Gastritis Health Dictionary

Achlorhydria means an absence of HYDROCHLORIC ACID from the STOMACH’s secretions. If the condition persists after the administration of HISTAMINE, the person probably has atrophy of the stomach lining. Achlorhydria occurs in about 4 per cent of healthy people and in several conditions, including PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA, carcinoma of the stomach and GASTRITIS.... achlorhydria

A colourless liquid, also called ethanol or ethyl-alcohol, produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast. Medically, alcohol is used as a solvent and an antiseptic; recreationally it is a widely used drug, taken in alcoholic drinks to give a pleasant taste as well as to relax, reduce inhibitions, and increase sociability. Taken to excess, alcohol causes much mental and physical harm – not just to the individual imbibing it, but often to their family, friends, community and work colleagues.

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and disturbs both mental and physical functioning. Even small doses of alcohol will slow a person’s re?exes and concentration; potentially dangerous effects when, for example, driving or operating machinery. Drunkenness causes slurred speech, muddled thinking, amnesia (memory loss), drowsiness, erectile IMPOTENCE, poor coordination and dulled reactions – thereby making driving or operating machinery especially dangerous. Disinhibition may lead to extreme euphoria, irritability, misery or aggression, depending on the underlying mood at the start of drinking. Severe intoxication may lead to COMA and respiratory failure.

Persistent alcohol misuse leads to physical, mental, social and occupational problems, as well as to a risk of DEPENDENCE (see also ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE). Misuse may follow several patterns: regular but controlled heavy intake, ‘binge’ drinking, and dependence (alcoholism). The ?rst pattern usually leads to mainly physical problems such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, liver disease, heart disease and impotence. The second is most common among young men and usually leads to mainly social and occupational problems – getting into ?ghts, jeopardising personal relationships, overspending on alcohol at weekends, and missing days o? work because of hangovers. The third pattern – alcohol dependence – is the most serious, and can severely disrupt health and social stability.

Many researchers consider alcohol dependence to be an illness that runs in families, with a genetic component which is probably passed on as a vulnerable personality. But it is hard to disentangle genetic, environmental and social factors in such families. In the UK there are estimated to be around a million people suffering from alcohol dependence and a similar number who have di?culty controlling their consumption (together about 1:30 of the population).

Alcohol causes tolerance and both physical and psychological dependence (see DEPENDENCE for de?nitions). Dependent drinkers classically drink early in the morning to relieve overnight withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, nausea and vomiting, and tremor. Sudden withdrawal from regular heavy drinking can lead to life-threatening delirium tremens (DTs), with severe tremor, hallucinations (often visual – seeing spiders and monsters, rather than the pink elephants of romantic myth), and CONVULSIONS. This must be treated urgently with sedative drugs, preferably by intravenous drip. Similar symptoms, plus severe INCOORDINATION and double-vision, can occur in WERNICKE’S ENCEPHALOPATHY, a serious neurological condition due to lack of the B vitamin thiamine (whose absorption from the stomach is markedly reduced by alcohol). If not treated urgently with injections of thiamine and other vitamins, this can lead to an irreversible form of brain damage called Korsako?’s psychosis, with severe amnesia. Finally, prolonged alcohol misuse can cause a form of dementia.

In addition to these severe neurological disorders, the wide range of life-threatening problems caused by heavy drinking includes HEPATITIS, liver CIRRHOSIS, pancreatitis (see PANCREAS, DISEASES OF), gastrointestinal haemorrhage, suicide and FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME; pregnant women should not drink alcohol as this syndrome may occur with more than a glass of wine or half-pint of beer a day. The social effects of alcohol misuse – such as marital breakdown, family violence and severe debt – can be equally devastating.

Treatment of alcohol-related problems is only moderately successful. First, many of the physical problems are treated in the short term by doctors who fail to spot, or never ask about, heavy drinking. Second, attempts at treating alcohol dependence by detoxi?cation or ‘drying out’ (substituting a tranquillising drug for alcohol and withdrawing it gradually over about a week) are not always followed-up by adequate support at home, so that drinking starts again. Home support by community alcohol teams comprising doctors, nurses, social workers and, when appropriate, probation o?cers is a recent development that may have better results. Many drinkers ?nd the voluntary organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its related groups for relatives (Al-Anon) and teenagers (Alateen) helpful because total abstinence from alcohol is encouraged by intensive psychological and social support from fellow ex-drinkers.

Useful contacts are: Alcoholics Anonymous; Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire (including Alateen); Alcohol Concern; Alcohol Focus Scotland; and Alcohol and Substance Misuse.

1 standard drink =1 unit

=••• pint of beer

=1 measure of spirits

=1 glass of sherry or vermouth

=1 glass of wine

Limits within which alcohol is believed not to cause long-term health risks:... alcohol

A major operation to remove the whole or part of the STOMACH. Total gastrectomy is a rare operation, usually performed when a person has cancer of the stomach; the OESPHAGUS is then connected to the DUODENUM. Sometimes cancer of the stomach can be treated by doing a partial gastrectomy: the use of partial gastrectomy to treat PEPTIC ULCER used to be common before the advent of e?ective drug therapy.

The operation is sometimes still done if the patient has failed to respond to dietary treatment and treatment with H2-blocking drugs (see CIMETIDINE; RANITIDINE) along with antibiotics to combat Helicobacter pylori, an important contributary factor to ulcer development. Partial gastrectomy is usually accompanied by VAGOTOMY, which involves cutting the VAGUS nerve controlling acid secretion in the stomach. Among the side-effects of gastrectomy are fullness and discomfort after meals; formation of ulcers at the new junction between the stomach and duodenum which may lead to GASTRITIS and oesophagitis (see OESOPHAGUS, DISEASES OF); dumping syndrome (nausea, sweating and dizziness because the food leaves the stomach too quickly after eating); vomiting and diarrhoea. The side-effects usually subside but may need dietary and drug treatment.... gastrectomy

Desf.

Synonym: A. altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Family: Simaroubaceae.

Habitat: Native of China and Japan. Found in the hills of northern India up to an altitude of 2,400 m.

English: Tree of Heaven, Ailanto.

Ayurvedic: Aralu (related sp.).

Action: Bark—astringent, anti- spasmodic, parasiticidal, narcotic, cardiac depressant (exercises powerful depressing influence on nervous system similar to that of tobacco).

Leaves produce dermatitis; their accumulation in well-water produces chronic gastritis.

Many quassinoids and ailanthone derivatives are vermifuge and amoe- bicidal. Constituents of the bark and stem, particularly ailanthone, have an- timalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and in mice against P. berghei. (Alkaloids do not appear to have these properties.) Some quassinoids are antineoplastic, and are reported to have antileukaemic properties.

The rootbark is used in traditional Chinese medicine for dysentery and leucorrhoea. In Africa, rootbark is used in epilepsy.... ailanthus glandulosa

Linn.

Family: Malvaceae.

Habitat: Native to eastern Europe; found in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

English: Marshmallow, Hollyhock.

Unani: Khatmi, Gul-Khairu (also equated with Althaea rosea Linn.).

Siddha/Tamil: Shemai-tutti.

Action: Demulcent, emollient, antitussive (used for cough, bronchitis, gastritis, enteritis and cystitis), antilithic, diuretic.

Key application: (leaf and root) In irritation ofthe oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough; in mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) As demulcent. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) In gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulceration, common and ulcerative colitis. (The British Herbal Compendium.) Topically for varicose veins, skin ulcers, abscesses, cuts, burns.

Althaea rosea (L.) Cav., synonym Al- cea rosea L., Hollyhock flower, is used as mucilage for prophylaxis and therapy of diseases and discomforts of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract and for urinary complaints. (It is included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.)

The root contains starch, mucilage, pectin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, tannins and asparagines. Mucilage (18-35%) consists of a number of polysaccharides. Flavonoids include kaempferol, quercetin and diosmetin glucosides. Polyphenolic acids include syringic, caffeic, salcyclic, vanillic and p-coumaric acids.

The mucilages have proven biological activity including stimulation of phagocytosis in vitro.

The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis.... althaea officinalis

Appetite is the craving for the food necessary to maintain the body and to supply it with suf?cient energy to carry on its functions. The ultimate cause of appetite is a question of supply and demand in the muscles and various organs, but the proximate cause is doubtful. Unlike hunger, it is probably an acquired, rather than an inborn, sensation. Whatever other factors may be concerned, the tone of the STOMACH is of importance. Signi?cant factors in stimulating appetite are anticipation and the sight and smell of well-cooked food. Individuals who eat unsuitable substances such as faeces are described as suffering from pica, which occurs sometimes during pregnancy, in children, and often in mental disorders. The two chief disorders, however, are excessive increase of appetite, and diminution or loss of appetite (see also EATING DISORDERS).

Excessive appetite may simply be a bad habit, due to habitual over-indulgence in good food and resulting in GOUT, OBESITY, etc. – according to the other habits and constitution of the person. It may also be a sign of DIABETES MELLITUS or thyrotoxicosis (see under THYROID GLAND, DISEASES OF).

Diminished appetite is a sign common to almost all diseases causing general weakness, because the activity of the stomach and the secretion of gastric juice fail early when vital power is low. It is the most common sign of DYSPEPSIA due to gastritis, and of cancer of the stomach. In some cases it is a manifestation of stress or strain such as domestic worry or dif?culties at work. Indeed, appetite seems to be particularly susceptible to emotional disturbances, as is evidenced by the linked conditions of BULIMIA (pathological overeating) and anorexia nervosa (pathological dieting) – see also EATING DISORDERS.... appetite

Linn.

Family: Palmae; Arecaceae.

Habitat: Coastal areas of Bengal, Bihar and Western and Eastern Peninsula.

English: Palmyra Palm, Brab tree.

Ayurvedic: Taala, Taada, Trinraj, Mahonnata, Lekhyapatra. Siddha/Tamil: Panai, Panaimaram.

Action: Fresh sap—diuretic, cooling, antiphlegmatic, laxative, anti- inflammatory. Slightly fermented juice is given in diabetes. Palm- jaggery—used as an energy food for convalscents. Ash of dry spadix—antacid, antibilious (used in heartburn). Young root, terminal buds, leaf-stalks—used in gastritis and hiccups.

The sap is given as a tonic to asthmatic and anaemic patients. Jaggery is given for anaemia, for diseases characterized by a marked loss of potassium. Palm candy is used in coughs and pulmonary affections and as a laxative for children.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends dried male inflorescence in dysuria.

Jaggery solution may be used in hypertension and oedema due to heart and liver diseases, also as a food for typhoid patients.

The sap is an excellent source of biologically available riboflavin.

Aqueous MeOH extract of young shoots contains heat-stable toxin; edible part of young shoot, neurotoxic to rats, but not hepatotoxic.

Dosage: Dried male inflorescence— 1-3 g (API Vol. III.)... borassus flabellifer

Cilantro, coriander (Coriandrum sativum).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, seed.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: Leaf: infusion/decoction, orally, for gastro-intestinal disorders: flatulence, gastritis, acid-reflux, heartburn, indigestion and stomach pain.

Safety: Widely consumed as a condiment; generally considered safe; potential for hypersensitivity.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vivo: hypolipidemic (seeds), inflammatory bowel disease treatment (multi-herbal extract).

In vitro: antioxidant (seed aqueous extract).

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

Inflammation of the stomach and small intestines. It is more likely to be infectious than simple gastritis and is often accompanied by fever and general malaise.... gastroenteritis

A bacterium which colonises the stomach. While it may cause no disease, it has a tendency to produce in?ammation – gastritis. This may progress in some people to peptic ulceration (see PEPTIC ULCER), and even to gastric cancer. The bacterium can be identi?ed on blood testing or, more accurately, by obtaining a biopsy of the stomach wall by ENDOSCOPY. It can be eradicated by treatment with PROTON-PUMP INHIBITORS and antibiotics.... helicobacter pylori

Nutritional Profile Energy value (calories per serving): Low Protein: Moderate Fat: Low Saturated fat: Low Cholesterol: None Carbohydrates: High Fiber: Low Sodium: Moderate to high Major vitamin contribution: Vitamin C Major mineral contribution: Potassium

About the Nutrients in This Food Globe artichokes are prickly plants with partly edible leaves enclosing a tasty “heart.” Their most important nutrients are vitamin C and iron. One medium boiled artichoke has 10.3 g dietary fiber, 8.9 mg vita- min C (12 percent of the R DA for a woman, 10 percent of the R DA for a man), and 0.7 mg iron (4 percent of the R DA for a woman, 9 percent of the R DA for a man). One-half cup artichoke hearts has 7.2 g dietary fiber, 6.2 mg vitamin C (8 percent of the R DA for a woman, 7 percent of the R DA for a man), and 0.5 mg iron (3 percent of the R DA for a woman, 6 percent of the R DA for a man). Raw globe artichokes contain an enzyme that interferes with protein digestion; cooking inactivates the enzyme.

The Most Nutritious Way to Serve This Food Cooked.

