Radix Health Dictionary

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Iceland disease. Post Viral Fatigue. A chronic neuromuscular illness with psychological disturbance ranging from depression to severe behavioural abnormality. Follows persistent infection by enteroviruses with viral material in the muscles. May follow influenza and so-called ‘burn-out’. While virus enters the body through the intestines, it tends to invade the central nervous system and depress the immune system. Occurs chiefly in women and young energetic executives pursuing vigorous activity when a feverish condition is latent.

Exercise worsens symptoms by reduced muscle tissue oxygen. (Swedish study)

The function of the immune system is to arrest the action of viruses and bacteria, but when it ceases to act the body intelligence cannot tell the difference between a normal reaction and an alien one. It begins to attack its own weapons of defence – the antibodies.

Symptoms. Exercise-induced muscle fatigue and weakness after walking or other activity. Movements are slow. Headache, dizziness, chest pain, difficult breathing, sore throat, swollen glands, stomach unrest. Mental weariness. “Cannot fight back”. Wants to sleep all the time. Difficulty in finding the right words, to remember things, to concentrate on problems and has to force the brain to work. He or she looks basically healthy but is unhappy and may awake crying in response to the pressures of life.

Treatment. Lymphatics, hepatics, nervines, oral anti-fungals (anti-candida).

Alternatives. Clivers, Galangal, Gentian, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Milk Thistle, Liquorice root, Garlic, Astragalus radix, Poke root, Shitake Mushroom, Wild Indigo, Wormwood.

To enhance immune response: Echinacea.

Of value: Ginseng (anti-depressant), Evening Primrose (GLA), Vitamin E (antioxidant).

Formula: Tea: equal parts Gotu Kola, Ginkgo, Caraway. One teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Astragalus 1; Ginseng 1. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Diet. Low salt and fat, high fibre. Wholegrains, sprouting seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish oils. Avoid sugar, yeast and dairy products.

Supplements: daily. Beta carotene, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Magnesium asparate 1g, Potassium 1g, Zinc. Contra-indications: tranquillisers that decrease physical and mental activity.

Evening Primrose. Clinical trials (Efamol) prove to help treat symptoms, especially when in combination with fish oils.

Supportive: cranial osteopathy. Aromatherapy massage. Complete rest, with long sleep periods.

Information. MEA, Stanhope House, High Street, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex SS17 0HA, UK. Send SAE. ... myalgic encephalomyelitis (me)

n. 1. (in neurology) a bundle of nerve fibres at its emergence from the spinal cord. The 31 pairs of *spinal nerves have two roots on each side, an anterior root containing motor nerve fibres and a posterior root containing sensory fibres. The roots merge outside the cord to form mixed nerves. 2. (in dentistry) the part of a *tooth that is not covered by enamel and is normally attached to the alveolar bone by periodontal fibres. 3. the origin of any structure, i.e. the point at which it diverges from another structure. Anatomical name: radix.... root

Alpinia officinarum

FAMILY: Zingiberaceae

SYNONYMS: Radix galanga minoris, Languas officinarum, galanga, small galangal, Chinese ginger, ginger root, colic root, East Indian root.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A reed-like plant reaching a height of about 1 metre, with irregularly branched rhizomes red or brown on the outside, light orange within.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to south east China, especially the island of Hainan. Cultivated in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan.

OTHER SPECIES: Similar species grow in Malaysia, Java, India, etc. It is closely related to ginger (Zingiber officinale) and to the large galanga (Galanga officinalis). Not to be confused with the dried rhizomes of kaempferia galanga, known as ‘kentjoer’, which are used in Malaysia for medicinal purposes and for flavouring curry.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It is used as a local spice, especially in curries; in India it is employed in perfumery. The root is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, indicated for dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, nausea and vomiting.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, stimulant, stomachic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the rhizomes. (An oleoresin is also produced by solvent extraction.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A greenish-yellow liquid with a fresh, spicy-camphoraceous odour. It blends well with chamomile maroc, sage, cinnamon, allspice, lavandin, pine needle, rosemary, patchouli, myrtle, opopanax and citrus oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Pinene, cineol, eugenol and sesquiterpenes.

SAFETY DATA: Safety data unavailable at present.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE (Possibly digestive upsets.)

OTHER USES: Employed as a flavour ingredient, especially in spice and meat products. Occasionally used in perfumery work.... galangal