Exposure to sunlight increases the production of melanin, which protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and causes the skin to darken. Localized overproduction of melanin in the skin can result in a pigmented spot, most commonly a freckle or mole (see naevus).
There are many abnormalities of pigmentation.
Patches of pale skin occur in psoriasis, pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, and vitiligo.
Albinism is caused by generalized melanin deficiency.
Phenylketonuria results in a reduced melanin level, making sufferers pale-skinned and fair-haired.
Areas of dark skin may be caused by disorders such as eczema or psoriasis, pityriasis versicolor, chloasma, or by some perfumes and cosmetics containing chemicals that cause photosensitivity.
Permanent areas of deep pigmentation, such as freckles and moles (see naevus), are usually due to an abnormality of melanocytes.
Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by dark patches of velvet-like, thickened skin.
Blood pigments may lead to abnormal colouring.
Excess of the bile pigment bilirubin in jaundice turns the skin yellow, and haemochromatosis turns the skin bronze.... pigmentation
Habitat: Throughout India, as a weed upto 2,000 m.
English: Nut Grass.Ayurvedic: Musta, Mustaa, Mus- taka, Abda, Ambuda, Ambhoda, Ambodhara, Bhadra, Bhadraa, Bhadramusta, Bhadramustaa, Bhadramustaka, Ghana, Jalada, Jaldhara, Meghaahvaa, Nirada, Vaarida, Vaarivaaha, Payoda, Balaahaka. Ganda-Duurvaa (var.).Unani: Naagarmothaa, Saad-e-Kufi.Siddha/Tamil: Koraikkizhangu.Folk: Mothaa.Action: Carminative, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antirheumat- ic, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antipyretic, analgesic, hypoten- sive, emmenagogue and nervine tonic.
Used for intestinal problems, indigestion, sprue, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting and fever; also as a hypoc- holesterolaemic drug and in obesity.Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the rhizome in rheumatism, inflammations, dysuria, puerperal diseases and obesity.The tuber is rich in Cu, Fe, Mg and Ni. Beta-sitosterol, isolated from the tubers, exhibits significant anti- inflammatory activity against carra- geenan- and cotton pellet-induced oedema in rats; the activity is comparable to hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone when administered intraperi- toneally.The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the tubers possess lipolytic action and reduce obesity by releasing enhanced concentrations of biogenic amines from nerve terminals of the brain which suppress the appetite centre. Presence of eudalne group of ses- quiterpenic compounds of sesquiter- pene alcohol, isocyperol is said to play an important role in lipid metabolism.An alcoholic extract of the plant exhibits liver-protective activity against CCL4-induced liver damage in mice.Methanolic extract of the plant stimulates the production of melanin in cultured melanocytes. (Plant extract is used in preparations used for pigmentation of skin and hair, also in suntan gels.) Aqueous-alcoholic extract of the tuber exhibited hypotensive, diuretic, antipyretic and analgesic activities. These are attributed to a triterpenoid.The essential oil (0.5-0.9%) from the tubers contains mainly sesquiterpenes.C. platystilis Br. is equated with Kaivarta-mustaka.Dosage: Rhizome—3-6 g powder; 20-30 ml decoction. (API Vol. III.)... cyperus rotundusHabitat: Central and Peninsular India.
English: Australian Cow Plant, Ipecacuanha (Indian).Ayurvedic: Meshashringi, Meshav- ishaanikaa, Meshavalli, Chhaagal- shrngi. Ajashringi (also equated with Dolichandrone falcata and Pergularia extensa).Unani: Gurmaar Buuti.Siddha/Tamil: Kannu Minnayam- kodi, Passaam, Shirukurinja.Action: Leaf—antidiabetic. Stimulates the heart and circulatory system, activates the uterus. Used in parageusia and furunculosis. Plant—diuretic, antibilious. Root— emetic, expectorant, astringent, stomachic.
