London Health Dictionary

A hospital for accommodation and treatment of the terminally ill. Emphasis is not only upon appropriate physical treatment but upon the mind and psyche by generating a positive attitude to their illness. The patient is treated with compassion and accorded the special care to enable them to complete their days with dignity. Gradually, hospices are adopting some of the rational aspects of natural therapy in which is seen the increasing role of essential oils as used in Aromatherapy.

Information of the Hospice Movement is obtainable from The Hospice Information Service, St Christopher’s Hospice, 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, London SE26 6DZ, on receipt of a large self-addressed envelope stamped for 200g. ... hospice

ASH, or Action on Smoking and Health, is a charity founded by the Royal College of Physicians in 1971 and supported by the Department of Health. It gathers information about the dangers of smoking, which it disseminates to the public. It also commissions surveys on public attitudes to smoking and helps people to give up the habit. ASH has contributed substantially to the cut in the number of smokers: six out of ten adults are now non-smokers, and an increasing number of public places are becoming smoke-free. The charity has a small headquarters in London from which further information may be obtained, with other national and regional branches in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.... ash

Boxing injuries rank eighth in frequency among sports injuries. According to the Report on the Medical Aspects of Boxing issued by the Committee on Boxing of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1969, of 224 ex-professional boxers examined, 37 showed evidence of brain damage and this was disabling in

13.

The ?rst type of damage occurs as an acute episode in which one or more severe blows leads to loss of consciousness and occasionally to death. Death in the acute phase is usually due to intracranial haemorrhage and this carries a mortality of 45 per cent even with the sophisticated surgical techniques currently available. The second type of damage develops over a much longer period and is cumulative, leading to the atrophy of the cerebral cortex and brain stem. The repair processes of the brain are very limited and even after mild concussion it may suffer a small amount of permanent structural damage. Brain-scanning techniques now enable brain damage to be detected during life, and brain damage of the type previously associated with the punch-drunk syndrome is now being detected before obvious clinical signs have developed. Evidence of cerebral atrophy has been found in relatively young boxers including amateurs and those whose careers have been considered successful. The tragedy is that brain damage can only be detected after it has occurred. Many doctors are opposed to boxing, even with the present, more stringent medical precautions taken by those responsible for running the sport. Since the Royal College’s survey in 1969, the British Medical Association and other UK medical organisations have declared their opposition to boxing on medical grounds, as have medical organisations in several other countries.

In 1998, the Dutch Health Council recommended that professional boxing should be banned unless the rules are tightened. It claimed that chronic brain damage is seen in 40–80 per cent of boxers and that one in eight amateur bouts end with a concussed participant.

There is currently no legal basis on which to ban boxing in the UK, although it has been suggested that an injured boxer might one day sue a promoter. One correspondent to the British Medical Journal in 1998 suggested that since medical cover is a legal requirement at boxing promotions, the profession should consider if its members should withdraw participation.... boxing injuries

Bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. The patient suffers profuse watery DIARRHOEA, and resultant dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Formerly known as the Asiatic cholera, the disease has occurred in epidemics and pandemics for many centuries. When it entered Europe in 1853, Dr John Snow, a London anaesthetist, carried out seminal epidemiological work in Soho, London, which established that the source of infection was contaminated drinking water derived from the Broad Street pump. Several smaller epidemics involved Europe in the latter years of the 19th century, but none has arisen in Britain or the United States for many years. In 1971, the El Tor biotype of V. cholerae emerged, replacing much of the classical infection in Asia and, to a much lesser extent, Europe; parts of Africa were seriously affected. Recently a non-01 strain has arisen and is causing much disease in Asia. Cholera remains a major health problem (this is technically the seventh pandemic) in many countries of Asia, Africa and South America. It is one of three quarantinable infections.

Incubation period varies from a few hours to ?ve days. Watery diarrhoea may be torrential and the resultant dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, complicated by cardiac failure, commonly causes death. The victim’s skin elasticity is lost, the eyes are sunken, and the radial pulse may be barely perceptible. Urine production may be completely suppressed. Diagnosis is by detection of V. cholerae in a faecal sample. Treatment consists of rapid rehydration. Whereas the intravenous route may be required in a severe case, in the vast majority of patients oral rehydration (using an appropriate solution containing sodium chloride, glucose, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium) gives satisfactory results. Proprietary rehydration ?uids do not always contain adequate sodium for rehydration in a severe case. ANTIBIOTICS, for example, tetracycline and doxycycline, reduce the period during which V. cholerae is excreted (in children and pregnant women, furazolidone is safer); in an epidemic, rapid resistance to these, and other antibiotics, has been clearly demonstrated. Prevention consists of improving public health infrastructure – in particular, the quality of drinking water. When supplies of the latter are satisfactory, the infection fails to thrive. Though there have recently been large epidemics of cholera in much of South America and parts of central Africa and the Indian subcontinent, the risk of tourists and travellers contracting the disease is low if they take simple precautions. These include eating safe food (avoid raw or undercooked seafood, and wash vegetables in clean water) and drinking clean water. There is no cholera vaccine at present available in the UK as it provides little protection and cannot control spread of the disease. Those travelling to countries where it exists should pay scrupulous attention to food and water cleanliness and to personal hygiene.... cholera

The term applied to the narrowed and notched permanent incisor teeth which occur in congenital SYPHILIS. They are so-named after Sir Jonathan Hutchinson (1828–1913), the London physician who ?rst described them.... hutchinson’s teeth

A medical specialty founded in 1931 and recognised by the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1972. Physical-medicine specialists started by treating rheumatic diseases; subsequently their work developed to include the diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with physical handicaps. The specialty has now been combined with that of RHEUMATOLOGY. (See also PHYSIOTHERAPY.)... physical medicine

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Infection by HIV virus may lead to AIDS, but is believed to be not the sole cause of the disease. It strikes by ravaging the body’s defence system, destroying natural immunity by invading the white blood cells and producing an excess of ‘suppressant’ cells. It savages the very cells that under normal circumstances would defend the body against the virus. Notifiable disease. Hospitalisation. AIDS does not kill. By lacking an effective body defence system a person usually dies from another infection such as a rare kind of pneumonia. There are long-term patients, more than ten years after infection with HIV who have not developed AIDS. There are some people on whom the virus appears to be ineffective. The HIV virus is transmitted by infected body fluids, e.g. semen, blood or by transfusion.

A number of co-factors are necessary for AIDS to develop: diet, environment, immoral lifestyle, drugs, etc also dispose to the disease which, when eliminated, suggest that AIDS needs not be fatal. However, there is no known cure. Smoking hastens onset. Causes include needle-sharing and sexual contacts. Also known as the ‘Gay Plague’ it can be transmitted from one member of the family to another non-sexual contact.

The virus kills off cells in the brain by inflammation, thus disposing to dementia.

Symptoms. Onset: brief fever with swollen glands. “Feeling mildly unwell”. This may pass off without incident until recurrence with persistent diarrhoea, night sweats, tender swollen lymph nodes, cough and shortness of breath. There follows weight loss, oral candida. Diagnosis is confirmed by appearance of ugly skin lesions known as Kaposi’s sarcoma – a malignant disease. First indication is the appearance of dark purple spots on the body followed by fungoid growths on mouth and throat.

While some cases of STDs have been effectively treated with phytotherapy, there is evidence to suggest it may be beneficial for a number of reasons. Whatever the treatment, frequent blood counts to monitor T-4 cells (an important part of the immune system) are necessary. While a phytotherapeutic regime may not cure, it is possible for patients to report feeling better emotionally and physically and to avoid some accompanying infections (candida etc).

Treatment. Without a blood test many HIV positives may remain ignorant of their condition for many years. STD clinics offer free testing and confidential counselling.

Modern phytotherapeutic treatment:–

1. Anti-virals. See entry.

2. Enhance immune function.

3. Nutrition: diet, food supplements.

4. Psychological counselling.

To strengthen body defences: Garlic, Echinacea, Lapacho, Sage, Chlorella, Reisha Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom. Of primary importance is Liquorice: 2-4 grams daily.

Upper respiratory infection: Pleurisy root, Elecampane.

Liver breakdown: Blue Flag root, Milk Thistle, Goldenseal.

Diarrhoea: Bayberry, Mountain Grape, American Cranesbill, Slippery Elm, lactobacillus acidophilus.

Prostatitis: Saw Palmetto, Goldenrod, Echinacea.

Skin lesions: External:– Comfrey, Calendula or Aloe Vera cream.

To help prevent dementia: a common destructive symptom of the disease: agents rich in minerals – Alfalfa, Irish Moss, Ginkgo, St John’s Wort, Calcium supplements.

Nervous collapse: Gotu Kola, Siberian Ginseng, Oats, Damiana.

Ear Inflammation: Echinacea. External – Mullein ear drops.

With candida: Lapacho tea. Garlic inhibits candida.

Anal fissure: Comfrey cream or Aloe Vera gel (external).

Practitioner: Formula. Liquid extract Echinacea 30ml (viral infection) . . . Liquid extract Poke root 10ml (lymphatic system) . . . Liquid extract Blue Flag root 10ml (liver stimulant) . . . Tincture Goldenseal 2ml (inflamed mucous membranes) . . . Liquid extract Guaiacum 1ml (blood enricher) . . . Decoction of Sarsaparilla to 100ml. Sig: 5ml (3i) aq cal pc.

Gargle for sore throat: 5-10 drops Liquid extract or Tincture Echinacea to glass water, as freely as desired.

Abdominal Castor oil packs: claimed to enhance immune system.

Chinese medicine: Huang Qi (astragalus root).

Urethral and vaginal irrigation: 2 drops Tea Tree oil in strong decoction Marshmallow root: 2oz to 2 pints water. Inject warm.

Diet. Vitamin C-rich foods, Lecithin, Egg Yolk, Slippery Elm gruel, Red Beet root, Artichokes. Garlic is particularly indicated as an anti-infective.

Nutrition. Vitamin A is known to increase resistance by strengthening the cell membrane; preferably taken as beta carotene 300,000iu daily as massive doses of Vitamin A can be toxic. Amino acid – Glutathione: Garlic’s L-cysteine relates.

Vitamin C. “The virus is inactivated by this vitamin. Saturating cells infected with the HIV virus with the vitamin results in 99 per cent inactivation of the virus. The vitamin is an anti-viral and immune system modulator without unwanted side-effects. The ascorbate, when added to HIV cells, substantially reduced the virus’s activity without harming the cells at specific concentrations. Patients taking large doses report marked improvement in their condition. Minimum daily oral dose: 10 grams.” (Linus Pauling Institute, Science and Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA)

Periwinkle. An anti-AIDS compound has been detected in the Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), at the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Mulberry. The black Mulberry appears to inhibit the AIDS virus.

Hyssop. An AIDS patient improved to a point where ulcers were healed, blood infection eliminated, and Kaposi’s sarcoma started to clear when her mother gave her a traditional Jamaican tea made from Hyssop, Blessed Thistle and Senna. From test-tube research doctors found that Hyssopus officinalis could be effective in treatment of HIV/AIDS. (Medical Journal Antiviral Research, 1990, 14, 323-37) Circumcision. Studies have shown that uncircumcised African men were more than five to eight times more likely to contract AIDS than were circumcised men; life of the virus being short-lived in a dry environment. (Epidemiologist Thomas Quinn, in Science Magazine)

Study. A group of 13 HIV and AIDS patients received 200mg capsules daily of a combination of Chelidonium (Greater Celandine) 175mg; Sanguinaria (Blood root) 5mg; and Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) 20mg. More than half the patients enjoyed increased energy and improved immune function with reduction in both size and tenderness of lymph nodes. (D’Adamo P. ‘Chelidonium and Sanguinaria alkaloids as anti-HIV therapy. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine (USA) 3.31-34 1992)

Bastyr College of Naturopathy, Seattle, MA, USA. During 1991 the College carried out a study which claimed that a combination of natural therapies including nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy and counselling had successfully inhibited HIV and other viral activity in all patients in controlled trials lasting a year.

Patients chosen for the trial were HIV positive, not on anti-viral drugs and showing symptoms of a compromised immune system, but without frank AIDS (generally taken to be indicated by Karposi’s sarcoma and/or PCP-pneumocystitis carinii pneumonia).

Symptoms included: Lymphadenopathy in at least two sites, oral thrush, chronic diarrhoea, chronic sinusitis, leukoplakia, herpes, night sweats and fatigue.

Assessment was subjective and objective (including T-cell ratio tests). The patients did better than comparable groups in published trials using AZT.

Treatment was naturopathic and herbal. Patients receiving homoeopathy and acupuncture did not do as well as those receiving herbs.

Best results with herbs were: Liquorice (1g powder thrice daily); St John’s Wort (Yerba prima tablets, 3, on two days a week only). Patients reported a great increase in the sense of well-being on St John’s Wort. An equivalent dose of fresh plant tincture would be 10ml. The tincture should be of a good red colour. The College did not use Echinacea, which would stimulate the central immune system and which would therefore be contra-indicated.

Supplements given daily. Calcium ascorbate 3g+ (to bowel tolerance). Beta-carotene 300,000iu. Thymus gland extract tablets 6. Zinc 60mg (with some Copper). B-vitamins and EFAs.

To control specific symptoms: most useful herbs were: Tea Tree oil for fungal infections; Goldenseal and Gentian as bitters. Ephedra and Eyebright for sinusitis. Carob drinks for non-specific enteritis. Vitamin B12 and topical Liquorice for shingles.

Counselling and regular massage were used to maintain a positive spirit. Studies show all long term HIV positive survivors have a positive attitude and constantly work at empowering themselves.

Results showed significant improvements in symptoms suffered by HIV patients despite a slow deterioration in blood status. Methods used in the study had dramatically reduced mortality and morbidity. A conclusion was reached that AIDS may not be curable but it could be manageable. (Reported by Christopher Hedley MNIMH, London NW1 8JD, in Greenfiles Herbal Journal) ... aids

See also MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (ME). A condition characterised by severe, disabling mental and physical fatigue brought on by mental or physical activity and associated with a range of symptoms including muscle pain, headaches, poor sleep, disturbed moods and impaired concentration. The prevalence of the condition is between 0.2 and 2.6 per cent of the population (depending on how investigators de?ne CFS/ME). Despite the stereotype of ‘yuppie ?u’, epidemiological research has shown that the condition occurs in all socioeconomic and ethnic groups. It is commoner in women and can also occur in children.