Diets That May Restrict or Exclude This Food * * *

Buying This Food Look for: Compact vegetables, heavy for their size. The leaves should be tightly closed, but the color changes with the season—bright green in the spring, olive green or bronze in the winter if they have been exposed to frost. Avoid: Artichokes with yellowed leaves, which indicate the artichoke is aging (the chloro- phyll in its leaves has faded so the yellow carotenes underneath show through).

Storing This Food Do refrigerate fresh globe artichokes in plastic bags. Do refrigerate cooked globe artichokes in a covered container if you plan to hold them longer than a day or two.

Preparing This Food Cut off the stem. Trim the tough outer leaves. Then plunge the artichoke, upside down, into a bowl of cold water to flush out debris. To remove the core, put the artichoke upside down on a cutting board and cut out the center. Slicing into the base of the artichoke rips cell walls and releases polyphenoloxidase, an enzyme that converts phenols in the vegetable to brown compounds that darken the “heart” of the globe. To slow the reaction, paint the cut surface with a solution of lemon juice or vinegar and water.

What Happens When You Cook This Food Chlorophyll, the green plant pigment, is sensitive to acids. When you heat a globe artichoke, the chlorophyll in its green leaves reacts with acids in the artichoke or in the cooking water, forming brown pheophytin. The pheophytin, plus yellow carotenes in the leaves, can turn a cooked artichoke’s leaves bronze. To prevent this reaction, cook the artichoke very quickly so there is no time for the chlorophyll to react with the acid, or cook it in lots of water to dilute the acids, or cook it with the lid off the pot so that the volatile acids can float off into the air.

How Other Kinds of Processing Affect This Food Canning. Globe artichoke hearts packed in brine are higher in sodium than fresh arti- chokes. Artichoke hearts packed in oil are much higher in fat. Freezing. Frozen artichoke hearts are comparable in nutritional value to fresh ones.

Medical Uses and/or Benefits Anti-inflammatory action. In 2006, a report in the Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan suggested that cynarin might be beneficial in lowering blood levels of cholesterol and that cynaropicrin, a form of cynarin found in artichoke leaves, might act as an anti-inflamma- tory agent, protecting the skin from sun damage, improving liver function, and reducing the effects of stress-related gastritis. Reduced levels of cholesterol. In 2008, researchers at the University of Reading (United King- dom) published a report in the journal Phytomedicine detailing the results of a 150-person study suggesting that an over-the-counter herbal supplement containing extract of globe arti- choke leaf lowers cholesterol in healthy people with moderately raised cholesterol readings. In the study, 75 volunteers were given 1,280 mg of the herbal supplement each day for 12 weeks; a control group got a placebo (a look-alike pill without the herbal supplement). At the end of the trial, those who took the artichoke leaf extract experienced an average 4.2 percent decrease in cholesterol levels, a result the researchers deemed “modest but significant.”

Adverse Effects Associated with This Food Contact dermatitis. Globe artichokes contain essential oils that may cause contact dermati- tis in sensitive people. Alterations in the sense of taste. Globe artichokes contain cynarin, a sweet tasting chemical that dissolves in water (including the saliva in your mouth) to sweeten the flavor of anything you eat next.

Food/Drug Interactions False-positive test for occult blood in the stool. The guaiac slide test for hidden blood in feces relies on alphaguaiaconic acid, a chemical that turns blue in the presence of blood. Arti- chokes contain peroxidase, a natural chemical that also turns alphaguaiaconic acid blue and may produce a positive test in people who do not have blood in the stool.... artichoke, globe

Improper utilization of needed and available nutrients, either from impaired digestive function (such as B12 being unabsorbed because of gastritis), impaired absorption (poor Vitamin E absorption because of an inflamed ileum) or impaired transport (the diminished blood proteins of the advanced alcoholic). There are other causes as well, but you get the idea.... malabsorption

Gastritis is the description for several unrelated diseases of the gastric mucosa.

Acute gastritis is an in?ammatory reaction of the gastric mucosa to various precipitating factors, ranging from physical and chemical injury to infections. Acute gastritis (especially of the antral mucosas) may well represent a reaction to infection by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. The in?ammatory changes usually go after appropriate antibiotic treatment for the H. pylori infection. Acute and chronic in?ammation occurs in response to chemical damage of the gastric mucosa. For example, REFLUX of duodenal contents may predispose to in?ammatory acute and chronic gastritis. Similarly, multiple small erosions or single or multiple ulcers have resulted from consumption of chemicals, especialy aspirin and antirheumatic NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS).

Acute gastritis may cause anorexia, nausea, upper abdominal pain and, if erosive, haemorrhage. Treatment involves removal of the o?ending cause.

Chronic gastritis Accumulation of cells called round cells in the gastric mucosal characterises chronic gastritis. Most patients with chronic gastritis have no symptoms, and treatment of H. pylori infection usually cures the condition.

Atrophic gastritis A few patients with chronic gastritis may develop atrophic gastritis. With or without in?ammatory change, this disorder is common in western countries. The incidence increases with age, and more than 50 per cent of people over 50 may have it. A more complete and uniform type of ATROPHY, called ‘gastric atrophy’, characterises a familial disease called PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA. The cause of the latter disease is not known but it may be an autoimmune disorder.

Since atrophy of the corpus mucosa results in loss of acid- and pepsin-secreting cells, gastric secretion is reduced or absent. Patients with pernicious anaemia or severe atrophic gastritis of the corpus mucosa may secrete too little intrinsic factor for absorption of vitamin B12 and so can develop severe neurological disease (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord).

Patients with atrophic gastritis often have bacterial colonisation of the upper alimentary tract, with increased concentration of nitrite and carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. These, coupled with excess growth of mucosal cells, may be linked to cancer. In chronic corpus gastritis, the risk of gastric cancer is about 3–4 times that of the general population.

Postgastrectomy mucosa The mucosa of the gastric remnant after surgical removal of the distal part of the stomach is usually in?amed and atrophic, and is also premalignant, with the risk of gastric cancer being very much greater than for patients with duodenal ulcer who have not had surgery.

Stress gastritis Acute stress gastritis develops, sometimes within hours, in individuals who have undergone severe physical trauma, BURNS (Curling ulcers), severe SEPSIS or major diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, intracranial trauma or operations (Cushing’s ulcers). The disorder presents with multiple super?cial erosions or ulcers of the gastric mucosa, with HAEMATEMESIS and MELAENA and sometimes with perforation when the acute ulcers erode through the stomach wall. Treatment involves inhibition of gastric secretion with intravenous infusion of an H2-receptorantagonist drug such as RANITIDINE or FAMOTIDINE, so that the gastric contents remain at a near neutral pH. Despite treatment, a few patients continue to bleed and may then require radical gastric surgery.

Gastric ulcer Gastric ulcers were common in young women during the 19th century, markedly fell in frequency in many western countries during the ?rst half of the 20th century, but remained common in coastal northern Norway, Japan, in young Australian women, and in some Andean populations. During the latter half of this century, gastric ulcers have again become more frequent in the West, with a peak incidence between 55 and 65 years.

The cause is not known. The two factors most strongly associated with the development of duodenal ulcers – gastric-acid production and gastric infection with H. pylori bacteria – are not nearly as strongly associated with gastric ulcers. The latter occur with increased frequency in individuals who take aspirin or NSAIDs. In healthy individuals who take NSAIDs, as many as 6 per cent develop a gastric ulcer during the ?rst week of treatment, while in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are being treated long term with drugs, gastric ulcers occur in 20–40 per cent. The cause is inhibition of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase, which in turn inhibits the production of repair-promoting PROSTAGLANDINS.

Gastric ulcers occur especially on the lesser curve of the stomach. The ulcers may erode through the whole thickness of the gastric wall, perforating into the peritoneal cavity or penetrating into liver, pancreas or colon.

Gastric ulcers usually present with a history of epigastric pain of less than one year. The pain tends to be associated with anorexia and may be aggravated by food, although patients with ‘prepyloric’ ulcers may obtain relief from eating or taking antacid preparations. Patients with gastric ulcers also complain of nausea and vomiting, and lose weight.

The principal complications of gastric ulcer are haemorrhage from arterial erosion, or perforation into the peritoneal cavity resulting in PERITONITIS, abscess or ?stula.

Aproximately one in two gastric ulcers heal ‘spontaneously’ in 2–3 months; however, up to 80 per cent of the patients relapse within 12 months. Repeated recurrence and rehealing results in scar tissue around the ulcer; this may cause a circumferential narrowing – a condition called ‘hour-glass stomach’.

The diagnosis of gastric ulcer is con?rmed by ENDOSCOPY. All patients with gastric ulcers should have multiple biopsies (see BIOPSY) to exclude the presence of malignant cells. Even after healing, gastric ulcers should be endoscopically monitored for a year.

Treatment of gastric ulcers is relatively simple: a course of one of the H2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS heals gastric ulcers in 3 months. In patients who relapse, long-term inde?nite treatment with an H2 receptor antagonist such as ranitidine may be necessary since the ulcers tend to recur. Recently it has been claimed that gastric ulcers can be healed with a combination of a bismuth salt or a gastric secretory inhibitor

for example, one of the PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS such as omeprazole or lansoprazole

together with two antibiotics such as AMOXYCILLIN and METRONIDAZOLE. The long-term outcome of such treatment is not known. Partial gastrectomy, which used to be a regular treatment for gastric ulcers, is now much more rarely done unless the ulcer(s) contain precancerous cells.

Cancer of the stomach Cancer of the stomach is common and dangerous and, worldwide, accounts for approximately one in six of all deaths from cancer. There are marked geographical di?erences in frequency, with a very high incidence in Japan and low incidence in the USA. In the United Kingdom around 33 cases per 100,000 population are diagnosed annually. Studies have shown that environmental factors, rather than hereditary ones, are mainly responsible for the development of gastric cancer. Diet, including highly salted, pickled and smoked foods, and high concentrations of nitrate in food and drinking water, may well be responsible for the environmental effects.

Most gastric ulcers arise in abnormal gastric mucosa. The three mucosal disorders which especially predispose to gastric cancer include pernicious anaemia, postgastrectomy mucosa, and atrophic gastritis (see above). Around 90 per cent of gastric cancers have the microscopic appearance of abnormal mucosal cells (and are called ‘adenocarcinomas’). Most of the remainder look like endocrine cells of lymphoid tissue, although tumours with mixed microscopic appearance are common.

Early gastric cancer may be symptomless and, in countries like Japan with a high frequency of the disease, is often diagnosed during routine screening of the population. In more advanced cancers, upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite and loss of weight occur. Many present with obstructive symptoms, such as vomiting (when the pylorus is obstructed) or di?culty with swallowing. METASTASIS is obvious in up to two-thirds of patients and its presence contraindicates surgical cure. The diagnosis is made by endoscopic examination of the stomach and biopsy of abnormal-looking areas of mucosa. Treatment is surgical, often with additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.... stomach, diseases of

The presence in the faeces of blood that cannot be seen by the naked eye, but can be detected by chemical tests. Such tests are widely used in screening for cancer of the colon (see colon, cancer of). Faecal occult blood may also be a sign of a gastrointestinal disorder such as oesophagitis, gastritis, or stomach cancer; cancer of the intestine (see intestine, cancer of); rectal cancer (see rectum, cancer of); diverticular disease; polyps in the colon; ulcerative colitis; or irritation of the stomach or intestine by drugs such as aspirin. (See also rectal bleeding.)... occult blood, faecal

The stomach may be affected by various disorders, including gastrointestinal infections, peptic ulcers, gastritis, pyloric stenosis, volvulus, polyps, and stomach cancer.... stomach, disorders of the

increases secretion of milk. Gastritis: inflammation of stomach lining.... galactagogue

Meadowsweet tea is one of the many herbal teas with plenty of health benefits. It is made from the meadowsweet herb, which can be found in Europe and Western Asia. The plant, as well as the tea, helps you stay healthy. Find out more information about meadowsweet tea! About Meadowsweet Tea Meadowsweet tea’s main ingredient is meadowsweet, a perennial herb that grows in moist meadows. It is found in Europe and Western Asia; it has also been introduced and naturalized in North America. The stems are 1-2m tall, with dark-green leaves and delicate, white flowers called cymes, which grow in clusters. The flowers bloom from June to early September, and have a strong, sweet smell. The plant has a rich history. The flowers of the plant were found in a Bronze Age cairn in Carmarthenshire, along with the cremated remains of three people. They were also found inside a Beaker from Ashgrove, Fife, and a vessel from North Mains, Strathallan. In Chaucer’s “The Knight’s tale”, it is called Meadwort, representing one of the ingredients for a drink called “save”. Also, during the 16^th century, it was Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite herb for strewing the floors in her chambers. The plant can be used as a strewing herb, thanks to its strong, pleasant aroma, as well as to flavor wine, beer, and other vinegars. The flowers are used with jams, to give them a subtle almond flavor. How to prepare Meadowsweet Tea It isn’t difficult to make a cup of meadowsweet tea. Just add one teaspoon of dried meadowsweet herbs (usually the leaves of the plant) to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Once the steeping time is done, strain to remove the herbs. You can add lemon and/or honey, based on your taste. Health Benefits of Meadowsweet Tea The meadowsweet tea comes with many health benefits, thanks to its main ingredient, the meadowsweet herb. The herb is known to include, among other substances, salicylic acid, essential oils, and tannins. The plant also contains the chemicals necessary to make aspirin, and from its roots you can obtain a natural black dye. The health benefits of the meadowsweet tea are just as important. First of all, it helps you with digestion. It protects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract by reducing excess acidity and easing nausea. It also helps with diarrhea. Meadowsweet teais often recommended when dealing with colds and the flu. It helps reduce the fever, as well as with headaches; it also treats coughs. Meadowsweet tea is used to treat heartburn, gastritis, peptic ulceration, and hyperacidity. It also helps relieve rheumatism-induced pain in muscles and joints. Side-effects of Meadowsweet Tea If you know that aspirin is not good for your health, be careful when drinking meadowsweet tea. As meadowsweet is one of the ingredients of aspirin, it might affect you to some extent. For example, in the case of about one out of five persons suffering from asthma, aspirin induced asthma symptoms. Those suffering from asthma need to keep in mind the fact that meadowsweet teamay induce asthma symptoms, as well. Meadowsweet tea might not be good for you if you’ve got internal bleeding problems. The herb might cancel the effects of prescribed blood thinners, therefore causing more harm than helping you. Also, don’t drink meadowsweet tea if you’re pregnant, as it might cause miscarriages. If you drink too much meadowsweet tea, you might get the following symptoms: blood in the stool, vomiting, or ringing in the ears; it might even lead to kidney problems. Plus, it is not recommended to drink more than six cups of tea a day, no matter the tea. If you drink too much, you’ll get headaches, dizziness, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Meadowsweet tea is definitely good for your body! Having all these health benefits, you won’t regret including it in your daily diet. If you’re sure you won’t get any side effects, then you’re free to enjoy a cup of aromatic tea!... benefits of meadowsweet tea

Salisb.

