Polymyalgia rheumatica Health Dictionary

Inflammation of an artery. Chiefly refers to temporal arteritis (giant cell) from which blindness may develop. Over 60s at risk. Associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Symptoms. Frontal headache – single or double-sided. Forehead tender to touch. Red line on forehead may confirm temporal arteritis. Feverishness. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is always high and should be frequently checked in a Haematology laboratory. Steroids may be sight-saving but should only be resorted to until effective phytomedicines are discovered.

Alternatives. Teas. Cactus, Feverfew, Ginkgo, Meadowsweet, Nettles, Parsley, Rutin, Skullcap.

Tea, formula. Combine equal parts: Hawthorn, Ginkgo, Valerian. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 5 minutes. Dose: Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Bamboo gum, Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Prickly Ash, Rutavite, Wild Yam.

Practitioner. (1) Liquid extracts: Lily of the Valley 10ml; Hawthorn 15ml; Valerian 5ml. Tincture Capsicum 0.3ml (5 drops). Dose: 15-60 drops in water thrice daily.

(2) Lily of the Valley, tincture BPC 1934: dose 0.3-1.2ml.

(3) Tincture Gelsemium for severe headache.

Diet. See: DIET – HEART AND CIRCULATION. Pineapple juice.

Supplements. B-complex, Vitamin E (500-1000iu daily). Evening Primrose oil, Maxepa, Glanolin. Iodine, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc. ... arteritis

 Spanish chestnut. Castanea sativa, Mill. Leaves. French: Cha?taignier. German: Kastanienbaum. Italian: Castagno. Indian: Ni-keri. Russian: Keschtan. Dutch: Kastangeboorn.

Constituents include tannins. Leaves and fruits.

Action: drying astringent, antirheumatic, antitussive.

Uses: Dry violent spasmodic coughs (whooping cough, croup). Copious catarrh. Diarrhoea (infants). Piles. Muscular rheumatism. Polymyalgia. Sore throat (gargle).

Formula. Chestnut 1; Celery 1; Black Cohosh quarter; and Meadowsweet 1; for polymyalgia and muscular rheumatism.

Formula. Sweet Chestnut 2; Wild Cherry bark 1; for whooping cough.

Preparations: Tea: 2 teaspoons shredded leaves to each cup water, bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Half-1 cup freely.

Liquid Extract BHP (1983) 1:1 in 25 per cent alcohol. Dose 1-4ml, thrice daily.

Home tincture: 1oz shredded leaves to 20oz Vodka (40-45 per cent alcohol). Macerate 8 days. 2-4 teaspoons in water, thrice daily. ... chestnut, sweet

Peruvian bark. Jesuit’s bark. Cinchona officinalis L. Source of the alkaloid quinine used in the treatment of malaria. German: Chinabaum. French: Quinquina. Italian: China. Part used: stem-bark and root.

Constituents: quinoline alkaloids, (quinine is extracted from the bark) resin, tannins, glycosides.

Action: anti-protozoal, anti-cramp, anti-malarial, appetite stimulant, bitter, febrifuge, tonic.

Uses: Cinchona was named after the Countess of Cinchona, wife of the Viceroy of Peru who was cured of a malarial fever with the powdered bark. News of her recovery spread like wildfire through the high society circles of Europe which started a world demand for the bark.

Its temperature-reducing effect is felt by other fevers with shivering chill and violent shaking. Enlargement of the spleen due to abnormal destruction of blood cells. Iron-deficient anaemia. Atrial fibrillation of the heart. Alcoholism. Debility. For recovery from excessive diarrhoea, loss of blood and exhausting liver and gall bladder conditions. Persistent flatulence. Polymyalgia. Loss of appetite (with Hops).

Practitioner only use. The remedy is on the General Sales List, Schedule 2, Table A up to 50mg per dose (Rla); over 50mg per dose it is obtainable from a pharmacy only. Herbal practitioners are exempt up to 250mg per dose (750 daily).

Tincture (BPC 1949). Dose: 2 to 4ml.

Tonic Mineral Water. On open sale. A palatable way of taking quinine for malaria prevention. ... cinchona bark

Guelder rose. Snowball tree. Viburnum opulus L. German: Schling. French: Obier. Spanish: Rosa da qu?eldres. Italian: Viburno loppo. Dried bark.

Constituents: coumarins, hydroquinones.

Keynote: cramp.

Action: antispasmodic, astringent, nerve and muscle relaxant, sedative.

