Parturient Health Dictionary

(Fr.) Tul.

Family: Hypocreaceae.

Habitat: A fungous parasite on a number of grasses particularly in rye, cultivated in the Nilgiris and at Chakrohi farm in Jammu.

English: Ergot of Rye. Fungus of Rye.

Ayurvedic: Annamaya, Sraavikaa.

Unani: Argot.

Siddha/Tamil: Ergot.

Action: Uterine stimulant. Oxy- tocic, abortifacient, parturient, vasoconstrictor, haemostatic. Used in obstetrics (difficult childbirth, for exciting uterine contractions in the final stages of parturition). Also used after abortion for removal of the placenta. It is no more employed in internal haemorrhages, as it has been found to raise blood pressure in pulmonary and cerebral haemorrhage. Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.

The fungus gave indole alkaloids. The ergometrine or ergonovine group includes ergometrine and ergometri- nine. The ergotamine group includes ergotamine and ergotaminine. The er- gotoxine group includes ergocristine, ergocristinine, ergocryptine, ergo- cryptinine, ergocornine and ergo- corninine. The fungus also contains histamine, tyramine and other amines, sterols and acetylcholine.

The alkaloids of ergot are being used independently (not as a herbal medicine). Ergotamine is used to relieve migrainous headaches as it is a vasoconstrictor and has antisero- tonin activity. Ergometrine is used after childbirth in the third stage of labour and for post-partum haemorrhage, as it is a powerful uterine stimulant, particularly of the puerperal uterus. (Both the constituents are used under medical supervision). Er- gocornine significantly inhibited the development of induced mammary tumours in rats. The derivatives of ergot alkaloids are known to have suppressing effect on human breast cancer in initial stages. This activity is linked to prolactin inhibitory action.

The extract is toxic at 1.0-3.9 g, ergot alkaloids at 1 g in adults, 12 mg in infants. (Francis Brinker).

Dosage: Whole plant—10-30 ml infusion. (CCRAS.)... claviceps purpurea

Asarum canadense. N.O. Aristolochiaceae.

Synonym: Canadian Snake Root.

Habitat: Woods and shady places in North America.

Features ? Imported rhizome, slender, about four inches long by one-eighth inch thick, quadrangular, greyish to purplish brown, wrinkled ; fracture short; rootlets whitish. Pungent, bitter taste.

Part used ? Rhizome.

Action: Stimulant, carminative, expectorant, diaphoretic.

As a carminative in digestive and intestinal pains, and as a stimulant in colds and amenorrhea resulting therefrom. An infusion of 1/2 ounce of the powdered rhizome to 1 pint boiling water is taken hot for stimulative purposes, and blood warm as a carminative. Dose of the dry powder, 20 to 30 grains.

Practitioners of the American Physio-Medical School hold that this root exerts a direct influence upon the uterus, and prescribe it as a parturient when nervous fatigue is observed.... ginger, wild

(Linn.) Hary.

Habitat: Native to South America, particularly its north-western parts. Also cultivated in India.

English: Egyptian Cotton, Sea- Island Cotton.

Ayurvedic: Kaarpaasa.

Siddha/Tamil: Semparutthi.

Folk: Kapaasa.

Action: Root—emmenagogue, oxytocic, abortifacient, parturient, lactagogue. Seed and leaf— antidysenteric. Seed—galacto- gogue, pectoral, febrifuge. Seed oil—used externally for clearing spots and freckles from the skin. Leaf—hypotensive, an- tirheumatic. Flower—used in hypochondriasis and bronchial inflammations.

The seed contains 26.2-27.9% protein; 1.22-2.42 free gossypol.... gracilaria lichenoides

(L.) DC.

Synonym: G. nudicaulis Arn.

Family: Asteraceae, Compositae.

Habitat: Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, Assam, and Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Action: Plant—emollient, resolvent. Used as a poultice in erysipelas and for tumours in the breast. Root—used both externally and internally for enhancing blood circulation especially when blue spots and blotches result from blows. The powdered root, mixed with tea, is given to parturient women. Leaves—used for poulticing pimples. The juice is used asa gargle for inflammations of the throat.... gynura pseudo-china

ERGOT of rye. Secale. Claviceps purpurea, Tulasne.

