Herb

Herbs are the culinary and medicinal plants. These are the low-growing aromatic plants which are used fresh or dried for seasoning, for their medicinal properties, or in perfumes. There are a wide variety of herbs such as super kelp, garlic, parsley, green tea extract, horse chestnut, milk thistle and oregano oil.

Herbs are very useful in strengthening the body and in treating the diseases. However they contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. So, they should be taken on the advice of an herbal practitioner.

Super KelpSuper kelp (also known as “Sea kelp” and “Sea wrack”) is a sea herb that is one of the best sources of natural iodine and trace elements. It is also used as the principle agent in cures for obesity. In addition, it cleans out the kidneys and stimulates the thyroid and pituitary gland to produce growth hormones.

GarlicGarlic is a natural anti-biotic and is used to disinfect wounds, treat ear infections, cholera and typhus. This herb is anti-fungal and anti-oxidant agent and can help lower cholesterol. It may also be beneficial for risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer. The excess of garlic can cause upset stomach/flatulence, occupational asthma, postoperative bleeding, bloating, bad breath, body odor, and skin irritation. People with bleeding disorders should not use garlic.

ParsleyParsley (Petroselinum) is one of the best known, diuretic and most nutritious herbs which contain large quantities of vitamins A, B, C and minerals calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. It’s very useful for kidney and urinary problems and water retention. Its usefulness can be judged by the saying: “if parsley is thrown into fishponds it will heal the sick fishes therein”.

Green Tea ExtractGreen tea extracts are one of the nature’s most powerful anti-oxidants. It helps prevent both heart disease and cancer by helping prevent vascular blood clotting and reducing cholesterol. It possesses antimicrobial properties that support immune-system health and protects against digestive and respiratory infections. The excess of green tea extracts may cause irritability, insomnia, heart palpitation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Horse chestnutHorse chestnut supports the vessels of our circulatory system and helps strengthen capillary cells and reduce fluid breakage. It is believed to be an excellent antioxidant to prevent wrinkles. It also helps in the treatments of phlebitis, varicosity and hemorrhoids.

Milk ThistleMilk thistle has some active substances that helps maintain healthy liver function by protecting the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins and alcohol. It is a herbal remedy for anthrax, asthma, bladder stones, cancer, catarrh, chest ailments, dropsy, fever, bleeding from the lungs or bronchia, hepatitis, rabies, jaundice, vaginal discharge, malaria, melancholy, piles, plague, pleurisy, spasms, and spleen and uterus problems. Taking excess of milk thistle may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash or other skin reactions, joint pain, impotence, and anaphylaxis. It should not be taken in pregnancy and while nursing.

Oregano OilThis herb has healing, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. It is used to treat a mildly upset stomach, bronchitis, nervous tension, insect bites, rheumatism, earache, toothaches and even athlete’s foot. It is also useful in relieve bloating, gas, urinary tract problems, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen glands, and lack of perspiration. In addition, it is as powerful as ‘morphine’ as a pain killer.

A Guide to the C Vitamin

The c vitamin has got to be the most widely known vitamin these days. It is not surprising because the body needs c vitamin for over 300 functions. In fact, the c vitamin has been proved to help protect against heart disease, cancer and other serious illnesses. Without the c vitamin the body would not be able to heal itself either. This is because the c vitamin is vital for the formation of collagen. Whenever a person has a cut or an injury it is the collagen that helps repair the damage and without sufficient c vitamin this would be almost impossible. Collagen has a multitude of functions in the body, including keeping the organs in place, and it would not be able to do this without sufficient c vitamin.
The c vitamin is also an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the c vitamin to maximise their usefulness. The more c vitamin that the body has, the better its defence against colds and other common ailments and the c vitamin may not prevent a person catching a virus but it does help speed up the recovery process.
There is c vitamin in almost every fruit and vegetable but some have far higher c vitamin content than others. Cranberries and melons have high c vitamin content. In fact, tropical fruits have the highest c vitamin amounts of all fruit. Hot peppers are amongst the richest sources of the c vitamin when it comes to vegetables. The hotter the pepper, the higher its c vitamin content is. Unfortunately, the c vitamin is water soluble so many vegetables lose their effectiveness as a c vitamin provider if they are boiled for a long time. Steaming or quick stir frying vegetables ensures that more of their c vitamin content is retained. The recommended daily amount of the c vitamin is easily obtained from eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day if they are consumed raw or cooked quickly.
C vitamin supplements are extremely useful to ensure that people obtain sufficient c vitamin. However, with a balanced diet the amount of c vitamin the body receives is likely to be sufficient. However, if a person begins feeling tired or lethargic then a c vitamin supplement will help overcome this. There is no danger of having too much c vitamin as the body simply excretes the excess.