Family: Zingiberaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated chiefly in West Bengal and Kerala.

English: Wild turmeric, Yellow Zedoary.

Ayurvedic: Karpuraa, Aranya-rajani kanda, Van Haridraa.

Unani: Daarchob.

Siddha/Tamil: Kastoori Manjal.

Action: Uses similar to those of C. longa. Essential oil from rhizomes— antimicrobial, antifungal and anthelmintic. The tubers are applied externally to bruises and sprains, to skin eruptions and infections. A decoction is administered in biliary gastritis.

Fresh rhizomes contain a number of sesquiterpenes including curdione and cerumol. Curcumol and curdione showed inhibitory activity on sarcoma 180 in mice.

The rhizomes yield 6.1% of an essential oil with d-camphene 0.8, d- camphor 2.5, sesquiterpenes 65.5, ses- quiterpene alcohols 22.0, acids 0.7%. The essential oil shows high amounts of ar-curcumene (18.6%), beta-cur- cumene (25.5%) and xanthorrhizol (25.7%).

The oil, on intraperitoneal administration, partly reversed toxipathic hepatitis in mice induced by CCl4.

Dosage: Rhizome—1-3 g powder. (CCRAS.)... curcuma aromatica

Centaury Tea has been known for centuries as a great medicinal remedy. It is said that Centaury plant is a very powerful diaphoretic, digestive, emetic, febrifuge, hepatic, homeopathic, poultice, stomachic, tonic and liver stimulator. Centaury is a plant from the gentian family which grows mainly in regions like Europe, Northern Africa and Eastern Australia. Also known as centaurium erythraea, this plant can easily be recognized by its triangular pale green leaves, pink flowers and yellowish anthers bloom. The fruit has the shape of a small oval capsule and it can only be harvested in the fall. Centaury Tea Properties Centaury has a bitter taste, which makes it a great ingredient for vermouth. Centaury Tea, however, is used by the alternative medicine for its great curative properties. The active constituents of Centaury Tea are: secoiridoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, xanthone derivatives and triterpenes, which can only be released in the presence of hot water or other heating sources. Xanthone derivatives are also used by the alcohol producers in order to obtain a variety of liquors (especially the bitter ones). Centaury Tea Benefits Aside from its use as a vermouth ingredient, Centaury Tea has other health benefits, being prescribed by practitioners around the world since ancient times. Centaury Tea may be helpful in case you’re suffering from one of the following conditions: - Blood poisoning, by eliminating the toxins and increasing the blood flow. - A number of digestive ailments, such as constipation and gastritis. - Anemia, by nourishing the nervous system and increasing the coronary system function. - Diabetes and liver failure, by reconstructing the liver cells and lowering your blood sugar. - Kidney failure, by treating nephritis and other ailments of the urinary system. - Centaury Tea may also be used to induce appetite when taken before meals. How to make Centaury Tea Infusion Preparing Centaury Tea infusion is very easy. Use a teaspoon of freshly-picked or dried Centaury herbs for every cup of tea you want to make, add boiling water and wait 10 minutes for the health benefits to be released. Strain the decoction and drink it hot or cold. However, don’t drink more than 2 or 3 cups per day in order to avoid other health complications. Centaury Tea Side Effects When taken properly, Centaury Tea has no effects for adults. However, high dosages may lad to a number of ailments, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. If you’ve been taking Centaury Tea for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual reactions, talk to your doctor as soon as possible! Centaury Tea Contraindications Don’t take Centaury Tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, children and patients suffering from severe diseases that require blood thinners and anti-coagulants ingestion should avoid taking Centaury Tea at all costs! The same advice if you’re preparing for a major surgery (Centaury Tea may interfere with the anesthetic). In order to gather more information, talk to an herbalist or to your doctor. Once he gives you the green light, add Centaury Tea to your shopping cart and enjoy the wonderful benefits of this tea responsibly!... centaury tea - diabetes treatment

Regel.

Synonym: F. assafoetida Linn.

Family: Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.

Habitat: Native to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. F. narthex occurs in Kashmir.

English: Asafoetida.

Ayurvedic: Hingu, Hinguka, Raamattha, Baahlika, Jatuka, Sahasravedhi, Vedhi.

Unani: Hilteet, Hing.

Siddha/Tamil: Perunkaayam.

Action: Olea-gum-resin—stimu- lates the intestinal and respiratory tracts and the nervous system bark. Used for simple digestive problems such as bloating, indigestion, constipation; for congested mucus, bronchitis, whooping cough, also for neurological affections, epilepsy, cramps and convulsions.

Key application: In dyspepsia, chronic, gastritis, irritable colon; as spasmolytic. (The British Herbal Pharmocopoeia.) Contraindicated in bleeding disorders, pregnancy, infectious or inflammatory G1 diseases. (Sharon M. Herr.)

Ferula foetida contains: resins about 40-60%, consisting of asaresionotan- nols and their esters; farnesiferols, ferulic acid and other acids; about 25% gum; about 6-17% volatile oil, major constituent being sec-propenyl- isobutyl disulphide; sulphated ter- penes, pinene, cadinene and vanillin; sesquiterpenoid coumarins. Some compounds from Ferula sp. ehibit an- tifertility activity.

Dosage: Detoxified oleo- gum-resin—125-500 mg. (API Vol. I.)... ferula foetida

One of the most popular drinks in China, Dragon Well tea is part of the green teas family, having an inviting and a toasty flavor. A truly enjoyable and spectacular cup of tea.

Description of Dragon Well tea

Dragon Well tea is a type of pan-fried green tea, most commonly named Longjing tea from Hangzhou, Zheijang province in China, where is produced mainly by hand. During the production process, the Dragon Well is dried under a wood-fired Chinese pan called “wok”. This process removes the green, grassy taste and also inhibits enzyme activity. Due to the widespread opinion in China that the Dragon Well tea has a cooling effect, its popularity significantly increases especially during the spring and summer seasons. Often called the national tea of China, Dragon Well tea is often served to head of states and foreign delegations during their visits in China. Presented as a tribute to many generations, it was given even to Richard Nixon during his memorable encounter with Mao Zedong. This tea is very popular because of its unique properties:  jade color, vegetative aroma, mellow chestnut flavor and singular shape. It has a buttery, nutty, rich texture and an enjoyable dry finish. Commonly, Dragon Well tea is graded using a scale of six levels from superior quality to low quality so it is advisable to chose wisely when you decide to buy it. When the flavor can barely be sensed, it is clear that you deal with a poor quality.

How to store the Dragon Well tea

If the tea is sealed, keep it in a freezer. Cover with a box to insulate from temperature change. In order to get warm, leave it to room temperature before opening. This prevents condensation. After opening the package of Dragon Well tea, it is best to keep it away from light, moisture, smell and heat in an airtight container.

Ingredients of Dragon Well tea

Like most green teas, the Dragon Well tea contains amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids, proteins, calcium, iron, fluorine, theine and has one of the highest concentrations of catechins among teas, second only to white teas.

How to brew Dragon Well tea

When it comes to brewing Dragon Well tea, the best choice is a clear glass teacup, so that you can see the beauty of the leaves as they dance and unfurl in the water. It is really spectacular. Quality of tea is related directly to the beauty of the buds. Glass is most suitable also because it disperses heat quickly and prevents over-steeping. If you see that the buds have reached the bottom, this means that the tea is ready to drink. You should infuse a small amount of leaves in high temperature water for as long as it takes. Pour hot water at approximately 80 - 90 degrees Celsius. Immerse until most of the tea buds has sink to the bottom of the glass and the tea liquor turns yellow. This will take 5 to 10 minutes for the first infusion. During soaking, the tea brings out a soft, pure aroma, a yellow-green color and a rich flavor. Decant and leave a small quantity as you may use it as the seed for the next infusion. Infuse for another 2 to 4 times with progressively shorter steeping time.

Health Benefits of Dragon Well tea

All tea comes from the same plant named Camellia sinensis. The method of production creates the different types of tea. Dragon Well tea contains the highest content of antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants are proven to fight against certain cancers, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reduce the likely-hood of getting the flu and other infections, boosting the immune function of our body and help reduce the signs of aging. It is also a fat burning accelerator so let’s not forget its important benefits for diets. There’s also enough fluoride found in green tea to aid against plaque and other oral bacteria.

Side effects of Dragon Well tea

Like any other green tea, Dragon Well tea may have few side effects like restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure due to the caffeine content. It may also cause pain in the stomach area or reduce the body’s absorption of iron by 25% so it is contraindicated to people with anemia, faintness, gastritis with hyperacidity, stomach and duodenal ulcer. In spite of few side effects, it is worth trying it and get to know its flavor. The spectacle of drinking this type of tea is truly unique and the flavor really satisfying.... discover the spectacle of dragon well green tea

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.

Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean regions. Now grown in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and South India.

English: Licorice, Liquorice.

Ayurvedic: Yashtimadhu, Mad- huyashtyaahvaa, Madhuli, Mad- huyashtikaa, Atirasaa, Madhurasaa, Madhuka, Yastikaahva, Yashtyaah- va, Yashti, Yashtika, Yashtimadhuka. Klitaka (also equated with Indigofera tinctoria). (Klitaka and Klitanakam were considered as aquatic varieties of Yashtimadhu.)

Unani: Asl-us-soos, Mulethi. Rubb-us-soos (extract).

Siddha/Tamil: Athimathuram.

Action: Demulcent, expectorant, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, mild laxative, antistress, antidepressive, antiulcer, liver protective, estrogenic, em- menagogue, antidiabetic. Used in bronchitis, dry cough, respiratory infections, catarrh, tuberculosis; genitourinary diseases, urinary tract infections; abdominal pain, gastric and duodenal ulcers, inflamed stomach, mouth ulcer. Also used for adrenocorticoid insufficiency.

Key application: In catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and gastric, duodenal ulcers. (German Commission E, ESCOP, WHO.)

The British Herbal Compendium indicates the use of liquorice for bronchitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, rheumatism and arthritis, adrenocor- ticoid insufficiency, and to prevent liver toxicity. Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes its use as an anti- inflammatory and antiulcer agent.

The main chemical constituent of liquorice is glycyrrhizin (about 29%), a triterpene saponin with low haemolytic index. Glycyrrhetinic (gly- cyrrhetic) acid (0.5-0.9%), the agly- cone of glycyrrhizin is also present in the root. Other active constituents of liquorice include isoflavonoids, chal- cones, coumarins, triterpenoids and sterols, lignans, amino acids, amines, gums and volatile oils.

Hypokalemia is the greatest threat when liquorice preparations high in glycyrrhizin are prescribed for prolonged periods. Liquorice causes fluid retention. Patients should be placed on a high potassium and low sodium diet. Special precautions should be taken with elderly patients and patients with hypertension or cardiac, renal or hepatic disease.

A special liquorice extract known as DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice) is used in the treatment of peptic ulcer. Oral liquorice preparations, containing glycyrrheti- nic acid, are used for the treatment of viral infections—viral hepatitis, common cold. Topical preparations, containing glycyrrhetinic acid, are used for herpes, eczema, psoriasis.

In Japan, a preparation of glycyrrhi- zin, cysteine and glycine is used by injection for the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis.