Gymnemagenin, the main sapoge- nin in the leaves, yielded 3.9-4.6% of total gymnemic acids.Gymnemic acids are antisweet principles and exhibit inhibitory effect on levels of plasma glucose.The extract of dried leaves, given to diabetic rats at a dose of 20 mg/day per rat for 8 weeks, was found to bring about blood glucose homoeostasis by increasing serum insulin levels. Increased glycoprotein level and the resultant nephropathy, retinopathy and micro-and macro-angiopathy were also controlled.The leaf extract (25-100 mg/kg), when orally administered to experimentally induced hyperlipidaemic rats for 2 weeks, reduced the elevated serum triglyceride and total cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. The efficacy and antiatherosclerotic potential of the extract (100 mg/kg) were comparable to that of a lipid lowering agent, clofibrate.In homoeopathy, a drug obtained from the leaves and roots is prescribed for both diabetes mellitus and insipidus Gymnemic acid is reported to inhibit melanin formation in vitro. It also inhibits dental plaque formation.Dosage: Root, leaf-3-5 g powder; 50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... gymnema sylvestrePityriasis alba is a mild form of chronic eczema (see DERMATITIS) occurring mainly in children on the face and in young adults on the upper arms. It is characterised by round or oval ?aky patches which are paler than the surrounding skin due to partial loss of MELANIN pigment. The appearance is more dramatic in dark-skinned or suntanned subjects. Moisturising cream often su?ces, but 1 per cent HYDROCORTISONE cream is more e?ective.
Pityriasis rosea is a common self-limiting eruption seen mainly in young adults. It usually begins as a solitary red ?aky patch (often misdiagnosed as ringworm). Within a week this ‘herald patch’ is followed by a profuse symmetrical eruption of smaller rose-pink, ?aky, oval lesions on the trunk and neck but largely sparing the limbs and face. Itching is variable. The eruption usually peaks within 3 weeks and fades away leaving collarettes of scale, disappearing within 6–7 weeks. It rarely recurs and a viral cause is suspected but not proved. It is not contagious and there is no speci?c treatment, but crotamiton cream (Eurax) may relieve discomfort.... pityriasis
Habitat: Rajasthan., eastern districts of Punjab and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh.
Ayurvedic: Somaraaji, Somavalli, Somavallik, Soma, Chaandri, Vaakuchi, Baakuchi, Avalguja. (Somaraaji and Avalguja have also been equated with Centratherum anthelminticum.)Unani: Baabchi, Bakuchi.Siddha/Tamil: Karpoogaarisi.Action: Seed—used in leucoderma, vitiligo, leprosy, psoriasis and inflammatory diseases of the skin, both orally and externally. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)
The seed and roots contain chal- cones, flavones, isoflavones, furano- coumarins and coumesterol group of compounds. These include psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachinin.A mixture of psoralen and isopso- ralen, in a ratio of 1:3, is recommended for topical application in leucoderma. These furanocoumarins initiate transformation of DOPA to melanin under the influence of UV light. Seeds are powdered and administered orally with warm water (5 g/day) in cases of eczema.Psoralen was found to be cytotoxic in vitro. The combination therapy of psoralen and UV irradiation has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumours in vivo.Bavachinin-A, isolated from the fruits, exhibited marked anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and mild analgesic properties similar to those of oxyphenylbutazone and hydrocortisone. It demonstrated better antipyretic activity than paracetamol experimentally.Oral administration of the powdered seeds has generally resulted in side reactions (nausea, vomiting, purging); external application generally proved highly irritant to the skin.Dosage: Seed—1-3 g powder (CCRAS.); 3-6 g powder (API, Vol. I).... psoralea corylifoliaHabitat: Distributed in the temperate regions of Europe and West Asia. Grown in Punjab and Kashmir.
