Benefits of Honey

The Predigested Natural Food Since ancient times, humans have used honey as a natural food, as a sweetener, for medical use, for beautification and for many other purposes.

Benefits of Honey

• Eyesight
  Regular use of honey mixed with the carrot juice helps to improve the eyesight. It should be taken one hour before meals in the morning.
  
  
  
• Cough
  Mixture of equal quantities of honey and ginger juice is a good expectorant. It gives immediate relief in symptoms like cold, cough, sore throat, congestion of chest and runny nose.
  
  
  
• Asthma
  Mix half a gram of black pepper powder with honey and ginger juice mixture (equal quantity). Take this mixture at least three times a day. It helps to cure asthma.
  
  
  
• Blood Pressure
  Take one teaspoonful of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoonful of honey. It can be taken twice a day in the morning and evening. Regular use of this mixture is beneficial for high blood pressure.
  
  
  
• Blood Purification and Fat Reduction
  Take one glass of warm water and mix 1-2 teaspoonful of honey and one teaspoonful of lemon juice. Take this preparation daily before evacuation. It helps to purify the blood. It also helps to reduce fat and to clean the bowels.
  
  
  
• Heart Tonic
  One teaspoonful of anise powder mixed with one or two teaspoonful of honey acts a very nice tonic for the heart. It strengthens the heart muscles and improves its functions.

Ayurvedic Elements

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Uses of Asafoetida
Botanical Name: Ferula fetid, Ferula northex Indian Name: Hing Origin, Distribution and Composition, Asafoetida is a resinous gum of a tall perennial herb, with robust carrot-shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures.

Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain)
English: Ajowan, omum, bishop's weed, Hindi: Ajwain, Sanskrit: Yavanika, agnivardhana, The name agnivardhana implies stimulation of the digestive fire or agni. It has been employed

EMBLIC MYROBALAN (AMLA)
Botanically it is known as Emblica officinalis. It contains vitamins C, amino acid, tannin, polyphenolic compounds, fixed oil, lipids and essential oils. It may be compared to 'Amrita' of heaven because of its magical healing powers. It is also known as 'Long-life Elixir'

LIQUORICE or Jastimadhu
Botanically it is called Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a tall erect herb that may rise up to 1.5 m high. Leaves are compound containing leaflets in 4 to 7 pairs. The flowers are like lilac, small the fruits are 1.3 cm long, flat, densely covered allover with small spinous outgrowths. The rootstock gives numerous additional roots

Arjuna
Botanical Name: Terminalia arjuna. .. Indian Name: Kahu, Arjuna is a dense tree attaining a height of 20 to 27 metres. It has long, cone-shaped round leaves and white bark which gives out a milky juice when cut. Mainly, the bark of the tree is used in medicines.

JACK FRUIT (Kanthal, Inchar)
Botanically, it is called Artocarpus heterophylla. It is an attractive tropical tree valued for its immense fruits and its timber. It grows to 60 ft high and bears variable shaped evergreen leaves. The Jack-fruit, a member of the mulberry family (Moraceae), is native to eastern India and is extensively grown in tropical Asia.

Arnica Flowers
SCIENTIFIC NAME : Arnica Montana, COMMON NAME : Leopard's bane, mountain tobacco, mountain snuff, wolf's bane BOTANY. Arnica is a perennial that grows from 1 to 2 feet.

Turmeric - HALDI
A knife cut. Blood. Dripping incessantly. Unflustered, the Indian housewife reaches for the closest and safest remedy at hand–Haldi. Bodies responding to seasonal changes with the flu, coughs, and running noses, are immediately administered with honey mixed with turmeric, or turmeric mixed in milk by the homemaker, to soothe and to cure.

Turmeric - HALDI

A knife cut. Blood. Dripping incessantly. Unflustered, the Indian housewife reaches for the closest and safest remedy at hand–Haldi.

Bodies responding to seasonal changes with the flu, coughs, and running noses, are immediately administered with honey mixed with turmeric, or turmeric mixed in milk by the homemaker, to soothe and to cure.

