Lupus vulgaris Health Dictionary

Auto-immune disease – antibody to DNA. Non-tubercula. Two kinds: (1) discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and (2) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DLE occurs mostly in middle-aged women, but SLE in young women. Activity may be followed by period of remission. The condition may evolve into rheumatic disease.

Symptoms (SLE): Loss of appetite, fever. Weight loss, weakness. Thickened scaly red patches on face (butterfly rash). May invade scalp and cause loss of hair. Sunlight worsens. Anaemia. Joint pains. Enlarged spleen. Heart disorders. Kidney weakness, with protein in the urine. Symptoms worse on exposure to sunlight. Low white blood cell count. Many patients may also present with Raynaud’s phenomenon while some women with silicone breast implants may develop lupus.

Treatment. Anti-virals. Alteratives. Anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants. Alternatives. Teas: Lime flowers, Gotu Kola, Ginkgo, Aloe Vera, Boneset.

Decoctions: Burdock. Queen’s Delight. Helonias.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Blue Flag root. Wild Yam. Ginkgo.

Formula. Dandelion 1; Black Haw 1; Wild Yam half; Poke root half. Dose: Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Topical. Sunlight barrier creams: Aloe Vera, Comfrey. Horsetail poultice. Garlic ointment. Castor oil packs.

Diet. See: DIET – SKIN DISORDERS.

Supplements. Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Selenium.

Note: The disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or ME. Lupus antibodies have been linked with premature heart disease in women and transient strokes. ... lupus erythematosus

See separate dictionary entry.... systemic lupus erythematosus (sle)

This is the Latin word for wolf, and a term applied to certain chronic skin diseases which can destroy skin, underlying cartilage and even bone to cause serious deformity if uncontrolled.

Lupus vulgaris is a form of TUBERCULOSIS of the skin. It typically begins in childhood and may spread slowly for decades if untreated. The face and neck are the usual sites. In untreated disease, large, well-demarcated areas may be affected with redness, scaling and thickening. If the affected skin is blanched by pressure, yellow-brown foci may be observed – the so-called apple-jelly nodules. The disease causes extensive scarring as it spreads and may destroy cartilage in its path – for example, on the nose or ear – causing gross deformity. The disease was common in the UK up to 50 years ago, but is now rare. It is treated with a combination of tuberculostatic drugs.

Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which can affect skin or internal organs.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) In this disease, only the skin is affected. Sharply de?ned red, scaly and eventually atrophic patches appear on the face, especially on the nose and cheeks. ALOPECIA with scarring is seen if the scalp is affected. The condition is aggravated by sunlight. Topical CORTICOSTEROIDS are helpful.... lupus

Linn. var. nilagirica Clarke.

Synonym: A. nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: The hilly regions of India, also in Mount Abu in Rajasthan, in western Ghats, and from Konkan southward to Kerala.

English: Indian Wormwood, Fleabane, Dungwort, Mugwort, Wild Wormwood.

Ayurvedic: Damanaka, Pushpachaa- mara, Gandhotkata. (Related sp.: A. siversiana Ehrh. ex Willd.)

Unani: Afsanteen-e-Hindi. (National Formularly of Unani Medicine clubbed it with Baranjaasif.)

Siddha/Tamil: Maasipattiri.

Folk: Daunaa, Damanaa.

Action: Leaf—emmenagogue, menstrual regulator, nervine, stomachic (in anorexia and dyspepsia), an- thelmintic, choleretic, diaphoretic.

An infusion of flower tops is administered in nervous and spasmodic affections. The herb is also used as an antilithic. Oil from leaves— antibacterial, antifungal in 1:1000 dilution.

Key application: As emmenagogue. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The plant yields about 0.34% of an essential oil. Plants at lower altitude had more percentage of cineol, thu- jone, thujyl and citral, whereas from higher altitude terpenes are in higher percentage. The highest amount of cineol was reported to be 30%.

The plant is also used as an inferior substitute for cinchona in fevers.... artemisia vulgaris

R. Br.

Family: Brassicaceae, Cruciferae.

Habitat: Subalpine and temperate Himalayas, at altitudes of 1,8003,750 m.

English: Bitter Cress, Hedge Mustard, Yellow Rocket, Winter Cress.

Folk: Cress.