In the 19th century CFS was called neurasthenia. In the UK, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is often used, a term originally introduced to describe a speci?c outbreak such as the one at the Royal Free Hospital, London in 1955. The term is inaccurate as there is no evidence of in?ammation of the brain and spinal cord (the meaning of encephalomyelitis). Doctors prefer the term CFS, but many patients see this as derogatory, perceiving it to imply that they are merely ‘tired all the time’ rather than having a disabling illness.

The cause (or causes) are unknown, so the condition is classi?ed alongside other ‘medically unexplained syndromes’ such as IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) and multiple chemical sensitivity – all of which overlap with CFS. In many patients the illness seems to start immediately after a documented infection, such as that caused by EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS, or after viral MENINGITIS, Q FEVER and TOXOPLASMOSIS. These infections seem to be a trigger rather than a cause: mild immune activation is found in patients, but it is not known if this is cause or e?ect. The body’s endocrine system is disturbed, particularly the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis, and levels of cortisol are often a little lower than normal – the opposite of what is found in severe depression. Psychiatric disorder, usually depression and/or anxiety, is associated with CFS, with rates too high to be explained solely as a reaction to the disability experienced.

Because we do not know the cause, the underlying problem cannot be dealt with e?ectively and treatments are directed at the factors leading to symptoms persisting. For example, a slow increase in physical activity can help many, as can COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY. Too much rest can be harmful, as muscles are rapidly weakened, but aggressive attempts at coercing patients into exercising can be counter-productive as their symptoms may worsen. Outcome is in?uenced by the presence of any pre-existing psychiatric disorder and the sufferer’s beliefs about its causes and treatment. Research continues.... chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs)

(Linn.) Webb ex Prantl.

Synonym: Sisymbrium sophia L.

Family: Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalaya from Kashmir to Kumaon at 2,200-4,100, also in eastern Himalaya.

English: Flix Weed, Flax Weed.

Action: Leaf and flower—astringent, antiscorbutic. Seed—expectorant, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, antidysenteric. Aerial parts— antiviral, hypoglycaemic.

The plants has been used externally for ulcers, seeds are used as substitute or adulterant of the seeds of Sisymbrium iro Linn. (The source of Khaakasi, Khubb, Tukhm-e-Shahuh, Khuubkalaan of Unani medicine, known as Hedge Mustard or London Rocket.)... descurainia sophia

A genetic disorder in which the affected person usually carries an extra chromosome – 47 instead of the usual 46. The extra chromosome occurs in the no. 21 group, hence the disorder is described as trisomy 21. The condition was named after Dr J L H Down, the London doctor who ?rst described it in 1866. The incidence is around one in 600 births. The disorder is characterised by a particular physical appearance and learning diffculties, with the affected individuals having an INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT (IQ) ranging from 30 to 80 (normal is 100). Most people with the syndrome have eyes that slope up at the outer corners with skin folds that cover the inner ones. The face and features are smaller than normal, while the tongue is larger; the back of the head is ?attened and the hands are usually short and broad. The facial features led to the syndrome being described as ‘mongolism’, a term that is no longer used.

Children with Down’s syndrome are usually friendly and ?t in well with the family. Despite their learning disabilities, some learn to read and, if they have appropriate educational and environmental stimulation, can make the most of their abilities.

A heart defect is present in around 25 per cent of the children at birth, and deafness and acute LEUKAEMIA occur more frequently than in unaffected youngsters. Those with the syndrome are particularly prone to developing ear infections. ATHEROSCLEROSIS often develops early in adults and ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE tends to occur as early as 40 years of age. A friendly home environment helps them to enjoy life, but a few individuals with the syndrome may eventually require institutional care. Improved social and medical care means that many now live until their 60s.

Routine screening tests early in pregnancy, starting with blood analysis but going on if necessary to AMNIOCENTESIS and chorionic villus sampling (see PRENATAL SCREENING OR DIAGNOSIS), can identify fetuses likely to develop the disorder. If a sample of fetal cells con?rms the chromosome defect (triple marker test – see PREGNANCY AND LABOUR), the parents may consider termination of the pregnancy. In the UK, screening is normally o?ered to women over 35 because of their increased risk. When younger parents have a child with Down’s syndrome, the chances of a subsequent child with the disorder are relatively high as it is probable that both parents carry a chromosome abnormality insu?cient to cause ill-health until combined. So they may wish to discuss with their medical advisers the question of further pregnancies.

Parents who have a child with Down’s syndrome will understandably feel a combination of strong emotions, including anger and guilt, and constructive counselling can be valuable. Among societies o?ering advice and support is the Down’s Syndrome Association.... down’s (down) syndrome

Provides authoritative standards for the quality of many substances, preparations and articles used in medicine and pharmacy, and includes the monographs of the European Pharmacopoeias. A legally enforceable document throughout the UK, most of the Commonwealth and many other countries, and is an indispensable laboratory handbook for all concerned with the quality of medicines. Published on the recommendation of the Medicines Commission pursuant to the Medicines Act 1968. Published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London. The most useful BPC for the herbal practitioner is the BPC 1934. ... british pharmacopoeia, the

Cinchona spp.

Rubiaceae

San: Cinchona, Kunayanah

Hin: Kunain Mal: Cinchona, Quoina

Tam: Cinchona

Importance: Cinchona, known as Quinine, Peruvian or Crown bark tree is famous for the antimalarial drug ‘quinine’ obtained from the bark of the plant. The term cinchona is believed to be derived from the countess of cinchon who was cured of malaria by treating with the bark of the plant in 1638. Cinchona bark has been valued as a febrifuge by the Indians of south and central America for a long time. Over 35 alkaloids have been isolated from the plant; the most important among them being quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidine. These alkaloids exist mainly as salts of quinic, quinovic and cinchotannic acids. The cultivated bark contains 7-10% total alkaloids of which about 70% is quinine. Similarly 60% of the total alkaloids of root bark is quinine. Quinine is isolated from the total alkaloids of the bark as quinine sulphate. Commercial preparations contain cinchonidine and dihydroquinine. They are useful for the treatment of malarial fever, pneumonia, influenza, cold, whooping couphs, septicaemia, typhoid, amoebic dysentery, pin worms, lumbago, sciatica, intercostal neuralgia, bronchial neuritis and internal hemorrhoids. They are also used as anesthetic and contraceptive. Besides, they are used in insecticide compositions for the preservation of fur, feathers, wool, felts and textiles. Over doses of these alkaloids may lead to deafness, blindness, weakness, paralysis and finally collapse, either comatose or deleterious. Quinidine sulphate is cardiac depressant and is used for curing arterial fibrillation.

Distribution: Cinchona is native to tropical South America. It is grown in Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Columbia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire and Sri Lanka. It was introduced in 1808 in Guatemala,1860 in India, 1918 in Uganda, 1927 in Philippines and in 1942 in Costa Rica. Roy Markham introduced the plant to India. The first plantation was raised in Nilgiris and later on in Darjeeling of West Bengal. The value of the tree was learnt by Jessuit priests who introduced the bark to Europe. It first appeared in London pharmacopoeia in 1677 (Husain, 1993).

Botany: The quinine plant belongs to the family Rubiaceae and genus Cinchona which comprises over 40 species. Among these a dozen are medicinally important. The commonly cultivated species are C. calisaya Wedd., C. ledgeriana Moens, C. officinalis Linn., C. succirubra Pav. ex Kl., C. lancifolia and C. pubescens. Cinchona species have the chromosome number 2n=68. C. officinalis Linn. is most common in India. It is an evergreen tree reaching a height of 10-15m. Leaves are opposite, elliptical, ovate- lanceolate, entire and glabrous. Flowers are reddish-brown in short cymbiform, compound cymes, terminal and axillary; calyx tubular, 5-toothed, obconical, subtomentose, sub-campanulate, acute, triangular, dentate, hairy; corolla tube 5 lobed, densely silky with white depressed hairs, slightly pentagonal; stamens 5; style round, stigma submersed. Fruit is capsule ovoid-oblong; seeds elliptic, winged margin octraceous, crinulate-dentate (Biswas and Chopra, 1982).

Agrotechnology: The plant widely grows in tropical regions having an average minimum temperature of 14 C. Mountain slopes in the humid tropical areas with well distributed annual rainfall of 1500-1950mm are ideal for its cultivation. Well drained virgin and fertile forest soils with pH 4.5-6.5 are best suited for its growth. It does not tolerate waterlogging. Cinchona is propagated through seeds and vegetative means. Most of the commercial plantations are raised by seeds. Vegetative techniques such as grafting, budding and softwood cuttings are employed in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Java and Guatemala. Cinchona succirubra is commonly used as root stock in the case of grafting and budding. Hormonal treatment induces better rooting. Seedlings are first raised in nursery under shade. Raised seedbeds of convenient size are prepared, well decomposed compost or manure is applied , seeds are broadcasted uniformly at 2g/m2, covered with a thin layer of sand and irrigated. Seeds germinate in 10-20 days. Seedlings are transplanted into polythene bags after 3 months. These can be transplanted into the field after 1 year at 1-2m spacing. Trees are thinned after third year for extracting bark , leaving 50% of the trees at the end of the fifth year. The crop is damaged by a number of fungal diseases like damping of caused by Rhizoctoria solani, tip blight by Phytophthora parasatica, collar rot by Sclerotiun rolfsii, root rot by Phytophthora cinnamomi, Armillaria mellea and Pythium vexans. Field sanitation, seed treatment with organo mercurial fungicide, burning of infected plant parts and spraying 1% Bordeaux mixture are recommended for the control of the diseases (Crandall, 1954). Harvesting can be done in one or two phases. In one case, the complete tree is uprooted, after 8-10 years when the alkaloid yield is maximum. In another case, the tree is cut about 30cm from the ground for bark after 6-7 years so that fresh sprouts come up from the stem to yield a second crop which is harvested with the under ground roots after 6-7 years. Both the stem and root are cut into convenient pieces, bark is separated, dried in shade, graded, packed and traded. Bark yield is 9000-16000kg/ha (Husain, 1993).

Properties and activity: Over 35 alkaloids have been isolated from Cinchona bark, the most important among them are quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, cinchonidine, cinchophyllamine and idocinchophyllamine. There is considerable variation in alkaloid content ranging from 4% to 20%. However, 6-8% yield is obtained from commercial plantations. The non alkaloidal constituents present in the bark are bitter glycosides, -quinovin, cinchofulvic, cinchotannic and quinic acids, a bitter essential oil possessing the odour of the bark and a red coloring matter. The seed contains 6.13% fixed oil. Quinine and its derivatives are bitter, astringent, acrid, thermogenic, febrifuge, oxytocic, anodyne, anti-bacterial, anthelmintic, digestive, depurative, constipating, anti pyretic, cardiotonic, antiinflammatory, expectorant and calcifacient (Warrier et al, 1994; Bhakuni and Jain, 1995).... cinchona

The transplant of an artery or vein from the leg to bypass a clogged artery in the heart. Vessels may be blocked by a deposit of plaque made up of collagen, fats and cholesterol solidified by calcium and other mineral salts, and which may have been building up for 30-40 years. See: CHELATION.

London’s Middlesex Hospital Intensive Care Unit has found that a 20-minute foot massage using Neroli oil significantly reduces the level of anxiety and pain experienced by post-cardiac surgery patients. ... bypass operation

Commonest form of cancer in women. Overall mortality remains about 50 per cent at five years. Appears to run in families. Strikes hard unmarried women. Married women who have no children. Those who do not nurse their babies, or who are infertile and have no child before thirty. Eight out of ten chest lumps are benign.

Symptoms. A small lump comes to light while washing, a discharge from the nipple, change in nipple size and colour, irregular contour of the breast surface. Though tissue change is likely to be a cyst, speedy diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Some hospital physicians and surgeons are known to view favourably supportive herbal aids, and do not always think in terms of radical mastectomy. Dr Finlay Ellingwood, Chicago physician (1916) cured a case by injection of one dram Echinacea root extract twice a week into the surrounding tissues.

The condition is believed to be due to a number of causes including suppression of ovulation and oestrogen secretion in pregnant and lactating women. A high fat diet is suspected of interference with the production of oestrogen. Some women are constitutionally disposed to the condition which may be triggered by trauma or emotional shock. Increase in incidence in older women has been linked with excessive sugar consumption. “Consumption overwhelms the pancreas which has to ‘push it out’ to all parts of the body (when broken down by the digestive process) whether they need it or not. The vital organs are rationed according to their requirements of nutrients from the diet. What is left over has to ‘go into store elsewhere’. And the breast is forced to take its share and store it. If it gets too much, for too long, it may rebel!” (Stephen Seely, Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Manchester)

“Women who nurse their babies less than one month are at an increased risk for breast cancer. The longer a woman breast-feeds – no matter what her age – the more the risk decreases. (Marion Tompson, co-founder, The La Leche League, in the American Journal of Epidemiology)

Lactation reduces the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. (Newcomb P.A. et al New England Journal of Medicine, 330 1994)

There is currently no treatment to cure metastatic breast cancer. In spite of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy survival rate has not diminished. Herbs not only have a palliative effect but, through their action on hormone function offer a positive contribution towards overcoming the condition. Their activity has been widely recorded in medical literature. Unlike cytotoxic drugs, few have been known to cause alopecia, nausea, vomiting or inflammation of the stomach.

Treatment by a general medical practitioner or oncologist.

Special investigations. Low radiation X-ray mammography to confirm diagnosis. Test for detection of oestrogen receptor protein.

Treatment. Surgery may be necessary. Some patients may opt out from strong personal conviction, choosing a rigid self-disciplined approach – the Gentle Way. Every effort is made to build up the body’s natural defences (immune system).

An older generation of herbalists believed tissue change could follow a bruise on the breast, which should not be neglected but immediately painted with Tincture Arnica or Tincture Bellis perennis.

Vincristine, an alkaloid from Vinca rosea (Catharanthus roseus) is used by the medical profession as an anti-neoplastic and anti-mitotic agent to inhibit cell division.

