Lesser Known and Novel Ethnomedicinal plants Used by Kawar
Tribe
The present enumeration include family, botanical name, local name and herbarium collection number. Uses are supplemented with phytochemical and pharmacological data.

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Pergularia daemia (Forst) Chiov., Dudvel, 937.

Root extract mixed with cow milk is used as purgative. The leaf juice is valued as an expectorant. The fruit decoction is considered as antipyretic.

Plant contain bitter resins, glucosides and alkaloids. The glucoside possess physiological action on uterus similar to pituitrin and several sterols.
ASTERACEAE

Blumea eriantha DC., Dhanota, 2003

Herb boiled in water and warm water bath is prescribed for rheumatism and inflammations.

Ruangrungsi et al. isolated two new flavonoids from B. baalsamifera.

BORAGINACEAE

Trichodesma indicum (L.) R. Br., Bhooipala, 944.

One cup extract taken internally to cure skin diseases. It is applied on skin infections.

Incanine, Incanine-N-Oxide, Nikanine, Nikanine-N-Oxide, Supinine, Trichodesmine, Trichodesmine-N-Oxide alkaloids present. Hexacosane, Et-hexacosonate and 21,24-hexacosadi-enoic acid isolated.

COMBRETACEAE

Combretum ovalifolium Roxb., Madvel, 865.

Terminal panicle crushed and applied as a local antiseptic and antibiotic.

Cyanogenic glycosides, Saponins, Tannins, Alkaloids and Amines are present in different species of Combretum.
CELASTERACEAE

Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Peng, 4267.

Decoction of fruit taken internally to cure tuberculosis.

Sesquiterpene Ester, Alkaloids – Celpanin, Celapanigin, Celapigin present.

ERIOCAULACEAE

Eriocaulon quinquangulare L, Pungare, 3461.

One cup decoction of entire plant is prescribed three days after the menstrual cycle to cure sterility in female even if it persists after cycle.

Species of Eriocaulon contains 6-Hydroxy Flavonols, Quercetagetin, Patuletin, Quercetin, P-coumaric acid, Sinapic acid, ferulic acid and tannins.

FABACEAE

Desmodium velutinum (Willd.) DC, Dayampurka, 767.

Decoction of plant taken internally to cure abdominal troubles like diarrhoea, dysentery and stomach ache.

Tryptamine, Bufotenine, Gramine alkaloids present. a5 sterols isolated by Behari and Varshney. Isoflavones – Genistein, 2′-hydroxygenistein, dalber-gioidin, diphysolone, kievitone, phytoalexin and antifungal isoflavonoid Democarpin I (-)-(6aR; 11aR)-1, 9-dihydroxy-3methoxy-pterocarpin isolated from Desmodium gangeticum by Ingham and Dewick, 7-methyl ether of Apigenin-6-C-Glucoside isolated from D. caudatum.

LAMIACEAE

Pogostemon plectranthoides Desf., Bintalakeri, 7856.

Dried powder of this aromatic herb mixed with stem bark powder of Ailanthus excelsa. It is used as a narcotic snuff.

Cinnamic Aldehyde, Sesquiterpenes of Guianolide group and essential oils present in the species of Pogostemon.

Alkaloids were isolated from A. excelsa by Cordell et al. Bark contain c25H3408 1:2-deoxy-13-Formyl dianthinol and B-sitosterol. Antimicrobial activity is reported.

LYTHRACEAE

Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz., Lalzilbooli, 2248.

Root extract mixed with jaggery, pellets are prepared and given to cure leucorrhoea.

Octacosanol, IS-sitosterol, Chrysophanol-8-O-B-D-glu-copyranoside isolated from flowers (Chauhan eta/., 1979). Novel C-glycoside of gallic acid called Norbergenin present. Leaves yield Lupeol, S-sitosterol, betu-lin, urosolic acid.

MORACEAE

Bark boiled with the herb (Tenagocharis latifolia). The mixture is given in cough and asthma.

F. religiosa is a sacred plant of Hindus. Detailed phytochemical and pharmacological work has been done on this plant. Chemical analysis reveals the presence of Phytosterols, Saponins, Sapogenins. Parasympatholytic activity present in the plant.

