Categories
Herbs & Plants

Gentiana crassicaulis

[amazon_link asins=’B01A3NZWKQ,B075F35W2Y,B074YB276W,B0006O12OI,B004ZH5NHY,B004TSYBMW’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’136bb509-d4be-11e7-875c-81774d029543′]

Botanical Name: Gentiana crassicaulis
Family: Gentianaceae
Tribes: Gentianeae
Subtribes: Gentianinae
Genus: Gentiana
Species: Gentiana crassicaulis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales

Habitat : Gentiana crassicaulis is native to E. Asia – W. China. It grows on damp patches in mountainous regions. Wastelands, grasslands, roadside slopes, alpine meadows, scrub, forest margins and forests at elevations of 2100 – 4500 metres

Description:
Gentiana crassicaulis is a perennial herb, growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). Roots to 30 × 2 cm. Stems ascending, stout, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves petiole 5-8 cm, membranous; leaf blade narrowly elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 12-20 × 4-6.5 cm, base narrowed, margin scabrous, apex acute, veins 5-7. Stem leaves 3-5 pairs, distinctly larger toward apex, sessile, spreading, and surrounding flower cluster; petiole to 3 cm, membranous, completely connate; leaf blade ovate-elliptic to ovate-triangular, 6-16 × 3-4.5(-7) cm, base obtuse to truncate, margin scabrous, apex acute to obtuse, veins 3-5. Inflorescences crowded, many-flowered terminal clusters, rarely also few-flowered axillary whorls. Flowers sessile. Calyx tube spathelike, 4-6 mm, membranous, split on 1 side, apex truncate; lobes 1-5, dentiform, 0.5-1 mm. Corolla blue-purple, base pale yellow base or sometimes white or dark green, urceolate, 2-2.2 cm; lobes ovate-triangular, 2.5-3.5 mm, margin entire, apex acute; plicae triangular, 1-1.5 mm, oblique, margin denticulate, apex acute. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube; filaments 6-8 mm; anthers narrowly ellipsoid, 1.5-2.5 mm. Style 2-2.5 mm; stigma lobes oblong. Capsules sessile, ovoid-ellipsoid, 1.8-2 cm. Seeds light brown, ellipsoid, 1.2-1.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun-Nov

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES 

Cultivation:
In general, gentians require a moist well-drained soil in a sheltered position, a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity, high light intensity but a site where temperatures are not too high. They are therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection from the strongest sunlight. Most species will grow well in the rock garden. This species is easily grown in most soils and usually produces an abundance of fertile seed. A moisture loving plant, preferring to grow with full exposure to the sun but with plenty of underground moisture in the summer, it grows better in the north and west of Britain. This species is not very hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Closely related to G. tibetica. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance.

Propagation :
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture. Following this with a period of at least 5 – 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed. The seed should be surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 – 7 years to reach flowering size. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March. Most members of this genus have either a single tap-root, or a compact root system united in a single root head, and are thus unsuitable for division. Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring

Medicinal Uses:
The roots of gentian species contain some of the most bitter compounds known and make an excellent tonic for the whole digestive system, working especially on the stomach, liver and gall bladder. The root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antirheumatic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive. The root is used internally in the treatment of arthritis, allergic inflammations, low-grade fever in chronic diseases, jaundice and hepatitis. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

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://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gentiana_crassicaulis
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200017920
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentiana
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Gentiana+crassicaulis

Categories
Healthy Tips

Herbal tea with honey and cinnamon may act as an elixir of life

[amazon_link asins=’B007M8FRV0,B00GEG40KA’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’40211bd4-0098-11e7-80ea-4dfb882771ff’]

[amazon_link asins=’B00854JNE2,B004GW8LBI’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b1164e33-0097-11e7-900d-a3aad1d0ac0d’]

[amazon_link asins=’B00CMQD3VS,B00394VLL6′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d29c4dfc-0097-11e7-aec1-3126ff8909bb’]

[amazon_link asins=’B00ASD2F8O,B001PQREKM’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f811fee4-0097-11e7-aa19-f5dac84e3846′]

 

 

Many people love honey, and many people love cinnamon. And when used separately, each has its own healing capabilities. But when the two are mixed together and consumed, magic can happen. Okay, not really magic, but some have called this an “elixir of health and immortality”. But why is this mixture given such a high prestige? Here we will talk about just a few of the great benefits that this mixture can produce for people. The first we will discuss is digestion: honey combined with cinnamon has been shown to speed up digestion, and can help you digest some of those foods that you sometimes struggle with. Next, bad cholesterol: 3 teaspoons of cinnamon mixed with 2 tablespoons of honey and placed in green tea three times a day, and you will see your cholesterol lower in just days.(You may click to see the picture)

 

If you need to lose weight, you can benefit as well. A teaspoon each of honey and cinnamon, cooked with water, drunk twice a day, will help you to prevent fat from building up in the body. Honey and cinnamon can also help you to strengthen your immune system, preventing illnesses from both viruses and bacteria. A few other benefits include help with fatigue, reduction of joint inflammation/arthritis, and prevention of bladder infections. If you suffer from any of these ailments, or simply want to improve your health, do a little research and see if this is the right elixir for you and your needs.