 

The Friday oil bath routines with the application of Haldi is almost sacrosanct with the South Indian women, resulting in beautiful skin, and hairless bodies! In fact, in South India, it is considered very auspicious and therefore, is the first item on the grocery list. The turmeric plant is tied around the vessel used to make Sweet pongal on the harvest festival, which is celebrated on the Makarshankranti Day, universally celebrated on 14th of January, every year.


In many North Indian traditional wedding ceremonies, haldi is applied to both, the groom and the bride, not only to make them look good with fresh glowing skins, but to ward off the evil eye. It is considered by the Hindus as a symbol of prosperity and as a cleansing herb for the whole body. Pieces of crushed roots mixed with seawater are sprinkled to remove the negative influences from places, persons, and things during ceremonies.

Indians therefore, are no strangers to the multiple uses of Turmeric (Curcuma longa). It is well recognized as the best anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, antiseptic and wound healer. Used in cooking as a spice for over 2,500 years, turmeric has a bitter, musty flavor similar to mustard. It is this spice that gives Indian curries their characteristic bright yellow-orange color.

The healing properties of turmeric have made it a most sought after ingredient in cosmetics and drugs, as the leaf oil and extract can also be used as sunscreens and bio-pesticides.


In fact, Turmeric has been in the global limelight for the granting of the controversial patent on it!

Its modern approved applications in European medicine, stem from its traditional uses in Asia. Turmeric is used extensively in the Indian systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha). It is used as a carminative and stomachic in the treatment of digestive disorders such as flatulence, bloating, and appetite loss. Turmeric is used internally as boiled powder, fresh juice, and confection and externally as paste, oil, ointment, and lotion. It is also applied topically for ulcers, wounds, eczema, and inflammations. In both the Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine, a turmeric paste is used topically to treat ulcers and scabies.

Turmeric, with its antibacterial action, prevents bacterial infections on wounds. Turmeric also has a long history of use for its anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects. As in India, it is used in China, Japan, and Korea for a range of indications including, Amenorrhea. Turmeric has been investigated for its cholagogous influence on the secretion of bile, pancreatic, and gastric juices. It is currently being evaluated for its anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties.


The roots are pounded and pressed to extract a juice that, when mixed with water, is helpful in earaches and to clear the sinuses through nasal application. The astringent qualities of turmeric are also useful in cases of consumption, tuberculosis, bronchitis, colds and asthma, the root being lightly cooked and eaten. At times, turmeric has been taken as a diuretic, and topically it can be helpful with pimples or to stop bleeding.

The active constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to have a wide range of therapeutic effects. It protects against free radical damage, as it is a strong antioxidant and reduces inflammation by reducing histamine levels. Curcumin has a protective effect on liver tissue exposed to liver damaging drugs and is traditionally used for liver ailments. Liver damage resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol or prolonged use of painkillers like paracetemol may be minimized to some extent.

Turmeric also protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds. Studies have shown that turmeric may help reduce cholesterol and also prevent the internal blood clots that trigger heart attack and strokes. There are promising results on the use of turmeric to treat cancer, as it is believed to inhibit the growth of lymphoma tumor cells.


Turmeric is extremely safe. It has been used in large quantities as a food, with no adverse reactions. However, persons with symptoms from gallstones should avoid turmeric. Turmeric’s potential anti-clotting effect might cause problems for those with clotting disorders. Unusually large amounts of turmeric consumption, may result in an upset stomach. Turmeric is best avoided during pregnancy, obstructive jaundice, hepatitis and acute bilious colic and should not be administered to people who suffer from stomach ulcers or hyperacidity.

Growing Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a plant of the ginger family, native to India and Southeast Asia. It is a perennial plant with pulpy, orange, tuberous roots that grow to about 2 feet in length. The aerial parts include large, lily-like leaves, a thick, squat, central flower spike, and funnel-shaped yellow flowers. It is largely cultivated in all parts of India, mainly in Chennai, Bengal, and Mumbai. It is also cultivated in China, Taiwan, Japan, Burma, Indonesia, and throughout the African continent.

Turmeric is without a stem, yet the overlapping clustered leaves appear to be growing out of a stem above the ground. The leaves are blade-like, 8 inches long by 3 inches wide, and rise to about 20 inches high, directly from the underground root. This root/rhizome grows its leaves much as the banana does.