Action: Diuretic, anthelmintic, stomachic, antiscorbutic, (leaves are rich in vitamin C 130 mg/100 g). Pulverised herb is used as an agent for stimulating spermatogenesis.

The roots contain sinigrin; seeds contain a glucoside, glucobarbarin, and myrosin.

The protein and phosphorus contents of the plant decrease with the maturity, whereas the calcium contents increase (tender stems are eaten as a salad). The leaves and buds are a rich source of provitamin A (beta- carotene).... barbarea vulgaris

Linn.

Family: Berberidaceae.

Habitat: Distributed in Northwestern Himalayas.

English: Common Barberry, True Barberry.

Ayurvedic: Daruharidraa (var.).

Folk: Chatrod, Kashmal.

Action: Root and bark—used for ailments of gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, kidney and urinary tract, respiratory tract, also as a febrifuge and blood purifier.

Key application: Listed by German Commission E among unapproved herbs.

An extract with 80% berberine and additional alkaloids stimulated the bile secretion of rats by 72%. (PDR.) As cholagogue. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The main alkaloid is berberine (well tolerated up to 0.5 g). Berries are safe.

Bererine in small doses stimulates the respiratory system; poisonings have been observed from overdoses. Poisonings from the total herb have not been reported. (German Commission E.)

Berberine is bactericidal, amoebici- dal and trypanocidal. Berberine is an- tidiarrhoeal, asitentersinto the cytosol or binds to the cell membrane and inhibits the catalytic unit of andenylate cyclase. It is active in vitro and in animals against cholera.

Berberine stimulates bile secretion and shows sedative, hypotensive, anti- convulsant and uterine stimulant activity in animals. Alkaloid bermarine is also strongly antibacterial. It has been shown to increase white blood cell and platelet counts in animals with iatro- genic leukocytopaenia.

Berberine, berbamine and jatror- rhizine are hypotensive and sedative.

Many of the alkaloids are antineo- plastic.

The alkaloid berbamine (50 mg three times daily for 1-4 weeks) helped reverse leukopaenia induced by benzene, cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy in a clinical study. (Francis Brinker.)

Berberine, when combined with pyrimethamine, was more effective than combinations with other antibiotics in treating chloroquine-resistant malaria. (Sharon M. Herr.)... berberis vulgaris

See under LUPUS.... discoid lupus erythematosus (dle)

Sarcoidosis affecting the skin, in which purple, chilblain-like swellings appear on the nose, cheeks, or ears.... lupus pernio

See lupus erythematosus.... systemic lupus erythematosus

(DLE) see lupus erythematosus.... discoid lupus erythematosus

one of several autoantibodies that can cause *antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). Despite the name, the antibody behaves as a coagulant, increasing the risk of thrombosis. It can be found in 50% of patients with APS.... lupus anticoagulant

a rare tuberculous infection of the skin – commonly the arm or hand – typified by warty lesions. It occurs in those who have been reinfected with tuberculosis.... lupus verrucosus

Linn. subsp. cicla (L.) Moq.

Synonym: B. vulgaris auct. non L.

Family: Chenopodiacae.

Habitat: Native to Mediterranean region; cultivated in North India, Maharashtra and South India.

English: Beet Root, Garden Beet, Chard.

Ayurvedic: Palanki.

Folk: Chukandar.

Action: Leaf—used in burns and bruises, also for diseases of spleen and liver. Tuber and seed— expectorant. Leaf and seed— diuretic. Leaf, tuber and seed— anti-inflammatory. Seed oil— analgesic.

Beet roots are eaten raw as salad or cooked. The leaves are nutritionally superior to roots and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.

The plant contains alkaloids ofwhich betaine is a mild diuretic and emme- nagogue.

In research, using rats, chard increased regeneration of beta cells in pancreas. Maximum reduction of blood glucose was after 42 days of administration. (J Ethnopharmacol, 2000, 73: 251-259.)

Beets are used orally as a supportive therapy in the treatment of liver diseases and fatty liver (possibly due to betaine). Ingestion of large quantities might worsen kidney disease. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)... beta vulgaris

Linn.

Synonym: Prunella vulgaris Linn.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan at altitudes of 1,400-4,000 m, in Khasi Hills and hills of South India.

English: Self-heal.

Unani: Substitute for Ustukhudduus. (Lavandula stoechas Linn.)

Folk: Dhaaru.

