusion). Bactericidal, Spermatocidal.

Uses: Mucous colitis, diarrhoea. Congestive catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes. Leucorrhoea, prolapse of the womb. Tuberculosis diathesis. To stimulate a sluggish circulation. Colds and fevers to promote sweating. Nasal polypi (powdered bark snuff). Bleeding from lungs, stomach and bowels. Candidiasis (douche). Leg ulcers (dusting powder). Diphtheria (local application to throat).

An essential ingredient of Dr Thomson’s Composition powder. Combination: with Turkey Rhubarb, Goldenseal, Slippery Elm or Fenugreek seeds for chronic stomach/intestine disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Decoction: 1 teaspoon powdered bark to each cup water; remove vessel when boiling point is reached: dose, quarter to half a cup.

Liquid extract BHP (1983). 1:1 in 45 per cent alcohol: dose, 0.6-2ml. Powdered bark, dose 0.6-2g.

Poultices, powdered bark for ulceration.

Peerless Composition Essence (Potter’s). Ingredient. ... bayberry bark

Seven Barks. Hydrangea arborescens L. Dried root. Keynotes: gravel, prostatitis. Constituents: gum, resin, flavonoids, ferrous salts, phosphoric acids. Contains no tannins.

Action: antilithic, diuretic, sialagogue.

Uses: Used by the Cherokee Indians for gravel in the urine. Survived to be an important medicine in the modern herbalist’s dispensary. “As many as 120 calculi have been known to come from one person under its use.” (Mrs M. Grieve) Prostatitis (important agent). Incontinence, catarrh of the bladder, uric acid diathesis, blood in the urine, diabetes (supportive to primary treatment).

Combines well with Barberry bark (equal parts) for prostatitis; with Gravel root (equal parts) for gravel.

Preparations: Average dose: 2-4 grams. Thrice daily.

Decoction. 1 teaspoon to each cup water; simmer gently 20 minutes. Dose: half a cup. Often taken as a preventative by those prone to form stone.

Liquid Extract. Quarter-1 teaspoon in water.

Tincture BHP (1983). 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 2-10ml in water. ... hydrangea