Causes and Symptoms of Leukemia

The word leukemia is derived from two Greek words when combined together means white blood. Leukemia is the cancer of the blood or the bone marrow and can be classified in two types:
Acute Leukemia:
This type of leukemia occurs where DNA of immature blood is damaged. This results in the immature blood cells growing disorderly. Blood cells die all the while and are replaced by new blood cells which the bone marrow produces. However, abnormal blood cells do not die quickly and quickly crowd out the newer blood cells. It is this crowding out that makes the patient ill. Acute leukemia mostly affects children.
Acute leukemia can further be subdivided into Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Chronic Leukemia:
This is the rapid build up of mature but abnormal blood cells. Note that acute leukemia focuses on immature blood cells, chronic leukemia focuses on mature blood cells. This mostly affects older people and does not require immediate action compared to those suffering from acute leukemia.
Chronic leukemia can further be subdivided into Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Symptoms of leukemia are:
1. Poor Blood clotting
The clotting of the blood will be poor. This is because the new blood cells which are essential in the clotting process are being crowded out. This will make the sufferer bruise quite easily or bleed excessively. Sufferer may develop petechiae which are pinprick bleeds.
2. Suppressed immune system.
Since the normal blood cells have been suppressed or crowded out by the abnormal blood cells, the immune system of the body will be compromised. Note that the body’s immune system is built around the normal white blood cells. The results in the sufferer becoming prone to many opportunistic infections
3. AnemiaDue to insufficient amounts of healthy blood cells in the body system, the patient will develop anemia. Symptoms of this are pale skin and difficulty with breathing.
4. Other symptoms of leukemia are nausea, fatigue, headaches or the feeling of fullness caused by an inflated spleen or liver.
If you notice any of the above symptoms of leukemia, it is advisable you seek help fast.

ABOUT SROKE

Is it a stroke?Stroke disease is a disorder of brain function due to blood flow to the brain is impaired (reduced). As a result, nutrients and oxygen to the brain dbutuhkan not met properly. Cause there are two kinds of stroke, the presence of blockages in blood vessels (thrombus), and the presence of a ruptured blood vessel.
Generally the stroke suffered by the elderly, because of the aging process causes hardening and narrowing of blood vessels (arteriosclerosis) and the fat that clogs the arteries (atherosclerosis). But some recent cases show an increase in cases of stroke that occurs in adolescence and the reproductive age (15-40 years). At this class, the leading cause of stroke is stress, drug abuse, alcohol, heredity, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Causes of strokeIn the case of stroke adolescence, genetic factors (hereditary) is the major cause of stroke. Frequently encountered cases of stroke caused by blood vessels are fragile and easily broken, or the blood system disorders such as hemophilia and thalassemia disease is passed down from parents of patients. Meanwhile, if a family member with diabetes (diabetes), hypertension (high blood pressure), and heart disease, stroke likely to be larger in other family members.
The cause of stroke is a food with high levels of bad cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein) is very high. Koleserol this evil there is lots of junk food or fast food. In addition, other causes of stroke is a lazy habit of exercising and moving, lots of drinking alcohol, smoking, drug use and addictive substances, much less rest time, and prolonged stress. Rupture of blood vessels are also often caused by high blood pressure (hypertension).
Symptoms of a strokeEarly symptoms of stroke usually dizziness, head was spinning (such as vertigo disease), then followed with a speech impairment and mouth muscles. Other symptoms are tergangguanya taste sensor (can not feel anything, such as pinched or pricked needles) and the body feels paralyzed side, and the absence of reflexes. Often occur suddenly blind or blurred vision (due to the blood supply and oxygen to the eye is greatly reduced), disruption of taste in the mouth of the system and the muscles of the mouth (so often encountered people with a wry face), paralysis of the muscles of the body, and disruption system memory and emotion. Common people can not stop crying due to paralysis of the brain controls the emotions system. It makes people act like stroke sufferers of mental illness, but it's not. Things like this that need to be understood by the family of the patient.
The healing processThere are two main healing process which must be patient. First is the healing medicine in the hospital. Strict control should be done to keep the bad cholesterol can be lowered and did not grow up. In addition, patients are also prohibited from eating foods that can trigger a stroke such as junk food and salt (can lead to hypertension).
The healing process is fisiotherapy second, namely muscles exercises to restore muscle function and communication function so that approaching its original condition. Physiotherapy Physiotherapy conducted with instructors, and patients must adhere to the exercise performed. If Physiotherapy is not seriously undertaken, then the permanent paralysis can occur in the body which had suffered paralysis.