Uses: Muscular cramp, spasmodic pains in abdomen, womb, ovaries, back, stomach, intestines, bladder. Convulsions in children. Epididymitis. Painful menstruation, flooding menses of the menopause. Polymyalgia. Nervous irritability. Heart cramp (angina), intermittent claudication, arteritis, palpitation. Earache. Acute bronchitis, asthma. Muscular rheumatism. Bedwetting.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tablets. Two 200mg tablets before meals.

Decoction. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup water: simmer 15 minutes: dose, half-1 cup.

Powder. 2-5g.

Liquid extract. Half-2 teaspoons in water.

Tincture BHP (1983) 1 part bark to 5 parts 70 per cent alcohol. Dose: 5-10ml in water. ... cramp bark

any aching pain in the muscles and joints. Commonly the symptoms are due to *fibrositis; wear and tear of the joints (*osteoarthritis); or to inflammation of the muscles associated with abnormal immune reactions (*polymyalgia rheumatica). Generalized muscle pain with specific tender points and fatigue is called *fibromyalgia.... muscular rheumatism

Harpagophytum procumbens D.C. Rhizome. Native of the Kalahari Desert.

Keynote: rheumatism. A versatile remedy.

Constituents: flavonoids, iridoid glycosides.

Action: anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, analgesic (mild), liver tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, sedative, detoxicant, stomachic, lymphatic, stimulant, cortisone-like action.

Use s. Inflammatory arthritic stiff joints. Gout. Lumbago, sciatica, polymyalgia, neuralgia, liver congestion. Gall bladder disorders. Itching skin conditions. Piles. Inflammatory conditions of the veins. Avoid in pregnancy. Not given in presence of gastric or duodenal ulcer.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tablets: dosage as on bottle.

Alternative: a tea is made by dissolving tablets in a cup of boiling water.

Decoction. Quarter to half a teaspoon in each cup water gently simmered 15 minutes. Dose: half a cup. Liquid Extract, BHC Vol 1. (1:1, 25 per cent ethanol). Dose: 1-2ml.

Powder. 250mg capsules; maintenance dose, 2 capsules thrice daily with meals. Or applied to open wounds for healing. ... devil’s claw

The Thatcher Finger. Fibrosis of the palm of the hand leading to deformity. Inability to straighten the ring and little finger due to fixed flexion. A tightened sinew. High serum fat levels are present, the disease affecting men from the age of 20 and women after the menopause.

“It is believed that oxidation of the lipids by free radicals (which are also present in high numbers in patients who have Dupuytren’s contracture) produces toxins which kill fibroblast cells in the palmar fascia. The surrounding tissue overreacts by producing many more fibroblasts, a bit like callous formation after a wound. The rapid increase in fibrous tissue leads to the contracture. This explains why the contracture is so common among patients with diabetes, epilepsy and alcoholism – serum lipid levels are raised in all these groups . . . However, the disorder occurs only if the patient has a genetic predisposition to the disease.” (Mr Paul Sanderson, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Nov. 1992)

Treatment. Directed towards prevention. Same as for HYPERLIPIDAEMIA.

DWARF BEAN. See: FRENCH BEAN.

DWARF ELDER. Danewort. Ground Elder. Sambucus ebulus L. French: Petit sureau. German:

Attichwurzel. Spanish: Sauro enano. Italian: Ebbio. Part used: leaves. Action: expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative.

Uses: Dropsy, kidney and bladder torpor, rheumatism.

Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder, Greater Plantain and Parsley Piert for gravel.

Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder, Wild Carrot, Broom and Motherwort for oedema of heart origin. Combine, equal parts Dwarf Elder and Celery seeds for polymyalgia and rheumatism. (W.T. Hewitt, FNIMH)

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. 2 teaspoons leaves to each cup boiling water; infuse 10 minutes. Half-1 cup.

Tincture. 1 part in 5 parts 45 per cent alcohol. Macerate 8 days. Decant. 5-10ml (1-2 teaspoons). ... dupuytren’s contracture

St John’s Wort. Hypericum perforatum L. German: Tupfelharthen. French: Mille pertuis. Spanish: Hierba de San Juan. Italian: Perforata. Iranian: Dadi. Arabian: Hynfarikun. Chinese: Chin-ssu?- t’sao. Leaves and flowers. Keynote: pain.

Constituents: flavonoids, hypericins, essential oil.

Action: alterative, astringent, antiviral, relaxing nervine, anti-depressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, cardio-tonic. Analgesic (external).

Topical. Antiseptic, analgesic (mild). To promote coronary flow and strengthen the heart.