Enhanced by ZemantaResources:hforcare.com
Categories
Ailmemts & Remedies

Giardiasis

Alternative NamesGiardia; Traveler’s diarrhea – giardiasis

Definition:

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a protozoan and is spread by contaminated water or contact with an infected person.
Giardiasis  or beaver fever in humans is a diarrheal infection of the small intestine by a single-celled organism called Giardia lamblia. Giardiasis occurs worldwide with a prevalence of 20–30% in developing countries. In the USA, 20,000 cases are reported to the CDC annually, but the true annual incidence is estimated at 2 million people. Giardia has a wide range of mammalian hosts besides humans, thus making it very difficult to eradicate. For people with compromised immune systems, such as elderly or AIDS patients, giardiasis can be deadly

CLICK & SEE

The parasite was first identified in 1681 by Anton von Leeuwenhoek, the ‘father of microbiology’. In 1859 a Bohemian doctor, Vilem Lambl, found giardia in human faeces and from then on it was thought to be a harmless occupant of the intestines. It wasn’t until the 1970s that giardia was given its true status as one of the world’s most common causes of diarrhoeal illness.

Giardia is a type of single-celled organism called a protozoon. It first came to light in the UK as an important cause of diarrhoea among those returning from abroad. It’s a major cause of childhood diarrhoea in developing countries and is also common in Eastern Europe and across the US. However, giardia can be found around the globe and is the most common gut parasite in the

Symptoms:
One reason it can be difficult to control the spread of giardia is that as many as 15 per cent of those carrying the organism have no symptoms. They become a source of the parasite, contaminating the environment without realising it.

However, most people develop a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms like:

*Indigestion
•Abdominal pain
•Watery diarrhoea,
•Gas or bloating
•Headache
•Loss of appetite
•Low-grade fever
•Nausea and stomach cramps
•Swollen or distended abdomen
•Vomiting

CLICK & SEE

These symptoms can persist for several weeks and, without treatment, can lead to dehydration and weight loss. In developing countries, where people (especially children) may already be malnourished, an infection can prove fatal.

Causes:
People or animals carrying giardia in their intestines pass it out in their faeces. The parasite is then spread through poor hygiene or contaminated soil, food or water (see box below). With a tough outer shell, the parasite can survive for long periods outside a host body. A person only needs to pic1982k up a few giardia cysts for infection to develop.

•Putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated by faeces from an infected person or animal.
•Drinking contaminated water. Public water supplies in the UK are considered to be at low risk as giardia is killed by adequate chlorination.
•Swallowing water during recreation that is contaminated with sewage – for example, in swimming pools, jacuzzis, lakes, rivers or ponds.
•Eating contaminated food. One report found cases linked to the consumption of lettuce.
•Coming in contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by an infected person.

Giardiasis outbreaks can occur in communities in both developed and developing countries where water supplies become contaminated with raw sewage.

It can be contracted by drinking water from lakes or streams where water-dwelling animals such as beavers and muskrats, or domestic animals such as sheep, have caused contamination. It is also spread by direct person-to-person contact, which has caused outbreaks in institutions such as day care centers.

Travelers are at risk for giardiasis throughout the world. Campers and hikers are at risk if they drink untreated water from streams and lakes. Other risk factors include:

•Exposure to a family member with giardiasis
•Institutional (day care or nursing home) exposure
•Unprotected anal sex

Possible Complications:
•Dehydration
•Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
•Weight loss

Diagnosis:.
Giardiasis is diagnosed by checking stool samples for the parasite. It can be difficult to find, though, and it’s often necessary to send several samples for analysis.

Tests that may be done include:
•Enteroscopy
•Stool antigen test to check for Giardia
•Stool ova and parasites exam
•String test (rarely performed)
This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

•D-xylose absorption
•Small bowel tissue biopsy
•Smear of duodenal aspirated fluid

Treatment:
Some people recover completely from giardiasis without specific treatment. For other, the infection persists for weeks or even months. Treatment with antibiotics will shorten the course of the illness and reduce the risk of spread to others. Antibiotic therapy is particularly important for those, such as young children, who are at greater risk.

Steps should also be taken to treat or prevent dehydration, and people with giardiasis should drink plenty of fluids. Severe dehydration may need hospital treatment, with an intravenous drip.

Cure rates are generally greater than 80%. Drug resistance may be a factor in treatment failures, sometimes requiring a change in antibiotic therapy.

In pregnant women, treatment should wait until after delivery, because some drugs used to treat the infection can be harmful to the unborn baby.

Prognosis:
It is common for the infection to go away on its own. However, persistent infections have been reported and need further antibiotic treatment. Some people who have had Giardia infections for a long time continue having symptoms even after the infection has gone.