Healing in patients with stroke varies widely. There can be healed completely (100%), some are only 50% only. Healing depends on whether or not a severe stroke, the condition of the patient's body, in obedience to the patient undergoing the process of healing, perseverance and spirit of people to heal, as well as support and understanding from all family members of patients. Often found that stroke survivors can recover, but suffered from severe depression because their families do not want to understand and feel deeply troubled by illness (such as attitudes do not accept the circumstances of the patient, the harsh treatment because they have to clean up the patient, the nurse gave the patient who also treats patients with a rough, and so on). It is to be avoided if a family member who suffered a stroke.

Herbal Remedy for Papilla Mamae

What is Papilla Mamae?

Do you know what papilla mamae is? It is a name that is usually used to refer to nipple pain. On this article I will tell you a little about a home remedy to treat the pain. The medicinal plant that can be used to heal the pain is Zinniae Elegantis. It is a kind of flower that we often see in the garden. Look at the above photograph of the flower plant and you will be surprised to see that it is an effective remedy for various kinds of diseases or ailments. It is utterly insipid when you taste it. It also has a cooling effect or property when we drink or apply on the surface of our skin or nipple.

The Physical Appearance of Zinniae Elegantis

A few days ago I went to YAT Losmen to meet some Dutch tourists there. While waiting for them, I took some pictures of beautiful flowers around the lodge. In Indonesia, people call it kembang kertas meaning literally Paper Flower. Actually its names is Zinniae elegantis Herba. This flower plant likes to grow in open spaces that receive direct sunlight. We often see it in the park or in front of tropical houses. This is a popular decorative plant. It has also been cultivated as cut flower. Actually Zinnia elegance is originally from Mexico and can be found growing on the low lands to middle elevation ground up to 1,400 meters above sea level.

Zinnia elegans can grow up to 30-50 cm in upright position. The leaves and stalk are roughly hairy. Two leaves grow on opposite direction on each node of the stalk. The bases of the leaves hold the stalk like a node. The leaves are triangular with pointed tips. The bone of each leaf is slightly curved mostly covered with green color.  Each stalk has single flower blooming on the top of it. The flower has various colors from dark red, to yellow. People grow Zinnia elegans by dispersing its seeds on the ground.

Indication

Besides having the ability to cure nipple pain, this herb can also be used to cure such diseases as dysentery, whooping cough,  gonorrhea, and abscess.

Application

OK, now you know the plants and its use but you may wonder how to use the plant to treat the diseases. Depending on the type of illnesses, the herbs can be drunk or applied on the surface of the skin. For example, if you want to cure the whooping cough, you will need to drink the herbs. Boil 10 to 30 grams of the Zinnia herbs. When it is been boiling, turn off the stove and let it cool down for a while. After that you can drink it the water. For outer application, wash the fresh zinnia flower herbs and pound or grind them until they become soft. Apply them to the surfaces of your body that are being affected by such diseases as abscess, nipple pain and then cover them with bandage.

This article is not meant to replace the prescription from a doctor. This should be considered as an informative article which tries to explain that the diseases that we suffer from can be treated with certain medicinal plants. Please, consult your doctor or experienced herbalist to get better advice for your illnesses or ailments.

Studying Herbal Medicine in Kwau village of Arfak Mountains - the Scheme of Ecotourism Promotion

Last month, I went to Arfak Mountains that is located in Manokwari regency of West Papua Province, the Republic of Indonesia. I visited Kwau village. There, I met someone named Samuel Mandacan. He and his families have been learning herbal medicines using only plants that grow in the mountains. The village of Kwau is located far from the main road that connects the mountainous villages with the city of Manokwari. This makes the village quite isolated. So, the villagers or the indigenous people of Arfak mountains in Kwau village must rely on traditional medicines to cure the diseases. Until now the tradition of using herbs is still being preserved by Samuel Mandacan and his brother. Their local wisdom often amazed medical workers in the city because they are able to cure people in their worst condition. I am trying to promote the village to the world through eco-tourism scheme for people who are interested in studying herbal medicine.