Dosage: Root—2-4 g powder. (API Vol. I.)... glycyrrhiza glabra

Haematemesis means the vomiting of blood. Blood brought up from the stomach is generally dark in colour and may have been so far digested as to form small brown granules resembling co?ee grounds. Vomiting of blood is one of the main symptoms of PEPTIC ULCER, but it may occur in GASTRITIS, from VARICOCOELES in the OESOPHAGUS, or, rarely, in cancer of the stomach. Gastritis caused by an irritant poison, sustained intake of ALCOHOL, or the regular use of certain drugs such as ASPIRIN and NON-STEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) may cause bleeding. Blood may also originate from the nose and throat, be swallowed and then vomited. Persistent haematemesis or a sudden severe bleed is a potentially serious medical emergency and the patient should be referred urgently to hospital (see HAEMORRHAGE).... haematemesis

Iceland Moss Tea is known by the people from Iceland, Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden as being a remedy for disorders of the respiratory system. The Iceland moss grows mainly in the tree barks of Iceland and most Scandinavian countries and reaches a height of almost 4 inches. You can distinguish the plant by its curled leaves and unique spiny margins. The constituent of Iceland Moss Tea is the lichenin, a type of starch. It also contains polysaccharides that strengthen your immune system. How To Make Iceland Moss Tea To make Iceland Moss Tea you will need to place a teaspoon of dried Iceland moss herbs in a kettle of boiling water. Let it boil for about 3 minutes and after that let the mix stand for 10 minutes. It is advised to drink 2 cups of Iceland Moss Tea per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Iceland Moss Tea Benefits

• Helps treating bronchitis.
• Cough remedy.
• Helps combat irritable bowel infections, gastritis and dysentery.
• Prevents congestion.
• Fights infestation of intestinal worms.

Iceland Moss Tea Side Effects

• Over consumption can be unsafe, because the dried Iceland moss plant can be contaminated with lead.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid drinking Iceland Moss Tea. During pregnancy, it can be harmful to the mother and to the unborn child.
• It can cause ulcers in the stomach or small intestine.
• Iceland Moss Tea may interact with the effects of some medications, so make sure you always consult your doctor before drinking Iceland Moss Tea or any kind of herbal tea.
• It can cause nausea and liver problems.

Iceland Moss Tea is a healthy herbal tea known for its medicinal properties. Try not to drink more than 1-2 cups per day of Iceland Moss Tea in order not to experience its side effects!... iceland moss tea

Green tea is considered a “wonder drug” because of its healthy contribution in human diets. Its antioxidant properties fight successfully against cancer, but not only. Green tea description Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis, an Asian plant, originating from China, Japan and South Korea. Oolong tea and black tea are prepared from the same plant as the green tea. A special feature of this type of tea is the ability to block the natural process of fermentation: after being picked, its leaves are steamed, dried and then rolled, thus blocking fermentation. Due to its constituents, it acts as an antioxidant, diuretic, cerebral and fattening burning stimulator, and also as a cancer protector. Green tea has been the subject of many scientific and medical studies so as to determine its health benefits. It seems that regular green tea drinkers may have a lower risk of developing heart diseases and certain types of cancer. There are several types of green tea available on the market: Bancha Tea, Chun Hao Tea , Dao Ren Tea , Dragonwell Tea , Genmaicha Tea , Gunpowder , Gyokuro Tea , Hojicha Tea , Kai Hua Long Ding Tea, Kukicha Tea , Matcha Tea , Sencha Tea , White Monkey Tea. Green Tea brewing To prepare green tea, use: two grams of tea per 100ml of water, or one teaspoon of green tea per five ounce cup. Green tea steeping time varies from thirty seconds to two, three minutes. The temperature differs as well, from 140°F to 190°F. Consumers recommend that lower-quality green teas to be steeped hotter and longer and higher-quality teas to be steeped cooler and shorter. In case of steeping the green tea too hot or too long, the resulting beverage is bitter and astringent. Green Tea benefits Green Tea lowers the risk of cancer. Studies have shown the green tea’s contribution against tumors growth, due to its high content of antioxidants, able to fight free radicals which are responsible for cancer spreading. Green Tea lowers the risk of stroke and heart diseases. The formation of blood clots (or thrombosis) is the main cause of the heart attacks and strokes. Green Tea has been acknowledged to exhibit abnormal blood clot formation. Green Tea lowers blood pressure. Green Tea is proven to block the effects of an enzyme secreted by the kidneys, considered to be one of the main causes of hypertension. Green Tea prevents tooth decay. Dental plaque and bacterial colonies that occur on the tooth surfaces and cause tooth decay can be inhibited by one of the compounds of the green tea. Also, this beverage has been shown to be effective against fighting gum diseases. Green Tea inhibits viruses Studies revealed that green tea can kill certain bacteria and staphs. It blocks the development of several viruses such as viral hepatitis. Green tea has also been successful in:

• Slowing early aging;
• Diets;
• The treatment of physical or intellectual fatigue;
• Treating fast cold and flu recovery;
• Preventing allergenic reactions;
• Balancing body fluids;
• Improving the immune function of the epidermis;
• Preventing and mending arthritis;
• Improving bone structure

Green Tea side effects Green tea is not recommended to patients suffering from high blood pressure, gastric acid secretion, gastritis and ulcer. Due to the amount of caffeine contained, scientists advise a reduced consumption of green tea for pregnant and nursing women. Also, this tea should not be drunk after 5 p.m., because the consumption may lead to insomnia, palpitations and agitation. Green tea is a well known beverage, especially due to its medicinal contribution to a large array of diseases such as arthritis, heart diseases and several types of cancer.... green tea or the wonder drug

Linn.

Habitat: Cultivated mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan.

English: Linseed, Flax.

Ayurvedic: Atasi, Umaa, Masrnaa, Nilapushpi, Kshumaa.

Unani: Kattan.

Siddha/Tamil: (Seed).

Action: Seed—demulcent, emollient, laxative, antilipidemic, antitussive, pectoral (used in bronchitis and cough). Flowers—used as nervine and cardiac tonic. Oil— used in burns, skin injuries and sores.

Key application: Internally, for chronic constipation, for colons damaged by abuse of laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, symptomatic short-term treatment of gastritis and enteritis. Externally, for painful skin inflammations. (German Commission E, ESCOP, The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The plant contains chlorogenic acid and its isomer. Also present are palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, along with amino acids, and sugars. Linseed also contains mucilage (3-10%) in epidermis; fatty oil (30-40%); cyanogenic glycosides (0.05-00.1%) mainly linus- tatin, neolinustatin and linamarin; lig- nans; phenylpropane derivatives including linusitamarin. (Cyanogenic glycosides are not found toxic in therapeutic doses as these are broken down only to a limited extent in the body.)

The seeds are an excellent source of dietary alpha-linolenic acid for modifying plasma and tissue lipids. Flaxseed preparations reduced atherogenic risk in hyperlipemic patients. (Cited in Expanded Commission E Monographs.)

Human studies have indicated Flax- seed's use in atherosclerosis, hyperc- holesterolemia, lupus nephritis, chronic renal diseases and in cancer prevention (active principle: lignan precursor secoisolariciresinol diglycoside). (Sharon M. Herr. Also Am J Clin Nutr, 1999, 69, 395-402.)

The PP glucose response to a 50 g carbohydrate load given as Flaxseed bread was found to be 27% lower when compared with regular white bread.

Taking Flaxseed oil daily for 3 months did not improve symptoms of pain and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis and no effect was observed on RA, such as C-reactive protein and ESR. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

The water-binding capacity and rhe- ological properties of linseed mucilage resembled those of guar gum.

Dosage: Ripe seed—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.) Flower-bud—3-6 g; oil—5-10 ml. (CCRAS.)... linum usitatissimum

Linn.

Family: Lycopodiaceae.

Habitat: Indigenous to North America, Europe, Asia; found in Kumaon, eastwards in West Bengal, Sikkim, Asam, Khasi Hills, Manipur and in Western Ghats.

English: Common Club Moss.

Folk: Naaga-beli (Nepal), Bendarali (Maharashtra).

Action: Sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic. At one time used for urinary disorders (spasmodic retention of urine, catarrhal cystitis and chronic kidney disorders), and as a gastric sedative in gastritis.

The plant contains alkaloids (about 0.1-00.2%), including lycopodine, ly- codoline, faucettimine and lycoflexine; triterpenoids including clavatol and oxoserrat derivatives; flavonoids including apigenin; polyphenolic acids including dihydrocaffeic.

Lycopodine produces uterine contractions and stimulates peristalsis in the small intestines of rodents.

The plant contains (dry basis): lipid 4.06 and desmethylsterols 0.05%.

Used in homoeopathy for distended abdomen, cough, cystitis, renal colic and disorders of menstruation.

Chinese Club Moss, equated with Huperzia serrata, is a different herb. Its constituent, huperzine A is thought to be beneficial in dementia due to its effect on acetylcholine levels.

L. annotinum Linn., L. complanatum Linn. (American Club Moss) and L. selago Linn. are among other species of Lycopodium occurring in India.... lycopodium clavatum

Mesua nagassarium

Clusiaceae

San: Nagapuspah, Nagakesarah;

Hin: Nagakesar;

Ben: Nagkesar, Nagesar;

Mal: Nagappuvu,

Nagachempakam, Nanku, Vayanavu, Churuli, Eliponku;

Tam: Nagappu, Nanku;

Kan: Nagasampige;

Tel: Nagakesaramu, Gajapuspam; Mar,

Guj: Nagchampa

Importance: Mesua or Ironwood tree, commonly known as Nagapushpam is an important medicinal plant which finds varied uses in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Leaves are used in the form of poultice which is applied to head in severe colds. Bark and roots in decoction or infusion or tincture is a better tonic and are useful in gastritis and bronchitis. Fixed oil expressed from seeds is used as an application for cutaneous affections, sores, scabies, wounds, etc. and as an embrocation in rheumatism. Dried flowers powdered and mixed with ghee, or a paste made of flowers with addition of butter and sugar, are given in bleeding piles as well as dysentery with mucus. They are also useful in thirst, irritability of the stomach, excessive perspiration, cough with much expectoration, dyspepsia, etc. Leaves and flowers are used in scorpion stings. Syrup of the flower buds is given for the cure of dysentery (Nadkarni et al, 1976). In Ayurveda, it is an ingredient of “Nagakeshara-adi-Churna”, used for bacillary dysentery and in “Naga Keshara Yoga”, for piles. In Unani system, the drug is an ingredient of large number of recipes like, “Jawarish Shehryaran” a stomach and liver tonic, “Hab Pachaluna”, an appetiser, “Halwa-i-supari pack” a general tonic, etc. (Thakur et al, 1989).

Distribution: The plant occurs in sub-tropical to tropical areas of East India, Andaman Islands and Western Ghats, upto an altitude of 1500m.

Botany: Mesua nagassarium (Burm.f.) Kosterm. syn. M. ferrea auct. non Linn. belongs to the family Clusiaceae. It is a medium sized to large evergreen tree, 18-30m in height and with reddish brown bark which peels off in thin flakes. Leaves are simple, opposite, thick, lanceolate, coriaceous, covered with waxy bloom underneath, and red when young, acute or acuminate and with inconspicuous nerves. Flowers are white, very fragrant, axillary or terminal, solitary or in pairs. Stamens are numerous, golden yellow, much shorter than the petals. Fruits are ovoid with a conical point surrounded by the enlarged sepals. Seeds are 1-4 in number, angular, dark brown and smooth (Warrier et al, 1995).

The flowers of Ochrocarpus longifolius are also sometimes referred to as Nagakesara. This tree is found in the West Coast of India (Thakur et al, 1989).

Agrotechnology: The plant prefers plains, riverbanks or places which do not experiences moisture stress for its luxuriant growth. Silty loam soil is suitable for its cultivation. The plant is propagated by seeds. Seed formation occurs in November-March. Seeds are to be collected and sown in seedbeds or polybags. 3-4 months old seedlings are used for transplanting. Pits of size 45cm cube are to be taken at a distance of 3-3.5m and filled with a mixture of 10kg FYM, sand and top soil and made into a mound. Seedlings are to be transplanted into small handpits taken on these mounds. FYM is to be applied twice a year. Regular irrigation and weeding are to be done. The tree flowers in the fourth year. Flowers can be collected, dried in the sun and marketed (Prasad et al,1997).

Properties and activity: Seed oil gives 4-phenyl coumarin analogues-mesuol, mammeigin, mesuagin, mammeisin and mesuone. Bark gives ferruols A and B. Heartwood gives xanthones- euxanthone, mesuaxanthones A and B and a tetroxygenated xanthone named ferraxanthone. Stamens give and -amyrin, -sitosterol, biflavonoids- mesuaferrones A and B, and mesuanic acid. Bark yields a lupeol-type triterpenoid also named guttiferol. Seed oil is rich in oleic, stearic and palmitic acids. Linoleic, arachidic and linolenic acids are also present.

