Categories
Herbs & Plants

Parietaria judaica

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Botanical Name : Parietaria judaica
Family: Urticaceae
Genus: Parietaria
Species: Parietaria judaica
Order: Rosales
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida

Common Name :Sticky-weed.,Spreading pellitory,Basil-Leaved Parietaria

Habitat :Parietaria judaica  is native to the Mediterranean but has become widespread in coastal areas of the United Kingdom, Australia, and North America. Generally considered a weed, it is often found on roadsides and in cracks of buildings. However, it is useful in a habitat garden as it is a larval food plant for red admiral butterflies.

Description:
Perennial, pubescent to glabrescent, 10-50 cm tall, basally woody herb. Leaves with 0.3-2 cm long, filiform, hairy petiole; lamina lanceolate-ovate or ovate-elliptic, 1-3(4) cm long, 0.5-2.0 (-2.5) cm broad, subtruncate to cuneate or rarely subcordate at the base, apex acute, appressed pubescent to glabrescent. Cymose flower clusters compact, few to many-flowered, subsessile to sessile, solitary, axillary. Flowers greenish, mostly bisexual, c. 3 mm across; bracts ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, 2.5-3 mm long, enlarged in fruit, subconnate at the base, obtuse. Calyx c. 3 mm long, lobes inflexed. Achenes ovoid, 1.5-2 mm long, brown, shining.

click & see the pictures
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The plant has pink or red hairy stems, green leaves with smooth margins, and tiny white or pink flowers attached to the stems. The nickname sticky-weed is due to the adherent quality of the flowers and of the hairy stems; unlike some related nettles, the hairs do not sting.

Medicinal Uses:
Parietaria judaica has been valued for over 2,000 years for its diuretic action, as a soother of chronic coughs and as a balm for wounds and burns. In European herbal medicine it is regarded as having a restorative action on the kidneys, supporting and strengthening their function.  The whole herb, gathered when in flower is an efficacious remedy for kidney and bladder stones and other complaints of the urinary system such as cystitis and nephritis. It should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions. The leaves can be usefully employed externally as a poultice on wounds etc. They have a soothing effect on simple burns and scalds.  A tea made from this plant will ease upset stomachs and make one feel better when one has a cold.  It also helps the liver and relieves fever.

Known Hazards:
The plant’s pollen is highly allergenic. In Australia it is also known as asthma weed, due to the high incidence of allergy. It is unrelated to the herb pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum). It is easily confused with the very similar species Parietaria officinalis

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://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_AB.htm
http://www.eol.org/pages/594607
http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Parietaria_judaica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietaria_judaica
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=6066

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Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Congenital Blindness

Vision plays a very important part in the early development of a child. Impaired vision at birth will cause serious delay in development and is likely to lead to learning disabilities, particularly when associated with other problems, such as congenital deafness.

………………………………………………Jyotindra Mehta
Congenital blindness due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) took away Jyotindra Mehta’s power of sight at a very young age. Emigration to the US on scholarship, coupled with a readiness to take up any challenge, resulted in Jyotindra’s quick success there.

and Nevy George
Congenital blindness due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) took away thir eye sight at very early age.

About 9 in 10 children who are considered blind from birth have some vision, even though it may be only recognition of light and dark or shapes…..CLICK & SEE

Causes:
There are several causes including microphthalmos, cataracts, bilateral pseudogliomatous retinal detachments, and phthisis bulbi. OPPG is usually not suspected until fractures occur, frequently after seemingly minor trauma.

In the developed world, half of all cases of congenital blindness run in families and therefore may be due to a genetic disorder. another important cause is congenital infection such as the protozoal infection toxoplasmosis and the viral infection rubella. These infections are transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus during pregnancy and may lead to impaired vision in the newborn baby. congenital rubella is now rare in the developed world due to routine immunization. The baby’s eyes may also be affected by cataracts, in which the lenses are opaque, or glaucoma, in which the optic nerve is damaged due to increased pressure in the eyes. Congenital blindness may also be caused by damage to the brain as a result of lack of oxygen during birth.

Symptoms:
Parents usually become aware that their have a vision problem within a few weeks. he or she may less responsive than other babies, lying quietly to make the most of his or her hearing. parents may also notice that their baby:

· Is unable to fix his or her eyes on a close object.
· Has random eye movements.
· Does not smile by the age of 6 weeks.
· Has abnormally large, cloudy eyes if glaucoma is present.

Parents may find it difficult to bond with a quiet baby who does not smile.

Diagnosis:
If congenital blindness is not suspected by a baby’s parents, it will probably be picked up during a routine examination in infancy. A child suspected of having an impaired vision will be referred to a specialist for an examination and tests. His or her hearing will also be tested because, if the child is severely visually impaired, he or she will rely more on hearing.