Soil rich in humus, which is sandy in nature, is ideal for growing turmeric. The mother rhizome is kept beneath river sand, till the hot summer is over and is planted in June. Each germinating rhizome is planted at the distance of one, to one and half feet and watered in such a way, that there is no stagnation leading to root destruction.

After the rhizomes are planted, turmeric hides in the garden for three or more months, before it sprouts from the ground. The rhizomes are collected, leaving some, at the end of six months, so that the plant is perennial. This plant is usually dormant from about September to March, but the roots do survive and will revive to come up with green leaves once again. This plant can also be grown at home, in wide mouth pots of 2-ft height as the underground part is of use.

Arnica Flowers

Arnica Flowers

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Arnica montana
COMMON NAME : Leopard's bane, mountain tobacco, mountain snuff, wolf's bane


BOTANY

Arnica is a perennial that grows from 1 to 2 feet. 1,2 Its oval, opposite leaves form a basal rosette close to the soil surface. It has bright yellow, daisy like flow­ers.1-3 The dried flower heads are the primary parts used from the plant. The rhizome is also used.2,4 Arnica is native to the mountainous regions of Europe to southern Russia.3,4 The unrelated plant, monkshood (Aconitum spp) is sometimes referred to as wolf's bane.

HISTORY

Internal and external preparations made from the flowering heads of arnica have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Alcoholic tinctures were used by early settlers to treat sore throats, as a febrifuge, and to improve circulation. Homeopathic uses included the treat­ment of surgical or accidental trauma, as an analgesic, and in the treatment of postoperative thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolj,5 It has been used externally for acne, bruises, sprains and muscle aches, and as a general topical counterirritant. 6 Arnica has been used extensively in European folk medicine. German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was said to have drunk arnica tea to "ease" his angina.2 Arnica's bactericidal properties were employed for abrasions and gunshot wounds?

CHEMISTRY

A number of flavonoid glycosides have been identified in arnica. Flavonoids (0.4% to 0.6%)3 include betuletol, eupafolin, flavonol glucuronides his­pidulin, isorhamnetin, luteolin, patuletin, spinacetin, tricin, , -trihydroxy- -trimethoxyflavo ne, kaempferol, quercetin,9 and kaempferol and quercetin derivative,lO jaceosidin, and pectolin-arigenin. 4 Isomeric alcohols include arnidiol and foradiol.

Terpenoids in arnica include arnifolin, arnicolide,2 sesquit­erpenes (helenalin9 and helenalin derivatives, dihydro­helenalin, etc). Pseudoguaianolide helenalinmethacry­late, a helenalin ester, has been isolated from the flowers.

Amines present in the plant are betaine, choline, and trimethylamine. Coumarins include scopoletin and umbel liferone.

Carbohydrates such as mucilage and polysaccharides (ie, inulin) are found in arnica. Two homogeneous polysaccharides, for example, include an acidic arabino­3,6-galactan- protein, and a neutral fucogalactoxyloglu­can.13 Further polysaccharide isolation has been per­formed on a group of water-soluble acidic heteroglycaines.

Volatile oils (0.3% to 1 %) may be obtained from rhizomes and roots or from flower parts (used in perfumery)? Constituents in the oil include thymol, its derivatives, 2 and fatty acids (palmitic, linoleic, myristic, and linolenic).4 The fatty acid content in arnica leaf essential oil has been evaluated, as well.

Other components found in arnica include bitter com­pound arnicin, caffeic acid,7,9 carotenoids (alpha- and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein),4,9, 16 phytosterols, resin, tannins,2,4 and anthoxanthine.

PHARMACOLOGY

Not only is arnica employed in hair tonics, antidandruff preparations, perfumery, and cosmet­ics, it is used in herbal and homeopathic medicines as, wel1.4,7 The plant possesses a slight anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic effect, most likely due to the sesquit­erpene lactones. Helenalin and dihydrohelenalin exert mild anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity.6,9 They expressed anti-inflammatory activity in mice and rats,4 and in humans, as well. Arnica improved feelings of stiffness associated with hard physical exertion (vs pla­cebo) when tested in 36 marathon participants in a double-blinded, randomized trial. However, in another report, contradictory results were seen.
Patients who had impacted wisdom teeth removed re­ceived either metronidazole, arnica, or placebo. Metro­nidazole was more effective than arnica in controlling postoperative pain, inflammation, and healing. Patients receiving arnica had greater pain and inflammation than those receiving placebo.

