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Herbs & Plants

Waltheria indica

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Botanical Name : Waltheria indica
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Waltheria
Species: W. indica
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Malvales

Common Names: Sleepy Morning, Basora Prieta, Hierba de Soldado, Guimauve, Mauve-gris, Moto-branco, Fulutafu, Kafaki, and Uhaloa (Hawaii).

Habitat :  It is most common in dry, disturbed or well-drained, moist habitats. In Puerto Rico, it grows in areas that receive 750–1,800 mm (30–71 in) of annual rainfall and at elevations from sea level to more 400 m (1,300 ft)

Description:
Waltheria indica is a species of flowering plant.It  is a short-lived subshrub or shrub, reaching a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a stem diameter of 2 cm (0.79 in). Stems rather rigid, erect to sometimes decumbent, velvety tomentose throughout, the hairs stellate.  Leaves rugose, broadly ovate to oblong-ovate, 2-15.5 cm long, 1-6 cm wide, tomentose with stellate hairs, lower surface paler, apex rounded, sometimes obtuse, base rounded to subcordate, petioles 0.5-4.5 cm long.  Flowers fragrant, in axillary, sessile or pedunculate glomerules, bracts linear; calyx strongly ribbed, ca. 3-5 mm long, villous; petals yellow, spatulate, 4-6 mm long; style bearded.  Capsules obliquely globose, 2.5-3 mm long” (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1280).
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Medicinal Uses:
It is frequently used to treat asthma and painful coughs, only the Hawaiians are known to use it for sore throats by chewing  the root bark and gargleing the juice.  In Hawaii it  is a very effective treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes. The remedy is made by pounding a bundle of the root bark, stems and leaves with a little lemongrass and ginger for flavoring, then brewing the material into a strong decoction that is consumed over five days.  A traditional plant of the Hawaiian medica, Uhaloa is used for sore throat, common cold, cough, bronchial phlegm or mucous.
In Polynesia the root bark (cortex) is chewed upon for sore throat, while in Hawaii it is used internally for arthritis, neuralgia and chronic cases of asthma.  An infusion of stem and leaves is also used.   Used against the diarrhea, unwanted pregnancy, painful menstruation and fatigue. Also used for dry itchy cough, mucous, chest colds or chest congestion. It is used as a poultice for minor infections.   Root and leaves used as anti-spasmodic, in treating abdominal disorders, as an analgesic in toothache, tonic, in treating joints affections, diarrhea, and ulcers.  The flowers of the ‘uhaloa are considered “good medicine for children” (more than 10 days old).

You may click to read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/theurbangardener/20110110_uhaloa_is_a_treasure_of_traditional_medicine.html

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/Waltheria_indica
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm
http://www.hear.org/starr/images/image/?q=010818-0026&o=plants

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Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Bronchitis

numbered version of :Image:Respiratory system ...
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Description:
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that carry air to your lungs. This condition causes you to cough persistently, sometimes making it hard to breathe. The coughing may even lead to chest pain and wheezing. Bronchitis is also known as a chest cold because it usually occurs after you’ve already experienced symptoms of the common cold.

About 5 percent of adults self-report an episode of acute bronchitis each year. Up to 90 percent of them seek medical advice. In fact, bronchitis is the fifth most common reason why adults see their general practitioner.

Symptoms:
The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a persistent cough. This cough lasts until your bronchial tubes heal and the swelling goes down. The cough lasts for less than 3 weeks in 50 percent of patients. But for 25 percent of patients it may last more than one month. Because bronchitis usually develops after you’ve already had a cold or flu, you may also experience typical cold and flu symptoms, such as:

*Sore throat
*Fatigue
*Stuffy or runny nose
*ever
Body aches
*Vomiting
*Diarrhea

When you cough, you may produce a clear mucus, or slimy substance; if the mucus is a yellow or green color, that’s a sign that you have a bacterial infection as well.

Other symptoms of acute bronchitis include wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe), chest tightness or pain, lower fever and maybe even shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.

People with chronic bronchitis most commonly experience coughing (often called a smoker’s cough) with large amounts of fluid, wheezing and chest discomfort.

