Causes
KIDNEY DISEASE is the most important cause of proteinuria, and in some cases the discovery of proteinuria may be the ?rst evidence of such disease. This is why an examination of the urine for the presence of albumin constitutes an essential part of every medical examination. Almost any form of kidney disease will cause proteinuria, but the most frequent form to do this is glomerulonephritis (see under KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF). In the subacute (or nephrotic) stage of glomerulonephritis, the most marked proteinuria of all may be found. Proteinuria is also found in infections of the kidney (pyelitis) as well as in infections of the bladder (cystitis) and of the urethra (urethritis). PREGNANCY The development of proteinuria in pregnancy requires investigation, as it may be the ?rst sign of one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy: toxaemia of pregnancy (PRE-ECLAMPSIA and ECLAMPSIA) and glomerulonephritis. Proteinuria may also result from the contamination of urine with vaginal secretions. (See also PREGNANCY AND LABOUR.) CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS are commonly accompanied by proteinuria, particularly when the right side of the heart is failing. In severe cases of failure, accompanied by OEDEMA, the proteinuria may be marked. (See also HEART, DISEASES OF.) FEVER often causes proteinuria, even though there is no actual kidney disease. The proteinuria disappears soon after the temperature becomes normal. (See also PYREXIA.) DRUGS AND POISONS These include arsenic, lead, mercury, gold, copaiba, salicylic acid and quinine. ANAEMIA A trace of albumin may be found in the urine in severe anaemia.
POSTURAL OR ORTHOSTATIC ALBUMINURIA
This type is important because, if its true cause is unrecognised, it may be taken as a sign of kidney disease. The signi?cance of postural proteinuria is unclear: it is more common among young people and is absent when the person is recumbent – hence the importance of testing a urine sample that is taken before rising in the morning.
Treatment The treatment is that of the underlying disease. (See KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF.)
Treatment Severe pre-eclampsia is an emergency, and urgent admission to hospital should be arranged. Treatment should be given to control the hypertension; the fetal heart rate carefully monitored; and in very severe cases urgent CAESAREAN SECTION may be necessary.... pre-eclampsia
When taken into the stomach, all albumins are converted into a soluble form by the process of DIGESTION and then absorbed into the blood, whence they go to build up the tissues. Albumin is synthesised in the liver, and in chronic liver disease this process is seriously affected. (See PROTEINURIA; KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF – Glomerulonephritis.)... albumins
K
Diagram of glomerulus (Malpighian corpuscle).
Fortunately the body has two kidneys and, as most people can survive on one, there is a good ‘functional reserve’ of kidney tissue.
Symptoms Many patients with kidney disorders do not have any symptoms, even when the condition is quite advanced. However,
others experience loin pain associated with obstruction (renal colic) or due to infection; fevers; swelling (oedema), usually of the legs but occasionally including the face and arms; blood in the urine (haematuria); and excess quantities of urine (polyuria), including at night (nocturia), due to failure of normal mechanisms in the kidney for concentrating urine. Patients with chronic renal failure often have very di?use symptoms including nausea and vomiting, tiredness due to ANAEMIA, shortness of breath, skin irritation, pins and needles (paraesthesia) due to damage of the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy), and eventually (rarely seen nowadays) clouding of consciousness and death.
Signs of kidney disease include loin tenderness, enlarged kidneys, signs of ?uid retention, high blood pressure and, in patients with end-stage renal failure, pallor, pigmentation and a variety of neurological signs including absent re?exes, reduced sensation, and a coarse ?apping tremor (asterixis) due to severe disturbance of the body’s normal metabolism.
Renal failure Serious kidney disease may lead to impairment or failure of the kidney’s ability to ?lter waste products from the blood and excrete them in the urine – a process that controls the body’s water and salt balance and helps to maintain a stable blood pressure. Failure of this process causes URAEMIA – an increase in urea and other metabolic waste products – as well as other metabolic upsets in the blood and tissues, all of which produce varying symptoms. Failure can be sudden or develop more slowly (chronic). In the former, function usually returns to normal once the underlying cause has been treated. Chronic failure, however, usually irreparably reduces or stops normal function.