Of possible therapeutic value. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Chaparral, Clivers, Comfrey root, Echinacea, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Marshmallow root, Mistletoe, Myrrh, Prickly Ash bark, Red Clover, Thuja, Wild Violet, Yellow Dock.

Tea. Equal parts: Red Clover, Clivers, Gotu Kola, Wild Violet. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 3 or more cups daily.

Decoctions. Echinacea, Blue Flag root, Queen’s Delight, Yellow Dock.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag root, Echinacea, Poke root, Mistletoe.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Gotu Kola 1; Poke root 1; Mistletoe 1; Vinca rosea 1. Mix. Dose: Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Thrice daily and at bedtime. According to progress of the disease, increase dosage as tolerated.

Maria Treben’s tea. Parts: Marigold (3), Yarrow 1; Nettles 1. Mix. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water. 1 cup as many times daily as tolerated.

William Boericke, M.D. recommends Houseleek. E.H. Ruddock M.D. favours Figwort.

Topical. Treatments believed to be of therapeutic value or for use as a soothing application.

(1) Cold poultice: Comfrey root.

(2) Poultice of fresh Marshmallow root pulped in juicer.

(3) Injection of Extract Greater Celandine (Chelidonium), locally, gained a reputation in the Eclectic school.

(4) The action of Blood root (Sanguinaria) is well known as a paint or injection.

(5) Ragwort poultice: 2oz Ragwort boiled in half a pint potato water for 15 minutes. See: POULTICE.

(6) Popular Russian traditional remedy: Badiaga (Spongilla fluviatilis), fresh water sponge gathered in the autumn; dried plant rubbed to a powder. Poultice.

(7) Maria Treben’s Poultice: Carefully washed fresh Plantain leaves, pulped, and applied direct to the lesion.

(8) If lymph glands are affected, apply Plantain poultice to glands.

(9) Dr Brandini’s treatment. Dr Brandini, Florence, used 4 grains Citric Acid (prepared from lemons) in 1oz (30ml) water for ulcerated cancer of the breast considered incurable. “The woman’s torments were so distressing that neither she nor other patients could get any rest. Applying lint soaked in the solution, relief was instantaneous. Repeated, it was successful.”

(10) Circuta leaves. Simmered till soft and mixed with Slippery Elm bark powder as a poultice morning and night.

(11) Decoction. Simmer gently Yellow Dock roots, fine cut or powdered, 1oz to 1 pint, 20 minutes. Saturate lint or suitable material and apply.

(12) Yellow Dock ointment. Half ounce Lobelia seed, half ounce Yellow Dock root powder. Baste into an ointment base. See: OINTMENT BASE.

(13) Infusion, for use as a wash. Equal parts: Horsetail, Red Clover, Raspberry leaves. 1oz to 1 pint boiling water infuse 15 minutes.

(14) Dr Christopher’s Ointment. Half an ounce White Oak, half an ounce Garden Sage, half an ounce Tormentil, half an ounce Horsetail, half an ounce Lemon Balm. Method: Boil gently half an hour in quart water, strain. Reduce to half a pint by simmering. Add half a pound honey. Bring to boil. Skim off scum. Allow cool. Apply: twice daily on sores.

(15) Dr Finlay Ellingwood. Poke root juice. “Fresh juice from the stems, leaves and roots applied directly to diseased tissue. Exercises a selective action; induces liquefaction and promotes removal, sometimes healing the open wound and encouraging scar formation. Masses of such tissue have been known to be destroyed in a few weeks with only a scar, with no other application but the fresh juice. Produces pain at first, but is otherwise harmless.”

(16) Lesion painted with Mandrake resin. (American Podophyllum)

(17) Dust affected parts with Comfrey powder. Mucilage from Comfrey powder or crushed root with the aid of a little milk. See: COMFREY.

(18) Dr Samuel Thomson’s Cancer Plaster. “Take heads of Red Clover and fill a kettle. Boil in water for one hour. Remove and fill kettle with fresh flower heads. Boil as before in the same liquor. Strain and press heads to express all the liquor. Simmer over a low fire till of the consistency of tar. It must not burn. Spread over a piece of suitable material.”

(19) Wipe affected area with cut Houseleek. (Dr Wm Boericke)

(20) Chinese Herbalism. Take 1-2 Liang pulverised liao-ko-wang (Wickstroemia indica), mix with cold boiled water or rice wine for local compress. Also good for mastitis.

(21) Italian women once used an old traditional remedy – Fenugreek tea.

(22) A clinical trial of Vitamin D provided encouraging results. Patients with locally advanced breast cancer were given a highly active Vitamin D analogue cream to rub on their tumours. “It was effective in one third of the tumours,” said Professor Charles Coombes, clinical oncologist, Charing Cross Hospital, London.

Diet. “A diet rich in cereal products (high in dietary fibre) and green leafy vegetables (antioxidants) would appear to offer women some protection against breast cancer due to the relation between fibre and oestrogen metabolism. Meat-free diet. In a study of 75 adolescent girls, vegetarians were found to have higher levels of a hormone that women suffering from breast cancer often lack. (Cancer Research) Supplements. Daily. Chromium. Selenium (600mcg). Zinc chelate (100mg morning and evening). Beta carotene. “Low levels of Selenium and Vitamins A and E are shown in breast cancer cases.” (British Journal of Cancer 49: 321-324, 1984).

Vitamins A and D inhibit virus penetration in healthy cell walls. Multivitamin combinations should not include Vitamin B12, production of which in the body is much increased in cancerous conditions. Vitamins B-complex and C especially required.

Note: A link between sugar consumption and breast cancer has been reported by some authorities who suggest that countries at the top of the mortality table are the highest also in sugar consumption; the operative factor believed to be insulin.

Screening. Breast screening should be annual from the age of forty.

General. Mothers are encouraged to breast-feed children for the protection it offers against mammary malignancy. (Am.J. Obstet. Gyn. 15/9/1984. 150.)

Avoidance of stress situations by singing, playing an instrument. Adopt relaxation techniques, spiritual healing and purposeful meditation to arouse the immune system; intensive visualisation. Avoid the carcinogens: smoking, alcohol.

Information. Breast Cancer Care. Free Help Line. UK Telephone: 0500 245345. ... cancer - breast

 1545-1611. Elizabethan physician. Born at Nantwich, Cheshire. Writer of the famous herbal: “Anatomie of Plants” (1597) in which is revealed considerable scientific insight into the medicinal character of plants. Herbalist to James I. Shakespeare must have visited his garden in Holborn, subsidised by the King. Also a surgeon, becoming a Master of Chirurgy. He was one of the first to discover the ‘companionship of plants’, referring to the affinities and antipathies in the plant kingdom.

First to grow potatoes in England. His garden at Holborn, London, and now Fetter Lane, was then a village. ... gerard, john

If you’re a fan of black tea, you must have heard of the Earl Grey tea. If not, this is your chance to find out all you need to know about this richly-flavored black tea. Read about its health benefits and side effects, as well. About Earl Grey tea Earl Grey tea is one of the most popular types of black tea, drunk by people all around the world. It has a refreshing, citrusy flavor thanks to the bergamot orange oil added in its composition. The bergamot orange is the fruit of a citrus tree which blooms during winter; it is commercially cultivated in Italy. The bergamot oil, which is responsible for the tea’s citrusy flavor, is extracted from the skin of the fruit. In America, it is sometimes misspelled as “Earl Gray”. However, this is not the generally accepted spelling of the tea’s name. The Earl Grey tea is often drank during breakfast or brunch. It makes a good team with different sweets and pastries.  It is also used to add flavor to various types of cakes. History of Earl Grey tea The Earl Grey tea is named after Charles Grey, 2^nd Earl of Britain, who was Prime Minister during the 1830s. As to why it was named after him, one legend says that a Chinese merchant gave this tea to Lord Grey to show his gratefulness, as one of the lord’s men had saved his son from drowning. However, there are doubts related to the authenticity of this story, as Lord Grey had never been to China, and the Chinese hadn’t yet discovered about the use of bergamot oil as a tea ingredient. It is possible that, seeing as Earl Grey tea was discovered at the beginning of the 19^th century, it was simply named after a politician who was quite well-known at that time. According to the Grey family, Lady Grey served Earl Grey tea to various guests. As it became more and more popular, she was asked if the Earl Grey tea could be sold. This is how it became a brand of the Twinings tea company. Varieties of Earl Grey tea Considering how popular the Earl Grey tea is, it isn’t surprising that there are currently quite a few varieties of this tea. One of the well-known varieties of Earl Grey tea is Lady Grey, named after Mary Elizabeth Grey, the wife of Lord Grey. Other flavors are added to the usual Earl Grey tea. Some varieties of Lady Grey include adding blue cornflower blossoms, lavender or Seville oranges. Another type of the Earl Grey tea is the Russian Earl Grey. To the usual ingredients, it adds citrus peels, vodka, and lemon grass. Other types of Earl Grey tea include flowers among its ingredients. One of them is the French Earl Grey, which uses rose petals. There are some types of Earl Grey tea where the usual black tea leaves are replaced with something else. One example is Earl Grey Green, where the bergamot oil is combined with green leaves instead of the black ones. Another example is Rooibos Earl Grey, possibly originating from Malaysia. In this case, the black leaves are replaced with Rooibos, a South-African herbal plant. Also, in various coffee shops and tea shops, you can find a drink called London Fog. It is a “tea latte” and its ingredients are Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla syrup. How to prepare Earl Grey Tea For a cup of Earl Grey tea, use one teaspoon of tea leaves, or one regular-sized teabag. Boil the water before pouring it into the cup, and then let it steep for about 5 minutes. Then, remove the tea leaves or teabag. Based on your preferences, you can add sugar, lemon or milk to your cup of Earl Grey tea. Benefits of Earl Grey Tea The Earl Grey tea comes with many health benefits, both thanks to the black tea leaves and the bergamot oil. First, the antioxidants in its composition strengthen your immune system. They help keep your body young and healthy, protecting it from various viruses. This is why people who have caught a cold or the flu, or simply have a fever, drink Earl Grey tea. The Earl Grey tea has a calming effect thanks to the bergamot oil in its composition. It helps improve your mood by fighting against anxiety, depression, stress, and mood swings. The bergamot oil in the Earl Grey tea also helps you with digestion. It’s useful when suffering from indigestion, nausea and colic. It is also recommended in the case of urinary tract infections and intestinal problems. Earl Grey tea also helps you maintain a good oral hygiene. It fights against tooth decay and oral infections, and keeps the cavities away. Side effects of Earl Grey tea Despite its many health benefits, consumption of Earl Grey tea can have a few side effects, as well. The caffeine found in the composition of Earl Grey tea can affect you negatively, especially if caffeine isn’t good for your body.  To some people it may induce anxiety and heart palpitations. It can also increase blood pressure, making it bad for people who already have a high blood pressure. Also, if you drink a large amount of Earl Grey tea for a long time and suddenly, you stop, you might experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms. They include headaches that can last for up to a week, difficulty in concentrating, nausea, depression and anxiety. Drinking a large amount of Earl Grey tea can lead to side effects, as well. You might end up suffering from headaches, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats. Therefore, make sure you don’t drink more than six cups of any tea, including Earl Grey tea.   Stay healthy by drinking this rich and citrusy-flavored black tea, the Earl Grey tea. Keep an eye on the side effects, but don’t let them scare you, as there are many more health benefits. So relax and enjoy your cup of Earl Grey tea with some cookies!... discover more about earl grey tea

English Ivy. Hedera helix L. German: Efeu. French: Lierre. Spanish: Diedra o Yedra. Italian: Edera. Leaves, berries. Contains the saponins, hederine and emetine. Practitioner use.

Action: cathartic, diaphoretic, stimulant, antispasmodic, expectorant, febrifuge, anthelmintic, amoebicidal.

Uses: whooping cough, to liquefy bronchial phlegm. Berries macerated in vinegar to make an acid tincture used in the London plague. Hydrocephalus (single drop doses of fresh plant juice) traditional. Preparations. Locally, Ivy leaf poultice for swollen glands and chronic leg ulcer.

Ivy Leaf Corn Cure. ... ivy

Cough medicine with European mass market. Made with honey and lemon. Each 5ml contains: active ingredients: Ipecacuanha liquid extract BP 13.9mg. Liquid Glucose USP 5.08g. Menthol BP 1.32mg. Honey 0.33g. Lemon juice 1.1ml. Liqufruta Ltd, London E4 8QA. ... liqufruta

The name commonly applied to the American School Physicians, a distinct group of Medical Doctors who trained in their own schools, and were licensed as M.D.s. They specialized in low-tech, nonhospital rural health care...the famous country doc with a black bag. Besides standard medical procedures, they used a more wholistic approach to disease, sometimes terming themselves Vitalists. They were the most sophisticated of the many movements that arose in response to the almost maniac medical practices of the first half of the 19th century, especially in the United States, where, as always, medicine was philosophically invasive and heroic (often a wonderment to visiting physicians from Paris or London) The Eclectics flourished and grew out of the settlement and usurpment of the Ohio and Missouri Valleys, with a sparse population and no organized hospitals, relied on methods that were not invasive (unless emergencies dictated), used therapies that relied on strengthening natural resistance (no hospitals, just someone’s sod hut) and made particular care to explain and prepare the family or neighbors for THEIR part in caring for the patient...long after the physician left. Scudder, John King, Felter, Ellingwood and Clyce Wilson were some of the more famous Eclectics, and John Uri Lloyd was the most famous pharmacist/pharmacologist within the profession. The Eclectic movement lasted from 1840 to 1937...when the only remaining medical school, unwilling to change to a Flexner Curriculum (as had the other survivors) closed its doors in Cincinnati. Long operating in a tradition of radical, populist and anti­establishment philosophy, they were unable to get any public funding, were unable to ally themselves with full universities (and share faculty and funding), and were unable to expand their teaching facilities with only a base of tuition income. They lost the licensing wars and are no more. Their tradition was exported by practitioners in Germany and Mexico, and the German Eclectics, transformed by that peculiar culture into wild-eyed Nature Curists such as Ehret, Mausert and Lust, started the nucleus for the Naturopathic movement in Yellow Springs, Ohio (next-door to Goddard College) in 1947, helping to found the initial form of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine...10 years after, and 50 miles away from the last Eclectic Medical School. Without benefit of Tanna Leaves or Charleton Heston and an armful of pickled mummy-organs, Eclectecism was reborn into the body of Naturopathy. See: THOMSONIANS... eclectics

Hara.

