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Herbs & Plants

Maytenus ilicifolia

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Botanical Name : Maytenus ilicifolia
Family: Celastraceae
Subfamily: Celastroideae
Genus: Maytenus
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Celastrales

Synonyms: Celastrus ilicinus, Gymnosporia ilicina, Maytenus ilicina
Common Names: Espinheira santa, cancerosa, cangorosa, maiteno, limaosinho
Habitat :Maytenus ilicifolia is native to Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Micronesia and Australasia, the Indian Ocean and Africa. They grow in a very wide variety of climates,
from tropical to subpolar.
Description:
Espinheira santa is a small, shrubby evergreen tree growing to 5 m in height with leaves and berries that resemble holly. It is native to many parts of South America and southern Brazil and it  is even found in city landscapes for its attractive, holly-like appearance. With over 200 species of Maytenus distributed in temperate and tropical regions throughout South America and the
West Indies, there are many Maytenus species that are indigenous to the Amazon region which have been used medicinally by indigenous tribes. It is even found in city landscapes for its
attractive, holly-like appearance….....CLICK  &   SEE  THE  PICTURES

Chemical Constituents:
Espinheira santa is a source for a group of well known chemicals (found in the leaf, bark and roots of the tree) called maytansinoids. These chemicals represent a class of substances which
have been studied since the early 1970’s for their antitumorous and anticancerous activities and are today, being developed into chemotherapy drugs. A different class of chemicals found in
espinheira santa – triterpene chemicals called cangorins – have also evidenced significant antitumorous, antileukemic, and anticancerous properties.

The main plant chemicals in espinheira santa include: atropcangorosin, cangoaronin, cangorins A thru J, cangorinine, cangorosin A & B, celastrol, dispermol, dispermone, friedelan,
friedelin, friedelinol, friedoolean, friedooleanan, ilicifolin, ilicifolinoside A thru C, kaempferol trisaccharides, kaempferol disaccharides, maitenine, maytanbutine, maytanprine, maytansine,
maytenin, maytenoic acid, maytenoquinone, pristimeriin, pristimerin, quercetin trisaccharides, quercitrin, salaspermic acid, tingenol, and tingenone

Medicinal Uses:
Leaf infusions and leaf powder in capsules or tablets are currently being used for ulcers, as an antacid, as a laxative, as a colic remedy, to eliminate toxins through the kidneys and skin, to
support kidneys, support adrenal glands, support digestive functions, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer.

Espinheira santa is widely sold in Brazilian stores and pharmacies today for stomach ulcers and cancer. With its popularity and beneficial results in South America, as well as its recent
western research, espinheira santa is slowly becoming more popular and well known in the United States. Leaf infusions and/or leaf powder in capsules or tablets are currently being used for  ulcers, as an antacid, as a laxative, as a colic remedy, to eliminate toxins through the kidneys and skin, to support kidneys, support adrenal glands, support digestive functions, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer.

Main Preparation Method: decoction or capsules
Main Actions (in order): anticancerous, antacid, antiulcerous, menstrual stimulant, detoxifier

Main Uses:
*For cancer (melanoma, carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, leukemia)
*For stomach disorders (ulcers, acid reflux, gastritis, dyspepsia, indigestion, and to tone, balance, and strengthen the gastric tract)
as a menstrual stimulant and for estrogen hormonal balancing during menopause
*For adrenal exhaustion and to support adrenal function
*For detoxification (skin, blood, kidney, stomach, adrenals)

Contraindications:
Research suggests that water extracts of espinheira santa may have estrogenic effects and reduce fertility in females. Women seeking treatment for infertility, attempting to get pregnant, or  those with estrogen positive cancers should not use this plant.

Drug Interactions: One study with mice injected with a water extract of leaves recorded barbiturate potentiation activity. However the same study notes no potentiation activity when
administered to mice orally.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with    your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maytenus
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Maytenus_ilicifolia.htm
http://strophantin.com/index.php?id_product=413&controller=product&id_lang=1

Categories
News on Health & Science

Magnesium Benefits Your Blood Pressure

Magnesium may reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, according to new findings. The study adds to data from epidemiological studies that have reported more magnesium, potassium and calcium may reduce your risk of hypertension.

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Researchers recruited 155 people to take part in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either daily supplements of magnesium oxide or a placebo for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, no significant differences were at first observed. However, when the researchers looked specifically at hypertensives, significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed in the magnesium group.

Resources:
NutraIngredients.com May 19, 2009
Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases April 7, 2009

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Categories
Herbs & Plants

Gokulakanta

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Botanical Name:Hygrophila spinosa or Asteracantha longifolia / Hygrophila auriculata
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Hygrophila
Species: H. auriculata
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales

Common Name :: Gokhulakanta,marsh barbel,    Sanskrit: Kokilaksha

Description and Composition
Gokulakanta is a stout, rough, thorny, slightly tall annual herb. The stem of the plant is thin and small, round, hairy and red in color. The plant grows vertically up to about one metre with no branches on the sides. The leaves are simple, with waving or curling margins and the flowers are bright blue in color. The seeds are small, flat, round, dark red in color. The whole plant is covered with a soft hair growth. The entire plant is used medicinally, specially its leaves and roots.