Acute failure commonly results from physiological shock following a bad injury or major illness. Serious bleeding or burns can reduce blood volume and pressure to the point where blood-supply to the kidney is greatly reduced. Acute myocardial infarction (see HEART, DISEASES OF) or pancreatitis (see PANCREAS, DISORDERS OF) may produce a similar result. A mismatched blood transfusion can produce acute failure. Obstruction to the urine-?ow by a stone (calculus) in the urinary tract, a bladder tumour or an enlarged prostate can also cause acute renal failure, as can glomerulonephritis (see below) and the haemolytic-uraemia syndrome.
HYPERTENSION, DIABETES MELLITUS, polycystic kidney disease (see below) or AMYLOIDOSIS are among conditions that cause chronic renal failure. Others include stone, tumour, prostatic enlargement and overuse of analgesic drugs. Chronic failure may eventually lead to end-stage renal failure, a life-threatening situation that will need DIALYSIS or a renal transplant (see TRANSPLANTATION).
Familial renal disorders include autosomal dominant inherited polycystic kidney disease and sex-linked familial nephropathy. Polycystic kidney disease is an important cause of renal failure in the UK. Patients, usually aged 30–50, present with HAEMATURIA, loin or abdominal discomfort or, rarely, urinary-tract infection, hypertension and enlarged kidneys. Diagnosis is based on ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Complications include renal failure, hepatic cysts and, rarely, SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE. No speci?c treatment is available. Familial nephropathy occurs more often in boys than in girls and commonly presents as Alport’s syndrome (familial nephritis with nerve DEAFNESS) with PROTEINURIA, haematuria, progressing to renal failure and deafness. The cause of the disease lies in an absence of a speci?c ANTIGEN in a part of the glomerulus. The treatment is conservative, with most patients eventually requiring dialysis or transplantation.
Acute glomerulonephritis is an immune-complex disorder due to entrapment within glomerular capillaries of ANTIGEN (usually derived from B haemolytic streptococci – see STREPTOCOCCUS) antibody complexes initiating an acute in?ammatory response (see IMMUNITY). The disease affects children and young adults, and classically presents with a sore throat followed two weeks later by a fall in urine output (oliguria), haematuria, hypertension and mildly abnormal renal function. The disease is self-limiting with 90 per cent of patients spontaneously recovering. Treatment consists of control of blood pressure, reduced ?uid and salt intake, and occasional DIURETICS and ANTIBIOTICS.
Chronic glomerulonephritis is also due to immunological renal problems and is also classi?ed by taking a renal biopsy. It may be subdivided into various histological varieties as determined by renal biospy. Proteinuria of various degrees is present in all these conditions but the clinical presentations vary, as do their treatments. Some resolve spontaneously; others are treated with steroids or even the cytotoxic drug CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE or the immunosuppressant cyclosporin. Prognoses are generally satisfactory but some patients may require renal dialysis or kidney transplantation – an operation with a good success rate.
Hydronephrosis A chronic disease in which the kidney becomes greatly distended with ?uid. It is caused by obstruction to the ?ow of urine at the pelvi-ureteric junction (see KIDNEYS – Structure). If the ureter is obstructed, the ureter proximal to the obstruction will dilate and pressure will be transmitted back to the kidney to cause hydronephrosis. Obstruction may occur at the bladder neck or in the urethra itself. Enlargement of the prostate is a common cause of bladder-neck obstruction; this would give rise to hypertrophy of the bladder muscle and both dilatation of the ureter and hydronephrosis. If the obstruction is not relieved, progressive destruction of renal tissue will occur. As a result of the stagnation of the urine, infection is probable and CYSTITIS and PYELONEPHRITIS may occur.