Mesuaxanthones A and B and euxanthone are antiinflammatory, CNS depressant and antimicrobial. The essential oil from the stamens is antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic and that from fruit is antifungal. Oral administration of a compound preparation containing Mesua ferrea (flowers), Foeniculum vulgare (seeds), Curcuma zeodaria (tubers), Nigella sativa (seeds), Terminalia chebula (seeds) and T. arjuna (stem-bark) exhibited antiimplantation activity in rats. An Ayurvedic preparations containing M. ferrea has haemostatic and astringent properties and is particularly useful in uterine bleeding. Aerial part is CVS active, spasmolytic and diuretic. Phenol containing fraction of seed oil is antiasthmatic and antianaphylaxis. Bark is used as tonic after childbirth. Bark and unripe fruit is sudorific. Leaf and flower is an antidote for snakebite and scorpion sting. Flower bud is antidysenteric. Flower is stomachic and expectorant. Seed oil is antirheumatic. Unripe fruit and flower is astringent (Husain et al,1992).... mesua

Bentb. & Hook. f.

Synonym: Mammea longifolia Planch. & Triana.

Family: Guttiferae; Clusiaceae.

Habitat: Evergreen forests of Western India from Khandala southwards to Malabar and Coim- batore.

Ayurvedic: Surapunnaaga (Naa- gakeshara is equated with Mesua ferrea.)

Siddha/Tamil: Nagappu, Nagesarpu.

Folk: Laal-Naagakeshar. Surangi (Maharashtra).

Action: Flowerbuds—cooling, stomachic, analgesic, antibacterial; used for gastritis, haemorrhoids, blood diseases, leprosy, leucoder- ma.

Flower buds are popularly known as Naagakeshar.

Flowers exhibited potent hypoten- sive, anti-inflammatory and antispas- modic activity attributed to vitexin.

Leaves gave amentoflavone, querce- tin and vitexin as major constituents.... ochrocarpus longifolius

Orange Spice Tea is a complex, full-flavored type of black tea, kindly recommended to beginner consumers of tea blends. It is a largely-appreciated tea, having an old acknowledged tradition, its first production being placed in the 19^th century. Orange Spice Tea description. Orange Spice Tea is another variety of black tea mixed with orange zest or dried peel, together with a combination of spices, such as: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. It has been noticed that any number of spice combination is possible. Orange Spice Tea is usually caffeine-free, being thus, a good tea to consume at any time of the day or even night.  It can be drunk hot or as an iced tea beverage, with or without adding milk or honey. Orange Spice Tea is recommended to be one of the best choices for those not yet accustomed to gourmet tea blends. It is typically available as loose leaves or as bag forms and is often found in gourmet tea shops, health stores or on grocery shelves. Orange Spice Tea recipe The abovementioned tea has a delicate taste and is also a good ingredient to be included in the daily diet, due to its healthy properties. It can be consumed both as beverage, or can be added to different cookies recipes. To brew Orange Spice Tea:

• Fill a teapot with about 16 ounces of water
• Boil the water
• Place about two tablespoons of the leaves in a teapot
• Take the pot out of the water
• Let the mix stand for about 5 to 7 minutes
• Strain and drink it slowly

To include Orange Spice Tea in sweets recipes, grind the tea leaves and mix them with the dough, together with the ingredients. Orange Spice Tea benefits Orange Spice Tea gathers the benefits of black tea, citrus and spices:

• strengthens the immune system
• helps lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases
• helps in the prevention of certain cancers
• contributes to preventing colds, cough and flu
• helps in calming and relaxing the senses
• stimulates blood circulation
• increases concentration and memory levels
• warms the body (especially during winter)

Orange Spice Tea side effects Rarely,Orange Spice Teaconsumers experienced stomach aches or the syndrome of upset stomach. Patients suffering from gastritis are advised to intake a low quantity of Orange Spice Tea. Orange Spice Tea clusters the benefits and taste of black tea, citron and a large array of spices. It is intensely consumed by connoisseurs and novices, especially due to its health contributions and proven energy booster actions.... orange spice tea: a mixture for health

Huds.

Primula denticulata Sm.

Family: Primulaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan and in Khasi and Jaintia hills at 1,500 m.

Folk: Keechey (Tibet).

Action: Root—powder used for killing leeches. Flowers—eaten in salad.

The whole plant contains several tri- terpenoid saponins.

Primula veris Linn., synonym P officinalis Hill and P. elatior Hill are grown in Indian gardens.

Key application: Primula veris, P. elatior Hill—the flower and the root in catarrhs of the respiratory tract. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) Contraindicated in gastritis and gastric ulcer. (ESCOP.)

Synonym: P. acaulis Hill.

Family: Primulaceae.

Habitat: Sub-Himalayan region.

English: Primrose (Evening Primrose is equated with Oenothera biennis), Cowslip.

Unani: Nakhud. (Also equated with Cicer arietinum by National Formulary of Unani Medicine.)

Action: Plant—anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, vermifuge, emetic. Used only externally.

The plant gave phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins.... primula vulgaris

Shatavari tea is the main remedy if you suffer from sexual problems. Some say that Shatavari is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. For centuries, the Indians used its roots and rhizomes to treat and even cure some of the most important health problems. Shatavari is a plant with sharp and shiny leaves, white flowers and dark fruits that grows in the rocky areas of the high plains in India, but also in the Himalayan region. Shatavari tea properties Shatavari means “a woman who has a hundred husbands ” because it is well known that this plant is used to treat the female reproductive system and not only: it can also be used for men’s wellness (combined with ashwagandha, makes a great male reproductive treatment and a very good sexual endurance enhancer). Also, the sweet roots of Shatavari could very well replace any meal , turning this particular herb into a “superfood” for women. And let’s not forget the fact that it is also a good remedy for stress, a well-known antioxidant and a great help when it comes to anti-aging solutions.  Treatments- Shatavari tea benefits Shatavari tea is useful for chronic fever and dehydration, ulcers and gastritis, dysentery and diarrhea, infertility, it helps fighting heart problems and calming the nerves. The good news is that you can take it even if you’re pregnant. In fact, Shatavari is a very good galactologue, so it actually helps with lactation (but do not drink too much or it will quickly cause leaking). Also, Shatavari tea helps with menstrual and menopausal problems and strengthens the female reproductive system. How to make Shatavari Infusion First thing you need to do is make sure the roots and rhizomes you’re about to use are clean and very dry. Simmer them in hot water for 15 minutes. For better results, wait another 15 minutes for the wellness benefits of Shatavari tea to be infused and you’ve got your own medicine cabinet in a pot. Take the Shatavari tea once or twice a day. Shatavari tea side effects If you’re sensitive to asparagus, you’ll be sensitive to Shatavari tea as well so it is better to avoid it. The same advice goes for patients with edema due to kidney disorder or impaired heart function. Another aspect you should really keep an eye on is your weight: a well balanced diet will prevent you from gaining weight while taking the tea. Shatavari tea- Contraindications Do not take Shatavari tea in case you have massive fibrocystic breasts or estrogen induced problems. To make sure everything will be fine, talk to your doctor before starting the treatment. It’s not hard to imagine why the Indians named this plant the most important herb of the Ayurvedic medicine: great benefits, few side effects. So, if you are looking for something to boost your energy and health really fast, look for Shatavari tea next time you’re in a tea shop.... shatavari tea benefits

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

For many years, the uses of Soapwort tea only involved laundry cleaning. According to today’s herbalists, it’s not the case anymore. Soapwort is a plant that grows in Europe, North America and Asia. You can easily recognize it by its pink flowers and green leaves. This is a perennial plant, whose aerial parts are picked during the summer, while the roots can only be harvested in the fall. Ancient Greeks used this herb to clean their laundry, making it a very good natural detergent, but the benefits of Soapwort plant consist mainly of its medical use. Properties of Soapwort Tea You can use Soapwort tea for external use, but some say that a diet based on this plant can be a great treatment for your health. Soapwort is a strong purgative and vomit inducer (not to mention that it tastes like a soap), so it’s up to you if you’re going to drink it or not. Also, you need to decide if you’re using the aerial parts or the roots. If the first ones are excellent in case of severe diarrhea, the roots of Soapwort plant are a bit stronger and may have a negative effect on you and your health. Soapwort Tea Benefits You can use Soapwort Tea in case you have a mild skin condition, such as irritation or eczema, but you can also use the boiled solution as a natural shampoo. Herbalists say that Soapwort tea can clean your hair better than any cosmetic product, since it doesn’t have any chemical ingredients. All you have to do is poor it on your hair and leave it in for about 5-10 minutes, depending on how long your hair is. Soapwort tea is a great gout and rheumatism cure: drink a cup of tea every day and you’ll feel a lot better because of the anti-inflammatory properties that this plant has. If you suffer from arthritis, add Soapwort plant to your shopping list for the same reason. How to make Soapwort Infusion Soapwort tea infusion is more of a boiled solution that you can keep in a jar for a very long time (in your refrigerator), since it has the same benefits both cold and hot. What you need to do is make sure the parts you are about to use are clean (you don’t want any bacteria to interfere with your treatment). Then, you boil the ingredients for 15-30 minutes: 15 minutes if you’re using Soapwort powder and 30 minutes if you’re using the dry roots. Soapwort Tea side effects If you are using Soapwort tea internally, make sure you are supervised by a qualified herbalist, because it can cause stomach pain and other digestive track problems, such as ulcers and gastritis. It’s best to think of Soapwort plant as of any other detergent, so if drinking a detergent solution sounds bad, you should probably think again about drinking Soapwort tea. Although the benefits of this plant are great, make sure you are well-informed before starting an internal treatment and ask for help from advised personnel only. Soapwort Tea Contraindications Do not take Soapwort tea if you are already suffering from gastric problems, laryngitis and other throat conditions. Soapwort tea is basically used topically because of its corrosive property. However, if you are in a good shape and you’ve got the green light from your doctor concerning an internal treatment, go for it: the benefits are great! So, if you want your hair to be healthy and shiny in a natural way, don’t forget to give Soapwort tea a try next time you are looking for a good shampoo!... soapwort tea benefits

This is our turf, the period of time when a potential disease is still potential, and a functional imbalance or tendency has not caused any organic disruption. Years of poor digestion, heartburn, and systematic suppression of upper GI function by adrenalin stress have not become overt gastritis, ulcers, or IBS. You have symptoms of distress (subclinical) but no real, ripened clinical disease. Some medical authorities (usually administrative docs from the “spokesman” and “quack-patrol” ranks of industry, academia or agency) actually insist that there is no such thing as a subclinical condition...you are either SICK or NOT SICK and presumably well. Sort of like the mechanic saying that the car works or doesn’t work...four quarts low on oil, but it WORKS. Only when it is five quarts low and has a siezed-up engine is there a need for a mechanic.... subclinical

Heartburn, with acid eructations and a sensation of distress in the stomach, chiefly associated with peptic ulcer (duodenal) or gastritis.

Symptoms: local tenderness and stomach gas. The terms hyperacidity and hyperchlorhydria refer to excessive production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Alternatives. For preparation and dosage see remedy entry.

Teas: Agrimony, Balm, Black Horehound, Caraway, Catnep, Celery seeds, Centuary, Chamomile, Dandelion root coffee, Fennel, Irish Moss, Liquorice root, Meadowsweet, Parsley, Quassia, Red Sage. Tablets/capsules. Dandelion, Papaya, Goldenseal. Dosage as on bottle.

Powders: equal parts, Slippery Elm, White Poplar, Meadowsweet. Mix. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily and when necessary.

Tinctures. Formula: Dandelion 1; Meadowsweet 1; Nettles 1; Goldenseal quarter. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water thrice daily before meals.

Practitioner prescription. Dec Jam Sarsae Co conc (BPC 1949) 1 fl oz (30ml); Liquid Extract Filipendula 1 fl oz (30ml); Liquid Extract Taraxacum off. Half a fl oz (15ml); Ess Menth Pip 0.05ml. Aqua to 8oz (240ml). Sig: one dessertspoon (8ml) in warm water before meals. (Barker).

Diet: lacto-vegetarian. Garlic. Celery. Dried raw oats. Regular raw food days. Low fat. Powdered kelp in place of salt. Paw paw fruit. Regulate bowels.