Arnica contains a group of polysaccharides with 65% to 100% galacturonic acid that can inhibit the complement system, thereby modifying the immune system re­ponse.19 This polysaccharide displays marked phago­cytosis enhancement in vivo. Yet another compound

Arjuna

Arjuna

Botanical Name: Terminalia arjuna
Indian Name: Kahu

Origin, Distribution and Composition of Arjuna

Arjuna is a dense tree attaining a height of 20 to 27 metres. It has long, cone-shaped round leaves and white bark which gives out a milky juice when cut. Mainly, the bark of the tree is used in medicines.

This tree has been named Nadisarjja in the early Sanskrit treatises, wherein its bark has been described as a cardiac tonic. Vagbhatta, an eminent physician of ancient India, was the first to prescribe bark of this tree for heart diseases. Later, Chakradatta, another great Indian physician, described it as a tonic and an astringent, and used it in heart diseases. He recommended its use either as a decoction with milk and treacle water (syrup) or as a ghrita, a preparation with ghee or clarified butter.
Arjuna tree is indigenous to India. It is found throughout the sub-Himalayan tracts, the Deccan regions, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It grows chiefly along water channels or marshy belts.

The bark contains unusually large quantities of calcium, small amounts of aluminium and magnesium and tannins ---an astringent used in preparing leather and manufacturing ink. It also contains a crystalline compound arjunine, lactone, arjunetin essential oil, sugars and colouring matter.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

The bark of the arjuna tree is a cardiac stimulant and has cooling and tonic effects. It is useful in arresting secretion or bleeding. It helps to relieve fever. I t is also useful in removing calculi or stones formed in the urinary system; in promoting flow of bile; and in the healing of wounds.

Heart Disorders

The bark and preparations made from it are known to have a marked stimulant action on the heart. The practitioners of Indian system of medicine use them in conditions of cardiac failure and dropsy. Some practitioners of modern medicine believe in its stimulant effect on the heart and use it as a cardiac tonic. As a heart stimulant, either a decoction of the thick portion of the bark made with milk should be taken every morning on an empty stomach or its powder, in 0.75 to 2 grams doses, should be used with milk and jaggery.

Asthma

In Ayurveda, the bark of arjuna is considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. According to this system, a fine powder of the bark is made and stored in a well-corked bottle. The patient suffering from asthma should keep fast on the day of the full moon. A dish of condensed milk and rice (kheer) should be prepared and placed where the moonlight falls upon it the whole night. During the early hours, 12 grams of the powdered bark should be sprinkled over the kheer and taken by the patient to his satisfaction. He should not sleep for at least 12 hours after consumption. This is believed to provide relief.

Fractures and Contusions

The bark of the tree helps the bones to regain their strength after a fracture. The powder of the bark can be given with honey.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery

A decoction of the bark taken in doses of 15 to 30 grams may relieve patients of diarrhoea or dysentery.

Acne

An ointment made by mixing the bark and honey applied over the affected area, can treat acne successfully.

Other Disorders

The juice of fresh leaves of the tree can be used beneficially in earache. Ashes of the bark is also prescribed in scorpion sting. The decoction of the herb is used as an astringent for cleaning sores, ulcers and syphilitic sores.

Other Uses

Aphrodisiac: The powder of the bark is an effective sex stimulant, if taken with milk regularly over a period of time.

LIQUORICE or Jastimadhu

LIQUORICE (Jastimadhu)

Botanically it is called Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is a tall erect herb that may rise up to 1.5 m high. Leaves are compound containing leaflets in 4 to 7 pairs. The flowers are like lilac, small the fruits are 1.3 cm long, flat, densely covered allover with small spinous outgrowths. The rootstock gives numerous additional roots. The plant is grown in Kashmir, Debra Dun, Delhi etc.

The dried roots and underground stems of this plant constitute the drug. Liquorice is a house-hold remedy for coughs and cold, bronchitis, fevers, abdominal pains, consumption and epilepsy. It is also given in urinary and kidney disorders. The powder or small pieces of the drug are commonly taken with betel leaves. Liquorice is largely used in making syrup. It is also useful in gastric or peptic ulcers.