Impaired blood supply may be the outcome of diabetes mellitus and physiological shock, which lowers the blood pressure, also affecting the blood supply. The result can be acute tubular necrosis. POLYARTERITIS NODOSA and SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) may damage the large blood vessels in the kidney. Treatment is of the underlying condition.
Infection of the kidney is called pyelonephritis, a key predisposing factor being obstruction of urine ?ow through the urinary tract. This causes stagnation and provides a fertile ground for bacterial growth. Acute pyelonephritis is more common in women, especially during pregnancy when bladder infection (CYSTITIS) spreads up the ureters to the kidney. Symptoms are fever, malaise and backache. Antibiotics and high ?uid intake are the most e?ective treatment. Chronic pyelonephritis may start in childhood as a result of congenital deformities that permit urine to ?ow up from the bladder to the kidney (re?ux). Persistent re?ux leads to recurrent infections causing permanent damage to the kidney. Specialist investigations are usually required as possible complications include hypertension and kidney failure.
Tumours of the kidney are fortunately rare. Non-malignant ones commonly do not cause symptoms, and even malignant tumours (renal cell carcinoma) may be asymptomatic for many years. As soon as symptoms appear – haematuria, back pain, nausea, malaise, sometimes secondary growths in the lungs, bones or liver, and weight loss – urgent treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is necessary. This cancer occurs mostly in adults over 40 and has a hereditary element. The prognosis is not good unless diagnosed early. In young children a rare cancer called nephroblastoma (Wilm’s tumour) can occur; treatment is with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It may grow to a substantial size before being diagnosed.
Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic defect in the renal tubular reabsorption of cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine. Cystine precipitates in an alkaline urine to form cystine stones. Triple phosphate stones are associated with infection and may develop into a very large branching calculi (staghorn calculi). Stones present as renal or ureteric pain, or as an infection. Treatment has undergone considerable change with the introduction of MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY (MIS) and the destruction of stone by sound waves (LITHOTRIPSY).... kidneys, diseases of
The disease is rare under the age of 30, frequency increasing with age to peak between 60 and 70 years. There may be a long preclinical phase, sometimes as long as 25 years. When symptoms do occur, they tend to re?ect bone involvement, reduced immune function, renal failure, anaemia or hyperviscosity of the blood. Vertebral collapse is common, with nerve root pressure and reduced stature. The disease is eventually fatal, infection being a common cause of death. Local skeletal problems should be treated with RADIOTHERAPY, and the general disease with CHEMOTHERAPY
– chie?y the ALKYLATING AGENTS melphalan or cyclophosphamide. Red-blood-cell TRANSFUSION is usually required, together with plasmapheresis (see PLASMA EXCHANGE), and orthopaedic surgery may be necessary following fractures.... myelomatosis
Kidney biopsy is performed to investigate and diagnose serious kidney disorders, such as glomerulonephritis, proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, and acute kidney failure, or to assess the kidneys’ response to treatment.
There are 2 basic techniques: percutaneous needle biopsy, in which a hollow needle is passed through the skin into the kidney under local anaesthesia; and open surgery under general anaesthesia.... kidney biopsy
Severe and extensive burns are most frequently produced by the clothes – for example, of a child – catching ?re. This applies especially to cotton garments, which blaze up quickly. It should be remembered that such a ?ame can immediately be extinguished by making the individual lie on the ?oor so that the ?ames are uppermost, and wrapping him or her in a rug, mat or blanket. As prevention is always better than cure, particular care should always be exercised with electric ?res and kettles or pots of boiling water in houses where there are young children or old people. Children’s clothes, and especially night-clothes, should be made of non-in?ammable material: pyjamas are also much safer than nightdresses.
Severe scalds are usually produced by escape of steam in boiler explosions. Cigarettes are a common cause of ?res and therefore of burns; people who have fallen asleep in bed or in a chair while smoking may set ?re to the bed or chair. Discarded, unextinguished cigarettes are another cause.