Constituents: indole alkaloids, tyramine, acetylcholine.

Action: abortifacient, parturient, haemostatic, hypertensive, uterine stimulant, oxytocic. Uses. Obstetrics.

Difficult childbirth. Applied to excite uterine contractions in the third stage of labour. Preparations. Liquid Extract. BPC 1954, dose, 0.6 to 1.2ml.

Registered medical practitioner only. ... ergot

One of the areas in which herbal medicine proves safe and effective is childbirth. Before days of modern medicine herbalism was the only method of assistance. Although the modern hospital has taken over the management of the case, powerful plant parturients are still available for the enlightened physician.

Raspberry leaf tea (iron absorption) should be taken the last 3 months of pregnancy (1oz to 1 pint boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; all drunk at intervals during the day). Taken hot at expectation of delivery the tea favourably assists.

For last month of pregnancy to ensure easy delivery Blue Cohosh should also be taken: (Helonias or Pulsatilla in its absence).

Blue Cohosh. Strengthens muscles of the womb and pelvis. Assists labour pains and all aspects of childbirth. (An old veterinary stand-by to reduce piglet mortality.) Where labour is delayed, the os rigid, painful spasms, “all worn-out by fatigue”, 10 drops Liquid Extract or 20 drops tincture in water every half hour favourably assists.

Pulsatilla. For inefficient labour, to accelerate delivery. Safe and reliable for weak and distressing pains. Thirty drops tincture or 15 drops Liquid Extract in water every 15 minutes to half hour. Even if ineffective, its action is harmless. Believed to act as well as Ergot. At time of delivery, place 20-30 drops tincture or liquid extract in 4oz water; dose – 1 teaspoon every 15 minutes as circumstances dictate. Given once daily, last month of pregnancy, 5 drops tincture or liquid extract powerfully assist women whose labour is expected to be difficult.

For sickness. Black Horehound tea.

Convulsions of childbirth: see, ECLAMPSIA.

Severe haemorrhage: Yarrow tea, as much as tolerated. OR:– Combination. Equal parts: Helonias, Black Haw, Cypripedium.

Powders: Quarter of a teaspoon.

Liquid Extracts: 30-60 drops.

Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons in water or honey, hourly.

Sponge-down. A sponge saturated with Marigold (Calendula) tea after delivery is most comforting to the new mother. ... childbirth

Gossypium herbaceum L. German: Baumwollenbaum. French: Cotonnier en arbre. Italian: Cotone arbusto. Arabian: Kuttun. Indian: Karpas. Iranian: Pambah. Dried root bark. Cotton fibre leaves.

Constituents: mucilage, flavonoids, fixed oil, resin, tannin.

Action: abortifacient. Parturient. Traditional male contraceptive (unproven). Oxytocic, (fresh gathered). Uses. For procuring abortion. Claimed to contract the womb after the action of Ergot, but safer. Alabama Indian squaws made a tea of the freshly-gathered roots to ease pains of childbirth. For absent or painful menstruation. Pain in ovaries. Morning sickness. Reduces sperm count and sexual urge in the male. Reference. Rats were made temporarily infertile without change of mating behaviour, without reducing the male hormone (testosterone) and without heart abnormalities. (Dr Yun-feng-Ren, People’s Republic of China)

Not used in pregnancy. Hypokalaemia may follow overdose. Preparations. Liquid Extract, BPC (1934). Dose, 2-4ml. Tincture BPC (1934). Dose 30-60 drops. ... cotton root

If the mother has avoided over-eating heavy rich foods, an excess of meat, alcohol, domestic tea and coffee; and if she has drunk Raspberry leaf tea with Squaw Vine drops for the last three months, her delivery is likely to be easy and without incident. When labour commences let cupfuls of warm Raspberry leaf tea with a little Composition, Red Pepper or Ginger, be taken every 20 minutes. If contractions are strong, the stimulants Composition, Red Pepper and Ginger may not be needed.