Treatment:
It is possible to improve vision in only a smaller number of babies, such as those with cataracts or glaucoma. Early treatment of these conditions is important. cataracts are usually removed surgically within the first month of life. glaucoma may also be treated surgically to allow fluid to drain from the eye.

If vision cannot be improve, much can be done to help a child make maximum use of other senses or what little vision he or she has. if your child is diagnosed as blind, a team of specialist, including a teacher for the blind, will be able to give you and your child support and care. You will also be given advice on how to stimulate your child, by using your speech, sounds, and touch and how to adapt your home so that your child can explore it safely and develop self-confidence. Some children will require special schooling to learn braille, a system of raised dots that allows blind people to read.

Genetics counseling is available for parents of an affected child who wish to have more children or for prospective parents who are blind.

Click to see :
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Preventable Causes of Congenital Abnormalities
Enzyme Responsible For Congenital Blindness
Prognosis :
Children treated for cataracts or glaucoma will probably still have impaired vision but often have enough sight to perform most activities unaided. Many blind or visually impaired children with no other disabilities go on to have successful personal and professional lives.

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

Resources:
http://www.charak.com/DiseasePage.asp?thx=1&id=338
http://www.blonnet.com/ew/2005/03/07/stories/2005030700230200.htm

Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Hair Problems

Americans face a variety of hair problems: dandruff, balding, brittle and graying hair, to name just a few. Though most are signs of the natural progression of aging, or basic genetic predispositions, various simple measures can contribute to a healthier head of hair.

Symptoms
Flaking or crusting of the scalp.
Increased loss of hair, such as when washing or combing.
Changes in hair color, texture, or growth patterns.
Irritated skin patches on the scalp.

When to Call Your Doctor
If hair loss occurs suddenly, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as the cessation of the menstrual cycle.
If the scalp develops dry, crusty patches or itches intensely.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

What It Is
Hair is a nonliving tissue, made up mainly of a fibrous protein called keratin — the same material found in your fingernails and toenails. The health of your hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair follicles in the scalp, from which new hair sprouts. On average, hair grows about half an inch a month. It’s not unusual for people to shed up to a hundred hairs a day — fortunately, when one falls out, another usually grows in. Problems can arise when hair becomes dry or brittle, stops growing back, or becomes flecked with dandruff caused by excess flaking and shedding of skin on the scalp.

What Causes It
Stress, a poor diet, and hormonal changes (such as those accompanying pregnancy) can all contribute to hair loss. Some hair conditions may also be the result of nutritional deficiencies, environmental circumstances, an underactive thyroid gland, immune disorders, or genetic factors.

How Supplements Can Help
The recommended supplements, which can be taken together, may help your hair grow stronger and healthier by nourishing it at the roots. Though there’s no miracle remedy that can guarantee a luxurious head of hair, you may notice improvement within six months, when new hair has had time to grow in.

What Else You Can Do
Eat sensibly. Avoid fad diets that may deprive you of essential nutrients.
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Afterward, gently towel it dry and apply a conditioner. Avoid harsh chemicals, such as the chlorine in pools, and high heat from blow dryers or curling irons.
Protect your hair and scalp from the sun by wearing a hat.
Perform a weekly scalp massage. Not only does it stimulate blood flow, but it also helps relieve stress, which can contribute to hair loss.
Take acidophilus (one or two pills twice a day) to improve GI function and boost your body’s ability to absorb important hair-nourishing substances from the foods you eat. Thinning hair may be a sign that your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is not absorbing zinc and other nutrients properly.
Quit smoking. Scientists in England recently reported that, age notwithstanding, smokers were four times more likely to have gray hair than nonsmokers. The researchers also reported a link between smoking and hair loss.

Supplement Recommendations

Flaxseed Oil
Evening Primrose Oil
Zinc/Copper
Biotin
Vitamin B Complex
PABA
Selenium

Flaxseed Oil
Dosage: 1 tbsp. (14 grams) a day.
Comments: Can be mixed with food; take in the morning.

Evening Primrose Oil
Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Can substitute 1,000 mg borage oil once a day.

Zinc/Copper

Dosage: 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper a day.
Comments: Add copper only when using zinc longer than 1 month.

Biotin
Dosage: 1,000 mcg a day.
Comments: Can combat excessive oiliness and flaking; take with vitamin B complex.

Vitamin B Complex
Dosage: 1 pill twice a day with food.
Comments: Look for a B-50 complex with 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 50 mg all other B vitamins.

PABA

Dosage: 100 mg a day.
Comments: Promotes the health of the skin and scalp.

Selenium

Dosage: 200 mcg twice a day.
Comments: Don’t exceed 600 mcg daily; higher doses may be toxic.

Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs (Reader’s Digest)

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