POLYGONACEAE

Polygonum plebejum R.Br., Mangalgota, 783.

Extract given to man for 21 days to cure sterility. The causes of sterility was not specified by the tribals.

Polygonum species contain Raphides (Ca-oxalate), Cyanogenic glycosides, Leucoanthocyanins, Saponins, Qui-nones, Vitexin, 3′-hydroxy-resveratorol-3-glucoside, Flavones, 5C-glycosyl compounds, Orientin, Iso-orientin, Saponaritin, Flavonols, Kaemferols, Quercetin-3-B-L-arabinos”ide, Isoamyla-mine, Protocatechunic acid, Rhapontigenin reported. Antitumor and antimicrobial evaluation of P. densif/o-rum, P. hydropiperosides, P. lapathifolium, P. saggittatum, P. scandens are reported by Fransworth et al. Hydropipe-roside, a novel coumaryl glycoside and an unidentified b-lactone was reported from P. hydropiper. P. lapthifolium is effective against Staphylococcous aureus.

SOLANACEAE

Physalis minima L, Pophati, 3292.

Fruits are edible as vegetable. The plant extract fried with a copper piece to lessen constipation.

Alkaloids, Withaphysalin A,B,C and Flavonoids isolated by Raffauf, Glotter et ah., Ser.

STERCULIA CEAE

Helicteres isora L, Muradseng, 982

Fruits extract given to children in stomach ache and colic pain.

Diosgenin isolated by Barik et al. Esters-Tetratracontanyl and tetracontanoate reported. Tannins and mucilage present.

TAMARICACEAE

Tamarix eriocoides Rottel., Sonafar, 4643.

Extract given to women suffering from veneral diseases (gonorrhoea in particular).

Gypsum, Tannins, Coumarins, Flavonols isolated from various species of Tamarix. Polyphenols present in T. troupii & T aphylla. The Manna of Bedouins a pharmaceutical product is isolated from T.

VERBENA CEAE

Vitex negundo L., Nirgudi, 4361.
Plant parts (leaves, stem, peduncles, etc.) boiled in water and the decoction is prescribed for arthritis, inflammation and rheumatic pain. For Bronchitis the decoction js taken at frequent intervals.

Flavonoids, Flavone, Iridoid, Glucoside, Furanoeremophi-lane isolited. The bronchial relaxing effect was reported by Dayrit et al. In British pharmacopeia the plart is used as stimulant and diuretic.

VISCACEAE

Viscum  articulatum Burm., Bandha, 1574.

Extract is given to cure peptic tumour/ulcer.

Ethylamine, b-phenyl, Tyramine – alkaloids present. Tanninsl Cyclitols, D-pinitols, DL-inositol, Myoinositol, L-que-brachito-b-phenyl-ethylamine, Lupeol, Acetylcholine, Propionyl choline isolated from Viscum album. 2′-Hydroxy’4′, 6′-di-methoxy-chalcone-4-glucoside isolated in V. album. This species possess lecitms action on human erythrocytes. It has hyqtensive and depresant activity.
*25\218\2*

Medical textbooks dealing with the signs of old age mention all kinds of conditions that have as their cause the progressive deterioration of the body. Ossification of the cartilages increases, elasticity of the ligaments decreases, and the whole body becomes stiff, the entire bone structure bent. The joints are less flexible and moving them becomes more difficult, often painful. Walking becomes less safe and the person feels as if the joints lack lubrication, easily said after hearing them creak and crack! The memory deteriorates and the increased hardening of the blood vessels leads to high blood pressure. Strenuous physical effort and exposure to strong sunlight can no longer be tolerated but cause giddiness and the danger of a stroke.

This description is enough to make you lose a little of the joy of life if you are past sixty. But does it have to be like this? Is this fate immutable? Have a look at those who are much older and you will meet many eighty-year-olds who are full of vitality and energy, sometimes more so than other people who are only fifty. This reminds me of my grandmother’s sister who, at the age of ninety-six, was still able to read the newspaper without glasses. Her memory and mental alertness were so sharp that I had great admiration for her when I was a young man.