Degrees of burns Burns are referred to as either super?cial (or partial-thickness) burns, when there is su?cient skin tissue left to ensure regrowth of skin over the burned site; and deep (or full-thickness) burns, when the skin is totally destroyed and grafting will be necessary.
Symptoms Whilst many domestic burns are minor and insigni?cant, more severe burns and scalds can prove to be very dangerous to life. The main danger is due to SHOCK, which arises as a result of loss of ?uid from the circulating blood at the site of a serious burn. This loss of ?uid leads to a fall in the volume of the circulating blood. As the maintenance of an adequate blood volume is essential to life, the body attempts to compensate for this loss by withdrawing ?uid from the uninjured areas of the body into the circulation. If carried too far, however, this in turn begins to affect the viability of the body cells. As a sequel, essential body cells, such as those of the liver and kidneys, begin to suffer, and the liver and kidneys cease to function properly. This will show itself by the development of JAUNDICE and the appearance of albumin in the urine (see PROTEINURIA). In addition, the circulation begins to fail with a resultant lack of oxygen (see ANOXIA) in the tissues, and the victim becomes cyanosed (see CYANOSIS), restless and collapsed: in some cases, death ensues. In addition, there is a strong risk of infection occurring. This is the case with severe burns in particular, which leave a large raw surface exposed and very vulnerable to any micro-organisms. The combination of shock and infection can all too often be life-threatening unless expert treatment is immediately available.
The immediate outcome of a burn is largely determined by its extent. This is of more signi?cance than the depth of the burn. To assess the extent of a burn in relation to the surface of the body, what is known as the Rule of Nine has been evolved. The head and each arm cover 9 per cent of the body surface, whilst the front of the body, the back of the body, and each leg each cover 18 per cent, with the perineum (or crutch) accounting for the remaining 1 per cent. The greater the extent of the burn, the more seriously ill will the victim become from loss of ?uid from his or her circulation, and therefore the more prompt should be his or her removal to hospital for expert treatment. The depth of the burn, unless this is very great, is mainly of import when the question arises as to how much surgical treatment, including skin grafting, will be required.
Treatment This depends upon the severity of the burn. In the case of quite minor burns or scalds, all that may be necessary if they are seen immediately is to hold the part under cold running water until the pain is relieved. Cooling is one of the most e?ective ways of relieving the pain of a burn. If the burn involves the distal part of a limb – for example, the hand and forearm – one of the most e?ective ways of relieving pain is to immerse the burned part in lukewarm water and add cold water until the pain disappears. As the water warms and pain returns, more cold water is added. After some three to four hours, pain will not reappear on warming, and the burn may be dressed in the usual way. Thereafter a simple dressing (e.g. a piece of sterile gauze covered by cotton-wool, and on top of this a bandage or adhesive dressing) should be applied. The part should be kept at rest and the dressing kept quite dry until healing takes place. Blisters should be pierced with a sterile needle, but the skin should not be cut away. No ointment or oil should be applied, and an antiseptic is not usually necessary.
In slightly more severe burns or scalds, it is probably advisable to use some antiseptic dressing. These are the cases which should be taken to a doctor – whether a general practitioner, a factory doctor, or to a hospital Accident & Emergency department. There is still no general consensus of expert opinion as to the best ‘antiseptic’ to use. Among those recommended are CHLORHEXIDINE, and antibiotics such as BACITRACIN, NEOMYCIN and polymixin. An alternative is to use a Tulle Gras dressing which has been impregnated with a suitable antibiotic.