Synonym: R. indica Hiern. Nasturtium indicum DC.

Family: Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in damp places, ascending up to 2,100 m in the Himalayas.

Unani: Khoobkalaan (also equated with Sisymbrium iro Linn., Hedge Mustard, London Rocket).

Siddha/Tamil: Kattu-kadugu.

Action: Plant—antiscorbutic, stimulant, diuretic (given in diarrhoea, dysentery and fever). Seeds—laxative, prescribed in the treatment of asthma.

Glucosinolates of 8-methylthio-oc- tyl, 8-methylsulphinyloctyl and 2-phe- nylethyl have been isolated from the seeds.

R. islandica (Oeder) Borbas (Bihar, Bengal, Kerala) and R. montana Small (Punjab to Sikkim) are used for antiscorbutic, digestive and diuretic properties.... rorippa dufia

Linn.

Family: Cruciferae; Brassicaeae.

Habitat: Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh in moist soils.

English: London Rocket.

Ayurvedic: Khaaksi.

Unani: Khuubkalaan.

Action: Seeds—expectorant, restorative, febrifuge, rubefacient, antibacterial. Used in asthma.

Leaves—rich in vitamin C (176 mg/ 100 g), beta-carotene (10,000 IU/100 g) and minerals. Used in throat and chest infections.

Aerial parts yield beta-sitosterol, 3 beta-D-glucoside, isorhamnetin and quercetin.

The seed contains a flavonoid, iso- rhamnetin. Fatty oil from seeds contain linolenic and oleic acids (as chief constituents), along with erucic, palmitic and stearic acids.

Ethanolic extract of seeds exhibited marked antibacterial action, also antipyretic and analgesic effects.

S. loeselii Linn. (Kashmir and Hi- machal Pradesh) is used in scrofula and as an antiscorbutic. The seed oil contains erucic acid and larger amounts of tetracosenoic acid. The plant contains alkaloids, organic acids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, coumarins and flavonoids.... sisymbrium irio

Legal guidance sought by the sufferer when making claims against a doctor or health authority is available from: Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AVMA), Bank Chambers, 1 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3TP. ... medical accidents

Hugh, MNIMH (Hon.), F.Inst.H.F.R., Past Manager, Crude Drugs Division, Potter & Clarke, London. Later, joint Managing Director, Brome & Schimmer Ltd. Chairman, Mitchfield Botanies Ltd. President, British Herbal Medicine Association. Past Chairman, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Chairman, Board of Governors, School of Phytotherapy. Founder member of ESCOP and member of the Executive and General Council. ... mitchell

To assist people to find a nutritionist in their area. Concerned with all aspects of diet – proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals and other trace components of food. Factors which may affect a person’s nutritional status such as dietary imbalances, food allergies, food processing, additives, drug therapy, metabolic and digestive disorders, personal life-style, stress, exercise and environmental factors. Maintains a directory of practising nutritionists. Promotes educational courses, encourages research.

Address: 24, Harcourt House, 19, Cavendish Square, London W1M 0AB. ... nutrition association, the.

a mixture of alcohol, morphine, and cocaine sometimes given to control severe pain in terminally ill people, especially those dying of cancer. The mixture was first tried at the Brompton Hospital, London.... brompton cocktail

A traditional Chinese treatment for relieving ills of the body by inserting needles into special meridians. Discovered over 5,000 years ago, it has only of recent years found tardy acceptance in Western medicine. In Russia it is taught in universities as a serious medical science.

Acupuncturists believe in lines of life force called meridians which encircle the body and are linked to all main organs. Sceptics complain that needles are inserted at points with no apparent connection with the disease. A needle stuck into the nose is intended to treat hay-fever, and a needle in the toes, migraine. Karate and Judo experts observe that such points correspond to those used by themselves.

Eastern acupuncturists believe in two channels of energy circulating the body: the Yang (positive) and the Yin (negative), and that in perfect health these two are in perfect balance. However, when one line of force dominates the other full free flow is obstructed and illness results. To release the blockage, insertion of a needle at the correct point on the meridian can often relieve pain and cure.

Chinese acupuncture was always used together with herbal medicine (Ginger, Sarsaparilla, Pennywort, etc.) and many new uses of herbs have been discovered by practitioners of the art. About 60 per cent success rate is shown where the two combined therapies are used for surgical analgesia in childbirth. Laser acupuncture may one day surpass the needle therapy in the treatment of organic problems, depression, and anxiety.

Information. British Acupuncture Association, 34 Alderney Street, London SW1V 4EU. ... acupuncture

Old age. To maintain health, prevent anaemia, ensure mobility of joints, sense of balance, reduce possibility of strokes, preserve density of the bones and ward off senility. In age, nutrients are not so well absorbed. Minerals may be provided by Mullein and Nettles (iron), Kelp (iodine), Chamomile and Horsetail (calcium), Oats (silicon), Silverweed (sulphur), Liquorice root (phosphorus), Dandelion (potassium), Carrot leaves (magnesium).

Alternatives. Garlic (anti-infective), Ginseng (anti-fatigue), Hawthorn (sustains heart), Red Clover (lymphatic cleanser), Ginkgo, (brain stimulant). Sage tea is favoured in China for longevity.

Combination. Tea. Combine equal parts: German Chamomile, Horsetail, Nettles. 1 heaped teaspoon to cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup once or twice daily. Single teas may be made from Hawthorn blossoms or any of the above.

Belgian research has shown that the elderly are more able to resist infection by taking Selenium supplements. They are prone to a deficiency of Selenium. See entry. Elderly subjects who complain of memory loss are unlikely to develop dementia. (Prof Raymond Levy, London Institute of Psychiatry). Diet. Reduce fats, meat and sugar. High intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Dietary fibre, muesli, oatmeal porridge. Oily fish.

Supplements. Daily. Beta carotene 5,000iu; B-complex; B12; Vitamin C to preserve blood vessels 1g; Vitamin E to sustain a robust circulation, 200iu. Selenium 100mcg.

Note: It is desirable that elderly patients should, where possible, be weaned off psychotropic drugs, as they are particularly prone to side-effects. See: DRUG DEPENDENCE. ... ageing

Suppression of normal menstrual flow during the time of life when it should occur. The most common cause is pregnancy but it can arise from hormonal imbalance, trauma, anaemia, fibroids, polyps, constitutional disorder or emotional problems. Though not prejudicial to health it marks a departure from normal.

Symptoms. Scanty irregular or absent periods.

Alternatives. Agnus Castus, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Chaparral, Feverfew, Helonias, Life root, Lovage, Marigold, Motherwort, Mugwort, Parsley root, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Rue, Tansy, Thuja, Southernwood, Wormwood, Yarrow, Hedge Hyssop (Gratiola officinalis).

Tea: Combine: Agnus Castus, Motherwort, Yarrow. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Formula. Combine: Helonias 2; Agnus Castus 2; Blue Cohosh 1. Doses. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules, or one-third teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons.

In water or honey, thrice daily.

Agnus Castus. Success reported.

Due to thyroid imbalance: Kelp, Bladderwrack, Irish Moss.

Vitamins: A. B-complex. E.

Minerals: Calcium. Zinc.

Note: Patients with amenorrhoea are at risk of osteoporosis. (Middlesex Hospital, London) ... amenorrhoea

an electrolyte solution used to prevent dehydration in patients who have a large watery output of faecal fluid from their *stoma, often due to *short bowel syndrome. Originally formulated in St Mark’s hospital in London, the solution consists of 1l water, six heaped 5-ml teaspoons glucose, one level 5-ml teaspoon salt, and half a heaped 2.5-ml teaspoon sodium bicarbonate.... st mark’s solution

n. a British voluntary organization providing a telephone service for the suicidal and despairing. Started in 1953 by the Rev. Chad Varah in the cellars of a London church (St Stephen, Walbrook) with one telephone, it now has over 200 branches throughout the country manned by some 22,000 volunteers. It offers a free, nonprofessional, confidential, and (if required) anonymous service at all hours. Samaritans offer little advice, believing that their clients will be helped to make their own decisions by talking to someone who cares.... samaritans

A progressive brain deterioration first described by the German Neurologist, Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Dementia. Not an inevitable consequence of ageing. A disease in which cells of the brain undergo change, the outer layer (cerebral cortex) leading to tangles of nerve fibres due to reduced oxygen and blood supply to the brain.

The patient lives in an unreal world in which relatives have no sense of belonging. A loving gentle wife they once knew is no longer aware of their presence. Simple tasks, such as switching on an electrical appliance are fudged. There is distressing memory loss, inability to think and learn, speech disturbance – death of the mind. Damage by free radicals implicated.

Symptoms: Confusion, restlessness, tremor. Finally: loss of control of body functions and bone loss.

A striking similarity exists between the disease and aluminium toxicity. Aluminium causes the brain to become more permeable to that metal and other nerve-toxins. (Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans). High levels of aluminium are found concentrated in the neurofibrillary tangles of the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Entry into the body is by processed foods, cookware, (pots and pans) and drugs (antacids).

“Reduction of aluminium levels from dietary and medicinal sources has led to a decline in the incidence of dementia.” (The Lancet, Nov 26, 1983).

“Those who smoke more than one packet of cigarettes a day are 4.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than non-smokers.” (Stuart Shalat, epidemiologist, Harvard University).

Researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle, USA, claim to have found a link between the disease and head injuries with damage to the blood/brain barrier.

Also said to be associated with Down’s syndrome, thyroid disease and immune dysfunction. Other contributory factors are believed to be exposure to mercury from dental amalgam fillings. Animal studies show Ginkgo to increase local blood flow of the brain and to improve peripheral circulation. Alternatives. Teas: Alfalfa, Agrimony, Lemon Balm, Basil, Chaparral, Ginkgo, Chamomile, Coriander (crushed seeds), Ginseng, Holy Thistle, Gotu Kola, Horsetail, Rosemary, Liquorice root (shredded), Red Clover flowers, Skullcap, Ladies Slipper.

Tea. Formula. Combine, equal parts: German Chamomile, Ginkgo, Lemon Balm. 1 heaped teaspoon to cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup freely.

Decoction. Equal parts: Black Cohosh, Blue Flag root, Hawthorn berries. 1 teaspoon in each cupful water; bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup thrice daily.

Powders. Formula. Hawthorn 1; Ginkgo 1; Ginger half; Fringe Tree half. Add pinch Cayenne pepper. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid extracts. Formula. Hawthorn 1; Ephedra half; Ginkgo 1. Dose: 30-60 drops, thrice daily, before meals.

Topical. Paint forehead and nape of neck with Tincture Arnica.

Diet: 2 day fluid-only fast once monthly for 6 months. Low fat, high fibre, lecithin. Lacto-vegetarian. Low salt.

Supplements. Vitamin B-complex, B6, B12, Folic acid, A, C, E, Zinc. Research has shown that elderly patients at high risk of developing dementia have lower levels of Vitamins A, E and the carotenes. Zinc and Vitamin B12 are both vital cofactors for brain enzymes.

Alzheimer’s Disease linked with zinc. Zinc is believed to halt cerebral damage. Senile plaques in the brain produce amyloid, damaging the blood-brain barrier. Toxic metals then cross into the brain, displacing zinc. This then produces abnormal tissue. (Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, researchers, University of Geneva).

Japanese study. Combination of coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B6 and iron. Showed improved mental function. Abram Hoffer MD, PhD. Niacin 500mg tid, Vitamin C 500mg tid, Folic acid 5mg daily, Aspirin 300mg daily, Ginkgo herb 40mg daily. (International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Feb 1994 p11)

Alzheimer’s Disease Society. 2nd Floor, Gordon House, 10 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1PH, UK. Offers support to families and carers through membership. Practical help and information. Send SAE. ... alzheimer’s disease

Osteo-arthritis. Erosion of cartilage of a joint with pain and stiffness. “Wear and tear” arthritis of the over 50s, affecting hands, knees, spine or hips. Biochemical changes in the cartilage stimulate overgrowth of bone cells (hyperplasia) which is an effort by the body to correct the disturbance.

Common in the elderly and menopausal women. Calcium salts may be laid down in a joint believed to be due to errors of diet. Small crystals of calcium hydroxyapatite have been observed to form in cartilage and synovial fluid. (Research group: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London)

The aged sometimes suffer from diminished supply of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and which is necessary for normal calcium metabolism. An effective substitute is 2 teaspoons cider vinegar in a glass of water sipped before or during meals.

Alte rnative s. Black Cohosh and Meadowsweet (natural sources of salicylic acid), Asafoetida (inflammation of connective tissue), Hawthorn (efficient circulation of the blood), Poke root, Bladderwrack, Guaiacum, Devil’s Claw, Bogbean, White Poplar bark, Yucca leaves.

Tea. Celery seeds. 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water. Infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup, 2-3 times daily, before meals. Comfrey tea.

Alternative formulae:– Powders. White Willow 2; Devil’s Claw 1; Black Cohosh half; Guaiacum quarter. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily in water or Nettle tea. Liquid extracts. White Willow 2; Devil’s Claw 1; Bogbean 1; Fennel 1; Tincture Capsicum quarter. Mix. 1 teaspoon thrice daily in water or Nettle tea.

Tinctures. Bogbean 2; Meadowsweet 2; Black Cohosh 1; Guaiacum quarter; Peppermint quarter. Mix. Dose: 2 teaspoons thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules: Devil’s Claw, Wild Yam, Ligvites.

Cod liver oil. Chief of the iodised oils. Can reach and nourish cartilage by the process of osmosis. Its constituents filter into cartilage, imparting increased elasticity which prevents degeneration. Known to soften-up fibrous tissue. 2 teaspoons once daily. Also helps correct uric acid metabolism.

Topical. Physiotherapy. Osteopathy. Jojoba oil packs. Capsicum Cream. Hot and cold compresses twice daily – followed by a cold compress at night, leaving on when in bed. Hot Epsom salt bath twice weekly. Diet. Oily fish: see entry. Low fat. Low salt. High fibre. Avoid lemons and other citrus fruits. Lemon juice may remove some calculi from the body but later begins to remove calcium from the bones. Supplementation. Pantothenic acid 10mg; Vitamin A 7500iu; Vitamin B6 25mg; Vitamin E 400iu; Zinc 25mg.

