(e.g. HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhoea, and genetic disorders). Insemination is performed at the time of ovulation by introducing the semen into the upper vagina. Semen may be fresh or have been stored frozen in liquid nitrogen. (See ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION.)... donor insemination
Habitat: Native to Mediterranean region; found in Kashmir, Assam and the Nilgiris, also grown in hedges.
English: Great Reed, Spanish- Bamboo-Reed, Giant-Bamboo- Reed.Ayurvedic: Nala, Potgala, Shuunya- madhya, Dhamana.Siddha/Tamil: Korukkai.Action: Rhizome—sudorific, emollient, diuretic, antilactant, antidropsical; uterine stimulant (stimulates menstrual discharge), hypotensive.
The rhizome yields indole-3-alkyl- amine bases, including bufotenidine and dehydro-bufontenine. The leaves yield sterols and triterpenoids.Bufotenidine possesses antiacetyl- choline properties, histamine release activity and is a uterine stimulant. Alkaloids from the flowers produced cu- rarimetic effect of the non-polarizing type.Dosage: Root—50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.) 4.5%) with methyl eugenol (an important constituent of A. europaeum), and also aristolochic acid. (Aristolochic acid is carcinogenic and nephrotoxic.) Asarum sp. are not used as a substitute for ginger.... arundo donaxThere are strict regulations about how death should be diagnosed before organs can be removed for transplantation, and potential donors must satisfy the BRAIN-STEM DEATH criteria, performed twice by two doctors who are independent of the transplant team. There is a great shortage of suitable organs for donation – partly because they must be in excellent condition if the operation is to be a success. Some medical conditions or modes of death make people unsuitable as organ donors; this makes it all the more important that people should be encouraged to donate their organs. People who wish to do so can carry a special card indicating their willingness to become donors in the event of their death. These cards can be obtained from various sources, including hospitals, GPs’ surgeries and many public buildings such as libraries. In the UK, informed positive approval from the patient, or relatives, is required.
Information about becoming a blood donor can be obtained by telephoning 0845–7 711
711. Those who wish to bequeath their bodies for dissection purposes should get in touch with HM Inspector of Anatomy. Other would-be organ donors may contact the British Organ Donor Society.... donors
Habitat: The alpine Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh to Bhutan, from 3,000 to 5,000 m.
Folk: Taalisri (Punjab), Taalish (Tibet), Tazaktsum, Taalis-faz (Kashmir).Action: Leaves—stimulant. The plant yields an incense. The leaves of R. anthopogon get mixed up with those of Abies webbiana (used for respiratory diseases).
The leaves contain quercetin, myri- cetin, taxifolin, kaempferol derivatives, ursolic acid and its acetate, epi- friedinol, beta-sitosterol, betulinic acid and rutin.The leaves of R. lepidotum Wall. ex G. Don, known as Taalisfur in Punjab; and R. setosum D. Don, known as Tsalluo in Bhutan, possess properties similar to those of R. anthopogon.... rhododendron anthopogonHabitat: The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, the Nilgiris, Khasi Hills and Travancore.
English: Tree-Rhododendron, Rose-Tree.Folk: Burans (Kumaon), Kurbak, Pullaas.Action: Leaf—anticephalalgic (applied to the forehead). Leaf and stem-bark—spasmolytic. Flowers— used in diarrhoea and dysentery.
The green leaves contain a gluco- side, ericolin. The extracts of leaves, stems and bark cause hypotension in cats and inhibit intestinal movements in rabbits. The acetone and chloroform extracts and a resinous fraction from the alcoholic extract of leaves depress respiration. The petroleum ether extract decreases the rate of heartbeat and contraction in isolated heart of frog.An alcoholic (50%) extract of the flowers lowered blood pressure in dogs and albino rats.Cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyani- din-3-arbinoside are present in the pigments of flowers. The leaves of var. nilgiricum and var. cinnamonum contain ursolic acid, friedelin, epifrie- delanol, quercetin. A triterpenoid, campanulin, has been isolated from the leaves of var. nilagaricum.... rhododendron arboreumFamily: Ericaceae.
Habitat: The Himalayas from Kumaon to Bhutan, extending to Assam.
English: Giantblood Rhododendron.Folk: Chimal (Nepal), Kurbak, Guraans.Action: Respiratory depressant, emetic, toxic.