In the case of severe burns and scalds, the only sound rule is immediate removal to hospital. Unless there is any need for immediate resuscitation, such as arti?cial respiration, or attention to other injuries there may be, such as fractures or haemorrhage, nothing should be done on the spot to the patient except to make sure that s/he is as comfortable as possible and to keep them warm, and to cover the burn with a sterile (or clean) cloth such as a sheet, pillowcases, or towels wrung out in cold water. If pain is severe, morphine should be given – usually intravenously. Once the victim is in hospital, the primary decision is as to the extent of the burn, and whether or not a transfusion is necessary. If the burn is more than 9 per cent of the body surface in extent, a transfusion is called for. The precise treatment of the burn varies, but the essential is to prevent infection if this has not already occurred, or, if it has, to bring it under control as quickly as possible. The treatment of severe burns has made great advances, with quick transport to specialised burns units, modern resuscitative measures, the use of skin grafting and other arti?cial covering techniques and active rehabilitation programmes, o?ering victims a good chance of returning to normal life.
CHEMICAL BURNS Phenol or lysol can be washed o? promptly before they do much damage. Acid or alkali burns should be neutralised by washing them repeatedly with sodium bicarbonate or 1 per cent acetic acid, respectively. Alternatively, the following bu?er solution may be used for either acid or alkali burns: monobasic potassium phosphate (70 grams), dibasic sodium phosphate (70 grams) in 850 millilitres of water. (See also PHOSPHORUS BURNS.)... burns and scalds
Keynote: kidneys. Part used: pods without beans.
Action: hypotensive, diuretic, anti-diabetic, resolvent, glycaemic – to regulate blood sugar.
Uses: Water retention. Albuminuria (proteinuria), especially of pregnancy. Oedema of cardiac origin. Premenstrual tension. Diabetes mellitus. Hyperinsulinism. To induce loss of weight. Swollen legs and ankles. Hypoglycaemia. Sometimes given in combination with Bladderwrack.
Preparations: Capt Frank Roberts Bean Cure. 40 grams of the dried herb soaked for 6 hours in 750ml (1 and a half pints) cold water. Boil, half an hour. Drink all over 1-2 days for water retention.
Roasted beans: nutritious coffee substitute.
French bean water (after cooking beans without salt) used traditionally in France for a soaked-lint compress for leg ulcer.
Powder. Capsules, 200mg. Dose: 8 capsules: 2 in morning, 3 at midday, 3 in the evening, at beginning of meals. (Arkocaps) ... bean husks
Renal dropsy is worse in the early morning, with loose tissues under the eyes.
Treatment. When fluid rapidly collects it may have to be aspirated (drawn off) but before this stage is reached herbal diuretics and cardiac tonics have much to offer. In acute conditions, sweat glands should be stimulated by suitable diaphoretics to assist elimination of excess fluid through the skin. Attention to the bowels is important; a timely copious bowel action greatly assisting elimination. A well-known diuretic for dropsy is Juniper, 3 to 5 drops taken in honey 2 or 3 times daily.
Alternatives. Teas. (Simple infusions): Agrimony, Bearberry, Boldo, Boneset, Borage, Buchu, Celery seed, Clivers, Corn Silk, Dandelion leaves, Parsley leaves, Elderflowers, Bogbean, Heartsease, Lime flowers, Parsley Piert, Pellitory, Plantain, Sea Holly, Wild Carrot, Yarrow.
Decoctions. Broom tops, Lovage, Burdock root, Couchgrass, Dandelion root, Juniper berries, Blue Flag root.
Bean Cure (Phaseolus vulgaris). 1 tablespoon kidney (haricot) bean pods, sliced, in cup water simmered gently for 5 minutes. 1 cup morning and mid-day.
Sassafras root. An old Swedish colonist of the late 18th century related how his mother cured many cases of dropsy with a decoction of Sassafras root. (American Indian Medicine. Virgil Vogel, p.363) Of historic interest only, this root is no longer used in herbal practice.
Tablets/capsules. Buchu. Dandelion. Juniper. Celery. Garlic. Blue Flag.
Powders. Equal parts: Buchu, Dandelion root, Stone root, Senna leaf. Mix. Dose: 500-750mg (2 × 3 × 00 capsules or one-third to half a teaspoon) thrice daily.