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Hygrophila spinosa belongs to the plant family ACANTHACE and Genus Hygrophila This plant specimen prefers Wet soil a pH of 7 . All plants need light to allow the photosynthesis process of converting carbon dioxide to growth sugars to take place. Some plants need more sun-light than others. For this plant those sunlight conditions are well described as … Full sun .

Impressive Autumn foliage display is not shown by Hygrophila spinosa so look for an alternative plant for pleasing Fall leaf properties

Hygrophila spinosa gokulakanta is not known as a butterfly attracting plant

Almost all plants grown in gardens need to be fed using fertilzer in order to see them at their best. For this plant the suggested fertilizer program would be based upon … Typical mix of: 3 parts Nitrogen (N), 2 parts Phosphorous (P) and 3 parts Potassium (K for Latin name Kalium).

The roots of the plant contain an essential oil. Its seeds contain a yellow semi-drying oil-that is, the oil which possesses the property to dry partially by evaporation. They also contain diastase, lipase and protease. An alkaloid is also present in the seeds in addition to these chemical substances.

Benefits and Healing Power of Gokulakanta Herb.
Hygrophila spinosa has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a demulcent, as an aphrodisiac, as a diuretic and as a urinary tonic. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. The aerial parts and the root are used in herbal preparations.

The herb is a tonic and stimulant. It increases the secretion and discharge of urine and promotes libido. The ash of the plant selVes as an excellent diuretic. It has a soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes.

Special qualities
Tolerates drought no Tolerates high humidity no Tolerates seaside conditions no Insect resistant no Disease resistant no Deer resistant no Best uses Symbiosis Attracts butterflies no Attracts hummingbirds no Autumn foliage no Colorful berries no Desirable qualities Other interest Other interest color Other interest period

Adverse factors
Common pests Poisonous parts Poisonous indications Internal poison no Dermatologic poison no Livestock poison no Mechanical injury no Hay fever pollen Hay fever season Adverse qualities

Herbal medicine :
Medicinal properties demulcent aphrodisiac diuretic urinary tonic hepatoprotective Medicinal parts Aerial parts Root Has medicinal uses yes Do not self-administer no Do no use if pregnant no Legally restricted no Toxicity precautions Medicinal notes Hygrophila spinosa has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a demulcent, as an aphrodisiac, as a diuretic and as a urinary tonic. The aerial parts and the root are used in herbal preparations.
Toxicity precautions & Medicinal notes: Hygrophila spinosa has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a demulcent, as an aphrodisiac, as a diuretic and as a urinary tonic. The aerial parts and the root are used in herbal preparations.

Traditional uses
Parts used Traditional uses Contemporary uses Fragrance Fragrance parts Fragrance intensity Fragrance category Dye parts Dye color

Nutrition :
Is edible no Culinary uses Nutritional value Edible parts Description of edible parts Flavor / texture

Medicinal Uses: The herb is a good tonic and stimulant.It increases the secretion and discharge of urine and promotes libido. The ash of the plant serves as an excellent diuretic. It has a soothing effect on skin and mucous membranes.

Dropsy :– The ash of the plant is useful in treating dropsy, a disease marked by an excessive collection of watery fluids in the tissues or cavities of the body. The ash should be administered preferably with cow’s urine in doses of 1.5 to 3 grams. The root is also useful for treating dropsy.

Genito-Urinary Disorders :- The root of the plant is beneficial in .the treatment of gonorrhea and urinary disorders, including inflammation of the urinary tract and stone in the kidneys. Its decoction can be given in doses of 30 to 60 grams, twice or thrice a day.
The decoction of its leaves can be used with confidence in case of syphilis and gonorrhea. The mucilage obtained by infusing the seeds in water is also prescribed in gonorrhea, urinary diseases and as a tonic.

Liver Disorders :– The root of the plant is useful in treating liver disorders like jaundice and hepatitis. It is specially useful in hepatic derangement. A decoction of the root is administered in the treatment of such conditions. About 60 grams of the root is boiled in half a litre of water for 20 to 30 minutes in a closed vessel. About 30 to 60 ml of this preparation is given two or three time daily.

Anemia :- The herb purifies blood and is beneficial in the treatment of anemia. A decoction of its root can be administered in the same manner as for liver disorders.
Rheumatism :- The drug is also effective in rheumatic afflictions such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gout.

Methods for Uses and Dosages: The leaves of the plant do not have any noticeable taste. They contain a cellulose which is hard. The leaves can be taken by themselves or mixed with the leaves of holy basil (tulsi). The juice from 20 grams of leaves can be mixed with either buttermilk or coconut water or fruit juice. Two teaspoons of the powdered leaves can also be mixed with 120 to 180 ml of buttermilk or 100 ml of water.

Rheumatism: The drug is effective in rheumatic affictions such as rheumatism,arthritis and gout.

Other Uses:The leaves of the plant contain a cellulose which is hard. The leaves can be taken by themselves or misex with the leaves of holy basil. The juice of the leaves can be mixed with either buttermilk or coconut water or any kind of fruit juice.

References:
Miracle of Herbs,
http://www.vitamins-minerals-supplements.org/herbs/gokulakanta.htm,
http://www.plant-supplies.com/plants/hygrophilaspinosa.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophila_auriculata

http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/HU/Hygrophila%20spinosa.htm

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