English: Common or European Pear.Folk: Bagu-goshaa, Babbu-goshaa.Action: Fruits—a good source of pectin, help in maintaining a desirable acid balance in the body. Recommended to patients suffering from diabetes because of low sucrose content; and included in low antigen content diets to alleviate the symptoms in the management of immune-mediated disease.
Fresh pear juice exhibited good activity against Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Escherichia coli.An aqueous extract of the leaves was active against some strains of E. coli.The leaves contain arbutin, iso- quercitrin, sorbitol, ursolic acid, astra- galin and tannin (0.8-2.9%). The bark contains friedelin, epifriedelanol and beta-sitosterol. Phloridzin is present in the root bark.The plant extract controls the development of freckles and blemishes on the skin and prevents melanin formation. It finds application in skin- lightening creams.... pyrus communisSpecialized cells in the epidermis respond to ultraviolet light by producing the pigment melanin.
(See also sunlight, adverse effects of; sunburn.)... suntan
Structure
CORIUM The foundation layer. It overlies the subcutaneous fat and varies in thickness from 0·5–3.0 mm. Many nerves run through the corium: these have key roles in the sensations of touch, pain and temperature (see NEURON(E)). Blood vessels nourish the skin and are primarily responsible for regulating the body temperature. Hairs are bedded in the corium, piercing the epidermis (see below) to cover the skin in varying amounts in di?erent parts of the body. The sweat glands are also in the corium and their ducts lead to the surface. The ?brous tissue of the corium comprises interlocking white ?brous elastic bundles. The corium contains many folds, especially over joints and on the palms of hands and soles of feet with the epidermis following the contours. These are permanent throughout life and provide unique ?ngerprinting identi?cation. HAIR Each one has a root and shaft, and its varying tone originates from pigment scattered throughout it. Bundles of smooth muscle (arrectores pilorum) are attached to the root and on contraction cause the hair to stand vertical. GLANDS These occur in great numbers in the skin. SEBACEOUS GLANDS secrete a fatty substance and sweat glands a clear watery ?uid (see PERSPIRATION). The former are made up of a bunch of small sacs producing fatty material that reaches the surface via the hair follicle. Around three million sweat or sudoriparous glands occur all over the body surface; sited below the sebaceous glands they are unconnected to the hairs. EPIDERMIS This forms the outer layer of skin and is the cellular layer covering the body surface: it has no blood vessels and its thickness varies from 1 mm on the palms and soles to 0·1 mm on the face. Its outer, impervious, horny layer comprises several thicknesses of ?at cells (pierced only by hairs and sweat-gland openings) that are constantly rubbed o? as small white scales; they are replaced by growing cells from below. The next, clear layer forms a type of membrane below which the granular stratum cells are changing from their origins as keratinocytes in the germinative zone, where ?ne sensory nerves also terminate. The basal layer of the germinative zone contains melanocytes which produce the pigment MELANIN, the cause of skin tanning.
Nail A modi?cation of skin, being analagous to the horny layer, but its cells are harder and more adherent. Under the horny nail is the nail bed, comprising the well-vascularised corium (see above) and the germinative zone. Growth occurs at the nail root at a rate of around 0·5 mm a week – a rate that increases in later years of life.
Skin functions By its ability to control sweating and open or close dermal blood vessels, the skin plays a crucial role in maintaining a constant body temperature. Its toughness protects the body from mechanical injury. The epidermis is a two-way barrier: it prevents the entry of noxious chemicals and microbes, and prevents the loss of body contents, especially water, electrolytes and proteins. It restricts electrical conductivity and to a limited extent protects against ultraviolet radiation.
The Langerhans’ cells in the epidermis are the outposts of the immune system (see IMMUNITY), just as the sensory nerves in the skin are the outposts of the nervous system. Skin has a social function in its ability to signal emotions such as fear or anger. Lastly it has a role in the synthesis of vitamin D.... skin
Habitat: Common in gardens in warm tropical regions.
Action: fruit—used as a purgative.