Liquid Extracts. Equal parts: Buchu, Clivers, Blue Flag. Mix. 30-60 drops, thrice daily.
Practitioner. Alternatives with a record of efficacy. Tinctures.
Formula 1. Burdock, 20ml; Buchu, 20ml; Bearberry, 20ml; Aqua to 100ml. Dose: 5ml 3 times daily in water.
Formula 2. Juniper, 10ml; Buchu, 20ml; Broom, 10ml; Dandelion, 10ml. Aqua to 100ml. Dose: 5ml, 3 times daily, in water.
Topical. Poultice over kidney area: quarter of an ounce Irish Moss gently simmered in half a pint water to a jellied mass and applied on linen or suitable material to the small of the back. Repeat 2 or 3 times with fresh hot poultices.
Diet. High protein, low salt. Fresh conservatively-cooked vegetables, polyunsaturated oils. Bottled or spring water.
Supplementation. Vitamin A, B-complex, B1, B6, C, E, Potassium.
General. Elevation of affected limbs above level of abdomen.
This condition should be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... dropsy, renal
Constituents: berberine, hydrastine, canadine, resin.
Action: alterative, choleretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, bacteriostatic against staphyococcus. (Complementary Medical Research Vol 2, No 2, p.139) Bitter, diuretic, haemostatic, laxative, oxytocic, powerful stomach and liver tonic, detoxifier. Increases blood supply to the spleen. Uses. Mucous membranes generally. Ulceration of mouth, throat, intestines. Heartburn, chronic dyspepsia, gastric and duodenal ulcer, diverticulosis, ulcerative colitis, liver damage. To assist function of old age. Drying to mucous surfaces and therefore indicated in all forms of catarrh (respiratory, vaginal etc). Proteinuria. Painful, excessive menstruation and bleeding from the womb for which the addition of Beth root (equal parts) enhances action. Itching of anus and genitals. Ear infections: internal and topical medication. Prostatitis. Bleeding gums. Tinnitus. Has a long history for use in sexually transmitted diseases. Once used to stimulate contractions of the womb to hasten delivery.
Preparations: Standard dose: half-1 gram. Thrice daily.
Decoction. Quarter to half a teaspoon dried rhizome to each cup water simmered gently in a covered vessel 20 minutes. Dose: half a cup.
Liquid Extract, BHC Vol 1. 1:1 in 60 per cent ethanol; 0.3-1ml, (5-15 drops).
Tincture, BHC Vol 1. 1:10, 60 per cent ethanol; 2-4ml, (15-60 drops).
Formula. Popular. All BHP (1983) standard powders:– Marshmallow root 100mg; Goldenseal 10mg; Cranesbill 30mg; Dandelion root 60mg. Traditional for the relief of indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, nausea and gastric irritation.
Powder. Dose: half-1g.
Lotion. Equal parts, Tincture Goldenseal and glycerine. For painting mouth, throat and lesions elsewhere. Goldenseal solution. 250mg powder shaken in 3oz Rosewater or Witch Hazel: filter. 5-10 drops in eyebath half-filled with water; douche 3 or more times daily.
Goldenseal ointment. 1 teaspoon (5ml) tincture in 1oz Vaseline; dissolve in gentle heat.
Mouth Wash. 5-10 drops tincture in glass water.
Vaginal douche or enema. 10 drops tincture to 2 pints boiled water; inject warm.
Notes. Liquid extract may be used instead of tincture, in which case half quantity is used. Not given in pregnancy, lactation or high blood pressure Not given with Eucalyptus to which it is antagonistic.
GSL, schedule 1
“GONE ALL TO PIECES” SYNDROME. Nervous disarray and weakness from severe emotional or physical shock.