When to Call Your Doctor
If a persistent cough interferes with your sleep or compromises your daily activities.
If mucus becomes darker or thicker or increases significantly in volume.
If your fever is above 100F.
If your breathing becomes increasingly difficult or if you cough up blood.
If your symptoms last more than 48 hours.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

What It Is ....click & see the pictures
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the windpipe and bronchial tubes, the large airways that lead to the lungs. These airways swell and thicken, paralyzing the cilia, the tiny hairs that line the respiratory tract and sweep away dust and germs. Mucus builds up, resulting in a cough.
There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute is marked by a slight fever that lasts for a few days and a cough that goes away after several weeks. In chronic bronchitis, a hacking cough along with discolored phlegm persists for several months and may disappear and recur.

There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute is marked by a slight fever that lasts for a few days and a cough that goes away after several weeks. In chronic bronchitis, a hacking cough along with discolored phlegm persists for several months and may disappear and recur.

What Causes It
Acute bronchitis frequently follows a cold or the flu, though it can also result from a bacterial infection or exposure to chemical fumes. Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lungs have been irritated for a long time. The primary cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. People with long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, workers routinely exposed to chemical fumes, and individuals with chronic allergies are also susceptible.

How Supplements Can Help
Supplements can help strengthen your body’s immune response and also stimulate its normal process of loosening and bringing up phlegm. The supplements for acute bronchitis should be taken only while you are ill. Those for chronic bronchitis require long-term use.
The following vitamins should be used daily. Vitamin C is particularly helpful in fighting off viruses that attack the respiratory system. Take it coupled with powerful antioxidants called flavonoids (or bioflavonoids), which are natural antivirals and anti-inflammatories. Vitamin A is also important for immune health. In chronic bronchitis, both vitamins assist in the healing of damaged lung tissue.

For an acute attack, drink horehound tea to help thin mucus secretions. Or use the herb slippery elm in place of horehound if you prefer. The amino acid-like substance NAC (N-acetylcysteine) also thins mucus and has been reported to reduce the recurrence rate of bronchitis.

The herbs echinacea and astragalus have antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-strengthening properties. At the higher doses, they can be used to fight off acute bronchitis. For chronic or seasonal bronchitis, try taking the following herbs in rotation: echinacea (200 mg twice a day), astragalus (200 mg twice a day), pau d’arco (250 mg twice a day), and 1,500 mg of reishi or 600 mg of maitake mushrooms a day. Use one herb for one week, then switch to another; continue this cycle as long as needed.

What Else You Can Do
Quit smoking — and avoid situations where others smoke.
Drink plenty of fluids, such as diluted fruit juices and herbal teas. Dehydration can cause mucus to become thick and difficult to cough up.
Eliminate the use of aerosol products (hair sprays, deodorants, and insecticides), which can irritate airway passages.
Stay indoors when the air quality is poor if you have chronic bronchitis.
When suffering from bronchitis, people often have difficulty breathing while they’re eating. So try to avoid foods that are hard to chew, such as meats and raw vegetables.
Avoid antihistamines and decongestants, which won’t help alleviate lung symptoms and may actually make your condition worse. That’s because these drugs can dry up and thicken mucus, making it more difficult for you to cough up.


Supplement Recommendations

Vitamin C/Flavonoids
Vitamin A
Horehound
NAC
Echinacea
Astragalus

Vitamin C/Flavonoids
Dosage: 1,000 mg vitamin C and 500 mg flavonoids 3 times a day.
Comments: Reduce vitamin C dose if diarrhea develops.

Vitamin A
Dosage: 25,000 IU a day for 1 month.
Comments: Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should not exceed 5,000 IU a day.

Horehound
Dosage: As a tea, 3 or 4 cups a day.
Comments: Use 1 or 2 tsp. per cup of hot water; add honey to taste.

NAC
Dosage: 500 mg (acute) or 250 mg (chronic) 3 times a day.
Comments: Take between meals. For long-term use, add 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper daily.

Echinacea
Dosage: 200 mg 4 times daily (acute) or twice a day (chronic).
Comments: Standardized to contain 3.5% echinacosides.

Astragalus

Dosage: 200 mg 4 times daily (acute) or twice a day (chronic).
Comments: Supplying 0.5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides.
Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs

Click for herbal cure & Home remedies for BRONCHITIS

Click to learn more about Acute Bronchitis and its Ayurvedic Remedy

IT IS ADVISED TO DO PRANAYAMA (BREATHING EXERCISE)  DAILY TO GET RID OF THIS TYPE DISEASE PERMANENTLY

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

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