Herb Review » asthma

Ajowan (Carum ajowan)

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:10:35 +0000

Ajowan (Carum ajowan): In the Middle East, ajowan water is often used for diarrhoea and wind and in India the seeds are a home remedy for indigestion and asthma. For reasons of both flavor and practicality its natural affinity is with starchy foods and legumes. Because of its thymol content, it is a strong germicide, anti-spasmodic, fungicide, and anthelmintic. Regular use of Ajwain leaves seems to prevent kidney stone formation. It also has aphrodisiac properties and the Ananga Ranga prescribes it for increasing the enjoyment of a husband in the flower of his life.

Ajwain is very useful in alleviating spasmodic pains of the stomach and intestines, in adults as well as children. Any colicky pain due to flatulence (gas), indigestion and infections in the intestines can easily be relieved by taking one teaspoonful of ajwain along with 2-3 pinches of common salt in warm water. Use half the dose in children. Mixed with buttermilk it is a good anti-acidic agent.

For chronic bronchitis and asthma, mix ajwain with jaggery (gur). Heat the mixture to make a paste and take 2 teaspoonsful twice a day. However, diabetics should not take this preparation because of the sugar content. It helps to bring out the mucus easily. It also helps in chronic cold.

In an acute attack of common cold or migraine headache, put ajwain powder in a thin cloth and smell this frequently. It gives tremendous symptomatic relief according to some Ayurvedic experts.

If people who consume excessive alcohol develop discomfort in the stomach, taking ajwain twice a day, will be very useful. It will also reduce the craving and desire for alcohol.

Ai Ye (Artemisia argyi)

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:43:13 +0000

Ai Ye (Artemisia argyi): The leaves have been found to have an antibacterial action, effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus typhi, B. dysenteriae, E. coli, B. subtilis, Pseudomonas etc. A volatile oil extracted from the plant is particularly effective in the treatment of bronchitis and asthma – the oil is sprayed into the throat and takes effect within one minute. The leaves are used to treat excessive bleeding during menstruation, bleeding during pregnancy or after labor, bleeding of the nose, vomiting of blood, blood in stools, diarrhea. They are also used in the treatment of sterility, dysmenorrhea, coughs, asthma and in moxibustion. The leaf stalks used to treat chronic dysentery, eye disease. Seeds are used to treat sweating at night, excessive gas in the system, tuberculosis, indigestion.

Aconite (Aconitum napellus)

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:22:36 +0000

Aconite (Aconitum napellus): Aconite is poisonous in all but the smallest doses and is rarely prescribed for internal use. More commonly, it is applied to unbroken skin to relieve pain from bruises or neurological conditions. In Ayurvedic medicine, aconite is used to treat neuralgia, asthma, and heart weakness. Aconite has been added to salves because of its painkilling action on neuralgia, lumbago, and rheumatism. The tincture has been given in one-drop doses for heart failure, high fevers, pneumonia, pleurisy and tonsillitis. Use only under a professional’s supervision.

Acacia, Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortilis)

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:14:00 +0000

Acacia, Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortilis): Leaves, bark, seeds, and a red gum are used in many local medicines. Two pharmacologically active compounds for treating asthma have been isolated from the bark. The stem of the tree is also used to treat diarrhea. The gum is used like that of gum arabics in folk remedies. The dried, powdered bark is used as a disinfectant in healing wounds; in Senegal it serves as an anthelmintic. In Somalia the stem is used to treat asthma. Seeds are taken to treat diarrhea. In French Guinea, the bark is used as a vermifuge and dusted onto skin ailments.