Benefit and uses of Liquorice.

• The liquorice root as beneficial in the treatment of coughs, colds, and other bronchial irritations.
  
• It is suggested for treatment of the spleen, liver and kidney. The use a licorice preparation to treat hepatitis.
  
• Creams containing whole liquorice can be used to treat Eczema, Psoriasis, and Herpes.
  
• Liquorice is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It can be used in the relief of abdominal colic.
  
• It is especially beneficial to smokers because of the anti-inflammatory action.
  
• It can help fight inflammation, viruses, ulcers and even cancer.

EMBLIC MYROBALAN (AMLA)

EMBLIC MYROBALAN / AMLA

Botanically it is known as Emblica officinalis. It contains vitamin C, amino acid, tannin, polyphenolic compounds, fixed oil, lipids and essential oils. It may be compared to 'Amrita' of heaven because of its magical healing powers. It is also known as 'Long-life Elixir'. It is a tonic, laxative, and rejuvenative and it increases longevity. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, has said, 'If one bites a piece of amlaki and swallows its juice everyday, he will remain free from all sorts of diseases and he will be ever young'. Emblic myrobalan cures many ailments like acidity, septic fever, biliary colic, vomiting, insomnia, defective vision etc.

The fruit is one of the richest sources of vitamin C; the fresh fruit is refrigerant, tonic, antiscorbutic, diuretic and laxative; it is used in fevers, hiccup, vomiting, indigestion, habitual constipation and other disorders of the digestive system. A decoction of the dried fruits is an efficacious douche in gonorrhoea; and an eye-wash in ophthalmia.

It is good liver tonic; raw fruits are cooling and mild laxatives. A fermented liquor made from the fruits is considered useful in indigestion anaemia, jaundice, certain heart complaints, cold in nose and for promoting urination. It is a very rich source of vitamin C. Certain experiments on patients of pulmonary tuberculosis showed that vitamin C of emblic fruits is more quickly assimilated in the human system than synthetic vitamin C; perhaps there certain unknown factors in the fruits responsible for this advantage. Dried fruits are useful in diarrhoea and dysentery.

Benefit and uses of amlaki:

• Its juice is highly effective in reducing blood pressure and keeping it normal.
  
• It juice is highly effective in curing acidity permanently, if taken daily for a month.
  
• Dim of vision can be restored to normal if its juice is taken daily after all principal meals.
  
• Its juice is a household remedy for septic fever.
  
• Its juice is an age-old remedy for biliary colic.
  
• It is very good for inducing sleep if its juice is taken before retiring to bed at night.
  
• Juice of Emblic myrobalan mixed with cocoanut oil may be applied on the hair-roots at night. It may stop further falling of hair and make the hair roots strong.
  
• Its juice is very effective in curing all sorts of vomiting, nausea, car-sickness, travel­sickness and sea-sickness.
  
• The juice of amlaki is a very powerful remedy for leucorrhoea.
  
• It can be cured by taking amlaki juice with honey twice or thrice daily.
  
• Its Juice is highly effective in curing all sorts of urinary and prostate gland disorders.
  
• It is also beneficial in leprocy and in checking the emanation of sperm and other vital humors thorough urine. It also cures constipation and develops the power of sight.
  
• If 20-25 grams of raw amla juice is taken midway during the lunch and dinner mixed with water, it strengthens the mind as well as the heart.
  
• A liquor made from the fermented fruits is prescribed as a treatment for indigestion, anemia, jaundice, some cardiac problems, nasal congestion and retention of urine.
  
• Amblic enhances production of Red Blood Cells. Strengthens teeth, hair and nails.
  
• Amblic very Powerful anti-inflammatory herb. Useful in hemorrhoids, gastritis and colitis.
  
• The regular use of Amla-Berry tablets can strengthen digestion, absorption and assimilation of food.
  
• It helps sharpen the intellect and mental functioning. It supports the nervous system and strengthens the senses.

Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain)

Trachyspermum ammi

English: Ajowan, omum, bishop's weed
Hindi: Ajwain
Sanskrit: Yavanika, agnivardhana

The name agnivardhana implies stimulation of the digestive fire or agni. It has been employed medicinally since ancient times and was described by the seer Charaka as useful in urticaria and as an antiflatulent and anticolic drug. Ajowan, with its characteristic aromatic smell and pungent taste, is widely used as a spice in curries, pickles, biscuits, confectionery and beverages. The crushed seeds are also dried for use in scented powders and pot pourri.

Habitat

The herb originated in the Mediterranean region and is now cultivated in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Commercial ajowan is mainly produced in India and grown throughout the country, mainly in the plains but also at higher altitudes. Under irrigation, it is grown extensively as a garden crop or in small fields. The plant also grows in Africa, China and other countries of central Asia.

Botanical description

An erect, glabrous or minutely pubescent, branched annual up to 30-90 cm tall (Plate 65). Stems striate; leaves rather distant, 2-3 pinnately divided, segments linear, ultimate segments 1-2.5 cm long. The flowers are white and small, occurring in terminal or lateral pedunculate, compound umbels. Fruits ovoid, muricate, cremocarps, 2-3 mm long, greyish brown; mericarps compressed, with distinct ridges and tubercular surface. The essential oil obtained from the seed is a yellowish-orange or reddish liquid with a herbaceous-spicy medicinal odour, much like thyme.

Parts used

Seed, oil.

Traditional and modern use

The seeds are carminative, stimulant and antispasmodic and are given in colic and diarrhoea. For the relief of flatulence andx dyspepsia, they may be eaten with betel leaves or rock salt and a mixture of the seeds and buttermilk is a commonly used expectorant. They are considered efficacious in sore throats, bronchitis and for habitual drunkenness and as a stimulating decongestant for the respiratory and digestive tracts. Internally the seeds are given for colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism and are a component of many important Ayurvedic formulations. Crude crystals from the oil, known as Ajwain-ka­phool, are used in stomach ache. In Unani medicine ajowan is used as a liver tonic, an antiinflammatory agent and for paralysis. The tincture, essential oil and extracted thymol have been used in Indian medicine to treat cholera. The distilled oil in water, sometimes known as 'omum water', is used as an antiseptic, to aid digestion and applied externally for relief of rheumatic and neuralgic pains. A paste of the seeds may be applied topically to relieve colic pains and a hot dry fomentation of the seeds is a household remedy for asthma. For relief of migraine and delirium the seeds are sometimes smoked or taken as snuff.

Ethnoveterinary usage

The seeds are used in stoppage of rumination and chewing the cud, pox, fever, mastitis, tympanitis, haematuria, ascites and indigestion.

Major chemical constituents

Monoterpenoids

The essential oil contains thymol as the major component, with p-cymene, dipentene, a-pinene, â-pinene, y-terpinene, camphene, myrcene, b-3-carene, limonene, carvacrol and others.

Glycosides

The seed contains 6-0-â-D­glucopyranosyloxyth ymol.

Fatty acids

Fixed oil extracted from the seeds was found to contain resin acids, palmitic acid, petroselenic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid.

Vitamins and trace elements

The fruit contains riboflavin, thiamin, nicotinic acid, carotene, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.

Medicinal and pharmacological activities

Antiplatelet activity: An ether extract of Trachyspermum ammi inhibited platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA), epinephrine and collagen. It reduced thromboxane B2 formation from added arachidonate in intact platelet preparations and also after stimulation with Ca2+ ionophore A23187. A direct action on cyclooxygenase was indicated as there was no effect on the release of AA from labelled platelets. An increased formation of lipoxygenase- derived products from exogenous AA in treated platelets was also observed, apparently due to the redirection of AA metabolism from the cyclooxygenase to the lipoxygenase pathway.

Hypotensive activity: In anaesthetised rats, thymol (1-10 mglkg) produced a dose­dependent fall in blood pressure and heart rate. These effects were not blocked by atropine (1 mg/kg) and thymol did not modify the presser response of norepinephrine, eliminating the possibility of cholinergic stimulation or adrenergic blockade. In spontaneously beating atria, thymol caused a decrease in force and rate of atrial contractions which remained unaltered in the presence of atropine. In rabbit aorta, thymol caused relaxation of norepinephrine­and potassium-induced contractions in a concentration- dependent manner. These relaxant effects remained unchanged after the removal of the endothelium. Moreover, atropine, propranolol, indomethacin and glibenclamide did not alter vasorelaxation, suggesting that thymol exhibits calcium channel blocking activity, which may explain the hypotensive and bradycardiac effects.