Note: In view of the finding of gastric carcinoid tumours in rodents subjected to long-term anti-secretory agents, caution needs to be exercised over the long-term use of antacids that powerfully suppress the gastric juices. ... acidity

Sinus congestion causes a stuffy sensation in your nose as well as in your throat. This affection consists of mucus accumulations in your respiratory ways and it can be triggered by many problems, from colds, flu, to pulmonary edema and some types of cancer. However, in order to find out more about what’s bothering your health, schedule an appointment with your doctor and don’t try to medicate yourself. How a Tea for Sinus Congestion Works A Tea for Sinus Congestion’s main purpose is to dissolve all mucus accumulations and bring relief to your pain. The active constituents in these teas have an important acids and mineral level that could calm the affected areas and induce a state of calmness to your entire body. Efficient Tea for Sinus Congestion In order to work properly, a Tea for Sinus Congestion needs to be both efficient and one hundred percent safe. A tea that is rich in tannins, nutrients, antioxidant, natural enzymes and minerals (magnesium, iron, manganese) could be a perfect choice, especially because it can treat other diseases as well. But if you don’t know which teas have the ability to treat your problems, here’s a list to choose from: - Eucalyptus Tea – is well known thanks to its capacity to dissolve mucus accumulations and restore the initial health. Eucalyptus is also used as an ingredient for the international cuisine as well as in the cosmetic industry to produce face cleansers and anti-aging creams. However, don’t drink more than 3 cups per day in order to avoid developing teeth soreness. - Peppermint Tea – is a well known panacea with a lovely fragrance and a pleasant taste which can dissolve inflammations and prevent them from forming again. You can also use it to treat colds, flu, sore throats, diarrhea, gastritis, fever and menstrual pains. Plus, it’s one hundred percent safe, so you can drink as much as you want. - Echinacea Tea –this Tea for Sinus Congestion stimulates the production of blood cells and antibodies to flush all infection triggers out of your system. A recent study showed recently that people who took a treatment based on Echinacea healed their problems better than other people who only took traditional pills! So next time you’re looking for sinus congestion remedies, check out the teashops instead of pharmacies! Tea for Sinus Congestion Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, exceeding the number of cups recommended per day may lead to a number of affections, such as upset stomach, vomiting or skin rash. Talk to your doctor or to an herbalist before starting any type of herbal remedies and be well informed of the risks! If you’ve been taking one of these teas for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual reactions, ask for medical assistance as soon as possible! If you have the green light from your doctor and there’s nothing that could go wrong, choose a Tea for Sinus Congestion that fits best your medical problems and enjoy its benefits!... tea for sinus congestion

Berberis vulgaris L. French: Vinettier. German: Berberize. Italian: Berberi. Indian: Zirishk. Stem bark.

Action. Liver stimulant, cholagogue, antiseptic, alterative. Tonic to spleen and pancreas, antemetic, digestive tonic. Hypotensive. Mild sedative and anticonvulsant. Uterine stimulant. Anti-haemorrhagic, Febrifuge, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diarrhoeal, Amoebicidal, Bactericidal.

Uses: Sluggish liver, jaundice, biliousness, gastritis, gallstones, itching anus, ulcerated mouth, malaria, sandfly fever, toxaemia from drugs and environmental chemicals. Shingles, bladder disorders, leucorrhoea, renal colic. Old gouty constitutions react favourably. Cholera (animals). Leukopaenia due to chemotherapy.

Combinations. With Yarrow for malaria. With Gelsemium for pain in the coccyx (tailbone). With Fringe Tree bark for skin disorders.

Contra-indications: pregnancy, diarrhoea.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Decoction: 1 teaspoon to each cup cold water left to steep overnight. Half-1 cup. Liquid Extract: BHP (1983) 1:1 in 25 per cent alcohol. Dose (1-3ml).

Tincture: BHP (1983) 1:10 in 60 per cent alcohol. Dose (2-4ml).

Powdered bark, dose, 1-2g. ... barberry bark

Borago officinalis L. French: Bourrache. German: Boretsch. Spanish: Borraja. Italian: Borrana. Oil from seeds.

Constituents: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, choline.

Action: adrenal gland restorative, galactagogue, demulcent, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, anti- depressive. Stimulates production of prostaglandin EI. Oil contains two important fatty acids: gamma- linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid. Assists assimilation of iron.

Uses: To strengthen adrenal glands weakened by intake of steroids (cortisone, etc). Stress, mental exhaustion, depression. Helps to prevent inflammation of stomach and intestines in cases of toxicity, allergy and infection. Colitis, Gastritis, Gastric ulcer. “Borage cheers the heart and raises drooping spirits” (Dioscorides). Old Italian remedy to increase breast milk in nursing mothers. Chronic catarrh. Borage oil is combined with Evening Primrose oil to reduce cholesterol deposits. Leaky-gut syndrome (Borage seed oil). External use said to defer wrinkling and skin dryness of old age. Used internally under directions of a qualified practitioner.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea: 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Home tincture: 1oz cut herb to 20oz 45 per cent alcohol (Vodka, etc) in wide-neck bottle. Macerate and shake daily for 4 days. Filter. Bottle. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons in water.

Liquid Extract: half-1 teaspoon.

Capsules: (oil) (Salus).

Fresh juice: 1 teaspoon.

Pharmacy only. ... borage

Stress is known as a general state of fatigue and exhaustion due to sleeplessness or other causes such as sitting in one position for too long or having a lot to deal with. Stress is both a physical and a mental disorder, triggered by the body exhaustion due to hard working. The best way to deal with stress is to take some time off from school or work, but if you cannot afford that luxury, try a natural remedy. Some say that stress implies having too little time to solve too many problems while already being exhausted. At times, stress accumulations may lead to faints, blackouts or severe mental problems, such as paranoia or schizophrenia. How Tea for Stress Works A Tea for Stress’ main purpose is to make your body release enough endorphins to create a state of relaxation. These teas contain nutrients, enzymes and volatile oils capable to induce joy and happiness. Many of these teas can contain tannins, which is a substance whose main purpose is to calm the affected areas and nourish the nervous system. If you’re feeling down and stress is the main cause, try a Tea for Stress and enjoy its organic benefits! Efficient Tea for Stress When choosing a Tea for Stress, you need to make sure the one you’re picking is both safe and very effective, in order to avoid other unnecessary complications. If you’re thinking about taking a tea and you don’t know which one fits your needs best, here are some guidelines: - Chamomile Tea – also used as an adjuvant in the pharmaceutical and the cosmetic industry, Chamomile Tea can treat a number of affections, such as sore throat, flu, colds, pleurisy and pulmonary edema. Also, Chamomile is one of the safest and the most popular stress treatments and it can be found in almost any teashop or grocery store! - Mint Tea – contains an active ingredient called menthol which is responsible for this tea’s curative properties. This is a very important Tea for Stress, since its action doesn’t imply only the stress triggers, but also a large variety of affections, such as respiratory problems and ailments of the digestive tract (diarrhea, upset stomach, gastritis). This tea is also one hundred percent safe; just don’t take more than 6 cups per day! - Ginseng Tea – probably the most effective Tea for Stress, Ginseng Tea is also the most dangerous one. Make sure you don’t drink more than a cup per day for a short amount of time and that in case you’re experiencing some unusual reactions, you’ll talk to a specialist right away! - Lavender Tea – used for its fragrance and curative properties, lavender was used by the ancient Romans as a sleeping aid and a good relaxer. Modern medicine, however, found out that a cup of Lavender Tea per day will destroy both the stress and the tension in your body. Besides, you can find it almost anywhere! Tea for Stress Side Effects When taken properly, a Tea for Stress is generally safe. However, high dosages may lead to a number of health complications, such as diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, vomiting and ulcers. Just make sure you follow the instructions. To gather more information, talk to a specialist before making any move. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners or anticoagulants or if you’re preparing for a major surgery, it’s best to talk to your doctor before taking one of these teas. Other than that, give any Tea for Stress a try and enjoy its wonderful benefits responsibly!... tea for stress

Stored energy of the sun. The green colouring matter of plants. A catalyst that speeds or maintains a reaction. Promotes granulation tissue in healing of wounds and tissue building. Most herbs contain chlorophyll. Acts as an oxidant in body metabolism and enhances the effect of vitamins and minerals. To a plant, chlorophyll is what haemoglobin is to the human body.

Uses: Bad breath and offensive perspiration, gastritis, sore throat and mouth, skin conditions that refuse to heal, burns, suppurating wounds, athlete’s foot. Cataract.

Preparations: Available as tablets, powders, green barley juice or essence.

Chlorophyll tablets (Potter’s). Each tablet contains: 30mg Chlorophyll and 60mg Kola. (Potter’s Herbal Supplies, Wigan, England) ... chlorophyll

Inflammation of the tongue, with burning sensation. Geographical tongue. Often associated with inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis) and gums (gingivitis). Tongue may be ulcerated, with difficulty in swallowing.

Etiology: mouth breathing, dental faults, hot spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, anaemia, drug induced, septic teeth.

Symptoms: pain and swelling.

Chronic gastritis may reflect in a persistent form requiring treatment specific to the stomach. The underlying condition should be treated.

Alternatives. Change of lifestyle, food habits, etc.

Teas. Sage, Tormentilla, Balm of Gilead, Bedstraw. Drink freely and use as a mouth wash. Decoction. 2 teaspoons Fenugreek seeds to each cup water gently simmered 15 minutes. 1 cup freely and as mouth wash.

Juices, gels: Aloe Vera, Houseleek. Houseleek has a mild anaesthetic effect and has been used for schirrhus induration.

Tinctures. Combine Sarsaparilla 4; Goldenseal 1. One to two 5ml teaspoons in water 3-4 times daily. Mouth Wash. 5-10 drops Tincture Myrrh in glass water; freely.

Diet. Slippery Elm drinks. Dandelion coffee.

Vitamins. B-complex. A. C.

Minerals. Zinc. ... glossitis

Colitis is an affection of your larger bowel. When the problem gets worse, blood could appear, turning your problem into ulcerative colitis. This affection causes poor water absorption and it makes it harder for the nutrients and enzymes in both food and drink to be processed. Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune disease, but is usually linked to poor dieting and stress (an unbalanced nutrition and diet pills could trigger this disease faster). How a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis Works A Tea for Ulcerative Colitis’ main purpose is to make sure that your body increases the immunoglobulin level and directs all antibodies to the affected areas. In order to function properly, a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis needs to contain an important quantity of nutrients, enzymes, volatile oils and minerals (such as sodium, iron, magnesium and manganese) and be very low on acids (since they could induce irritable bowel and upset stomach). Efficient Tea for Ulcerative Colitis If you don’t know which teas could be effective for your condition, here’s a list to choose from: - Licorice Tea – has important health benefits, being able to treat not just Ulcerative Colitis, but many other disorders, such as upset stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis. However, this tea is not very safe so you need to talk to your doctor before starting a treatment based on Licorice Tea. Drinking less than 3 cups per day will give you an energy boost and restore your general well-being. - Wormwood Tea – is well known around the world thanks to its ability to treat infections and flush parasites out of your system. Other than ulcerative colitis, this decoction can be useful in case of Candida. Take a sip of this Tea for Ulcerative Colitis at every 5 minutes for about an hour every day (for a short period of time: 3-7 days) and enjoy its great benefits! - Chamomile Tea – has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic problems and it’s good for almost any health problem, from sore throats to colds and flu. Some specialists even say that Chamomile Tea has proven its efficiency in many cancer cases. If that is the case or not, the important thing is that this Tea for Ulcerative Colitis will calm your pain and energize your body. Tea for Ulcerative Colitis Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, exceeding the number of cups recommended per day can lead to a number of problems, from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting to gastritis and ulcers. If you’ve been taking one of these teas for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual symptoms, ask for medical assistance as soon as possible!Don’t take a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners or anticoagulants. The same advice if you’re preparing for a surgery. If you have your doctor’s approval and there’s nothing that could interfere with your treatment, choose a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis that fits best your needs and enjoy its great benefits!... tea for ulcerative colitis

A burning sensation in the gullet, as felt behind the breastbone, caused by a laxity of the oesophago-gastric sphincter, with acid rising from the stomach. May be due to bending, tight clothing, hiatus hernia, acid dyspepsia or gastritis. Bitter acid taste in the mouth.

Alternatives. Most antacids relieve heartburn and gastric reflux in conditions such as acid dyspepsia, gastritis and hiatus hernia. Teas selected from Barberry, Black Horehound, Centuary, (Dr A. Vogel) Dandelion, Chamomile tea. (Charles Wesley) Marshmallow, Meadowsweet.

To give mucosal protection: Irish Moss, Iceland Moss, Slippery Elm. St John’s Wort. (Dr A. Vogel) Powders. Alternatives. (1) Meadowsweet 2; Galangal 1. (2) Equal parts: Dandelion root, Fennel. Doses: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Alternatives. (1) Dandelion 1; Meadowsweet 2; Liquorice root half. (2) Meadowsweet 2; Black Horehound 1. Liquorice half. Dose: One 5ml teaspoon in water thrice daily before meals. Tablets/capsules. Sarsaparilla, St John’s Wort. Meadowsweet. Iceland Moss. Slippery Elm.

Aloe Vera juice. 1-2 tablespoons juice from crushed leaves.

Nervous stomach. German Chamomile tea.

From alcohol and tobacco habit. Liquid Extract Stone root: 15-60 drops, (or Tincture BPC (1934) 30- 120 drops) in water thrice daily.

For heartburn of pregnancy – see PREGNANCY. Diet. Dandelion coffee. See: THE HAY DIET.

Avoid bending and stooping, eat small regular meals. Avoid hot spicy foods.