Prevention:
Good hygiene should help to keep you safe from giardia. Always wash your hands after using the toilet or changing nappies, and before handling food. Don’t share towels.

Don’t swim, or let your children swim, in pools, rivers, lakes or the sea during an episode of diarrhoea, and for at least two weeks after treatment.

When abroad, make sure the water supply is safe, or drink only purified or bottled water. Also avoid ice in drinks, and fruit and salad vegetables washed in tap water.

Avoid exposure to faeces during sexual activity (homosexual men may be at increased risk of infection).

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.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/giardiasis1.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardiasis.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000288.htm

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://www.mountnittany.org/wellness-library/healthsheets/documents?ID=3762
http://www.quincymedgroup.com/adam/dochtml/Health%20Illustrated%20Encyclopedia/2/18139.htm
Categories
News on Health & Science

Green Tea Extracts Plus Vitamin D Boost Bone Health

[amazon_link asins=’B0179785OO,B00GB85JR4,B004U3Y8OM,B0032BH76O,B00JGCBGZQ,B004XLRTUQ,B004GJYTF8,B004TBXGS4,B0037LOLKY’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b19a6161-6a97-11e7-a3e2-e91249ad8394′][amazon_link asins=’B00DE4NPV0,B003D4F2US,B00PFDH0IC,B0042IMPTU,B000GG0BNE,B01G0S3Y44,B000WB1YSE,B0016BFR4G,B0017T2MWW’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’91989022-6a97-11e7-b1cc-8d2931118de8′]

Green tea polyphenols combined with a form of vitamin D called alfacalcidol could boost bone structure and strength, according to a new study in mice.
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
The mixture may reverse damage to bones caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced chronic inflammation, which could in turn reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Chronic inflammation causes bone loss through oxidative stress and excessive production of pro-inflammatory molecules.

According to NutraIngredients:

“The researchers reported that both extracted green tea polyphenols and alfacalcidol supplementations reversed LPS-induced changes in bone structure, whilst a combination of both was shown to sustain bone micro-architecture and strength.”

You may click to see :Green Tea and Vitamin D: Cancer Prevention at Your Table?


Resources:

NutraIngredients November 2, 2010
Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry October 29, 2010

Posted By:
Dr. Mercola | December 01 2010

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Healthy Tips

Miracles of Green Tea

[amazon_link asins=’B0042IMPTU,B000GG0BNE,B0016BFR4G,B00DE4NPV0,B000WB1YSE,B0017T2MWW,B00PFDH0IC,B003D4F2US,B00ZGXUPX8′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7ba6c14a-99d1-11e7-b04e-09572fa55d57′]

Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits.

It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you’re not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today  you’re definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.


Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:

1. Green Tea and Cancer
Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer.
The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E.
This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
**********

2. Green Tea and Heart Disease
Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol.
Even after the heart attackit prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
**********

3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging
Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals.
What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
**********

4. Green Tea and Weight Loss
Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally.
It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day.
That translates to 7 pounds in one year.
**********

5. Green Tea and Skin
Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicalswhich cause wrinkling and skin aging.
Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.
**********

6. Green Tea and Arthritis

Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
**********

7. Green Tea and Bones

The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea.
It helps keep your bones strong.
If you drink green tea every daythis will help you preserve your bone density.
**********

8. Green Tea and Cholesterol
Green tea can help lower cholesterol level.
It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterolby reducing bad cholesterol level.
**********

9. Green Tea and Obesity
Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells.
If you are on a healthy dietexercise regularly and drink green teait is unlikely you’ll be obese.
**********

10. Green Tea and Diabetes
Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolismsprevents sharp increases in blood sugar leveland balances your metabolism rate.
**********

11. Green Tea and Alzheimer’s
Green tea helps boost your memory.
And although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’sit helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brainwhich leads to Alzheimer’s.
**********

12. Green Tea and Parkinson’s
Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brainwhich could cause Parkinson’s. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson’s.
**********

13. Green Tea and Liver Disease
Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.
**********

14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure

Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure.
Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensinwhich leads to high blood pressure.
**********

15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning

Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.
**********

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar
Blood sugar tends to increase with agebut polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.
**********

17. Green Tea and Immunity

Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune systemmaking your health stronger in fighting against infections.
**********

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu
Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu.
Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.
**********

19. Green Tea and Asthma
Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubesreducing the severity of asthma.
**********

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection
Green tea helps with ear infection problem.
For natural ear cleaningsoak a cotton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.
**********

21. Green Tea and Herpes

Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes.
First green tea compress is appliedand then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.
**********

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay
Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases.
It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.
**********

23. Green Tea and Stress
L-theaninewhich is a kind of amino acids in green teacan help relieve stress and anxiety.
**********

24. Green Tea and Allergies
EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies.
Soif you have allergiesyou should really consider drinking green tea.
**********

25. Green Tea and HIV
Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells.
What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading.

Source :http://funlok.com/index.php/information/25-reasons-why-you-should-start-drinking-green-tea-now-9072010.html

Enhanced by Zemanta
css.php