Action: Wound healing, expectorant, antiseptic, astringent, haemostatic, antispasmodic. Leaf- used in piles; and as a cooling herb for fevers.

The herb contains vitamins A, B, C and K; flavonoids; rutin. Flower spikes are liver-restorative, hypotensive, an- tioxidant.

Lupeol, stigmasterol and beta-sitos- terol are obtained from the unsapo- nifiable fraction from the leaves, the saponifiable fraction gave lauric,... brunella vulgaris

Schrad.

Synonym: C. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsumura & Nakai.

Family: Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated throughout India on sandy river beds, up to an altitude of 1,500 m.

English: Watermelon.

Ayurvedic: Kalinga.

Unani: Tarbuz.

Siddha: Poiychaviral, Tharbuza- palam (Tamil.

Action: Pulp—cooling and refreshing, a rich source of pectin, carotenoids, surcose (as major sugar). Fruit juice is prescribed in strangury and urinary complaints, also in hepatic congestion and intestinal catarrh. Seeds—cooling, purgative, diuretic, demulcent (used in urinary infections). Leaves— febrifuge. The pericarp is given in diarrhoea.

Watermelon juice contains citrullin (0.17%) and arginine, which are thought to increase urea production in the liver, thus increasing the flow of urine.

The seeds possess a high lipase activity comparable to that of wheat germ, in addition to high lipoxygenase, urease and trypsin-inhibitor activities. Aqueous extract of the seeds also exhibit amylase inhibitor activity. The seed oil is used as a substitute for almond oil.

The roots of mature plant contain a triterpene, bryonolic acid. Bryono- lic acid possesses a stronger antiallergic activity with lesser side effects than that of glycyrrhetinic acid, the aglycone of glycyrrhizin, used clinically in Japan for the treatment of allergy and hepatitis.... citrullus vulgaris

Mill.

Family: Cactaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the greater part of India.

English: Prickly Pear.

Ayurvedic: Naagaphani (var.).

Action: In homoeopathy, a tincture made from the flowers and wood, is given for diarrhoea and splenomegaly.

The fresh stalks yielded calcium magnesium pectate which exhibited antihaemorrhagic action. A flavono- side has been obtained from dried flowers. It resembles rutoside in its action of inhibiting capillary fragility. The flavonoside on hydrolysis produces trihydroxy-methoxy-flavonol and glucose. The plant is reported to contain an alkaloid. It also yields a mucilage which gives arabinose and galactose. to convalescents suffering from chronic diarrhoea and bilious fevers. Allays irritation of gastrointestinal tracts.

Orchis species (Salep) contain mucilage (up to 50%)-glucans, gluco- mannans (partially acetylized), starch (25%), proteins (5-15%).

The leaves of Orchis latifolia contain a glucoside, loroglossin. Most of the Salep used in Unani medicine is imported from Iran and Afghanistan.

Allium macleanii Baker (Afghanistan) is known as Baadashaahi (royal) Saalab, and is used as a substitute for Munjaataka.

Dosage: Tuber—3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... opuntia vulgaris

Linn.

Synonym: P. nanus Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

English: Kidney Bean, French Bean, Haricot Bean.

Unani: Raajmah (seed), Lobia, Frashbean.

Action: Bean—diuretic, hypotensive, resolvent, regulates blood sugar. Used for water retention; albuminuria, especially of pregnancy; premenstrual tension.

Key application: Seed-free pods—in supportive treatment for inability to urinate. (German Commission E.)

The seeds of French Bean contain triterpenoid glucosides and soyasaponin V.

Raajmah consumption by diabetic patients is reported to produce highly significant reduction in their blood glucose level and glycaemic index, as compared to wheat and rice consumption.

Raw bean contains lectins which are destroyed when cooked. Its hypogly- caemic activity is most likely due to its chromium, trigonelline and fiber content. (Sharon M. Herr.)... phaseolus vulgaris

Huds.

Primula denticulata Sm.

Family: Primulaceae.

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

Folk: Keechey (Tibet).

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

The whole plant contains several tri- terpenoid saponins.

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

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

Synonym: P. acaulis Hill.

Family: Primulaceae.

Habitat: Sub-Himalayan region.

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

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

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

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

Linn.

Family: Oleaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in gardens in the hills.

English: Common Lilac.

Action: Bark, leaves and capsules— used as antipyretic, especially in chronic malaria, and as vermifuge. Leaf extract—antipyretic.