General. Warm dry climate often relieves. Surgery may be necessary. Herbs Pleurisy root, Comfrey root and Bryonia, sustain the constitution and promote tissue healing after joint replacements with ceramic substitute after the famous Charnley operation. The condition is disabling but it is possible to manage successfully, maintaining normal activities with minimum difficulty. ... arthritis – osteo

DR EDWARD 1886-1936. English Physician. Qualified in medicine at University College Hospital, before being appointed pathologist at a London hospital. He was convinced that the cause of most diseases was in the mind and devised a method of treating the patient’s personality.

After years of study in a remote Norfolk village he concluded there were 38 states of mind which, if corrected led to improvement of certain physical conditions. Being ‘psychic’, he claimed to feel the vibrations of plants and their reactions to his body when holding them in his hand; some causing pain, nausea, nervous excitability or producing a fever. He divined the ‘soul’ of a number of different plants, matching each to a particular state of mind.

It was claimed that destructive moods produced body toxins which lowered vitality and natural resistance. He prepared what are now known as the Bach Remedies from the petals of wild flowers with which he overcame depression, fear and abnormal mental states. He treated the attitude of mind, illness being a cleansing process of mind and body. Thus he became the first Holistic practitioner.

He ‘potentised’ remedies by immersing petals in fresh spring water in the sun and preserving. Though his cures are still regarded as ‘anecdotal’, the remedies enjoy world-wide recognition. Dr W.T. Garton writes: “Dr Bach’s remedies have the power to dispel gloom, anxiety, hate and fear, and with them go many of the physical ills which are the natural outcome of such frames of mind. The remedies are not a substitute for courageous living, but may enable us to better cope with life.”

The Bach Centre, Mount Vernon, Wallingford, Oxon, England. ... bach

Peter R. Bradley MSc CChem FRSC (Chairman). Whitehall Laboratories.

Sheila E. Drew BPharm PhD MRPharms. Deputy Head of Technical Services, William Ransom & Son plc.

Fred Fletcher-Hyde BSc FNIMH. President Emeritus, British Herbal Medicine Association. President Emeritus, National Institute of Medical Herbalists.

Simon Y. Mills MA FNIMH. Director, Centre for Complementary Health Studies, University of Exeter. Hugh W. Mitchell MNIMH (Hon). President, British Herbal Medicine Association. Managing Director, Mitchfield Botanics Ltd.

Edward J. Shellard BPharm PhD DSc(Hon) (Warsaw Medical Academy) FRPharmS CChem FRSC FLS. Emeritus Professor of Pharmacognosy, University of London.

Arnold Webster CChem MRSC. Technical Director, English Grains Ltd.

Peter Wetton BSc LRSC. G.R. Lane Health Products Ltd.

Hein Zeylstra FNIMH. Principal. School of Phytotherapy, Sussex. ... british herbal medicine association, scientific committee, 1995

Started by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries 1673, the Chelsea Physic Garden is the second oldest herb garden in England devoted to the scientific study of plants. It provides a silent four-acre oasis in the heart of London for enjoyment by the public, but especially for research into herbs. For over 300 years the garden has supplied drugs to London doctors for relief of the sick.

Records provide one of the few sources of information about medicinal plants in cultivation during the 18th century. The famous gardener Philip Miller took over in 1722 and developed it as the finest botanic garden in the world for its amazing variety of plants. In the 18th century cotton seeds were sent from the garden to form the crop of the new colony of Georgia, America.

From Chelsea, Madagascan Vinca rosea was distributed and which earned a place in modern medicine (vinplastine) for the treatment of leukaemia. After many years neglect, medical botany enjoys a renaissance during which the skills of the garden’s scientific staff are again in demand for the training of pharmacists and students of other disciplines. Its buildings house a valuable collection of botanical books, including John Parkinson’s “Paradisus”. ... chelsea physic garden

Modern Chinese medicine has rejected entirely the conception of disease due to evil spirits and treated by exorcism. Great advances in scientific knowledge in China have been made since 1949, removing much of the superstitious aspect from herbal medicine and placing it on a sound scientific basis. Advances in the field of Chinese Herbal Medicine are highlighted in an authoritative work: Chinese Clinical Medicine, by C.P. Li MD (Pub: Fogarty International Centre, Bethseda, USA).

Since the barefoot doctors (paramedics) have been grafted into the public Health Service, mass preventative campaigns with public participation of barefoot doctors have led to a reduction in the mortality of infectious disease.

Chinese doctors were using Ephedra 5000 years ago for asthma. For an equal length of time they used Quinghaosu effectively for malaria. The Chinese first recorded goose-grease as the perfect base for ointments, its penetrating power endorsed by modern scientific research.

While Western medicine appears to have a limited capacity to cure eczema, a modern Chinese treatment evolved from the ancient past is changing the lives of many who take it. The treatment was brought to London by Dr Ding-Hui Luo and she practised it with crowded surgeries in London’s Chinatown.

Chinese herbalism now has an appeal to general practitioners looking for alternative and traditional therapies for various diseases where conventional treatment has proved to be ineffective.

See entry: BAREFOOT DOCTOR’S MANUAL.

Address. Hu Shilin, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. ... chinese medicine

Irritation, soreness, friction, inflammation. “People who use extended- wear soft contact lenses are more likely to develop serious microbial keratitis infection than users of other lenses.” (Research team, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London) Risk of keratitis was seen to increase when soft lenses were worn for more than six days.

Alternatives:– Douche. Simple teas: Fennel or German Chamomile; half a teaspoon dried herb or teabag to cup boiling water. Infuse 15 minutes. Half-fill eye-bath and use as douche, tepid. OR: quarter of a teaspoon distilled extract Witch Hazel in eye-bath; half-fill with water. Natural lubricant for contact lens is Evening Primrose oil (contents of a capsule). See: EYES, INFECTION.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin A 7500iu, Vitamin B2 10mg, Vitamin C 400mg, Vitamin E 400iu, Beta carotene. Zinc 15mg. ... contact lens fatigue

A General Medical Council style organisation with a single Register, common ethics and disciplinary procedures for its members. To promote high standards of education, qualification and treatment; to preserve the patient’s freedom of choice.

Founder groups: The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, College of Osteopaths, British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association, The British Chiropractic Association, The Society of Homoeopaths, The British Acupuncture Association, The Traditional Acupuncture Society and the Register of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Objects: to provide vital unified representation to contest adverse legislation; to promote the interests of those seeking alternative treatments; to maintain standards of competent primary health care; to protect the practice of alternative medicine if Common Law is encroached upon. The Council prefers to work in harmony with the orthodox profession in which sense it is complementary. Council’s first chairman: Simon Mills, FNIMH. Address: 10 Belgrave Square, London SW1X BPH. ... council for complementary and alternative medicine

Chronic inflammation and ulceration of the gut, especially the terminal ileum from changes in the gut blood vessels. Commences with ulceration which deepens, becomes fibrotic and leads to stricture. Defective immune system. Resistance low. May be associated with eye conditions and Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Symptoms: malaise, bloody alternating diarrhoea and constipation; right side colicky abdominal pain worse after meals; flatulence, loss of weight and appetite. Intestinal obstruction can usually be palpated. Blood count. A blood count high in whites indicates an abscess – a serious condition which may require surgical repair during which segments of the gut may have to be removed. Malignant change rare. Differential diagnosis. Ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, appendix abscess, irritable bowel syndrome.

Cracks or ulcers at corners of the mouth may be a good marker of Crohn’s Disease.

Treatment. Select one of the following. Herbal treatment offers a safe alternative to steroids by inducing remission in acute exacerbation. Good responses have been observed from the anti-bacterials Wild Yam and Goldenseal. Fenugreek seeds are of special value. Comfrey (tissue regeneration). Irish Moss.

Teas: Chamomile, Comfrey leaves, Hops, Marshmallow leaves, Meadowsweet, Shepherd’s Purse (Dr A. Vogel), Lobelia. Silverweed and Cranesbill are excellent for internal bleeding; Poke root for intestinal ulceration.

Decoction. Fenugreek seeds: 2 teaspoons to large cup water simmered gently 10 minutes. 1 cup freely. The seeds also should be consumed.

Tablets/capsules. Wild Yam, Fenugreek, Ginger, Goldenseal, Lobelia, Slippery Elm.

Powders. Formula. Wild Yam 2; Meadowsweet 2; Goldenseal 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Liquid Extracts. (1) Formula. Wild Yam 1, Echinacea 2. 30-60 drops in water thrice daily. Or, (2) Formula: Turkey Rhubarb 2, Goldenseal 1, Caraway half. 20-30 drops in water thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Bayberry 2, Goldenseal 1, Cardamoms 1. Dose: One to two 5ml teaspoons thrice daily.

Ispaghula seeds. 2-4 teaspoons thrice daily.

Tea Tree oil Suppositories. Insertion at night.

Diet. Bland, little fibre, Slippery Elm gruel. Irish Moss preparations. Increase fluid intake. Reject: broccoli, tomatoes, lima, Soya, Brussels sprouts, pinto beans, cocoa, chocolate, cow’s milk, peas, onions, turnips, radishes. Accept fish oils.

Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. Reject foods containing wheat and all dairy produce.

Supplements. Vitamins A, B12, C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc.

Study. In a study carried out by UK researchers (1993) food allergies were found to be the most common cause of the disease. Results suggested that dietary changes may be as effective as corticosteroids in easing symptoms. The most common allergens were corn, wheat, milk, yeast, egg, potato, rye, tea, coffee, apples, mushrooms, oats, chocolate. An elemental diet with a formula of nutrients (E028, produced by Hospital Supplies, Liverpool) was used in trials. (The Lancet, 6.11.1993)

Notes. Crohn’s Disease is associated with Erythema nodosum, more frequently recognised in childhood. A frequent cause is cow’s milk intolerance. Smoking adds to the risk of Crohn’s disease.

In susceptible people, the food additives titanium dioxide and aluminosilicates may evoke a latent inflammatory response resulting in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or bowel cancer. These chemicals may be found in the intestinal lymphoid aggregations in gut mucosa. (Jonathan Powell, Gastro-intestinal Laboratory, St Thomas’s Hospital, London) (Titanium dioxide rarely occurs naturally but is added to confectionery, drinking water and anti-caking agents.) ... crohn’s disease

 Sugar diabetes. Chronic disorder of fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. A decrease of insulin by the pancreas gives rise to high level blood sugar (glucose) which is eliminated in the urine by the kidneys. With low insulin production the body cannot convert food into energy. In Britain over 30,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. One in five people go blind because of diabetes. The genetic factor is important; it may run in families due to defect in the immune system. Women who have German measles during the first three months of pregnancy can have a child who develops diabetes during adolescence.

Etiology. The more severe form, in younger patients, needs insulin treatment, without which ketosis and diabetic coma are possible. The milder form in older patients can be managed with diet and hypoglycaemic agents. Now considered due to auto-immune attack on Islet of Langerhams cells in pancreas which secrete insulin. “The Pill” often raises blood sugar. Lack of trace minerals (chromium and zinc). Zinc is a component of insulin and Chromium produces enzymes to stimulate metabolism of sugars. Diabetes can cause heart attack, stroke, hardening of arteries, blindness. It is the leading cause of kidney failure and gangrene.

Symptoms. Great thirst. Urine of high specific gravity. Weakness, emaciation, skin ulcers, loss of tactile sensation in the fingertips (Vitamin B6). In men there may be inflammation of the glans penis and in women, itching of the vulvae. Boils are common. In spite of large appetite there may by severe weight loss. Magnesium deficiency.

Diabetics are subject to glaucoma and detachment of the retina. There is a high incidence of cataract of the eye. While surgery may be necessary, effective supportive herbal treatment can do much. Regular visits to the Hospital Specialist help detect in time future eye, kidney and circulation damage.

High fibre, low fat, high carbohydrate. To help control blood sugar a diabetic must avoid sweets.

Exercise lowers blood sugar.

Agents used with some success: Alfalfa, Damiana leaves, Fenugreek seeds, Aloe Vera juice, Dandelion, Fringe Tree, Guar gum, Garlic (anti-diabetic action shown by Dr Madaus, West Germany, 1967), Bilberry berries, Goat’s Rue (dried aerial parts reduce blood sugar BHP (1983), Olive leaves, onions, Nettles, Pipsissewa, White Horehound, Sweet Sumach, Jambul seeds rapidly reduce sugar in the urine. Karela. Gurmar, (Gymnema sylvestre) leaves are chewed in India to reduce sugar in the urine (mild cases). Balsam pear. Bitter melon (Momordica charastia).

Hypoglycaemic herbs can be effective where the pancreas still functions. Type 1 diabetes, suffered by children whose insulin-producing cells have been destroyed and who produce no insulin at all will always require administered insulin. Maturity-onset diabetes (Type 11) occurs in middle life, insulin- production being insufficient. This form is usually associated with obesity for which herbs are helpful.

Diabetics are specially prone to infections; a course of Echinacea at the onset of winter is beneficial. Coronary artery disease is common in diabetics (especially women) who may develop atherosclerosis at an early age. High blood pressure places undue strain upon kidneys which may excrete too much protein (Yarrow, Lime flowers, Hawthorn). Lack of sensation in the feet exposes the subject to unconscious bruising and injury from which septic ulceration may arise (Chamomile foot baths).

Alternatives. Liver herbs work positively on the pancreas. Diabetic cases should receive treatment for the liver also, Dandelion and Fringe Tree being a reliable combination. Dr John Fearn, California (Ellingwood) used Fringe Tree for all his cases of sugar in the urine: 10 drops, Liquid Extract, 4-5 times daily.

Tea. Equal parts: Peppermint leaves, Dandelion leaves, Goat’s Rue leaves. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water infuse 5-15 minutes. Cup 2-3 times daily.

Teas from any one of the following: Bilberry berries or leaves, Nettles, White Horehound, Alfalfa, Olive leaves.

Decoction. Fenugreek seeds. 2 teaspoons to each large cup water simmered gently 5 minutes. One cup daily, consuming the seeds.

Powders. Equal parts: Sweet Sumach, Jambul seeds, Dandelion. Dose: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Equal parts: Jambul, Fringe Tree, Goat’s Rue. Dose: 1 teaspoon thrice daily and at bedtime.