Uses: Neuralgia (facial and intercostal), sciatica, concussion of the spine, post-operative pain and neuralgia, physical shock. Pain in coccyx, polymyalgia with tingling of fingers or feet, to reduce pain of dental extractions. Injuries to flesh rich in nerves – finger tips or sole of feet. Shooting, stitching pains. Punctured wounds: bites of dogs (rabies), cats, rats where pain shoots up the arm from the wound. Painful piles. Chorea. Tetanus. Temporary relief reported in Parkinsonism. Has been used with some success in relieving cramps of terminal disease. Anxiety, stress, depression. Menopausal nervousness. Menstrual cramps.

Researchers have shown that the herb possesses radioprotective properties. (Biol. Nauki. 1992 (4) 709)

Preparations: Average dose: 2-4 grams, or equivalent in fluid form. Thrice daily. Tea: 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup of boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half a cup. Liquid Extract: 15-60 drops in water.

Tincture BHP (1983). 1:10 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 2-4ml.

Flowers: steeped in Olive oil offer a good dressing for burns, sores and stubborn ulcers. Oil of St John’s Wort, (topical).

Compress, or wet pack for wounds or rheumatism: tea rinse.

Keynote: depression ... hypericum

Agonising physical distress caused by sensory nerve irritation. Nature’s warning that something is wrong. Where persistent, investigation by a qualified person is essential. For mild pain natural non- suppressive herbs are available. The following are helpful until the doctor comes.

In the chest. When in the gullet it can closely resemble pain in the heart and can be mistaken for angina. Gullet pain, worse by acid and hot drinks, is always a background pain and fails to resolve after exercise. See: OESOPHAGEAL SPASM.

Aching muscles. Bio-strath Willow Formula.

In the hips. Ligvites. (Gerard House)

Ovarian. See: OVARIES.

Fibrositis, polymyalgia. Low degree pain in muscles. Any one:– Black Cohosh, Devil’s Claw, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam, Wintergreen, Lavender, Parsley, Fenugreek seeds, Meadowsweet, German Chamomile.

In the chest. (Lungs) Balm of Gilead. (Heart) Motherwort. Breast. Evening Primrose oil.

Spine. St John’s Wort.

Aching teeth. Oil of Cloves.

Lumbago, sciatica, backache. Bio-Strath Willow formula.

Gout, rheumatism, osteo-arthritis. Poultice or compress – Comfrey, Plantain leaves, Olbas oil, Weleda Massage oil.

The acute abdomen. Carminative herbs for flatulent colic.

Pain in bowels. (Internal) Wild Yam, Cinnamon, Ginger, Caraway. (External) Cold-pack with Castor oil, Chamomile poultice.

Sprains, bruises. 5 drops Oil of Camphor to egg-cup Olive oil, rub-in relief.

Facial stabbing pains. Plantain, Chamomile, Rosemary, or Wintergreen (external) compress, lotion, tincture.

Womb. Raspberry leaf/Motherwort tea (equal parts), internal.

Head. Feverfew, Skullcap, Passion flower.

Nerve pains. Valerian. Jamaica Dogwood.

See: ANALGESICS, ANTISPASMODICS, NEURALGIA, PLEURODYNIA, etc.

Aromatherapy. Combine, equal parts Oils of Clove, Sassafras and Camphor. Add 10 drops to egg-cup Olive oil: use as a rub for aching muscles and stiff joints.

Drugs suppress pain without necessarily removing the underlying cause. The natural response to pain is to tighten, but if the patient lets go and relaxes into it, then he finds he can better control it. ... pain

An uncommon disease of older people in which the walls of the arteries in the scalp over the temples become inflamed. Other arteries in the body may also be affected. The cause is unknown, but the condition is often associated with polymyalgia rheumatica. Symptoms may include severe headache on 1 or both sides, scalp tenderness, a low fever, and poor appetite. In about half of the cases, the arteries supplying the eyes are affected, which may cause sudden blindness if left untreated.

Diagnosis of temporal arteritis is made by blood tests (including ESR) and, in some cases, by a biopsy of the temporal artery. Treatment involves the use of a corticosteroid drug. If this is not successful, immunosuppressants may be given. The disease usually clears up within 2 years.

temporal lobe epilepsy A form of epilepsy in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the temporal lobe (most of the lower side of each half of the cerebrum) in the brain. The usual cause is damage to the temporal lobe, which may be due to a birth injury, head injury, brain tumour, brain abscess, or stroke. Attacks of this form of epilepsy cause dreamlike states, unpleasant hallucinations of smell or taste, the perception of an illusory scene, or déja vu. There may also be grimacing, rotation of the head and eyes, and sucking and chewing movements. The affected person may have no memory of activities during an attack, which can last for minutes or hours. Sometimes, the seizure develops into a grand mal seizure. Diagnosis and drug treatment is the same as for other forms of epilepsy.... temporal arteritis