The leaves, flowers and bark contain the glucoside, syringin and syringopi- crin. Syringin is also present in the roots and fruits; mannitol has been reported in leaves, bark and fruits. The leaves contain 131.6 mg/100 g ofvitamin C. Ursolic acid has also been reported in the plant.... syringa vulgaris

Inflammatory sebaceous skin disease with pustules, papules and cysts found frequently in adolescents at commencement of puberty when the sebaceous (grease) glands become more active. Blackheads are formed by blockage of follicles with sebum. A black pigment, melanin, concentrates on the top of the hair follicle forming a plug.

Lesions may appear on face, neck and chest. Worse in winter, better in summer. Acne vulgaris has blackheads (comedones) that distinguish it from acne rosacea. Studies show low zinc levels. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia records Poke root singularly effective. Medicines containing iodine and bromine (Kelp) should be avoided. Dr Edward Frankel, Los Angeles, warns against use of Vaseline which, through build-up of bacteria, may cause pustular reaction.

Alternatives. Teas. Agrimony, Alfalfa, Burdock leaves, Chamomile, Dandelion, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Heartsease, Hibiscus, Marigold petals, Mate tea, Nettles, Redbush (rooibos), Rose Hip, Violet, Wood Betony.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag, Dandelion, Echinacea, Queen’s Delight, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla, Poke root, Devil’s Claw, Goldenseal.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Blue Flag 1; Poke root half. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: 30-60 drops. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. Thrice daily before meals. Evening Primrose oil. Success reported.

Maria Treben. Nettle tea.

French traditional. Horse radish vinegar.

Greek traditional. Marigold petal poultice.

Topical. cleanse lesions with distilled extract of Witch Hazel or fresh lemon juice. Follow with Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment, dilute Tea Tree oil, Evening Primrose oil, Jojoba or Aloe Vera gel. Thyme Lotion (Blackmore’s).

Aromatherapy. Sandalwood oil. Or Lavender and Tea Tree oils.

Diet. Lacto-vegetarian. Low fat, low carbohydrate. Avoid chocolate, cow’s milk, sugars and drinks that induce facial flushing. Raw fruit and vegetables.

Supplements. Vitamins A, B-complex, B6, C, E. Chromium, Selenium, Zinc. ... acne, vulgaris

A form of arthritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosis in young girls. An auto-immune disease which may involve the heart, kidney, CNS or other systems.

Symptoms: Joint pains with feverishness, loss of weight, anaemia and red raised patches of skin on nose and face (butterfly rash). Swelling of the joints resembles rheumatoid arthritis. Chest and kidney disease possible. Personality changes with depression followed by mania and possible convulsions.

Treatment. Standard orthodox treatments: aspirin, steroids. Alternatives: Echinacea (rash), Valerian (mental confusion), Lobelia (chest pains), Parsley Piert (kidney function).

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Poke root. Dandelion. Valerian. Wild Yam. Prickly Ash bark.

Powders. Echinacea 2; Dandelion 1; Wild Yam half; Poke root quarter; Devil’s Claw half; Fennel half. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily. In water or cup of Fenugreek tea. Tinctures. Dandelion 4; Valerian 1; Prickly Ash half; Poke root half; Peppermint quarter. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon thrice daily, in water or cup Fenugreek tea.

Tincture. Queen’s Delight BHP (1983) 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose 1-4ml (15-60 drops).

Topical. Plantain Salvo. Castor oil. Oil Cajeput or Sassafras. Comfrey or Chickweed cream.

Diet. Young girls may require diet for anaemia.

Supplementation. Daily. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D. Dolomite (1500mg). Calcium Pantothenate (500mg). Iron: Men (10mg), women (18mg). ... arthritis, lupus

a frequent and serious complication of systemic *lupus erythematosus (SLE). The 2002 WHO/ISN/RPS classification of lupus nephritis recognizes six classes: class I is the presence of mesangial deposits (see juxtaglomerular apparatus) seen on immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopy; class II is the presence of mesangial deposits and mesangial hypercellularity; class III is focal and segmental *glomerulonephritis; class IV is diffuse segmental or global nephritis; class V is *membranous nephropathy; and class VI is advanced sclerotic glomerulonephritis. Untreated, outcomes are poor in classes III and IV, but much improved with immunosuppressant treatment.... lupus nephritis