The leaves and flowers gave an- dromedotoxin which resembles tertiary amine veratrum alkaloids, particularly protoveratrine, in pharmacological action. Intravenous administration of andromedotoxin to dogs resulted in 20-40% reduction in blood pressure. It also closely resembles protoveratrine in its stimulating effect on the barostatic-pressor-reflex- mechanism, respiratory effects and emetic action. It produces reflex va- sodepressor responses in intact animals; in debuffered dogs, it produced vasopressor responses. It also produced, both direct and indirect, positive ionotropic effects, the latter being more pronounced.The leaves contain ursolic acid, alpha-amyrin, epi-friedelinol, cam- panulin and hyperoside. Chloroform extract of the leaves and shoots showed a depressant action. The honey from flowers is poisonous; contains an- dromedotoxin.... rhododendron barbatumHabitat: Throughout the Himalayas at altitudes of 2,400-5,200 m.
Folk: Chimal (Kumaon, Nepal), Gagger vurmi, Nichnai (Kashmir). Cherailu, Taalis-far.Action: Leaves—used in chronic rheumatism and sciatica. As a snuff, in colds and hemicrania.
The leaves gave a toxic substance which resembles andromedotoxin; besides ericolin, ursolic acid, alpha-amy- rin, friedelin, epi-friedelinol, campan- ulin, quercitin. The pigments of flowers contain myricetin and quercetin.Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of leaves, stems and flowers lower blood pressure in cats and inhibit intestinal movements in rabbits.... rhododendron campanulatumHabitat: Eastern Himalayas, extending into the Balipura tract and Aka hills of Assam at altitudes of 2,100-4,000 m.
Folk: Balu, Sanu, Chimal (Nepal).Action: Plant—vasodepressor.
The plant contains a toxic principle, andromedotoxin. The leaves are reported to contain friedelin, epi- friedelinol, alpha-amyrin, campanulin, ursolic acid, triterpenes and quercetin.The flowers are reported to be poisonous.R.falconeri Hook. f., known as Ko- rlinga in Nepal, Kegu and Kalma in Bhutan, is found in the Himalayas from Nepal to Bhutan, Aka Hills, Naga Hills and Manipur at altitudes of 2,1004,300 m.The leaves and stem contain an- dromedotoxin; leaves also contain ur- solic acid, alpha-amyrin, friedelin, campanulin and quercetin. The flowers contain 3-rhamnoside and 3-galacto- side of quercetin. The bark gave taraxe- rol, betulinic acid and quercetin.Petroleum ether extract of the leaves and stems lowers blood pressure in cats and inhibits intestinal movements in rabbits.... rhododendron cinnabarinumAction: antispasmodic, analgesic (mild), blood purifier, circulatory stimulant, hormone regulator, nutritive.
Uses: Covers a wide range of female disorders: amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, menopause. Cramps. Hypothermia. Infertility. Sleeplessness, nerve debility, high blood pressure. Toxic shock syndrome.
Asthma. Hay fever. Osteoporosis. Anaemia; particularly in Asian women. To heighten resistance against disease. Avoid in pregnancy.
Preparations: Thrice daily.
Dried root. One heaped teaspoon in cup water gently simmered 20 minutes, dose: half a cup.
Liquid Extract (1:1) half-2ml (quarter to half a teaspoon).
Tincture (1:5) 4-6ml (1-1 and a half teaspoons).
Powder (4:1) quarter to half a gram.
Note: Referred to in the East as “female Ginseng”. Most popular “female” herb in the Far East. ... dong quai
Donated blood is tested for a range of infectious agents such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C and antibodies to HIV. After being classified into blood groups, the blood is stored in a blood bank, either whole or separated into its different components (see blood products). Apheresis is a type of blood donation in which only a specific blood component, such as plasma, platelets, or white cells, is withdrawn from the donor. blood film A test that involves smearing a drop of blood on to a glass slide for examination under a microscope. The blood film is stained with dyes to make the blood cells show up clearly.
The test allows the shape and appearance of blood cells to be checked for any abnormality, such as the sickleshaped red blood cells characteristic of sickle cell anaemia.
The relative proportions of the different types of white blood cells can also be counted.
This examination, called a differential white cell count, may be helpful in diagnosing infection or leukaemia.
Blood films are also used in diagnosing infections, such as malaria, in which the parasites can be seen inside the red blood cells.
Blood films are usually carried out together with a full blood count.... blood donation
Most organs for transplantation, such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, are removed immediately after death, often in intensive care units where heart and lung function is sometimes maintained by machine after brain death been certified.
Compatible living donors may also be able to give a kidney (see tissue-typing).
People can facilitate use of their organs after death by informing relatives and carrying a donor card.
(See also corneal graft; heart–lung transplant; heart transplant; heart-valve surgery; kidney transplant; liver transplant.)... organ donation
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