Inhibition of the hepatitis C virus: The methanol extract of Trachyspermum ammi showed inhibitory effects on hepatitis C virus protease, using in vitro assay methods. It showed 90% inhibition at 100 Ilglml.

Insecticidal activity: The oil of Trachyspermum spp. exhibited significant larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. It also produced significant metamorphic inhibition against Dysdercus koenigii, oviposition deterrence against Phthorimaea operculella and antifeedant effects against Spodoptera litura and Achoea
janata.

Uses of Asafoetida

Asafoetida

Botanical Name: Ferula fetid, Ferula northex
Indian Name: Hing

Origin, Distribution and Composition

Asafoetida is a resinous gum of a tall perennial herb, with robust carrot-shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures. Asafoetida has several varieties which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. It is grown in Iran and Afghanistan. The other species, known botanically as Ferula northex, grow abundantly in Kashmir, Western Tibet and Afghanistan. It forms a good substitute for asafoetida.

An analysis of asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8 per cent per 100 gms, moisture 16.0 per cent, protein 4.0 per cent, fat 1.1 per cent, minerals 7.0 per cent and fibre 4.1 per cent. Its mineral and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 297.
Asafoetida contains resin, gum, volatile oil and ash. The resin consists Chiefly of asaresinotennol, free or combined with ferulic acid. Umbelliferone seems to be present in the combined state.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

Asafoetida has been held in great esteem amongst indigenous medicines from the earliest times in India. It is reputed as a drug which expels wind from the stomach and counteracts any spasmodic disorders. It is also a nervine stimulant, digestive agent and a sedative.

Respiratory Disorders

Asafoetida is useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. About 3 to 6 centigrams of this gum, mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice and I teaspoon of betel leaf juice, taken thrice daily would keep the patient away from such disorders.

Hysteria

The herb is an effective remedy for hysteria. Inhaling this gum prevents hysterical attacks. An emulsion made by 2 grams of the gum with 120 mI of water is a valuable enema per rectum in treating hysteria, when oral dosage not advisable.

Impotency

The herb is beneficial in the treatment of impotency. Aboaut 6 centigrams of asafoetida should be fried in ghee and mixed with honey and a teaspoon of fresh latex of banyan tree. This mixture should be taken once daily for 40 days before sunrise. It is also considered a specific medicine for spennatorrhoea and premature ejaculation.

Children's Disorders

The herb is extensively used in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. There is an old European belief that a small piece of this gum, hung around a child's neck, would protect it from many diseases, especially germs which are sensitive to its particular odour.

Women's Ailments

The herb is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, unwanted abortion, pre-mature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea. About 12 centigrams of gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 grams of goat's fresh milk and a tablespoon of honey, should be given thrice daily for a month. It excites the secretion of progestrone hormone.

Asafoetida is also useful for women after childbirth. Owing to its antiflatulent and digestive properties, the herb can be taken with beneficial results during the post-delivery period. In southern India, the powder of the herb mixed with rice is given to women after delivery.

Stomach Disorders

The herb is an effective remedy for several diseases of the stomach. It is one of the best remedies available for flatulence and is an essential ingredient for most of the digestive powders.

In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach, asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth steeped in it may be used for fomenting the abdomen.

Toothache

Asafoetida is useful in alleviating toothache. After being pestled in lemon juice, it is slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth, relieves pain quickly.

Preparation and Doses: Asafoetida fried in ghee is administered either as a solution, emulsion or pills. The dose is 30 to 90 centigrams. The solution is made by thoroughly mixing 20 grams of the gum with half a liter of hot water. The dosage for adults is one to two tablespoons and one-fourth to half for children.

Other Uses

Antidote of Opium: The herb is used as an antidote of opium. Given in the same quantity as opium ingested by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug.

The gum resin is relished as a condiment in India and Iran where it is used to flavour curries, meatballs, daI and pickles. It is used in Europe and the United States in perfumes and for flavouring. The whole plant is used as a fresh vegetable.