Tablet: 45mg each, Skullcap, Lupulin, Hydrocotyle; and the aqueous extractive from: 90mg Gentian, 75mg Jamaica Dogwood. ... goldenseal
Constituents: asparagine, B vitamins, Vitamin C, sinigrin and other glucosinolates, resin.
Action: efficient alternative to Cayenne pepper, Diuretic, urinary antispetic, diaphoretic, carminative; liver, spleen and pancreatic stimulant. Bacteriostatic action on Gram-negative bacilli. (Rudat K.D. (1957) Journal Hyg. Epidem. Microbiol. Immunol. Prague 1213)
To raise vital force in the elderly. Antibiotic. Circulatory stimulant with warming effect. Digestive aid. Anti-thyroid.
Uses: Feeble circulation, hypothermia, hyperthyroidism, frostbite, chilblains, absence of stomach acid in the elderly, dropsy following fevers, proteinuria (albuminuria), to arrest vaginal discharge. Hoarseness (1 teaspoon juice in honey). Rheumatic joints (poultice). Common cold, influenza and early stages of fever: cup of Horse Radish tea every 2-3 hours. Combine with Juniper berries (equal parts) for dropsy and kidney stone. Purulent wounds: cold decoction used as a lotion.
Preparations: Average dose: 1-2 grams; thrice daily.
Tea: 1 teaspoon grated fresh root in each cup boiling water; infuse 20 minutes. Half-1 cup in sips, freely. Horse Radish vinegar. 1oz scraped fresh root to 1 pint cider vinegar. 1-2 teaspoons in water for catarrh, sinusitis, poor circulation or as a male tonic.
Steeping slices of the fresh root in cider produces a copious discharge of urine in dropsy.
Tablets, Blackmore’s Labs: Horse Radish powder 350mg; Dolomite 140mg; Gum Acacia 20mg; Magnesium stearate 10mg.
Diet: Mayonnaise: whip double cream until stiff and fold in fresh grated root, flaked almonds, lemon juice and seasoning, with a little Paprika.
Note: One of the five bitter herbs eaten by the Jews during the Passover Festival. ... horse radish
Constituents: volatile oil, resin, grape sugar, diterpene acids, tannins, Vitamin C.
Action: urinary antiseptic, stimulating diuretic, digestive tonic, emmenagogue, parasiticide (externally), carminative, sudorific. The action of gin as a diuretic is due to oil expressed from the berries. Anti- diabetic (unconfirmed).
Uses: Cystitis, renal suppression (scanty micturition), catarrh of the bladder, proteinuria (albuminuria). Digestive weakness caused by poor secretion of gastric juices, flatulence. Aching muscles due to excess lactic acid. Amenorrhoea.
External. Aromatherapy for gout: lotion for joints. As an ingredient of massage oils for rheumatism and arthritis. Cirrhosis of the liver: upper abdominal massage.
Combination: Parsley Piert enhances action in bladder disorders. Combines well with Wild Carrot and Hydrangea for stone.
Preparations: Thrice daily, or as prescribed.
Tea: half-1 teaspoon crushed berries to each cup boiling water; infuse 30 minutes. Half-1 cup.
Tablets/capsules. 250mg. 1-2.
Tincture BHP (1983): 1 part to 5 parts 45 per cent alcohol. 1-2ml.
Basis of Martini and gin (gin and tonic).
Oil: 5-6 drops in honey after meals.
Aromatherapy. 3-6 drops in two teaspoons Almond oil or other base oil, for massage. Precaution. Not used internally without a break for every two weeks. Contra-indicated: pregnancy, Bright’s disease. ... juniper berries
Careful monitoring of blood pressure and proteinuria throughout pregnancy ensures prompt treatment of impending eclampsia.
Immediate delivery, often by caesarian section, together with antihypertensive and anticonvulsant drugs is needed.
Patients may need intensive care to prevent the development of complications such as kidney failure.
Blood pressure often returns to normal in the months after delivery, but it may remain high.
There is a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.... eclampsia
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