Tablets. Dr Alfred Vogel: tablet containing: Bilberry, Kidney Bean, Tormentil, English Walnut leaves, Alfalfa leaves, Cuckoo flowers.

Karela (Momordica Charantia) Hypoglycaemic action gave good results in clinical trials. Daily dose: 50/60ml fresh juice.

Evening Primrose. See entry.

Guar Gum. 5g unit dose sachets (Guarina) containing dispersible granules. This gum has shown beneficial effects for insulin-dependants.

Hypoglycaemics (second degree). Allspice, Bugleweed, Burdock, Ginseng, Lily of the Valley, Wormwood, Nettles.

Diabetic gangrene. Tinctures: equal parts, Echinacea, Thuja. Internally and externally. Internal dose: 30- 60 drops.

Diabetic neuralgia. Cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Frequently successful.

American traditional. It is claimed that 500mg Bayleaf, Cinnamon, Cloves and Turmeric halve the need for insulin in diabetics.

Diet. Dietary treatment has changed over the past few years. Patients are now advised by the British Diabetic Association to eat food rich in complex carbohydrates (starches) and high in fibre as in wholemeal bread, oats and wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, beans and lentils, vegetables and fruit. Fat intake should be carefully watched (lean meat); skimmed milk, polyunsaturated or low-fat cheeses and salad dressings. Certain foods are known to encourage the pancreas to produce more insulin: banana, barley, cabbage, lettuce, oats, olive, papaya, turnip, sweet potato.

Coffee intake should be limited to prevent hypoglycaemic symptoms.

Barley. A study has shown that the use of barley flour as a substitute for wheat in bread helps to control diabetes, in Iraq. (Naismith D, et al, ‘Therapeutic Value of Barley in Management of Diabetes’: Annals Nutr Metab, 35, 61-64 1991)

Supplementation. Vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, F. Vitamin B6. Brewer’s yeast. Minerals: Chromium 50mcg; Manganese 15mg; Magnesium 300mg; Zinc 25mg; to normalise glucose metabolism.

Note: Over 400 traditional plant medicines have been documented for diabetes, but few have been evaluated for efficacy. In the undeveloped countries they are chiefly used for non-insulin dependent diabetes. (Diabetes Care, 1989, Sept 12, p553)

Insulin dependents. Whether adults or children, insulin dependents should under no circumstances discontinue insulin injections.

Treatment by or in liaison with general medical practitioner.

Information. British Diabetic Association, 10 Queen Anne Street, London W1M 0BD, UK. Send SAE. ... diabetes, mellitus

Cone flower, Black Sampson. Echinacea pallida, Nutt. Echinacea angustifolia (DC) Heller. Brauneria pallida, Nutt. Echinacea purpurea. Part used: rhizome and whole of the plant. Constituents: Echinacosides (in Echinacea angustifolia), alkaloids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, essential oil.

Action. Antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, detoxicant, parasiticide, antibiotic (non- toxic), vasodilator, lymphatic. Does not act directly upon a virus but exerts an antiviral effect by stimulating an immune response. Raises white blood cell count and increases the body’s inherent powers of resistance. Has power to stimulate ‘killer’ cells that resist foreign bacteria. T-cell activator. Vulnerary. Uses. Boils, acne, abscesses, sore throat: streptococcal and staphylococcal infections generally. Ulcers of tongue, mouth, gums, tonsils, throat (mouth wash and gargle). Duodenal and gastric ulcer. Systemic candida. Putrefaction and fermentation in the alimentary tract. Skin disorders: eczema. Infection of the fallopian tubes. Ill-effects of vaccination. A cleansing wash and lotion for STDs and varicose ulcers. Vaginal candidiasis.

Tonsillitis and infective sore throat: “In all cases do not forget the value of Echinacea. I rely on it to restore a poisoned system.” (I.F. Barnes MD, Beverley, Mass, USA)

Appendicitis. “Seven cases of fully diagnosed appendicitis were completely cured by 5 drops liquid extract Echinacea, in water, every 1-3 hours.” (Henry Reny MD, Biddeford, Maine, USA)

Gangrene. “Echinacea retards and prevents gangrene.” (Finlay Ellingwood MD)

Shingles. Genital herpes. Echinacea purpurea. Self-medication by “T.S., London” for neuralgic pains caused by the virus ‘moving down the nerves’ preceding appearance of a herpetic lesion. “Each time an attack has been aborted – pains subsiding within six or so hours.”

Phytokold capsules. Arkopharma.

Listeria. Complete protection against. (Dr H. Wagner, Munich University)

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Decoction. 1g dried root or rhizome to each cup water simmered 15 minutes. Dose: 1 cup.

Powder. 250mg (one 00 capsule or one-sixth teaspoon).

Liquid extract: 3-15 drops in water.

Alcoholic and aqueous extract from 360mg root. 1 tablet.

Tincture, BHC Vol 1. (1:5, 45 per cent ethanol). Dose: 2-5ml.

Formula. Tincture Echinacea 2; Tincture Goldenseal 1. Dose – 15-30 drops in water every 2 hours (acute) thrice daily (chronic).

Echinacea and Garlic tablets/capsules. Echinacea 60mg; Garlic 20mg; powders to BHP (1983) standard. Versatile combination for minor infections: colds and influenza. (Gerard House)

Historical. “Many years ago American Indians observed that by tantalising the rattlesnake it would in its wrath bite itself. The creature was seen to become immediately restless and sought to retreat. On following the snake it was observed that it went straight to a certain shrub and there became a veritable ‘sucker’. When it finished sucking the plant it would seek a hole in which to hide, but not to die. It would recover. This led to the discovery of the plant, Echinacea. It was from the medicine-men of the Mohawk and Cherokee Indians we obtained our first knowledge of this remarkable herbal remedy.” (J.H. Henley MD, Enid, Oklahoma, USA)

Often positive results may not follow because too small a dose is given. For desperate conditions, Dr L.W. Hendershott, Mill Shoals, Illinois, USA, advised frequent 1 dram (4ml) doses. (Ellingwood, Vol 10, No 4)

Echinacea has an ‘interferon’ effect by enhancing body resistance to infection. (Wagner and Proksch) GSL, schedule 1 ... echinacea

Whatever the infection, dendritic ulcer, corneal ulcer, herpes simplex or stye, treatment should be internal as well as external.

A study carried out at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, has shown that those who use extended-wear soft contact lenses are more likely to develop microbial keratitis than users of other lenses.

Treatment. Internal: Powders, Tinctures or Liquid Extracts. Combine Echinacea 2; Blue Flag 1; Goldenseal 1. Doses: Powders: 500mg (one-third teaspoon or two 00 capsules). Liquid Extracts 30-60 drops.

Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. In water, or honey.

Comfrey. To promote epithelial regeneration. Potential benefit far outweighs possible risk.

Evening Primrose capsules.

Topical. Alternatives. (1) Goldenseal Eye Lotion: 1 part Goldenseal root macerated in 40 parts distilled extract of Witch Hazel 2-3 days. Strain. 5-10 drops in eyebath half filled with warm water; douche. Wipe eyelids. (2) Aloe Vera juice or gel. (3) Moisten Chamomile teabag with warm water and fix over eye for styes, etc. (4) Bathe with Periwinkle minor tea: 2 teaspoons to cup boiling water allowed to cool and strain. (5) Elderflower water. The above to relieve pain, redness and gritty sensation. (6) Evening Primrose lotion. (7) Raw carrot compress to ripen stye. Nasturtium seed compress.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin A 7500iu, Vitamin B2 10mg, Vitamin C 3g, Vitamin E 400iu, Zinc 15mg. Referral to consultant ophthalmologist. ... eyes – infection

The most common skin disease; recognised by minute blisters (vesicles) which fill with colourless fluid and burst leaving the skin cracked, scaly and weepy with possible bleeding. Successful treatment depends upon recognising the type and distribution. Partly a metabolic imbalance.

Atopic eczema. Allergic eczema. May run in families together with hay fever, asthma or inflamed nasal membrane. May appear anywhere but prefers elbows, knees (flexures), ankles or face. Often seen in infants. May return again and again throughout adult life. Scratching exacerbates.

As regards babies, some paediatricians believe breast-feeding to be protective. A stronger case follows investigation into pollutants from the atmosphere or as additives in food. Industrial chemicals find their way into breast milk that may not be easily excreted but stored in fat.

Cow’s milk is particularly suspect because of exposure of the animal to herbicides and pesticides. For this reason, goat’s milk has met with some success in treatment of this condition, as has Soya milk. Now known that food plays an important part in effective treatment. Chief allergy-stimulators: dairy produce, eggs, cow’s milk. Each individual case must identify those foods that are responsible.

Seborrhoeic eczema leads to scaling of the scalp and redness of the ears, eyebrows, side of the nose and possibly armpits and groin.

Stasis eczema (or varicose eczema) may arise from varicose vein problems, usually limited to the lower third of the leg.

Discoid eczema has coin-shaped patches preferring extensor surfaces of arms and legs.

Contact eczema may be caused by washing-up detergents, etc. See: CONTACT DERMATITIS.

While emotional or psychic disturbance may worsen, eczema is seldom a psychosomatic disorder arising from stressful situations. Contact with water may worsen. Hairdressers and those allergic to dyes may require patch tests.

Eczema patients, especially atopic, have a metabolic deficiency of linoleic acid (a dietary fatty acid) to y-linolenic acid, which is found in Evening Primrose oil. Eczema may develop in bottle-fed babies due to absence of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in commercial powdered milk. GLA is present in Evening Primrose.

A cross-over trial in 99 patients (adults and children) by Bristol (England) dermatologists found Evening Primrose oil (Efamol capsules) produced an overall 43 per cent improvement in eczema severity: doses – 4 to 6 capsules twice daily (adults); 2 capsules twice daily (children). Lower doses were not effective.

Alternatives. Barberry, Bladderwrack, Blood root, Blue Flag root, Bogbean, Burdock, Clivers, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Figwort, Fringe Tree, Fumitory, Garlic, Guaiacum, Goldenseal, Mountain Grape, Gotu Kola, Nettles, Plantain, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Wild Indigo, Heartsease, Yellow Dock.

Tea. Combine herbs: equal parts: Gotu Kola, Clivers, Red Clover. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily, before meals (Dry eczema).

Formula: equal parts, Burdock root, Yellow Dock root, Valerian root. Dose. Liquid Extracts, 1 teaspoon. Tinctures, 1-2 teaspoons. Powders, two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon. Thrice daily, before meals. Practitioner: specific medication.

Dry eczema. Equal parts, tinctures: Yarrow, Dandelion, Calendula, Echinacea.

Weeping eczema. Combine tinctures: Barberry 1; Clivers 2; Echinacea 2.

Seborrhoeic eczema. Combine tinctures: Blue Flag root 1; Meadowsweet 2; Boneset 1.

Discoid eczema. Combine tinctures: Yellow Dock 2; Mountain Grape 1; Echinacea 1.

Varicose eczema. Combine tinctures: Echinacea 2; Calendula (Marigold) 1; Hawthorn 1.

Dosage for the above: One to two 5ml teaspoons in water thrice daily before meals.

Skin Care. May reduce necessity for steroid creams. It is best to avoid: lanolin and Coconut oil compounds that may contain coal tar. Wash in soft water (rain water) or water not containing chemical softeners.

Indicated: soothing softening herbal lotions, ointments or creams: Marshmallow, Chickweed, Comfrey, Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera gel, Jojoba oil, Evening Primrose oil. For seborrhoeic eczema: Bran Bath or Bran Wash, twice weekly, soapless, followed by Rosemary shampoo. Vitamin E lotion or cream.

Note: A study carried out at the University of Manchester, England, found that children with eczema had significantly low levels of serum zinc than control-cases. (British Journal of Dermatology, 1984, 111, 597)

Evening Primrose oil. For Omega 6 fatty acids.

Diet. Gluten-free. Oily fish: see entry. Avoid cow’s milk, wheat products.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamins: A (7500iu). C (500mg). E (400iu). Bioflavonoids (500mg). Zinc (15mg). Betaine hydrochloride.

Note: The disorder may be due to a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) brought about by a deficiency of zinc which is necessary for EFA metabolism.

Chinese herbs. A study has shown herbal treatment to be far superior to placebo in clinical trials. British children with (dry) atopic eczema responded favourably to treatment which included the following herbs known as Formula PSE101.

Ledebouriella sesloides, Potentilla chinesis, Anebia clematidis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Peonia lactiflora, Lophatherum gracile, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Tribulus terrestris, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Schizonepta tenuifolia. Non-toxicity confirms their safety. (Sheeham M et al. “A controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicinal plants in widespread non-exudative atopic dermatitis”, British Journal of Dermatology, 126: 179-184 1992)

When 10 Chinese herbs were analysed by a team at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, it was revealed that no single active ingredient or herb was responsible for success. “It was a combination of all 10 herbs that gave the medicine its healing properties.” This is an example of the synergistic effect of combined plant remedies and supports the herbalist’s belief in use of the whole plant. ... eczema

Distinguished herbal authority. President Emeritus both of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and of the British Herbal Medicine Association. Degree in Chemistry and a first class honours degree in the special examination in Botany granted in 1932 at London University. Founder of the Education Fund and the School of Herbal Medicine. Former member of the Commitee on Review of Medicines and other government bodies. He gave herbal medicine a place on the Statute Book (Medicines Act 1968) after 400 years. For 16 years, chairman of the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia Committee. Entered the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (then NAMH) in 1931, and directed the Research and Analytical Department for 50 years.

Hyde organised the fight for the survival of herbal medicine endangered by the Medicines Bill and was able to modify some clauses that would have put an end to herbal medicine under the Medicines Act, 1968. The BHP is indebted to his expertise and clinical experience. As a consultant and teacher he inspired many students and practitioners. A Doctorate of Botanic Medicine was conferred on him by the School of Botanic Medicine, London. ... fletcher-hyde, frederick

Bladder instability. Urine is usually passed 4 to 6 times daily; anything in excess of this is known as ‘frequency’. In the elderly it may be due to weak bladder muscles and sphincter, or to unrecognised overflow due to prostatic obstruction.