Avoid wearing tight clothing, cut out smoking. If suffering is at night, prop up head end of mattress by 4-6”. ... heartburn

Water retention or Edema is an affection which is more commonly found in the legs and hands due to gravity. Generally, water retention makes your organs grow bigger and decrease their action. The swelling may affect the entire body or just a part of it (lungs, kidney, hands and feet) within days or month- a relatively short amount of time. This affection is caused by flu, cold or by overexposing your body to very low temperatures. How a Tea for Water Retention Works A Tea for Water Retention’s main purpose is to eliminate the surplus of water and heal the affected areas. Traditional medicine has developed some very effective drug combinations during the past years, but alternative medicine fans think that herbal treatments remain the real deal and that there’s no reason to stress out your liver. Efficient Tea for Water Retention When choosing a Tea for Water Retention, you must keep in mind the fact that this must be both very effective (contains a large amount of active constituents) and safe (water retention is an affection which takes time to heal so you don’t want anything to interfere with your treatment). If you don’t know which teas to choose from, here’s a list to give you a hand: - Green Tea – contains the right amount of active ingredients capable to flush all water out of your system and calm the affected areas. Don’t take more than 2 cups per day and don’t take it at all if you are experiencing menstrual or menopausal symptoms in order to avoid stomach ulcerations. - Stinging Nettle Tea – this Tea for Water Retention is a natural purgative and diuretic which is generally used to treat prostate problems. However, this is not one of the safest teas, so may want to check with your doctor before starting an herbal treatment based on it. - Dandelion Tea – the decoction is made from this plant’s roots and it’s well known for its curative properties, which include constipation and urinary tract infections. The Dandelion Tea will help your body get rid of the unnecessary water and improve your general health. - Peppermint Tea – this is one Tea for Water Retention one hundred percent safe! You can also take it to treat ailments of the respiratory and digestive systems, such as cough, flu, colds, pleurisy, pulmonary edema, upset stomach and gastritis. If you’ve decided to give up coffee, peppermint tea is a great alternative! Tea for Water Retention Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, don’t exceed the number of cups in order to avoid digestive tract problems, such as diarrhea (some of these teas have a powerful diuretic effect), ulcers, uterine contractions or vomiting. If you’ve been taking one of these teas for a while and you’ve noticed some unusual reactions, ask for medical help as soon as possible! Don’t take a Tea for Water Retention if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners, anti-coagulants or preparing for a surgery. Due to their purgative action, some of these teas can lead to miscarriage. If you have your doctor’s approval and there’s nothing that could interfere with your treatment, choose a tea that fits you best and enjoy its wonderful benefits!... tea for water retention

 Ballota nigra L. German: Schwarze Bulte. French: Marrube noir. Spanish: Hoarhound. Italian: Marrobio nero. Dried herb. Important agent used by the modern herbalist. Keynote: vomiting.

Constituents: iridoids, diterpenoids.

Action: anti-emetic, gastric relaxant, antispasmodic.

Uses: Nausea, vomiting (especially vomiting of pregnancy), nervous indigestion, hypoglycaemia, persistent diarrhoea. Vomiting stimulated by motion, as in travel sickness. Mad-dog bite. (Dioscorides) Low spirits.

Combines well with Raspberry leaves for vomiting of pregnancy: with Chamomile for gastritis. Preparations. Thrice daily, as necessary.

Tea. One teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. Half-1 cup freely.

Liquid Extract BHP (1983). 1:1 in 25 per cent alcohol. (1-3ml) in water.

Tincture BHP (1983). 1 in 10 parts 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 1-2ml. ... horehound, black

Lion’s foot. Alchemilla vulgaris L. Dried herb (oral), root (topical). Keynote: bleeding.

Constituents: tannins.

Action: powerful styptic and astringent because of its high tannin content. Haemostatic. Alterative. Drying and binding. Menstrual regulator.

Uses: Excessive menstruation. Non-menstrual bleeding of the womb between periods. Children’s summer diarrhoea, colitis with bleeding. Gastric and duodenal ulcer. Children’s convulsions. (Swedish traditional)

Not used in pregnancy.

Combinations. (1) with Avens for gastritis and mucous colitis. (2) with Agnus Castus for menstrual disorders.

Preparations: Average dose: 2-4g. Thrice daily. Tea: 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. One cup.

Liquid extract BHP (1983) 1:1 in 25 per cent alcohol. Dose: 2-4ml.

Powdered root. Dose, 2-4g.

Vaginal douche: 2oz to 2 pints (60g to 1 litre) boiling water. Infuse 30 minutes. Inject warm for leucorrhoea, Candida, inflammation; or as a lotion for pruritus.

Decoction (roots) offer a powerful deterrant to passive bleeding. ... lady’s mantle

Triphala Tea is one of the most popular remedies for digestive track conditions, such as constipation, irritable bowel movement, gastritis or ulcers. Triphala is very important for the Ayurvedic medicine through which Indians cure almost any affection of the body using only herbs. Since the most common health problems in the world involve the digestive system, Triphala Tea became quite popular among both doctors and patients suffering from one of the diseases mentioned above. Triphala is a mixtue of three main ingredients (triphala means “three fruits”): Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica which is a hypoglycemic agent. Triphala Tea Properties The main property of Triphala Tea is that is made from a mixture of three fruits, so it can simultaneously treat more than one condition at a time. Triphala Tea has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a panacea, thanks to its ability to strengthen and detoxify the body. Each ingredient of Triphala mixture contributes to your health in a unique way: - Emblica officinalis is a tonic used for its rejuvenating and cooling action. - Terminalia chebula is known as a good remedy for coughs, sore throats and it can also help removing your kidney stones or your lung mucus. - Terminalia bellerica has proven its importance when treating conditions of the nervous system and other localized affections: gas, muscular rheumatism and itching. Bringing them together is a good idea because it’s like treating all your health problems with just a cup of tea! Triphala Tea Benefits The great benefit of Triphala Tea is that it represents more than just a tea: it’s a herbal panacea that can help you with your digestion and heart problems. Triphala Tea lowers your digestive track acidity, helping your food get faster through your stomach and eliminating harmful gases from your body. By inhibiting cholesterol accumulations in your blood veins, Triphala Tea also give you a hand if you have arteriosclerosis. Not only that, but it will also lessens your muscle spasms and increase your blood flow. Some say that this wonderful tea can be a real help if you’re trying to lose weight in a natural way, by lowering your fat. Triphala Tea also enhances your vitality. In fact, triphala is one of the main ingredients in many energy drinks all over the world. A cup of this tea could easily reduce your stress and improve your general health. How to make Triphala Tea When preparing Triphala Tea, you need to be careful about one thing: only buy the ingredients from a trusted provider. There are a lot of fake powders sold as Triphala. It’s better to use powders because the amount of each fruit has already been measured and adapted, so you don’t need to worry about how much of this or that you should use. However, if you’re brave enough to make your own mixture at home, make sure you’re well informed before doing anything. Put a teaspoon of powder or mixture and add boiling water. Wait for 5 minutes if you’re using powder and 10 minutes if you’re using the mixture and drink it. Triphala Tea Side Effects When taken properly, Triphala Tea has no side effects at all. However, high dosages may cause stomach problems, gas and diarrhea. Triphala Tea Contraindications Do not take Triphala Tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding in order to avoid unwanted bowel movement. If you haven’t taken it before and are unsure about starting a treatment based on it, it’s best to talk to a herbalist or to your doctor before. Triphala Tea is a great remedy in case you suffer from constipation, gas, arteriosclerosis or other heart condition. If there’s nothing that could possibly interfere with it, add Triphala Tea to your shopping list next time you’re looking for organic remedies!... triphala tea treats constipation

A wide variety of physical and mental disorders associated with heavy, prolonged consumption of alcohol.

High alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, tongue, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and oesophagus, especially if combined with smoking. Incidence of liver cancer, as well as the liver diseases alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, is higher among alcoholics. High alcohol consumption increases the risk of cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and stroke. Alcohol irritates the digestive tract and may cause gastritis. Heavy drinking in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcoholics are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and to develop dementia.

Many alcoholics have a poor diet and are prone to diseases caused by nutritional deficiency, particularly of thiamine (see vitamin B complex). Severe thiamine deficiency, called beriberi, disturbs nerve function, causing cramps, numbness, and weakness in the legs and hands. Its effects on the brain can cause confusion, disturbances of speech and gait, and eventual coma (see Wernicke– Korsakoff syndrome). Severe thiamine deficiency can also cause heart failure.

A prolonged high level of alcohol in the blood and tissues can disturb body chemistry, resulting in hypoglycaemia (reduced glucose in the blood) and hyperlipidaemia (increased fat in the blood).

These may damage the heart, liver, blood vessels, and brain; irreversible damage may cause premature death.... alcohol-related disorders

Wood Betony Tea has been known since ancient time as an herb able to cure almost any affection (cure-all), from gastric aliments to nervous system deviations. Wood Betony is a perennial herb that grows mainly in areas like Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. You can recognize it by its oval toothed-like green leaves and bright purple flowers. Also known as stachys officinalis, this herb never grows taller than 70 cm and it can be harvested for medical purposes only during the summer. In ancient times, people believed that wood betony had magical powers and that a ritual made using it could fulfill wishes. Wood Betony Tea Properties Scientific research showed that Wood Betony Tea is a good remedy not only when it comes to external and internal use, but also as a stress releaser and a great purifier. Its main ingredients include betaine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, harpagide, rosmarinic acid, stachydrine and tannin, which, through their simultaneous action, can heal a large variety of diseases and aliments. Wood Betony Tea Benefits Wood Betony Tea shows its benefits in many areas of the alternative medicine. Not only that is a very good adjuvant in case you want to maintain a good general health, but it also triggers positive reactions from your body in cases of chronic and serious diseases. You may find Wood Betony Tea useful if you suffer from one of the following conditions: - Sore throat, due to flu or long term smoking. Wood Betony tea can clear your respiratory system and also give you a boost of energy. - Headaches or severe migraines, thanks to its wonderful ingredients that prevent inflammations and treat localized pain. - Anxiety, by calming the nerves and increasing the natural endorphins level. - Elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and elevated blood flow. Wood Betony Tea can ease your natural reactions down by inhibiting negative reactions from your heart and brain. - Severe diarrhea and other problems of the digestive track, by fighting bacteria and all possible microbial accumulations. How to make Wood Betony Tea Infusion When preparing Wood Betony Tea infusion, you need freshly picked or dried herbs that you can buy from almost any teashop. Use about 1 teaspoon of herbs for every cup of tea you want to make, add boiling water and wait for 10 minutes. Strain and drink it hot or cold, keeping in mind the fact that this is a medical treatment and cannot replace your coffee habit. Wood Betony Tea Side Effects When taken properly, Wood Betony Tea has no side effects at all. However, high dosages may lead to a series of health problems, such as ulcers, gastritis and nausea. If you’ve been taking Wood Betony Tea for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual reactions, ask for medical help as soon as possible! Wood Betony Tea Contraindications Don’t take Wood Betony Tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It may lead to uterine contractions and internal bleeding. Also, avoid any treatment based on Wood Betony Tea if you’re preparing for a surgery or need to take blood thinners or anti-coagulant. Children under 2 years should not take this tea since the risks in this case remain unknown. However, if you have your doctor’s approval and you feel confident enough to give it a try, add it to your shopping cart next time you’re in a teashop and enjoy the wonderful benefits of this tea responsibly!... wood betony tea panacea

The most common form of anaemia caused by a deficiency of iron, an essential constituent of haemoglobin. The main cause of iron-deficiency anaemia is iron loss due to heavy or persistent bleeding; the most common cause in women of childbearing age is menstruation. Other causes include blood loss from the digestive tract due to disorders such as erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer, stomach cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids, and bowel tumours (see colon, cancer of). Prolonged use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. In some countries, hookworm infestation of the digestive tract is an important cause of anaemia. Rarely, bleeding may also occur as a result of disorders of the urinary tract (such as kidney tumours or bladder tumours).

Iron deficiency may also be caused or worsened by lack of iron in, or its poor absorption from, the diet.

The symptoms are those of the underlying cause, along with a sore mouth or tongue, and those common to all forms of anaemia, such as fatigue and breathlessness. The diagnosis is made from blood tests and tests to look for an underlying cause. Treatment is given for the cause, along with a course of iron tablets or, very rarely, injections.... anaemia, iron-deficiency

Yarrow Tea has been known for a long time thanks to its curative properties which include sweat inducing enzymes and fever inhibitors. Yarrow is an herb that grows mainly in the wilderness of the Northern Hemisphere. You may know it by one of its other names: Western Yarrow, yarrow, milfoil, soldier’s woundwort, staunchwee and woundwort or by its Latin denomination, Achillea millefolium. Yarrow has segmented greed leaves and lavender or daisy-white flowers. The Latin name comes from the Greek mythology: according to some legends, the legendary Achilles used a tincture of Yarrow all over his body to make himself invulnerable to arrows and cure the wounds of the other fighters. Yarrow Tea Properties Aside from the mythology that surrounds it, Yarrow Tea is actually a very respectable medical treatment, with noticeable effects on the human health system. The main ingredients of this tea are: bitters, chamazulene, proazulene, saponins, tannins and fatty acids. Due to its high level of saponis, Yarrow Tea is known as a very strong diaphoretic, being able to widen the coronary arteries’ walls and normalize a poor blood circulation. It is also used to treat childbirth pains and aggravated cholesterol damages. Yarrow Tea Benefits Recent studies showed that Yarrow Tea, when taken according to instructions, has a real effect on your general health, being able to treat a series of affections. You may find that Yarrow Tea is very useful in case you are suffering from one of the following conditions: - Fevers and colds, by inducing sweat and inhibiting infection. - Loss of appetite, stomach cramps, flatulence, enteritis and gastritis. - Gallbladder problems, overall liver malfunctions, internal hemorrhages (especially of the lungs). - Inflammation and menstrual pains. How to make Yarrow Tea Infusion When preparing Yarrow Tea Infusion, you need to make sure that you’re using the appropriate ingredients. Use a teaspoon of dried or freshly picked herbs for every cup of tea you want to make, add boiling water and wait 5 minutes for the tea benefits to be released. Drink it hot or cold. However, don’t take more than two cups of tea per day in order to avoid complications. Yarrow Tea Side Effects When taken properly, Yarrow Tea has no side effects at all. However, high dosages showed that patients developed skin sensitivity to light. If you’ve been taking Yarrow Tea for a long time and you feel that your health is not improving, but rather deteriorating, talk to a specialist as soon as possible! Yarrow Tea Contraindications Don’t take Yarrow Tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, children and patients suffering from digestive tract severe problems should avoid taking it at all costs. If you are preparing for a surgery or if you’re on blood thinners and anti-coagulants, you may want to postpone a treatment based on Yarrow Tea as much as possible. In order to gather more information, talk to a specialist. One you have the green light to start taking this tea, give it a try and enjoy the wonderful benefits of Yarrow Tea responsibly!... yarrow tea benefits

A break in the surface layer of the membrane lining the stomach. A break deeper than this layer is called a gastric ulcer (see peptic ulcer).Gastric erosions occur in some cases of gastritis.

