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Herbs & Plants

Verbena macdougalii

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Botanical Name : Verbena macdougalii Heller
Family :Verbenaceae – Verbena family
Genus: Verbena L. – vervain
Species: Verbena macdougalii A. Heller – MacDougal verbena
Kingdom :Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom :Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division:Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class :Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass :Asteridae
Order: Lamiales
Common Names: Vervain, MacDougal

Habitat : Verbena macdougali is native to the New World from Canada south to southern Chile, but some are also native in the Old World, mainly in Europe. These include Common Vervain (V. officinalis) and V. supina.

Description:
Verbena macdougalii is a deep purple erect herb similar to Verbena hastata, except that the flowering spikes are broader and the pubescence on the stems is spreading. It grows on roadsides at middle elevation up to about meter or so in height.

click to see the pictures.
The leaves are usually opposite, simple, and in many species hairy, often densely so. The flowers are small, with five petals, and borne in dense spikes. Typically some shade of blue, they may also be white, pink, or purple, especially in cultivars.

CLICK & SEE

Medicinal Uses:
Vervain has longstanding use in herbalism and folk medicine, usually as a herbal tea. Nicholas Culpeper’s 1652 The English Physitian discusses folk uses. Among other effects, it may act as a galactagogue and possibly sex steroid analogue. The plants are also sometimes used as abortifacient.

The essential oil of various species – mainly Common Vervain – is traded as Spanish Verbena oil. Considered inferior to oil of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) in perfumery, it is of some commercial importance for herbalism and it seems to be a promising source of medical compounds. Verveine, the famous green liqueur from the region of Le Puy-en-Velay (France) is flavored with these vervains.

Treats painful or nervous stomach. This upright mountain relative of Moradilla is used for the same purposes.

Other Uses:
Some species, hybrids and cultivars of vervain are used as ornamental plants. They are valued in butterfly gardening in suitable climates, attracting Lepidoptera such as the Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida), or the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), and also hummingbirds, especially Common Vervain (V. officinalis), which is also grown as a honey plant.

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/Verbena
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/verbena_macdougalii.html
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VEMA&photoID=vema_003_avp.jpg

http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm

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Herbs & Plants

Artabotrys hexapetalus (Bengali :kantali champa)

Botanical Name : Artabotrys hexapetalus
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Artabotrys (ar-TAY-bot-riss) (Info)/Cananga
Species: hexapetalus/C. odorata
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Magnoliales
Synonym:Artabotrys odoratissimus, Artabotrys uncinatus

Common Name :Harichampa, Madanmast, Katchampa, Climbing Ylang-Ylang, Lilo champo, Harachampa, Manoranjini, Manoranjitham, Hirvaa chaphaa, Harita champaka, Manoranjidam, Aakusampenga.

Vernacular Names:
Bengali: kantali champa,  kaanthaali chaanpaa • Burmese: kada ngan, padat ngan, tadaing hmwe • Chinese: ying zhao hua, ying zhao lan • English: bhandari vine (India), ilang ilang, tail grape, ylang ylang vine • French: coq du levant, coque du levant, ilang-ilang grimpant, liane ilang-ilang • Hawaiian: lanalana • Hindi:  hari champa, madanmast, madmanti*,  manorangini • Japanese: iraniran noki, tsuru iraniran • Kannada: kandaala sampige*, kandalisampage*, manoranjani hu balli*, manoranjini (manorangini), manoranjini hoovu • Malayalam: madanakameswari*, manoranjitam* • Manipuri: chini champa • Marathi: hirva champa, hirva chapa • Oriya: kalomuro • Portuguese: artabrotis trepador • Russian: artabotris,  ilang-ilang • Sanskrit: hara champa, harachampaka, madanah* • Tamil: akkurotam*, antakam*, kanankay*, kulakayam*, kunarancitam*, makaticam*, manoranjidam*, manorancitam*, manoranjitham*, matanakamappu* • Telugu: manoranjidamu*, manoranjitamu*, muddasampenga*, phala sampenga*, phalasampangi*, sakalaphala sampenga*, sakalaphalasampangi*, sampangipurugu*, tiga sampangi • Thai: karawek (Central Thailand), kradang nga chin, saban nga chin.

Habitat:Origin: Tropical Asia

Description;
A medium size vine 8 to 10′, producing flowers that are greenish in color and fade to yellow with age, and are extremely fragrant. When young, this climber grows just like a regular shrub but at 5-6 ft, will start to vine. It is not an aggressive vine.

You may click to see the pictures;.>…..(1)…….(2)…..;.(3)

Artabotrys are very interesting, medium sized vines from Asia. They are quite sturdy and easy to grow. Any location from full sun to filtered light would be good. Good drainage is important and the soil has to be moderately moist. Artabotrys are vines that can climb on a trellis fence or on top of other shrubs by special structures on the stems that resemble hooks. If left by themselves, the vine will grow on top of itself forming a mound.
Most people that expect large, colorful flowers will be disappointed with the Artabotrys. The flowers appear during the warmer months and are greenish/yellow and very often hidden by the leaves.
These beautiful vines with shiny green leaves are not really grown for the flowers. People like them for their the unusual fragrance. They are also called “juicy fruit vine.” Artabotrys are tropical vines and have to be protected against freezing temperatures. They can also be grown in containers with proper trimming and brought indoors during the cold spells.