Herbal Remedy for Abscess

Abscess is the accumulation of pus that develops under the skin of somebody as the reaction of his or her body to infection or to the presence of foreign material. I personally used to suffer from an abscess. I felt that it was very painful and it created a small swollen area. My skin where the abscess developed turned into red and was warm to the touch. The pus that formed or collected in a cavity created by the tissue of our body was part of infectious process.
If there is foreign object inside or near the pus area as the cause for the abscess, it has to be removed. If the abscess is not caused by it, the usual treatment is draining the pus.
Traditional Remedy for Curing Abscess
The indigenous Papuan people in New Guinea use resin from Orchid plant to drain pus from abscess. If we make a closer inspection to an tropical Orchid flower plant, we will see that it has a part which is called pseudo bulb. It is where the plant stores water and nutrients for it to survive when there is no rain. The water and the nutrients collected in the pseudo bulb is thick and sticky. Its viscosity is very high. This substance is used as herbal medicine for the treatment of abscess or boils.
To take the medicine from the orchid, first we need to cut one of the pseudo bulbs. Using a sharp knife, we need to peel it off so that the part that contains the sticky medicine will be exposed. Then, with the same knife or other sharp object, we need to scrape it little by little. We will get the resin and fiber of the orchid. If the fiber is too much, we can remove it.

How to use the medicine on the abscess
Apply the sticky and thick resin on the surface of the skin that suffers from abscess. Some people suggest that the affected area should then be covered with a piece of clean cloth. This herbal medicine from the orchid plant will "suck" the pus out of the abscess. When the pus has been drained, the abscess will dry and the skin will restore itself naturally.
It is amazing to see that the beautiful orchid flower from the tropical rainforest has very good medicinal merit for our health. So, it is very important for us to preserve the forest because there are still thousands of species of plants that can be used as herbal medicine that are important for our life.

Herbal Remedy for Bleeding

The Herbal remedy for the treatment of bleeding that I am going to discuss here is the cordyline leaves. If you see on the photograph, this plant has red and dark green as well as brown colors. The plant is usually used by people in Indonesia as border line land indicator. They plant cordyline at the corners or along the borders lines of their gardens or house yards because the cordyline has got bright red color. Cordyline can be found thriving in the lowland up to 1,900 meters above sea level.
Synonyms:
Cordyline fruticosa backer, C. terminalis planch., C.terminalis (L.) Kunth., Asparagus terminalis L., Dracaena terminalis Rich., Taetsia fruticosa Merr., convallaria fruticosa L.
The herbs name of this natural medicine is Cordylinae Folium (or Andong leaves)
The height of Cordyline is between 2 and 4 meters. The trunk is hard and round.
From the book about herbal medicine that I am reading at the moment, it says that young cordyline leaves can be eaten as vegetables. The mature leaves can also be used as wrappings for cooking rice which will eventually make the taste of the food delicious.

Properties and medicinal function of the plant
The taste of cordyline is sweet and insipid (or no taste). The plant has the medicinal merit of stopping the bleeding or "resfreshing" the blood. It can even destroy the blood clot in the bruised areas.

Chemical contents
The cordyline leaves contain saphonine, tanine, flavonoid, polyphenol, steroide, polysakaride, calcium oxalat, and iron.

Parts of the plant that can be used as medicine
Leaves, flowers, and roots have medicinal properties. Use the fresh herbs or the dried ones.

Indication
The cordyline leaves can be used to cure:
Lung tuberculosis especially when the patient is suffering from blood cough
Blood spots that come out during pregnancy (possibility of miscarriage), too much blood during menstruation (menorrhagia), blood in the urine(hematuria), and bleeding wounds.

How to use the herb
For drinking herbs, boil the leaves (15 to 30 grams), dried flower (9-15 grams) or roots (6-10 grams).
For external treatment, wash the cordyline leaves, cut them into small pieces and add 1 gram of salt. Grind the leaves until they are pulverized or fine. Apply it on the wound and wrap it with bandage.
Example of treatment
For bleeding urinary, bleeding cough, and too much blood during menstruation, boil fresh cordyline leaves (60 to 100 grams) or dry roots (30-60 grams) with 3 glasses of water until they become only 1 glass. Let it to cool down and filter it. Divide it into two equal parts. Drink it in the morning and afternoon.

The tropical rainforest has got a lot of species of plants that have medicinal functions. It is sad to see that at the present moment this rich natural environment is being cut for the exploitation of its wood and for the conversion of its land for monoculture plantation. We can help preserve the rainforest if we are able to exploit its non-timber forest product and improve the living condition of people living in and around the rainforest.