Oxytocic herbs for sustaining vigorous contractions are effective and may be used when necessary. Chief among them is Goldenseal (which is never used during pregnancy); dose, Liquid Extract 5 drops in water, or honey, every 20 minutes. A number of Indian tribes including the Potawatomis, held Blue Cohosh in high esteem, as an effective parturient. Dose: same as for Goldenseal.

False labour pains: Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Black Horehound, Cramp bark, Motherwort, Helonias, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam.

Premature labour pains: Black Horehound, Blue Cohosh, Motherwort, Black Haw bark BHP (1983). Prolonged labour: to relax os. Feverfew, Lobelia, Ladyslipper, Blue Cohosh.

Practitioner use: Tincture Gelsemium 5 drops.

Labour contractions alarmingly inefficient: Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh.

Post partum haemorrhage. To be given before completion of delivery: Marigold, Witch Hazel, Bayberry, Goldenseal. Dr T.J. Lyle strongly advises Beth root. ... labour

Jasminum officinale

FAMILY: Oleaceae

SYNONYMS: Jasmin, jessamine, common jasmine, poet’s jessamine.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An evergreen shrub or vine up to 10 metres high with delicate, bright green leaves and star-shaped very fragrant white flowers.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to China, northern India and west Asia; cultivated in the Mediterranean region, China and India (depending on the exact species). The concrete is produced in Italy, France, Morocco, Egypt, China, Japan, Algeria and Turkey; the absolute is mainly produced in France.

OTHER SPECIES: There are many species of jasmine used for medicine and perfumery work. Apart from the common jasmine, the most widespead varieties are the royal or Italian jasmine (J. grandiflorum) which is grown in the Mediterranean region, and its Eastern counterpart J. officinale var. grandiflorum or J. auriculatum. See the Botanical Classification section for a more comprehensive list.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: In China the flowers of J. officinale var. grandiflorum are used to treat hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and dysentery; the flowers of J. sambac are used for conjunctivitis, dysentery, skin ulcers and tumours. The root is used to treat headaches, insomnia, pain due to dislocated joints and rheumatism.

In the West, the common jasmine was said to ‘warm the womb ... and facilitate the birth; it is useful for cough, difficulty of breathing, etc. It disperses crude humours, and is good for cold and catarrhous constitutions, but not for the hot.’ It was also used for hard, contracted limbs and problems with the nervous and reproductive systems.

ACTIONS: Analgesic (mild), antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, cicatrisant, expectorant, galactagogue, parturient, sedative, tonic (uterine).

EXTRACTION: A concrete is produced by solvent extraction; the absolute is obtained from the concrete by separation with alcohol. An essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the absolute.

CHARACTERISTICS: The absolute is a dark orange-brown, viscous liquid with an intensely rich, warm, floral scent and a tealike undertone. It blends well with rose, sandalwood, clary sage, and all citrus oils. It has the ability to round off any rough notes and blend with virtually everything.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: There are over 100 constituents in the oil including benzyl acetate, linalol, phenylacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, farnesol, methyl anthranilate, cis jasmone, methyl jasmonate, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, generally non-sensitizing. (An allergic reaction has been known to occur in some individuals.)

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Dry, greasy, irritated, sensitive skin.

Circulation muscles and joints: Muscular spasm, sprains.

Respiratory system: Catarrh, coughs, hoarseness, laryngitis.

Genito-urinary system: Dysmenorrhoea, frigidity, labour pains, uterine disorders.

Nervous system: Depression, nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions. ‘It ... produces a feeling of optimism, confidence and euphoria. It is most useful in cases where there is apathy, indifference or listlessness.’.

OTHER USES: Extensively used in soaps, toiletries, cosmetics and perfumes, especially high-class floral and oriental fragrances. The oil and absolute are employed in a wide range of food products, alcoholic and soft drinks. The dried flowers of J. sambac are used in jasmine tea.... jasmine