Causes may also be psychological: worry, excitement, emotional crises such as school exams. Where the trouble is persistent attention should be focussed on the bladder (cystitis), inflammation of the kidneys, even the presence of stone.

Simple frequency may arise from cold weather, nervous excitement, or early pregnancy. Other predisposing factors are: diabetes mellitis, enlarged prostate gland, stone in the kidney or bladder. Alternatives. Teas. American Cranesbill, Agrimony, Cornsilk, Horsetail, Passion flower, Plantain, Skullcap, Uva Ursi, Huang Qi (Chinese). Saw Palmetto (prostate gland).

Tablets/capsules. Cranesbill (American), Gentian, Liquorice.

Powders. Equal parts: Cranesbill, Horsetail, Liquorice. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Tinctures. Equal parts: Cramp bark and Horsetail. Dose: 30-60 drops, thrice daily.

Practitioner. Tinctures. Alternatives:–

Formula 1. Ephedra 30ml; Geranium 20ml; Rhus aromatica 20ml; Thuja 1ml. Aqua to 100ml. Sig: 5ml (3i) tds aq cal pc.

Formula 2. Equal parts: Ephedra and Horsetail. 15-60 drops thrice daily; last dose bedtime.

A. Barker FNIMH. Dec Jam Sarsae Co Conc BPC 1 fl oz (30ml) . . . Liquid extract Rhus 240 minims (16ml) . . . Liquid extract Passiflora 60 minims (4ml) . . . Syr Althaea 2 fl oz (60ml) . . . Aqua to 8oz (240ml). Dose: 2 teaspoons thrice daily; last dose bedtime.

Tincture Arnica. German traditional. 1 drop in honey at bedtime.

Pelvic exercises. Alternate hot and cold Sitz baths. Swimming, Cycling.

Address. Incontinence Advisory Service, Disabled Living Foundation, 380-384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HU. ... frequency of urine

From the Indian bean Chyamopsis tetragonobulus. A normaliser of carbohydrate intolerance. Previously used as an emulsifier and thickener in foods like yoghurt and ice-cream. When combined with water forms a sticky gel. Slows rate of entry of sugar into the blood, improving insulin sensitivity. Anti-hyperglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic.

Guar has an effect upon sugar metabolism, blood fat levels, body weight and blood pressure. (Dr J. Tuomilehto, University of Turku, Finland) A study at Hammersmith Hospital, London, showed Guar efficacious in reducing blood sugar levels. Its cholesterol-lowering action is of benefit in diabetics.

Guar induces weight loss in obese subjects; reduces risk of kidney stone. Granules of the gum may be taken with water or sprinkled direct on food – fluid being taken at the meal to ensure swelling of the granules.

By slowing the rate of sugar absorption, it reduces the post-prandial peak in blood sugar level, making possible a reduction of insulin. Contra-indications: obstruction of the intestines and diseases of the gullet.

Guarina or Guarem, sachets: 5g unit dose sprinkled over food. Adults: one sachet daily, increasing if necessary to a maximum of 3 sachets. A preparation Glucotard is taken as dry minitablets, washed down in portions with a glass of water.

Alternative: Powdered Guar gum – 15 grams daily.

Note: Effectiveness for weight loss unproven. Guar gum may cause throat obstruction in rare cases and should be prescribed by a medical practitioner only.

See: DIABETES. HYPERLIPIDAEMIA. CHOLESTEROL. ... guar gum

From small beginnings this unique herbal enterprise grew into a national concern. Founded: 1920 by James Ryder, St Albans, Herts. On his death in 1937 the company passed to Mrs Joan Ryder. Vendors of fine herbal preparations and publishers of a number of booklets including: Gateway to Health and Famous Book of Herbs. Following the company’s ‘take-over’ from Booker Health Foods in 1987, it passed to The London Herb and Spice Co. Ltd., who maintain it as a brand leader in the health food trade.

Herbal combinations include: Rheumatic Pain tablets No 100: formula:– Guaiacum resin BPC ’49 50.0mg; Capsicum oleoresin BPC 0.6mg; the solid extracts of: Rhubarb (alc 60 per cent 1-4) BPC ’54 15mg; Uva Ursi (Aq 4:10) BPC ’34 12.0mg; Bogbean (Aq 1:4) 30.0mg; Celery seed (Aq l:4) BPC ’49 30.0mg.

Indigestion and Flatulence tablets No 80: formula:– Capsicin BPC ’23 0.25mgm; dried aqueous extract of Skullcap (3-10) BPC ’34 3mgm; Valerian BPC 14mgm; Fennel seed BPC 14mgm; Myrrh BPC 19mgm; Papain BPC ’54 1mgm; Peppermint oil BP 0.0006ml. ... heath and heather, ltd.

Founded as the Society of Herbalists in 1927 by Hilda Leyel who carried on a consulting service together with retailing herbs and preparations under the name of “Culpeper”.

Practical medical herbalism in Britain received an impetus under the work of Mrs Leyel until the 1968 Medicine’s Act which made this alternative therapy available to all. In 1974 the Society became a registered educational charity and its name changed to The Herb Society. The brand name “Culpeper” was franchised to a private company which continues to trade as the “Culpeper” retail chain of shops.

Today, The Herb Society promotes interest in and knowledge of all aspects of herbs, as well as herbal medicine. Information is available from: The Secretary, The Herb Society, PO Box 599, London SW11 4RW. ... herb society, the

 Venereal disease. Caused by Herpes simplex virus, type 2, (HSV2) which infects the skin and mucosa of the genital organs and anus. The strain is more virulent than HSV1 which attacks face and lips. Contagious. STD. Blisters appear 4-7 days after coitus. May be transmitted by mother to baby at delivery. The condition is often misdiagnosed as thrush. To dispel doubts, refer to urological department of nearest hospital. Evidence exists between genital herpes and cancer of the cervix. Clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by virus culture. Attacks are recurrent and self-infective.

Symptoms: redness, soreness, itching followed by blisters on the penis or vulva. Blisters ulcerate before crusting over. Lesions on anus of homosexual men.

Treatment by general medical practitioner or hospital specialist.

Alternatives. Sarsaparilla, Echinacea, Chaparral and St John’s Wort often give dramatic relief to itching rash. See entry: ECHINACEA.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Clivers, Gotu Kola, Valerian. One heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. Dose: 1 cup thrice daily.

Decoction. Combine: Echinacea 2; Valerian 1; Jamaican Dogwood 1. One heaped teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Poke root. Valerian. Passion flower. St John’s Wort. Echinacea. Chaparral. Pulsatilla. Red Clover.

Powders. Formula. Echinacea 2; Valerian 1; Jamaica Dogwood 1. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 2; Sarsaparilla 1; Thuja quarter; Liquorice quarter. Dose: 1-2 teaspoons thrice daily.

Topical. Apply any of the following 3, 4 or more times daily. Pulp or gel of Aloe Vera, Houseleek, Echinacea lotion. Garlic – apply slice of fresh corm as an antihistamine. Yoghurt compresses (improved by pinch of Goldenseal powder). Zinc and Castor oil (impressive record). Apply direct or on tampons. Diet. Porridge oats, or muesli oats.

Supplementation: same as for Shingles.

Prevention. Women should be advised to submit for an annual cytosmear. Information. Herpes Association, 41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK. Send SAE. ... herpes, genital

Shingles. An acute inflammatory virus infection of one or more posterior root ganglion of the spine, or of the trigeminal nerve. Caused by a DNA virus (varicella zoster). May be due to re-activation of the chicken-pox virus which lies latent in the ganglia of sensory and somatic nerves and present in the body from childhood infection. Severe in the elderly. Should be distinguished from herpes simplex. Shingles cannot be re-activated by close proximity of a case, but may be caught by direct contact with a burst blister.

Symptoms: Two-to-four-day fever precedes a red rash which develops into clear blisters. Blisters dry up to form scabs that drop off leaving scars. Lesions and pain follow the path of the infected nerve. Pain described as intense, burning, itching: may persist for months as post-herpetic neuralgia. When virus affects the fifth cranial nerve vision will be impaired. In the elderly it may reveal some underlying malignancy. Patients having chemotherapy or radiotherapy are at risk.

Alternatives. Specific anti-viral therapy. Remedies in general use: Asafoetida, Jamaica Dogwood, Marigold, Mistletoe, Nettles, Passion flower, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam. St John’s Wort plays a role in reducing the long-lasting neuralgia. Echinacea imparts strength to endure the ordeal. The addition of a stomachic remedy (Gentian) to a prescription may prove beneficial. Mild short-term analgesics include: Oats, Valerian, Asafoetida, Passion flower, Wild Lettuce, Hops.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Oats, Nettles, St John’s Wort.

Decoction. Formula. Echinacea root 2; Valerian half; St John’s Wort 1.

Tablets. Formula. Hops BHP (1983) 45mg; Passion flower BHP (1983) 100mg; Extract Valerian 5:1 20mg. (Gerard 99)

Powders. Combine: Echinacea 2; Jamaican Dogwood 1; Gentian root 1. 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Alternatives. (1) Formula. Equal parts Goldenseal and Lupulin (Hops). Or, (2) Formula. Queen’s Delight 1; Valerian quarter; Goldenseal quarter; Asafoetida quarter. Dose: 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily.

Practitioner. Tincture Gelsemium: 5 drops (0.3ml) in water, as indicated, for pain.

Formula. Liquid Extract Hops, half an ounce; Liquid Extract Echinacea, 1oz; Tincture Goldenseal, 30 drops; Tincture Rhubarb BP, 1oz. Essence of Peppermint 20 drops. Water to 8oz. Dose: 2 teaspoons in water after meals. (Arthur Barker, FNIMH)

Topical. Aloe Vera. Houseleek – fresh juice or pulp. Evening Primrose oil. Wash with decoction of seaweed (Bladderwrack, Kelp): follow with Zinc and Castor oil cream or ointment. Slippery Elm made into a paste (powder mixed with few teaspoons of milk): apply after cleaning with Olive oil. Castor oil compress. Dilute Tea Tree oil. Ice-cube – 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off.

Russian study. Liquorice powder ointment.

Diet: Oatmeal porridge. Muesli with oats. Yoghurt. Wholefoods.

Supplementation. One high potency multivitamin daily. Anti-herpes amino acid L-lysine; one 500mg tablet, twice daily. Vitamin B12, 10mg daily. Upon relief, reduce L-lysine to one daily. (Dr L. Mervyn) Minerals: Calcium, Selenium, Zinc.

Self-Care. Resist temptation to touch sores. No sharing of face cloths, towels, etc.

Note: The chicken-pox virus is believed to lie dormant in nerve cells around the spine for many years, after people catch the childhood infection. Virgorous massage of the spine may trigger an attack by activating the dormant virus.

Information. Herpes Association, 41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK. Send SAE. ... herpes zoster

Est. 1864. The oldest and only body of professional medical herbalists, now known as phytotherapists, in Europe. Membership by examination after completion of course of training. A stipulated period of clinical practice must be completed before the final examination is taken.

Members are directly involved with patient-care, carrying full responsibility for their recommendations, prescribing medication suitable to the individual biological requirements of each patient. Their role includes patient-counselling, health education and research.

Official recognition of the Institute, indicating its growing importance in the field of medicine came with the historic Grant of Arms by Her Majesty’s College of Heralds. Members regard this as evidence that the Royal Charter of King Henry VIII still stands and that there is no monopoly in healing the sick. See: HENRY VIII, HERBALISTS’ CHARTER.

The Institute played a major role in winning vital concessions for the survival of the herbalist in the passage through Parliament of the Medicine’s Bill. See: MEDICINE’S ACT, 1968.

In connection with the NIMH degree courses in herbal medicine are available at a London University, and Exeter University.

The Institute provides professional indemnity cover for its members, and is engaged in a series of clinical trials to evaluate traditional remedies.

All members are required to adhere to a strict professional Code of Ethics and are entitled to carry after their names the letters of qualification: MNIMH or FNIMH.

Members have a key role in preventative medicine and health promotion in their contribution to improvement of the nation’s health.

Address: 56 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AH, from which a list of members is obtainable. ... national institute of medical herbalists

An enabling Act allowing subsequent definitive statutory instruments to be issued at the discretion of the Medicines Control Agency. The Act controls all aspects of the sale of medicines in the United Kingdom; with no exceptions.

Medicines fall into three categories: POM (Prescription Only Medicines), P (Pharmacy Only), and OTC (Over The Counter). POM and P medicines must be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and dispensed by a pharmacist. P medicines can be sold only by a registered pharmacist. Health stores are concerned with the OTC products, the sale of which is governed by S.I. Medicines General Sales List, Order 1980, No 1922.

All medicines and substances used as medicine bearing a medicinal claim on label or advertising material must be licenced. Without a licence it is not lawful for any person, in his business, to manufacture, sell, supply, export, or import into the United Kingdom any medicinal products unless some exemption is provided in the Act or subsequent regulations. The prefix ML, followed by the Manufacturer’s number must appear on the label together with the product licence number prefixed by the capitals PL. For example, if any person other than a pharmacist sells a medicinal product which claims to relieve indigestion or headache, but the label of which bears no licence number, that shopkeeper (and the manufacturer) will be breaking the law.

All foods are exempt from licencing provided no claims are made of medicinal benefits.

A special licence (manufacturer’s) is required by any person who manufactures or assembles a medicinal product. (Section 8) He must hold a Product Licence for every product he manufactures unless some special exemption is provided by the Act. He may of course act to the order of the product licence holder. (Section 23)

“Manufacture” means any process carried on in the course of making a product but does not include dissolving or dispersing the product in, or diluting or mixing it with some other substance used as a vehicle for the purpose of administering it. It includes the mixture of two or more medicinal products.

“Assembly” means enclosing a medicinal product in a container which is labelled before the product is sold or supplied, or, where the product is already enclosed in a container in which it is supplied, labelling the container before the product is sold or supplied in it. (Section 132)

From the practitioner’s point of view, herbal medicines are exempt from the Act and no licence is required.

The consulting herbalist in private practice who compounds his own preparations from medicinal substances may apply to the Medicines Control Agency, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ for a manufacturer’s licence to authorise mixture and assembly, for administration to their patients after he has been requested in their presence to use his own judgement as to treatment required. Products thus sold, will be without any written recommendation and not advertised in any way.