*1227/28/1*

The benefits of fresh air are far too little known and appreciated. One so often enters a bedroom, living room, study or work room and finds the air so heavy that it is almost impossible to breathe. These rooms should be aired frequently. A sickroom, in particular, requires a regular change of air because the exhaled gases and germs are harmful to both the sick person and those who care for him. Fresh air must be let in regularly. However, the question might arise as to whether it is wise to air rooms at a time when fuel is scarce or expensive? Heating engineers will answer that our concern is not at all warranted. The fire in a stove will not burn efficiently if it is deprived of oxygen. That is why we will benefit the fire if the room is ventilated frequently, though quickly, letting oxygen-rich air in. The room will heat up more quickly because fresh air becomes warm faster than stale air lacking oxygen.

In the case of a sick person, never deprive him of fresh air, even though he may have a fever. If he is properly covered he will not become chilled, and do not be surprised if I tell you that a fever patient cannot catch cold easily under normal circumstances. He is in fact overheated and a quick cold breath of air will do him no harm, so that you will have nothing to fear on this account. See that the sick person is well tucked up in bed, then open all the windows for a few moments. Nothing untoward can happen when this is done; on the contrary, the fresh air will help the patient on his way to recovery.

*1158/28/1*

If you have been able to travel extensively, your judgement in many things will be better than that of the person who has been used to looking at everything from the limited experience of his immediate environment and local events. Through travelling, we become acquainted with the art of many cooks and come to appreciate those who know how to prepare healthy and nourishing food and not only tasty dishes that merely appeal to the palate. In this respect, three entirely different types of cooking have impressed me no end: the French, Arabic and Chinese cuisines. Each of the three follows the principle that the art of cooking is based on the correct use of spices, seasonings and flavourings. Food that is naturally bland needs careful preparation and seasoning if it is to be made palatable so that we will want to eat it again. Simply adding plenty of salt will not achieve the desired result and cannot produce the flavour that the food lacks in the first place. Cooking is an art that some people develop naturally, but others have to learn it. What helps to make our food healthy and tasty are the herbal or vegetable seasonings that are added to it, certainly not just the use of salt.

*1089/28/1*

Date sugar and grape sugar, made from raisins and currants, are so valuable that everyone who is interested in his or her family’s health should make the effort to sweeten all fruit dishes with it. This would provide the entire family with valuable carbohydrates and the vital minerals and vitamins needed to prevent sickness.

In view of my observations I am sure I was right to give consideration to the problem of sugar while sitting in the shade of some Mesopotamian date palms. There and then I made up my mind to experiment with the valuable natural sugar of dates and come up with a product that pleases the taste buds and is also a healthy food. Indeed, every food item, and especially sweets, should be such that they cannot spoil our children’s teeth in the future. We want their teeth to be just as healthy as those of the Arab children who obtain their sugar from Mesopotamia’s date palms.

*1019/28/1*

You must observe an important rule when fasting; never begin a fast while feeling disturbed, annoyed or worried about something. A happy frame of mind is a natural medicine that stimulates the endocrine glands and keeps them at the peak of their efficiency. This is one reason why our modern way of life with its constant hustle and bustle, and its problems, worries and upsets, can damage our health so much.

How long should a dietary fast last? The answer to this will be

determined by the needs of the individual. Two or three days may be sufficient; however, having kept it up for three days, it is perhaps a pity to stop. The first three days are like climbing a high mountain with all its initial difficulties. Having scaled the hardest part, the worst is over and, to one’s surprise, the going becomes easy and enjoyable. So it is after the first three days of fasting. The body will have adapted to the change and can easily stand another five days. An eight-day fast, taking only fruit juice, will give your body a complete ‘spring clean’. If you suffer from arthritis, a condition that cannot easily be shifted, you will find it beneficial to continue the fast even longer. Remarkable men like John the Baptist, and a still more distinguished person, Jesus Christ himself, fasted. Of course they did it not for the purpose of cleansing their bodies, but to achieve the utmost mental concentration. As documented in the Scriptures, Christ fasted for forty days. It is an established fact that when great demands are made on the mind, fasting will help to make one’s thoughts crystal clear, one’s understanding precise and accurate.