Click to see :
Studies on the chemical constituents of the leaves from Artabotrys hexapetalus:

Medicinal Uses:
The oil from the flower is extensively used in aromatherapy.

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:
Artabotrys hexapetalus
http://www.mgonlinestore.com/YYVine/
http://www.rareflora.com/artabotryshex.html

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Health Alert

Toomuch Use of Cell Phone May Cause Brain Cancer

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An epidemiologist and toxicologist who is an expert in environmental health has found evidence linking cell phone usage to an increased rate of certain kinds of brain tumors in young people who were heavy cell phone users.

In her book, Disconnect, Dr. Devra Davis talks about how she found evidence of studies, some decades old, showing that the radio-frequency radiation used by cell phones could have biological effects — enough to damage DNA and potentially contribute to brain tumors.

As reported by Time, Davis also found that many of the studies debunking a link between cell phone usage and adverse events were mostly funded by the industry. According to Time:

“She found that other countries—like France and Israel—had already acted, discouraging the use of cell phones by children and even putting warning signs on handsets. …

“This is about the most important and unrecognized public health issues of our time,” says Davis. “We could avert a global catastrophe if we act.”

“Davis also said that industry resistance would make regulation “harder and harder,” but that the good news is “simply using a wired headset should significantly cut down on radiation exposure to the brain, although Davis recommends that children—whose thinner skulls can absorb higher levels of radiation—avoid using phones altogether.”

Source: Time.com September 27, 2010

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Herbs & Plants

Cedar (Cedrus atlantica )

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Botanical Name  :Cedrus atlantica.
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Cedrus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Species: C. atlantica
Synonyms : C. atlantica. (Endlicher.)Manetti ex Carriére.

Common Names: Cedar , Atlas cedarwood

Habitat :Cedrus atlantica is native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria (Tell Atlas) and Morocco (in the Rif and Middle Atlas, and locally in the High Atlas).A majority of the modern sources treat it as a distinct species Cedrus atlantica, but some sources consider it a subspecies of Lebanon Cedar (C. libani subsp. atlantica. It grows on the upper slopes of the Atlas mountains where there is little or no rain in the growing season but the soil is fed by the melting snow from the peaks above.

Description:
It is a medium-sized to large tree, 30–35 m (rarely 40m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5–2 m.It is very similar in all characters to the other varieties of Lebanon Cedar; differences are hard to discern. The mean cone size tends to be somewhat smaller (although recorded to 12 cm,[1] only rarely over 9 cm long, compared to up to 10 cm in C. brevifolia, and 12 cm in C. libani) though with considerable overlap (all can be as short as 6 cm), while the leaf length (10–25 mm) is similar that of C. libani subsp. stenocoma, on average longer than C. brevifolia and shorter than C. libani subsp. libani, but again with considerable overlap. In addition, many (but far from all) of the cultivated trees have glaucous (bluish) foliage, more downy shoots, and can have more leaves in each whorl; young trees in cultivation often have more ascending branches than many cultivated C. libani subsp. libani.
click to see the pictures..(01)…...(1)……….(2).……..(3).…….(4)...…
Atlas Cedar forms forests on mountain sides at 1,370 to 2,200 m, often in pure forests, or mixed with Algerian Fir, juniper, holm oak and maple. These forests can provide habitat for the endangered Barbary Macaque, Macaca sylvanus, a primate that had a prehistorically much wider distribution in northern Morocco and Algeria.

Cultivation
It is common in cultivation in temperate climates. In garden settings it is most often the glaucous forms that are planted as ornamental trees. The glaucous forms may be distinguished as a Cultivar Group Glauca Group. There are also fastigiate, pendulous, and golden-leaf forms in cultivation. It is useful in cultivation because it is more tolerant of dry and hot conditions than most conifers.

Medicinal Action & Uses:
Astringent* Diuretic* Expectorant* Sedative* Muscle Relaxant* Insect repellents*

Parts Used: Essense obtained from wood
Constituents: terpenic hydrocabons, cedrol, sequiterpenes

Common medical Uses: Acne * Bronchitis * Cellulite Reduction * Insect Repellent *

Cedarwood can treat serious  skin conditions like eczema
There are two commercial oils which are known as cedarwood today, Cedrus atlantica, Atlas cedarwood, which is a true cedarwood, and Juniperus virginiana, known as red cedar. Cedarwood is known for use in problem skin, as an insect repellant, and as an inhalent in respiratory complaints. It’s actions are sedative, astringent, and antiseptic. It can be used to treat oily skin and scalp, relieve itching, and more serious skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, remembering that high concentrations will irritate the skin. Cedarwood is similar in action to the highly expensive sandalwood, it also has a sedative effect making it grounding in conditions of anxiety and nervous tension.

