Velvet Health Dictionary

Linn.

Family: Menispermaceae.

Habitat: The tropical and subtropical parts of India.

English: Velvet-Leaf Pareira, Pareira Brava.

Ayurvedic: Paathaa, Ambashthaa, Varatiktaaa, Vriki, Aviddhakarni, Piluphalaa, Shreyashi.Bigger var., Raaja Paathaa, is equated with Stephania hernandifolia Walp.)

Unani: Paathaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Paadakkizhangu, Appatta.

Action: Root astringent, an- tispasmodic (used for cramps, painful menstruation), analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, antilithic and emmenagogue. Prescribed for diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, urogenital affections (cystitis, nephritis, menorrhagia) Root paste is applied topically on scabies and eruptions on the body. Also used for preventing miscarriage.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia attributed blood purifying properties to the root and indicated it in lactal disorders.

Hayatine (dl-beberine) is the principal alkaloid of the root. Its derivatives, methiodide and methochloride are reported to be potent neuromus- cular-blocking agents.

Not to be confused with Abuta grandiflora, a South American medicinal plant.

Dosage: Root—3-6 g powder. (API Vol. I.) the plant hastens fracture-healing by reducing the total convalescent period by 33% in experimental rats and dogs; it aids in recovery of the strength of the bones up to 90% in 6 weeks.

Dosage: Stem—10-20 ml juice. (API Vol. III.)... cissampelos pareira

Primula veris. N.O. Primulaceae.

Synonym: Herb Peter, Paigles, Palsywort.

Habitat: Moist pastures and open places.

Features ? Round, downy stem rising well above the leaves, which lie, rosette-like, on the ground. Leaves grow from the root, stalkless, undivided, velvety appearance similar to primrose leaves, but shorter and rounder. Yellow, tubular flowers bunch together on one stalk, each flower emerging from the same point, outer blossoms drooping.

Part used ? Corolla.

Action: Antispasmodic, sedative.

In the reduction of involuntary spasmodic movements, restlessness and similar symptoms. Used also in insomnia. The usual herbal infusion is taken in tablespoonfuls as required.

Both cowslip and primrose were at one time prescribed for rheumatism, gout and paralysis, but their value in these diseases has long since been disproved.... cowslip

Althea officinalis. N.O. Malvaceae.

Synonym: Guimauve, Mallards, Schloss Tea.

Habitat: Marshes near the sea.

Features ? This erect plant grows to a height of three feet, and is distinguishable from the Common Mallow by the velvety down covering the stem and leaves. Stems are round, the soft leaves being five-lobed below and three-lobed above. The pinkish- blue flowers appear in luxuriant axillar panicles between July and September. Roots are thick and fleshy, resembling those of the parsnip, and greyish-white outside, white and fibrous internally. The taste is mucilaginous and unpleasant, with only a very slight odour. The roots should be stored in a very dry place, or a yellowish matter of disagreeable smell will form.

Part used ? Root and leaves.

Action: The root is preferred, as the demulcent, emollient, diuretic and expectorant properties are present here in greater strength.

Marshmallow, usually in combination with other remedies, is taken

internally for coughs, colds and bronchitis. Its diuretic and emollient qualities adapt it to urinary complaints and, as there is no astringent action (indeed, there appears to be some relaxing effect) it is particularly suitable in the treatment of nephritis, cystitis and gravel.

The powdered or crushed fresh roots make a first-rate poultice, and the leaves also are used as a fomentation in inflammation. The addition of Slippery Elm powder improves the poultice, and the two remedies are frequently made up into an ointment for skin diseases, boils and ulcers.

The leaves are taken as an infusion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of boiling water frequently, in wineglass doses.

