Month: June 2009

Flower Helps Treat Prostate Cancer

Post author By Mukul
Post date June 19, 2009
1 Comment on Flower Helps Treat Prostate Cancer

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A substance from the root of a flower may help treat prostate cancer, according to Germany‘s cancer-science council.

Experts at the University of Goettingen said that in laboratory tests, tectorigenin, obtained from roots of Belamcanda chinensis, stopped cancer cells growing and in animal tests it had slowed the spread of the cancer.

The lily-like flowers of Belamcanda chinensis are grown in temperate-region gardens as a perennial. In China, it grows wild.

The plant is used in Korean and Chinese medicine, reports 24.com.

Scientists Peter Burfeind and Paul Thelen will conduct further studies.

They say it might also be possible to use the substance as preventive medicine to stop men developing the cancer in the first place.

Source: The Times Of India

Tags Belamcanda, Cancer, Conditions and Diseases, Germany, Health, Paul Thelen, Prostate cancer, Times Of India

Herbs & Plants

Belamcanda Chinensis

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Botanical Name:Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.
Family:Iridaceae
syn. Belamcanda punctata Moench, Gemmingia chinensis (L.) Kuntze, Iris chinensis Curtis, Ixia chinensis L., Morea chinensis, Pardanthus chinensis (L.) Ker Gawl.)
Common Name:Blackberry lily, Leopard flower, Leopard lily
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Genus: Belamcanda
Species: B. chinensis

Parts Used: Rhizomes
Habitat: Native to eastern Russia, China and Japan.

Description:

The leopard lily is a flowering perennial of Chinese origin and is locally used in Chinese villages for its medicinal values. Iris-like herb; leaves in fans on branching stems; flowers 6-parted, yellow to orange-red, spotted with maroon or purple; fruit a black berry.

click to see……...(1).…...(2)..….….(3).….……………….

The plant grows 60-90 cm tall in full sun and is often found blanketing hill sides, the flowers can range form red to yellow to orange or mixed and bloom in summer to early autumn (fall).

Regardless of its correct botanical name, this plant is very similar in appearance to an iris plant, with flat, sword-like leaves arranged in a fan on a small tuberous rhizome. The foliage grows to 18” tall and the plants produce many offsets. The flowers, however, are very different in appearance from typical iris flowers. They are borne on 2-3 foot tall slender stems in loose, branched spikes. The tall flower stems sometimes flop or are blown over in strong winds, so they may benefit from staking. The flowers are 2” wide with 6 flaring petals of equal size. Flower color in the species ranges from yellow to orange, with darker (often crimson) speckles on the petals. Individual blooms are short-lived – generally lasting only a day – but the plants produce a succession of flowers over a period of several weeks in summer.

The flowers are followed by pear-shaped seed capsules that fade from green to tan. These eventually open to reveal the round, shiny black seeds arranged in clusters resembling large blackberries that give rise to the common name. The seeds remain on the stalks for several months. When left standing, the seed heads offer good winter interest, especially when viewed against a backdrop of snow. The seed heads are also a unique addition to dried flower arrangements.

Grow blackberry lily in full sun or light shade. It prefers well-drained, moderately fertile loamy soil, but does just fine in sandy or clay soils. It will be shorter when grown in poor, dry soil, and taller if the soil is rich and moist. Deadhead to prolong blooming (and prevent self-seeding). Even in colder climates it does not need winter protection.

The flowers and the seed heads are interesting, but not particularly showy so this species is best planted in a location where they can be appreciated up close. Before the plants begin flowering they are not especially eye-catching, so you may wish to mix it with other plants that can attract attention until the blackberry lily begins flowering. It is suitable for perennial borders, in containers, and for naturalizing in an informal area.

This perennial plant is easily grown from seed, and will flower the first season if started early enough. Sow the seed ¼” deep in warm soil (indoors in pots 6-8 weeks before planting outside or in the garden after the danger of frost has passed). Keep the seedbed evenly moist and germination should occur in 1-2 weeks. Seedlings are easily transplanted. This species can also be propagated by division in spring or early autumn.

Properties
Bitter and acrid.
Aperient and resolvent.
Expectorant, deobstruant, carminative.

Medicinal Uses
Folkloric
*Rhizomes used as expectorant.
*Used for purifying the blood, for liver nad pulmonary complaints.
*In traditional Chinese medicine, used for throat conditions, cough, wheezing, bronchitis and mumps.

Studies
• New flavone and isoflavone glycoside from Belmacanda chinensis
• Antiproliferative / Anticancer: Phenolic constituents of rhizomes of the Thai medicinal plant with proliferative activity for two breast cancer lines – Three new compounds were identified– belalloside A, belalloside B and belamphenone along with other compounds resveratrol, iriflophenone, irisflorentine, tectoridin, among the 13 others. Results showed to isolates to have proliferation stimulatory activity against human breast cancer cell lines..
• Antifungal: A study on the antifungal activity of Belamcanda chinensis isolated a compound identical to tectorigenin (5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy phenyl)-6-methoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one). This compound showed marked antifungal activity against dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton.