Flowers contain aloifoline. Seeds contain indole melanins. The leaves contain tigogenin (76%), sarsasapo- genin, gitogenin, hecogenin, smila- genin, neotigogenin and samogenin.Aloifoline is specifically active against Lewis lung-tumour as well as other transplanted mouse neoplasms.Several spirostanol saponin glyco- sides from rhizomes and inflorescence have been isolated.... yucca aloifoliaLesions 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
Action: cardio-active, diuretic, laxative, oxytocic, peripheral vasoconstrictor. Increases power of the heart, slows it down, increases urine. “Works on the conductive mechanism of the heart. Atrial and ventricular fibrillation disappear.” (Rudolf F. Weiss MD)
Uses: ‘Heart’ dropsy. To reduce frequency of the heartbeat. Tendency to extrasystoles. Tachycardia. Liver conditions. Whole plant.
Reported use for tumour. (J.L. Hartwell, Lloydia, 33, 97, 1970) Combination, traditional: with Agrimony and Dandelion root for dropsy. Contra-indications: High blood pressure, pregnancy, lactation.
Preparations: Thrice daily.
Decoction: 1oz (30g) to each 1 pint (500ml) water, simmer gently 10 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup. Liquid extract. 10-30 drops.
Tincture BHP (1983) 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol; Dose: 0.5-2ml.
Kasbah Remedy (Potter’s). Broom, an important constituent of.
Spartoil drops (Klein).
BROWN SPOTS on the skin. Liver spots. Chloasma, melasma. Melanin is a dark pigment found in the skin and hair. When it is unnaturally concentrated into yellow-brown patches during pregnancy or from taking contraceptive pills it is known as chloasma. The darkness of such patches is enhanced by sunlight. Liver spots are common in the aged.
Topical. Cider vinegar. Castor oil (E. Cayce) Houseleek (traditional). Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. The juice or gel of Aloe Vera has reduced or removed spots after several months twice-daily applications. ... broom
Traditional. Rub with raw Garlic bulb. Apply juice of Dandelion, Milkweed, Greater Celandine, or Jojoba oil over a long period.
Linda Clark. Moles have been known to disappear on wiping with Castor oil.
Internally: Liquid Extract, Thuja. 3-5 drops in water, once daily, for 1 month, repeated again after 3 months.
Vitamin E.
Minerals. Silicon, Sulphur. ... moles
Tumours usually develop on exposed skin but may occur anywhere on the body. A melanoma usually grows from an existing mole, which may enlarge, become lumpy, bleed or crust over, change colour, develop an irregular edge, turn into a scab, or become itchy. Occasionally, a melanoma develops in normal skin. The tumour often spreads to other parts of the body. Diagnosis is by a skin biopsy and the melanoma is removed surgically. Radiotherapy or anticancer drugs may also be necessary.... melanoma, malignant
The most common types of pigmented naevi are freckles, lentigos, and café au lait spots: flat brown areas that may occur where the skin is exposed to the sun. Another common type is a mole, sometimes called a melanocytic naevus. In rare cases, moles become cancerous (see melanoma, malignant). Juvenile melanomas (see melanoma, juvenile) are red-brown naevi that occur in childhood. Blue naevi are common in young girls. Most black and Asian infants are born with blue-black spots on their lower backs (see Mongolian blue spot).
Port-wine stains and strawberry marks (see haemangioma and spider naevi) are examples of vascular naevi.
Most naevi are harmless. However, if a naevus suddenly appears, grows, bleeds, or changes colour, medical advice should be sought immediately to exclude the possibility of skin cancer.... naevus
The outermost epidermis is composed of dead cells and the protein keratin. As these dead cells are worn away, they are replaced by new ones from the inner epidermis. Some epidermal cells produce the pigment melanin, which protects the body from ultraviolet light in sunlight.
The dermis is composed of connective tissue interspersed with hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, blood and lymph vessels, and sensory receptors for pressure, temperature, and pain.... skeleton
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