*948/28/1*

Serious thought should be given to trying the oil cure for the elimination of gallstones if the patient is willing and thinks he can take 300-500 ml (V2-V4 pint) of oil in one go. Some might assume that this treatment works by the oil entering the gallbladder and cleansing it, but this is not so. The oil merely stimulates the profuse secretion of bile. It could be said that it causes a flood of bile which carries the small and medium-sized stones with it.

The oil used for this treatment should be unrefined. Whether it is the highly unsaturated fatty acids that make it more effective than refined oil has not yet been determined, although it seems quite possible. Unrefined olive, walnut, sunflower and poppy seed oils are all suitable.

*482/28/1*

Besides potato starch, grain starch may also cause or promote constipation. However, this is only true of denatured or refined cereals. The whole grain, on the other hand, neutralises the constipating effect because of its bran content. Rice starch is the least constipating of all; it is also easily digested and therefore recommended for infants and children. Since white rice has a depleted mineral content, only unprocessed brown rice should be included in a healthy diet. Moreover, brown rice can be most palatable when well prepared.

The cooking time for rice depends on the variety used. Italian rice cooks faster than the Asian variety. If you like the grains nice and firm, which is most beneficial for the digestion, do not overcook or soak for long periods of time. A variety that does not go soft during the usual cooking time can be briefly brought to the boil the following morning and left during the morning to soak in the rest of the water. All you need to add is the seasoning of your choice. Steam a clove of garlic, finely chopped parsley and a peeled, chopped tomato in a little oil and add to the rice to enhance its flavour. Or sprinkle with grated cheese and prepare au gratin. Placing sliced tomatoes on top is another tasty variation. When well prepared, brown rice is so palatable that even those who have always rejected it will enjoy it. This is apart from the fact that it is very nourishing. Before long you will find the taste of white rice insipid and will become accustomed to the darker colour of natural brown rice. If, however, you should still prefer a light-coloured variety, at least choose one that still contains most of its minerals, for example, the brands Avorio and Uncle Ben’s.

*426/28/1*

First God created the lifeless body, made up of billions and billions of cells; he caused the cells to live, to have in them the force of life (in Hebrew, ruahh). But for the life force to continue in the cells they needed oxygen, so God provided the body with the breath of life; man began to breathe because his lungs started to function. He was now alive, breathing, and began to feel and think – his existence as a living soul had begun. Thus the integrated whole of the body and mind, according to the Bible, is the living, sentient soul. Medically speaking, we must therefore treat man as a whole if any therapy is to be successful. Mental and emotional health go hand in hand with the physical, and vice versa.

*368/28/1*

Having been made aware of the value of a urine test, we should not consider it extravagant to have a comprehensive examination at least once a year. On several occasions I have been able to detect diabetes through a urine test. In these cases the patients have complained for years about tiredness and thirst but no one had ever linked these symptoms with diabetes. The urine analysis, however, proved it beyond a doubt.

In view of the demands of today’s ever-increasing pace of life, it is of paramount importance to care for our body at least as much as we look after our car. We all understand that it is more economical to rectify a problem with the car when it first shows up, before a major repair job becomes necessary through sheer neglect. Does our body not deserve the same consideration? Take, for example, our kidneys and think of the great demands they are subjected to; much pain and discomfort can be avoided later if prompt attention and constant care are given them.

*312/28/1*

Related Posts:

• THE SYMPTOMS OF OLD AGE
• FRESH AIR
• THE ART OF COOKING DEPENDS UPON PROPER SEASONING
• SUGAR – THE GOODNESS OF DATES – DATE SUGAR AND GRAPE SUGAR
• HELPFUL DIETS FOR THE SICK A – FASTING (GENERAL INFORMATION)
• OIL CURE FOR GALLSTONES
• DO STARCHY FOODS CAUSE CONSTIPATION? (GENERAL INFORMATION)
• THE MEANING OF THE WORD ‘SOUL’ – THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSES AND MENTAL DISORDERS
• HAEMORRHOIDS – INTRODUCTION
• HERBAL TREATMENT OF DIZZINESS, HYPOCHONDRIA AND INSOMNIA

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