You may click to see:->Flower Helps Treat Prostate Cancer

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belamcanda_chinensis
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BECH
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Belamch.htm
http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/flowers/Belamcanda/Belamcanda_chinensis.htm
http://www.stuartxchange.org/Abaniko.html

Tags Breast cancer, Cancer, China, Flower, Garden, Herbalism, home gardening, Perennial plant, Plant, Traditional Chinese medicine

News on Health & Science

Cancer Boost from Whole Carrots

Post author By Mukul
Post date June 19, 2009
No Comments on Cancer Boost from Whole Carrots

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The anti-cancer properties of carrots are more potent if the vegetable is not cut up before cooking, research shows.
..CLICK & SEE

Chef’s tip: Chop after cooking

Scientists found “boiled before cut” carrots contained 25% more of the anti-cancer compound falcarinol than those chopped up first.

Experiments on rats fed falcarinol have shown they develop fewer tumours.

The Newcastle University study will be presented at NutrEvent, a conference on nutrition and health, to be held in France.

All you need is a bigger saucepan
Dr Kirsten Brandt:
Lead researcher Dr Kirsten Brandt, from Newcastle University’s School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, said: “Chopping up your carrots increases the surface area so more of the nutrients leach out into the water while they are cooked.

“By keeping them whole and chopping them up afterwards you are locking in nutrients and the taste, so the carrot is better for you all round.”

The Newcastle scientist, along with colleagues at the University of Denmark, discovered the health benefits of falcarinol in carrots four years ago.

Heat effect
Rats fed on a diet containing carrots or falcarinol were found to be one-third less likely to develop full-scale tumours than those in the control group.

Since then the scientists in Newcastle have been studying what happens when carrots are chopped and cooked.

The latest findings show that when carrots are heated, the heat kills the cells, so they lose the ability to hold on to the water inside them, increasing the concentration of falcarinol as the carrots lose water.

However, the heat also softens the cell walls, allowing water-soluble compounds such as sugar and vitamin C to be lost via the surface of the tissue, leading to the leaching out of other compounds such as falcarinol.

If the carrot is cut before being boiled, the surface area becomes much greater – and so the loss of nutrients is increased.

More tasty
Dr Brandt added that in blind taste studies the whole carrots also tasted much better.

Eight of ten people favoured the whole vegetables over those that were pre-chopped.

This is because the naturally occurring sugars which are responsible for giving the carrot its distinctively sweet flavour were also found in higher concentrations in the carrot that had been cooked whole.

Dr Brandt said: “The great thing about this is it’s a simple way for people to increase their uptake of a compound we know is good for you.

“All you need is a bigger saucepan.”

Dr Kat Arney, of the charity Cancer Research UK, remained unconvinced that keeping carrots whole would have any impact on cancer risk.

She said: “When it comes to eating, we know that a healthy balanced diet – rich in a range of fruit and vegetables – plays an important part in reducing the risk of many types of cancer, rather than any one specific food.”

You may also click to see:->
Carrots may help ward off cancer
Scientists unveil ‘supercarrot’

Source: BBC NEWS:June 16. ’09

Can Magic Mushrooms Keep Cancer at Bay ? (losethattyre.co.uk)
IVF drugs cancer risk ‘ruled out’ (news.bbc.co.uk)
Carrot (findmeacure.com)

Tags BBC NEWS, Breath test, Cancer, Cancer Research UK, Chemical compound, Emma Smith, Fundraising, Patient, Stomach cancer, United Kingdom

News on Health & Science

Exercise Can Cut Cancer Risk by 40%

Post author By Mukul
Post date June 18, 2009
No Comments on Exercise Can Cut Cancer Risk by 40%

lift weights, strength training Men with stronger muscles from regular weight training are up to 40 percent less likely to die from cancer, according to new research.
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The findings suggest that muscular strength is as important as staying slim and eating healthy when it comes to protecting your body against deadly tumors.

A team of experts tracked the lifestyles of over 8,500 men for more than two decades. Each volunteer had regular medical check ups that included tests of their muscular strength. The men who regularly worked out with weights and had the highest muscle strength were between 30 percent and 40 percent less likely to lose their life to a deadly tumor.

Even among volunteers who were overweight, regular weight training seemed to have a protective effect, although the researchers stressed that keeping a healthy weight was still crucial for avoiding premature death.

But they added, “In the light of these results, it is equally important to maintain healthy muscular strength levels.”

Researchers said it’s possible to reduce cancer mortality rates in men by promoting resistance training involving the major muscle groups at least two days a week.

Resources:
The Telegraph May 26, 2009
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 18, 1468, May 1, 2009

Tags Cancer, Health, Muscle, Physical strength, Research, Resistance training, Weight loss, Weight training

Yoga

Yoga Pose Stretches Thighs, Hips and Calves

Post author By Mukul
Post date June 17, 2009
1 Comment on Yoga Pose Stretches Thighs, Hips and Calves

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This yoga pose stretches the backs of your thighs, your outer hips and your calves. In the deeper variation, you can lengthen your spine and also feel a great stretch in the sides of your back.

STEP-1. Stand facing the front of a sturdy chair. Place your right foot forward, close to the legs of the chair. Put your hands on your hips and step your left foot back 3 1/2 to 4 feet. Turn the left foot out 30 degrees. Align your right heel with your left heel. Square your hips to the front of the chair, hinge forward at the hips and place your hands on the seat of the chair for support. Hold for 30 seconds, feeling a deep stretch in the right hamstring and left calf.
STEP-2. If you want to intensify this stretch, move your hands to the top of the back rest. On an exhale, lean your torso more forward over your right leg. With your arms straight, move your shoulder blades down your back — making sure the back of your neck lines up with your spine — and look down to your right foot. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds. To come out of it, return your hands to your hips and raise your torso. Repeat on the other side.

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Source: Los Angeles Times