Many erosions result from ingestion of alcohol, iron tablets, or aspirin.

The physical stress of serious illness, such as kidney failure, or of burns may bring on an erosion.

Often there are no symptoms, but erosions may bleed, causing vomiting of blood or blood in the faeces.

Persistent loss of blood may lead to anaemia.

Gastric erosions are diagnosed by gastroscopy.

They usually heal in a few days when they are treated with antacid drugs and ulcer-healing drugs.... gastric erosion

A symptom of bleeding from within the digestive tract. Vomiting blood may be caused by a tear in the lower oesophagus (see Mallory–Weiss syndrome), bleeding from oesophageal varices, erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer, or, rarely, stomach cancer. Blood can also be vomited if it is swallowed during a nosebleed. Vomited blood may be dark red, brown, black, or may resemble coffee grounds. Vomiting of blood is often accompanied by the passing of black, tarry faeces.

The cause of vomiting blood is investigated by endoscopy of the oesophagus and stomach, or by barium X-ray examinations. If blood loss is severe, blood transfusion, and possibly surgery to stop the bleeding, may be required.... vomiting blood

Yellow Dock Tea has been world-wide known as a great alternative remedy in cases of liver and blood affections. Yellow Dock is a perennial plant that can be found almost anywhere in the world, but which is original from Northern America. Although its name is Yellow Dock, the herb has a reddish-brown color with boiled and eaten leaves. The roots are the most important part of this plant since they are used for medical purposes mainly. The leaves can also be used as a treatment, but they are not very efficient, even if the pharmaceutical companies have been using them for a long while in order to produce face cleansers and anti-aging tonics. Yellow Dock Tea Properties The main property of Yellow Dock Tea is that it can be used as a treatment on its own as well as an adjuvant to other treatments, depending on the concentration and the doctor’s advice. The active ingredients of this tea are: emodin, magnesium, silicon, tannins and oxalic acid, which can only be found in the roots. Yellow Dock tea is a powerful stimulant and it has laxative properties, so it’s best not to use it in case you’re already suffering from diarrhea. Yellow Dock Tea Benefits Yellow Dock Tea is an important alternative medicine ingredient, thanks to its active substances, which are very versatile and can be used in treatments concerning many affected areas. Some say that Yellow Dock could easily be added as an adjuvant to absolutely any kind of medical treatment, in adequate quantities, of course. If you’ve already tried it, you probably know that Yellow Dock Tea is very useful in case you’re suffering from one of the following conditions: - Digestive problems, such as deficient bowel movement, gastritis, enteritis. Yellow Dock tea can release the enzymes that your body needs in order to recover from these affections. - Poor body detoxification, by helping the urinary and digestive systems to release endorphins. - Heavy-metal poisoning or poor liver function, by increasing the liver cells and reconstruction the damaged tissue. How to make Yellow Dock Tea Infusion Preparing Yellow Dock Tea Infusion is very easy. Use a teaspoon of Yellow Dock roots for every 2 cups of tea you want to make, add boiling water and wait 10 minutes for the wonderful benefits to be released. Drink it hot or cold, adding ginger, honey or lemon, if the taste seems a bit unpleasant to you. However, don’t drink more than a cup per day and only for a short while (1 to 3 weeks). Yellow Dock Tea Side Effects If you’re using freshly-picked leaves, use them with moderation. When taken properly, Yellow Dock Tea is safe. However, high dosages may cause a number of problems, such as upset stomach, internal bleedings and nausea. If you’ve been taking it for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual episodes, talk to a doctor immediately! Yellow Dock Tea Contraindications Don’t take Yellow Dock Tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, children and patients suffering from diarrhea and some serious diseases which imply the ingestion of blood thinners or anti-coagulants should avoid taking it at all costs! To gather more information, talk to a specialist. Once you are well-informed, give Yellow Dock Tea a try and enjoy its wonderful benefits responsibly!... yellow dock tea benefits

n. a genus of spiral flagellated Gram-negative bacteria. The species H. pylori (formerly classified as Campylobacter pylori) is found in the stomach within the mucous layer. It occurs in the majority of middle-aged people and may cause gastritis. It is almost invariably present in duodenal ulceration and usually in gastric ulceration. Testing to confirm infection includes the urea breath test. Eradication of the organism (using various combinations of antibiotics and *antisecretory drugs) promotes ulcer healing. H. pylori has been implicated in some forms of stomach cancer and in coronary heart disease. The role of other Helicobacter species in the causation of disease in humans is unclear.... helicobacter

Acorus calamus var. angustatus

FAMILY: Araceae

SYNONYMS: Calamus aromaticus, sweet flag, sweet sedge, sweet root, sweet rush, sweet cane, sweet myrtle, myrtle grass, myrtle sedge, cinnamon sedge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A reed-like aquatic plant about 1 metre high, with sword-shaped leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. It grows on the margins of lakes and streams with the long-branched rhizome immersed in the mud. The whole plant is aromatic.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to India; the oil is mainly produced in India and Russia and to a lesser extent in Europe (except Spain), Siberia, China, Yugoslavia and Poland (Polish and Yugoslavian oils have a uniform lasting scent).

OTHER SPECIES: Not to be confused with the yellow flag iris which it resembles in appearance; they are botanically unrelated. There are several other varieties of aromatic sedge, mostly in the east, for example Calamus odoratus used in India as a medicine and perfume.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The name derives from the Greek calamos meaning ‘reed’. The properties of the herb are mainly due to the aromatic oil, contained largely in the root. It used to be highly esteemed as an aromatic stimulant and tonic for fever (typhoid), nervous complaints, vertigo, headaches, dysentery, etc. It is still current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, for ‘acute and chronic dyspepsia, gastritis, intestinal colic, anorexia, gastric ulcer.’. In Turkey and especially in India (where it is valued as a traditional medicine), it is sold as a candied rhizome for dyspepsia, bronchitis and coughs.

ACTIONS: Anticonvulsant, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, hypotensive, insecticide, spasmolytic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the rhizomes (and sometimes the leaves).

CHARACTERISTICS: A thick, pale yellow liquid with a strong, warm, woody-spicy fragrance; poor quality oils have a camphoraceous note. It blends well with cananga, cinnamon, labdanum, olibanum, patchouli, cedarwood, amyris, spice and oriental bases.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Beta-asarone (amounts vary depending on source: the Indian oil contains up to 80 per cent, the Russian oil a maximum of 6 per cent), also calamene, calamol, calamenene, eugenol and shyobunones.

SAFETY DATA: Oral toxin. The oil of calamus is reported to have carcinogenic properties.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None. ‘Should not be used in therapy, whether internally or externally.’.

OTHER USES: Extensively used in cosmetic and perfumery work, in woody/oriental/leather perfumes and to scent hair powders and tooth powders in the same way as orris. Calamus and its derivatives (oil, extracts, etc.) are banned from use in foods.... calamus

Thymus vulgaris

FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

SYNONYMS: T. aestivus, T. ilerdensis, T. webbianus, T. valentianus, French thyme, garden thyme, red thyme (oil), white thyme (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A perennial evergreen subshrub up to 45 cms high with a woody root and much-branched upright stem. It has small, grey-green, oval, aromatic leaves and pale purple or white flowers.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Spain and the Mediterranean region; now found throughout Asia Minor, Algeria, Turkey, Tunisia, Israel, the USA, Russia, China and central Europe. The oil is mainly produced in Spain but also in France, Israel, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, Germany and the USA.

OTHER SPECIES: There are numerous varieties of thyme – the common thyme is believed to have derived from the wild thyme or mother-of-thyme (T. serpyllum), which is also used to produce an essential oil called serpolet, similar in effect to the common thyme oil.

Another species used for the production of the so-called red thyme oil is particularly the Spanish sauce thyme (T. zygis), a highly penetrating oil good for cellulitis, sports injuries, etc. (although, like the common thyme, it is a skin irritant). Other species used for essential oil production include lemon thyme (T. citriodorus), a fresh scented oil good for asthma and other respiratory conditions, safe for children. Spanish marjoram (T. Mastichina) is actually botanically classified as a variety of thyme, with which it shares many common properties, despite its common name. Spanish marjoram contains mainly 1,8-cineole (up to 75 per cent) and linalool (up to 20 per cent), so therapeutically has much in common with eucalyptus, being well suited to treating viral and bacterial respiratory infections. See also Botanical Classification section.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: One of the earliest medicinal plants employed throughout the Mediterranean region, well known to both Hippocrates and Dioscorides. It was used by the ancient Egyptians in the embalming process, and by the ancient Greeks to fumigate against infectious illness; the name derives from the Greek thymos meaning ‘to perfume’. It is also a long-established culinary herb, especially used for the preservation of meat.

It has a wide range of uses, though in Western herbal medicine its main areas of application are respiratory problems, digestive complaints and the prevention and treatment of infection. In the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia it is indicated for dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, children’s diarrhoea, laryngitis, tonsillitis and enuresis in children.

ACTIONS: Anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiputrescent, antirheumatic, antiseptic (intestinal, pulmonary, genito-urinary), antispasmodic, antitussive, antitoxic, aperitif, astringent, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, balsamic, carminative, cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypertensive, nervine, revulsive, rubefacient, parasiticide, stimulant (immune system, circulation), sudorific, tonic, vermifuge.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by water or steam distillation from the fresh or partially dried leaves and flowering tops. 1. ‘Red thyme oil’ is the crude distillate. 2. ‘White thyme oil’ is produced by further redistillation or rectification. (An absolute is also produced in France by solvent extraction for perfumery use.)

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. A red, brown or orange liquid with a warm, spicy-herbaceous, powerful odour. 2. A clear, pale yellow liquid with a sweet, green-fresh, milder scent. It blends well with bergamot, lemon, rosemary, melissa, lavender, lavandin, marjoram, Peru balsam, pine, etc.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Thymol and carvacrol (up to 60 per cent), cymene, terpinene, camphene, borneol, linalol; depending on the source it can also contain geraniol, citral and thuyanol, etc.

There are many chemotypes of thyme oil: notably the ‘thymol’ and ‘carvacrol’ types (warming and active); the ‘thuyanol’ type (penetrating and antiviral); and the milder ‘linalol’ or ‘citral’ types (sweet-scented, non-irritant).

SAFETY DATA: Red thyme oil, serpolet (from wild thyme), ‘thymol’ and ‘carvacrol’ type oils all contain quite large amounts of toxic phenols (carvacrol and thymol). They can irritate mucous membranes, cause dermal irritation and may cause sensitization in some individuals. Use in moderation, in low dilution only. They are best avoided during pregnancy.

White thyme is not a ‘complete’ oil and is often adulterated. Lemon thyme and ‘linalol’types are in general less toxic, non-irritant, with less possibility of sensitization – safe for use on the skin and with children.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Abscess, acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites, lice, gum infections, oily skin, scabies.

Circulation muscles and joints: Arthritis, cellulitis, gout, muscular aches and pains, obesity, oedema, poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains, sports injuries.

Respiratory system: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, sinusitis, sore throat, tonsillitis.

Digestive system: Diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence.

Genito-urinary system: Cystitis, urethritis.

Immune system: Chills, colds, ’flu, infectious diseases.

Nervous system: Headaches, insomnia, nervous debility and stress-related complaints – ‘helps to revive and strengthen both body and mind’..

OTHER USES: The oil is used in mouthwashes, gargles, toothpastes and cough lozenges. ‘Thymol’ is isolated for pharmaceutical use in surgical dressings, disinfectants etc. Used as a fragrance component in soaps, toiletries, aftershaves, perfumes, colognes, etc. Extensively employed by the food and drink industry, especially in meat products.... thyme, common