The “assembly” aspect of his licence refers to his ability to buy in bulk, repackage and label. Where he uses prepackaged products and does not open the packet, or relabel, a licence is not required. He will not be able to use terms, “Stomach mixture”, “Nerve mixture”, etc, implying cure of a specific condition.

It is necessary for the practitioner to have a personal consultation with his patient before making his prescription. Subsequent treatment may be supplied by a third person or by post at the discretion of the practitioner.

A licence is required where one or more non-herbal ingredients (such as potassium iodide, sodium citrate, etc) are included. Dispensing non-herbal remedies constitutes “manufacture” for which a licence is required. (MAL 24 (3))

The main thing the licensing authority looks for before granting a licence is evidence of safety. The manufacturers’ premises must be licenced. A wholesaler or distributor, also, must have a licence.

Where a product is covered by a Product Licence certain medicinal claims may be made. Where claims are made, the Act requires a warning to appear on the label worded: “If you think you have the disease to which this product refers, consult a registered medical practitioner before taking this product. If you are already receiving medical treatment, tell your doctor you are also taking this product.” (SI 41, s.5)

Labels of all medicines, tablets, etc, must carry the words: “Keep out of the reach of children”.

Under the Act it is illegal for medicines to be offered for sale for cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, kidney disease, locomotor ataxy, paralysis, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis; these diseases to be treated by a registered medical practitioner only.

Definition of a herbal remedy. A “herbal remedy” is a medicinal product consisting of a substance produced by subjecting a plant or plants to drying, crushing or any other process, or of a mixture whose sole ingredients are two or more substances so produced, or of a mixture whose sole ingredients are one or more substances so produced and water or some other inert substances. (Section 132)

No licence is required for the sale, supply, manufacture or assembly of any such herbal remedy in the course of a business in which the person carrying on the business sells or supplies the remedy for administration to a particular person after being requested by or on behalf of that person, and in that person’s presence, to use his own judgement as to the treatment required. The person carrying on the business must be the occupier of the premises where the manufacture or assembly takes place and must be able to close them so as to exclude the public. (Section 12 (1))

No licence is required for the sale, supply, manufacture or assembly of those herbal remedies where the process to which the plant or plants are subjected consists only of drying, crushing or comminuting and the remedy is sold or supplied under a designation which only specifies the plant or plants and the process and does not apply any other name to the remedy; and without any written recommendation (whether by means of a labelled container or package or a leaflet or in any other way) as to the use of the remedy. (Section 12 (2)) This exemption does not apply to imported products. Except where a herbal product is supplied for a medicinal use, legally it is not even a medicinal product.

The 1968 Act has been a great step forward in the history of herbal medicine, The British Herbal Medicine Association and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists fought and won many special concessions. In years following the Act standards rose sharply. Practitioners enjoy a measure of recognition, with power to manufacture and dispense their own medicines and issue official certificates for incapacitation for work.

See: BRITISH HERBAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATION. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL HERBALISTS. ... medicine’s act, 1968. 

Or disseminated sclerosis. A brain and spinal cord disorder with damage to nerve sheaths. Nerve fibres are protected by a sheath known as myelin. Like an electrical flex, it insulates nerve structures. When damaged in different places, demyelination shows in the form of ‘plaques’ which interfere with transmission of nerve impulses and tissue nutrients. Symptoms depend upon the particular nerves affected. Not all cases present a consistent symptom picture but generally include: pins and needles in arms or legs, muscle cramps, weakness of legs, walking difficulties, “always tired”, urinary bladder problems, blurring of vision, clumsy movements, vertigo.

As described by the French physician, Charcot, over 100 years ago, it is not infectious. Symptom-free periods may extend for months, even years, though relapses may be triggered by emotional crises, physical injury, the contraceptive pill, influenza and other infections.

While the cause is unknown, some studies have revealed a link between the disorder and the distemper virus in dogs. Others have linked the disease with mercury toxicity from amalgam dental fillings shown to generate electromotive forces which propel ionised mercury particles into the body from teeth. A further link is persistent infective sinusitis.

MS is high in families that eat excessive meat fat, butter and dairy products but with too little vegetable fat (corn, Soya, sunflower oil, etc). Linoleic acid levels in the blood of MS patients are abnormally low, especially during relapse. (Schwartz JH, Bennett B. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 45; 899-904, 1973) Evening Primrose oil is claimed to make up the deficiency. Ethnic peoples with a diet wholly of fish (Eskimos) seldom develop this disease.

While cure is not possible, herbal medicine may in some cases arrest deterioration. Treatment of severe nerve conditions should be supervised by neurologists and practitioners whose training prepares them to recognise serious illness and to integrate herbal and supplementary intervention safely into the treatment plan.

Nerve sheaths require calcium; herbs to increase its levels: Oats, Lobelia, Horsetail.

Evening Primrose oil makes good a deficiency of linoleic acid (Vitamin F) for efficient function of the brain.

Alternatives:– Tablets/capsules. Black Cohosh, Cramp bark, Prickly Ash, Skullcap, Ginseng.

Formula. Ginkgo 2; Prickly Ash 1; Black Cohosh; Ginger quarter. Dose: Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Formula, for pain. Lobelia 1; Ladyslipper 1; Ginger quarter. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: one 5ml teaspoon. Powders: 250-500mg.

Rue tea. Traditional remedy for MS.

Evening Primrose: 4 × 500mg capsules, daily.

Aromatherapy. Spinal massage. 10 drops oils of Rosemary and Lavender in egg-cup Almond oil (or other vegetable oil).

Purslane herb. A rich source of non-fish EPA – suitable for a vegetarian approach.

Diet. A diet rich in essential fatty acids appears to arrest deterioration. (MS Unit, Central Middlesex Hospital, London)

High protein, low fat with oily fish. Lecithin. Sugar-free. Gluten-free (see Gluten diet). Cholesterol- free (avoid milk and dairy products). Grape juice. Dandelion coffee. One tablespoon Cod Liver oil daily. Red beet. Vegetable oils (safflower, sunflower, etc). Avoid coffee and caffeine stimulants.

Vitamins. Dismutase enzymes (see entry). B-complex, B3, B6. Vitamin C, 500-1000mg. Vitamin E, 200iu. Daily. Some authorities advise maximum dosage of Vitamin B12.

Minerals. Dolomite. Manganese. Zinc.

Information. Multiple Sclerosis Society, 25 Effie Road, London SW6 1EE, UK. Send SAE. ... multiple sclerosis

A distinct system of healing – a philosophy, science art and practice which seeks to promote health by stimulating the body’s inherent power to regain harmony and balance. It regards as self- evident laws:

(1) only nature heals, providing it is given the opportunity to do so;

(2) let food be your medicine and medicine your food; (3) disease is an expression of purification; and

(4) all disease is one.

The philosophy of Naturopathy is based upon two basic principles. The first principle is that the body possesses the power to heal itself through its internal vitality and intelligence. All the practitioner does is to create the most favourable conditions to stimulate and enhance this healing power of nature.

In 1964 a Naturopathic Commission drafted a definition of Nature Cure and defined the therapies of dietetics, fasting, structural adjustments, hydrotherapy, natural hygiene and psychotherapy to be of primary importance.

Naturopathy enlists the aid of water, light, air, diet and manipulation. Mechanical factors to be rectified are spinal mal-alignments and muscular tensions due to occupational or postural causes. Address: British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy, 6 Netherhall Gardens, London NW3 5RR. Tel 071-435-8728.

See also: BASTYR COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE. ... naturopathy

Two female reproductive organs situated below the Fallopian tubes, one on each side of the womb, comparable to testes in the male. An egg cell or ova develops inside the ovary and when mature bursts through the surface into the abdominal cavity where it is attracted into a Fallopian tube and conveyed to the womb. If fertilised, the egg attaches to the lining of the womb and develops into a foetus. Otherwise it is expelled from the womb during menstruation. In addition to producing eggs, ovaries secrete hormones essential to body function. Ovarian disorders include:– 1. Inflammation (oophoritis – usually with salpingitis).

Causes: mumps, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea or, if following childbirth or abortion, sepsis. Inflammatory adhesions may cause ovary and tube to mat together and ulcerate.

Symptoms: feverishness, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling.

Treatment. Decoction, powders, liquid extracts or tinctures.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Helonias 1; Cramp bark 1; Liquorice quarter. Dosage. Decoction: half-1 cup. Powders: one-third teaspoon. Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Thrice daily in water/honey.

External. Castor oil pack to abdomen.

2. Cysts. Single or multiple hollow growths containing fluids may grow large, obstruct abdominal circulation, interfere with digestion and cause shortness of breath. They are caused by excessive stimulus from the pituitary gland. A fluid-filled sac on the ovary grows in preparation for egg release but fails to rupture. The follicle continues to grow, accumulating fluid and a cyst results.

Liquid Extract Thuja: 5-10 drops, thrice daily. Of value.

Notes. Bulimia Nervosa (eating disorder) has been linked with polycystic ovary disease. (St George’s Hospital Medical School, London)

The presence of acne is a valuable clue to ovarian disorder: a treatment for acne reacts favourably on ovaries.

3. Tumour (non-malignant). May avoid detection. Usually revealed by laparoscopy or X-ray. When a tumour or cyst twists on an ovary’s ligament severe abdominal pain is followed by vomiting and shock.

Treatment. Secondary to surgery. Decoction, powders, liquid extracts, or tinctures. Combination. Cramp bark 2; Poke root 1; Thuja half. Dosage. Decoction: half-1 cup. Powders: 500mg (one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons in water/honey thrice daily.

Following surgical removal of ovaries: Pulsatilla. Pre- and post-operative pain: Cramp bark BHP (1983). Black Willow. (Dr J. Christopher)

Supplements: calcium, magnesium.

Note: Increased bone loss is associated with ovarian disturbances in premenopausal women. (Canadian Study in “New England Journal of Medicine”) See: OSTEOPOROSIS.

Polycystic ovaries have an important association with heart attacks in elderly women. (Professor Howard Jacobs, Middlesex School of Medicine) ... ovaries

(AHSN, academic health science centre, academic health science system, academic medical partnership) a regional partnership between one or more academic institutions (typically universities) and one or more health-care providers (in England, typically foundation trusts) with a twin focus on promoting economic growth in the region covered and improving the health of the population. Many AHSNs also include third-sector and industry partners and most have a role in providing education and training. The fifteen AHSNs across England were established by NHS England in 2013 and represent a national expansion of the earlier Academic Health Science Partnerships (AHSPs), which were first set up in London in 2007.... academic health science network

acute kidney injury caused by myoglobin that is released from damaged skeletal muscle (*rhabdomyolysis). This is usually the result of trauma and the condition was first recognized in victims trapped and crushed during the London Blitz. Muscle injury can also occur with pressure necrosis, particularly in the unconscious or immobile patient, or with a *compartment syndrome. Rarely it may complicate intensive muscular exercise or extensive viral myositis and it is a recognized complication of modest overexertion in some inherited disorders of muscle metabolism, such as *McArdle’s disease.... myoglobinuric acute renal failure

(PD). Paralysis agitans. First described by James Parkinson, 1817. His description is as apt today as when it appeared in his book “Essay on the Shaking Palsy”. He wrote: “It is characterised by involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power in parts not in action and even when supported. There is a tendency to bend the trunk forward and to pass from a walking to a running pace. The senses and intellect are uninjured.”

Added to the above are:– muscular rigidity, loss of reflexes, drooling – escape of saliva from the mouth. Muscles of the face are stiff giving a fixed expression, the back presents a bowed posture. The skin is excessively greasy and the patient is unable to express emotional feelings. Loss of blinking. Pin- rolling movement of thumb and forefinger.

Causes: degeneration of groups of nerve cells deep within the brain which causes a lack of neurotransmitting chemical, dopamine. Chemicals such as sulphur used by agriculture, drugs and the food industry are suspected. Researchers have found an increase in the disease in patients born during influenza pandemics.

Treatment. While cure is not possible, a patient may be better able to combat the condition with the help of agents that strengthen the brain and nervous system.

Tea. Equal parts: Valerian, Passion flower, Mistletoe. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup water; bring to boil; simmer 1 minute; dose: half-1 cup 2-3 times daily.

Gotu Kola tea. (CNS stimulant).

Tablets/capsules. Black Cohosh, Cramp bark, Ginseng, Prickly Ash, Valerian.

Formula. Ginkgo 2; Black Cohosh 1; Motherwort 2; Ginger 1. Mix. Dose. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-3 teaspoons in water or honey. Fava Bean Tea.

Case report. Two patients unresponsive to Levodopa treatment reported improvement following meals of fresh broad beans. (Vicia faba) The beans contain levodopa in large amounts. (Parkinson Disease Update Vol 8, No 66, p186, Medical Publications, PO Box 24622-H, Philadelphia, USA) See also: BROAD BEANS. L-DOPA.

Nacuna Pruriens. Appropriate. Essential active constituent: L-dopa. (Medicinal plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa, by Abayomi Sofowora, Pub: John Wiley)

Practitioner. To reduce tremor: Tincture Hyoscyamus BP. To reduce spasm: Tincture Belladonna BP. To arrest drooling: Tincture Stramonium BP.

Diet. It is known that people who work in manganese factories in Chile may develop Parkinson’s disease after the age of 30. Progress of the disease is arrested on leaving the factory. Two items of diet highest in manganese are wheat and liver which should be avoided, carbohydrates in place of wheat taking the form of rice and potatoes.

Supplements. Daily: B-complex, B2, B6, niacin. C 200mg to reduce side-effects of Levodopa. Vitamin E 400iu to possibly reduce rigidity, tremors and loss of balance.

Treatment of severe nerve conditions should be supervised by neurologists and practitioners whose training prepares them to recognise serious illness and to integrate herbal and supplementary intervention safely into the treatment plan.

Antioxidants. Evidence has been advanced showing how nutritional antioxidants, high doses of Vitamin C and E, can retard onset of the disease, delaying the use of Levodopa for an average of 2 and a half years. (Fahn S., High Dose Alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate in Early Parkinson’s Disease – Annals of Neurology, 32-S pp128-132 1992)

For support and advice: The Parkinson’s Disease Society, 22 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0RA, UK. Send SAE. ... parkinson’s disease