Culpeper relates a personal story about this herb:

"You may remember that not long since there was a raging disease called the bloody flux ; the College of Physicians not knowing what to make of it, called it The Plague in the Guts, for their wits were at ne plus ultra about it. My son was taken with the same disease ; myself being in the country, was sent for ; the only thing I gave him was Mallow bruised and boiled both in milk and drink ; in two days it cured him, and I have here to shew my thankfulness to God in communicating it to his creatures, leaving it to posterity."... marshmallow

(Vietnamese) Resembling velvet... nhung

One of the minute processes thickly distributed upon the inner surface of the small INTESTINE, giving it, to the naked eye, a velvety appearance, and greatly assisting absorption of digested food. (See also DIGESTION; ABSORPTION; ASSIMILATION.)... villus

n. an increase in the number of *prickle cells in the innermost layer of the epidermis, leading to thickening of the epidermis. Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by papillomatous growths, mainly in the armpits, neck, and groin, giving the skin a pigmented appearance and a velvety thickened texture. It may be associated with internal malignancy. Pseudoacanthosis nigricans is more common and is associated with obesity and *insulin resistance.... acanthosis

Coloration of the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes by melanin. The more melanin present, the darker the coloration. Blood pigments can also colour skin (such as in a bruise).

There are many abnormalities of pigmentation.

Patches of pale skin occur in psoriasis, pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, and vitiligo.

Albinism is caused by generalized melanin deficiency.

Phenylketonuria results in a reduced melanin level, making sufferers pale-skinned and fair-haired.

Areas of dark skin may be caused by disorders such as eczema or psoriasis, pityriasis versicolor, chloasma, or by some perfumes and cosmetics containing chemicals that cause photosensitivity.

Permanent areas of deep pigmentation, such as freckles and moles (see naevus), are usually due to an abnormality of melanocytes.

Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by dark patches of velvet-like, thickened skin.

Blood pigments may lead to abnormal colouring.

Excess of the bile pigment bilirubin in jaundice turns the skin yellow, and haemochromatosis turns the skin bronze.... pigmentation

Inula helenium

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

SYNONYMS: Helenium grandiflorum, Aster officinalis, A. helenium, inula, scabwort, alant, horseheal, yellow starwort, elf dock, wild sunflower, velvet dock, ‘essence d’aunée’.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A handsome perennial herb up to 1.5 metres high, with a stout stem covered in soft hairs. It has oval pointed leaves which are velvety underneath, large, yellow, daisy-like flowers and large, fleshy rhizome roots.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Europe and Asia, naturalized in North America. Cultivated in Europe (Belgium, France, Germany) and Asia (China, India). The oil is mainly produced from imported roots in southern France.

OTHER SPECIES: There are several varieties of Inula; the European and Asian species are slightly different having a harsher scent. Other varieties include golden samphire (I. crithmoides) and sweet inula (I. graveolens or I. odora), which share similar properties.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: A herb of ancient medical repute, which used to be candied and sold as a sweetmeat. It is used as an important spice, incense and medicine in the east. It is used in both western and eastern herbalism, mainly in the form of a tea for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough, disorders of the digestion, intestines and gall bladder and for skin disorders.

Current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for irritating cough or bronchitis. Elecampane root is the richest source of inulin.

ACTIONS: Alterative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, astringent, bactericidal, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, hyperglycaemic, hypotensive, stomachic, tonic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried roots and rhizomes. (An absolute and concrete are also produced in small quantities.)

CHARACTERISTICS: A semi-solid or viscous dark yellow or brownish liquid with a dry, soft, woody, honey-like odour, often containing crystals. It blends well with cananga, cinnamon, labdanum, lavender, mimosa, frankincense, orris, tuberose, violet, cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood, cypress, bergamot and oriental fragrances.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly sesquiterpene lactones, including alantolactone (or helenin), isolactone, dihydroisalantolactone, dihydralantolactone, alantic acid and azulene.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant; however it is a severe dermal sensitizer. In clinical tests it caused ‘extremely severe allergic reactions’ in twenty-three out of twenty-five volunteers. On the basis of these results it is recommended that the oil ‘should not be used on the skin at all’..

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None.

NB In Phytoguide I, sweet inula (I. odora or I. graveolens), a deep green oil, is described as ‘queen of mucolytic essential oils’, having properties as diverse as: ‘anti-inflammatory, hyperthermic, sedative, cardia-regulative, diuretic and depurative’.. It is described as being an excellent oil for the cardiopulmonary zone including asthma, chronic bronchitis and unproductive coughs. This variety of Inula seems to avoid the sensitization problems of elecampane, at least when it is used as an inhalation or by aerosol treatment.

OTHER USES: Alantolactone is used as an anthelmintic in Europe (it is also an excellent bactericide). The oil and absolute are used as fixatives and fragrance components in soaps, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes. Used as a flavour ingredient in alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and foodstuffs, especially desserts.... elecampane