Cedarwood oil is extracted from the red cedar, a coniferous tree native to North America, commonly used to make pencils.This tree is closely related to the yellow cedar, the source of thuja oil. Atlas cedarwood (true cedarwood) comes from Morocco and is the more favored oil in aromatherapy. Cedarwood oil is clear, and blends well with rose, juniper and cypress. It is used as a fixative in perfumes. The balsamic, woody aroma of red cedarwood has relaxing, meditative properties and adds a warm note to blends. Deep, woody and rich, the aroma of Atlas cedar inspires emotional strength and centering awareness. Therapeutically both oils resemble sandalwood to some degree, but are hotter and more toxic.

Side Effects: A skin irritant in high concentrations.

Other Uses:
Essential; Hedge; Hedge; Repellent; Wood.

An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is used in perfumery, notably in jasmine-scented soaps. The essential oil also repels insects. Plants can be grown as a tall hedge. Wood – fragrant and durable. It is prized for joinery and veneer and is also used in construction. It is also used for making insect-repellent articles for storing textiles
Cedar plantations, mainly with Cedrus atlantica, have been established in southern France for timber production.

An Atlas Cedar is planted at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C. Washington, DC. President Carter ordered a tree house built on the Cedar for his daughter Amy. The wooden structure was designed by the President himself, and is self supporting so as not to cause damage to the tree.

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/Atlas_Cedar
http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail166.php

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cedrus+atlantica

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News on Health & Science

Ginkgo Biloba Special Extract Protects against Alzheimer’s Disease

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For the very first time, a medicine has been shown to protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease. French scientists were able to demonstrate that taking 240 mg of Ginkgo extract EGb 761® per day regularly over a period of at least 4 years can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 50%.

..click to see the pictures.

“Meta-analyses of the data by independent scientists consistently substantiate the efficacy of EGb 761® at the onset of cognitive decline.”

“The results of the GuidAge study are remarkable”, according to Prof. Michael Habs. “It is the first time ever that a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease has been demonstrated for a medicine. The multifaceted effects of the plant extract appear to positively influence the complex developmental processes of dementia.”

The GuidAge study was a large-scale study, in which 2854 elderly people with memory complaints were randomly assigned to receive either 240 mg/day of the patented Ginkgo special extract or a placebo for five years. Of those subjects taking the study medication for at least 4 years 29 out of 966 (3.0 %) taking placebo developed Alzheimer’s disease; in contrast only 15 out of 947 (1.6 %) treated with EGb 761® developed the disease (p=0.03). The result of this prospectively planned analysis shows that the Ginkgo special extract can lower the risk of dementia by 47%.

The brain pathology that leads to overt Alzheimer’s disease develops over the course of many years. It is therefore not surprising that those study participants who developed dementia early in the study gained less protective benefit from EGb 761® treatment, because they already had the disease. When these subjects as well as those who left the study prematurely, i.e. all study participants were included in the analysis, the overall treatment effect was still detectable, although not statistically significant.

The results were commented on as follows by Prof. Ralf Ihl: „There have been hints that Ginkgo biloba may exert a preventive effect. With the findings of this study we have first scientifically verifiable results suggesting that the extract may be useful for preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease.“

The result of the GuidAge study agrees with the findings of two earlier cohort studies carried out in France, which also suggested a protective effect of EGb 761®. A study funded by the US National Institute on Aging as well found a dementia-protective effect in those subjects, who had taken their medication regularly. In another US study, a protective effect was not found, however. But towards the end of this study, the medicine was actually only taken by little more than half of the subjects. The results of the GuidAge study now again confirm the importance of a regular and long enough intake of 240 mg EGb 761® per day: A very high proportion of 93% of the participants took their medication regularly during the whole treatment period. Once again the excellent long-term safety profile of EGb 761® was confirmed.

Animal models also showed that EGb 761® intervenes in several of the processes decisive to the development of Alzheimer’s disease: the formation of harmful protein-compounds (so-called ?-amyloid) is inhibited and the nerve cell damage caused by these as well as by ageing processes reduced so that energy generation in the nerve cells can be maintained. The patented special extract EGb 761® contains a particularly high proportion of plant substances that are unique to Ginkgo, ginkgolides and bilobalide, and that are especially important for the protection of nerve cells.

The efficacy of EGb 761® in the treatment of dementia diseases has been confirmed recently in several meta-analyses of available studies. EGb 761® can also improve cognitive performance in people who do not yet show significant impairment. In summarizing the study results, Dr. Reiner Kaschel concluded: “Meta-analyses of the data by independent scientists consistently substantiate the efficacy of EGb 761® at the onset of cognitive decline.”

Tebonin® is a phytopharmaceutical for the treatment of decreasing mental capacity. It contains the patented Ginkgo special extract EGb 761®, developed and manufactured by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Karlsruhe. EGb 761® is widely recognized as the best researched phytopharmaceutical world-wide and is available in more than 80 countries.

Click to see: Ginkgo Biloba Protects Your Memory
Source: Elements4Health.June 23rd.2010

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