www.malaysianherbals.com-Commiphora wightii- (58) gugulu

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Guggul

Guggul is sought for its gummy resin, which is harvested from the plant's bark through the process of tapping. In India andPakistan, guggul is cultivated commercially. The resin of the guggul plant, known as gum guggulu, has a fragrance similar to that of myrrh and is commonly used in incense and perfumes. It is the same product that was known in Hebrew, ancient Greek and Latin sources as bdellium.

Guggul can be purchased in a loosely packed form called dhoop, an incense from India, which is burned over hot coals. This produces a fragrant, dense smoke. The burning coals which let out the smoke are then carried around to different rooms and held in all corners for a few seconds. This is said to drive away evil spirits as well as remove the evil eye from the home and its family members.

Other Names: Gukkulu, Salaitree, Indian Bedellium, Rata-dummula, Guggula, Moql, Gugal, Mukul, Aphalatana, Mokhil, Bai- jahundana, Mogla, Duk, Maishakshi, Gugal, Maisatchi Kungiliyam, Gugara, Kou-shikaha, Guggul, Gum-gugul, Gukkal

Additional Info: The plant is indigenous to India. It excretes a resin, which, when fresh, is wet, fragrant, and characterized by golden hue. When diluted with water the substance forms an emulsion, when exposed to sun it melts, and may be burnt in fire. It is commonly applied as an alternative to costly myrrh.

Commiphora wightii is a flowering plant in the family Burseraceae. The guggul plant may be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is most common in northern India. It prefers arid and semi-arid climates and is tolerant of poor soil.

ommiphora wightii (Guggal, Guggul or Mukul myrrh tree) is a flowering plant in the family Burseraceae. The guggul plant may be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is most common in northern India. It prefers arid and semi-aridclimates and is tolerant of poor soil.

It is a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 4 m, with thin papery bark. The branches are thorny. The leaves are simple or trifoliate, the leaflets ovate, 1–5 cm long, 0.5–2.5 cm broad, irregularly toothed. It is gynodioecious, with some plants bearing bisexual and male flowers, and others with female flowers. The individual flowers are red to pink, with four small petals.Wikipedia

Guggul has been a key component in ancient Indian  Siddha ,Ayurvedic system of medicine. But has become so scarce because of its overuse in its two habitats in India where it is found — Gujarat and Rajasthan that the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has enlisted it in its Red Data List of endangered species.

Guggul produces a resinous sap known as gum guggul. The extract of this gum, called gugulipid, guggulipid or guglipid, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Hindu medicine, for nearly 3,000 years in India.^[1] The active ingredient in the extract is the steroid guggulsterone, which acts as an antagonist of the farnesoid X receptor, once believed to result in decreased cholesterol synthesis in the liver. However, several studies have been published that indicate no overall reduction in total cholesterol occurs using various dosages of guggulsterone, and levels of low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") increased in many people.

Cultivation and other uses

Guggul is sought for its gummy resin, which is harvested from the plant's bark through the process of tapping. In India andPakistan, guggul is cultivated commercially. The resin of the guggul plant, known as gum guggulu, has a fragrance similar to that of myrrh and is commonly used in incense and perfumes. It is the same product that was known in Hebrew, ancient Greek and Latin sources as bdellium.

Guggul can be purchased in a loosely packed form called dhoop, an incense from India, which is burned over hot coals. This produces a fragrant, dense smoke. The burning coals which let out the smoke are then carried around to different rooms and held in all corners for a few seconds. This is said to drive away evil spirits as well as remove the evil eye from the home and its family members.

Endangerment and rescue

'Save Guggul Movement' in Rajasthan, India

Because of its medicinal properties, guggul has been over harvested in much of its habitat, and has been listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Several efforts are in place to address this situation. India's National Medicinal Plants Board launched a project in Kutch District to cultivate 500 to 800 hectares (1,200 to 2,000 acres) of guggal while a grass-rootsconservation movement, led by IUCN associate Vineet Soni, has been started to educate guggal growers and harvesters in safe, sustainable harvesting methods.

Highly effective in the treatment of rheumatism, obesity, neurological and urinary disorders, tonsillitis, arthritis and a few other diseases. The fumes from burning guggul are recommended in hay- fever, chronic bronchitis and phytises. The gum resin is bitter, acrid, astringent, thermogenic, aromatic, expectorant, digestive, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, anodyne, antiseptic, demulcent, carminative, emmenagogue, haematinic, diuretic, lithontriptic, rejuvenating and general tonic. Guggulipid is hypocholesteremic. [MEDICINAL PLANTS by P. P. Joy, J. Thomas, Samuel Mathew, Baby P. Skaria]

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www.malaysianherbals.com-EUCALYPTUS TREE (57) நீலகிரி மரம்

EUCALYPTUS OBLIQUA

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Many places in Malaysia we can find Eucalyptus Trees. Only that we do not use it in our daily needs.



  Eucalyptus was first introduced from Australia to the rest of the world by Sir Joseph Banks,botanist, on the Cook expedition in 1770. It was subsequently introduced to many parts of the world, notably California, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Portugal,South Africa, Uganda, Israel, Galicia and Chile. On the order of 250 species are under cultivation in California.In Portugal and alsoSpain, eucalypts have been planted in pulpwood plantations. Eucalyptus are the basis for several industries, such as saw milling, pulp, charcoal and others. Several species have become invasive and are causing major problems for local ecosystems, mainly due to the absence of wildlife corridors and rotations management.


 Eucalypts have many uses which have made them economically important trees, and have become a cash crop in poor areas such as Timbuktu, Africa and the Peruvian Andes despite concerns that the trees are invasive in some countries like South Africa Best-known are perhaps the varieties karri and yellow box. Due to their fast growth, the foremost benefit of these trees is their wood. They can be chopped off at the root and grow back again. They provide many desirable characteristics for use as ornament, timber, firewood and pulpwood. It is also used in a number of industries, from fence posts and charcoal to cellulose extraction for biofuels. Fast growth also makes eucalypts suitable as windbreaks and to reduceerosion.

Eucalypts draw a tremendous amount of water from the soil through the process of transpiration. They have been planted (or re-planted) in some places to lower the water tableand reduce soil salination. Eucalypts have also been used as a way of reducing malaria by draining the soil in Algeria, Lebanon, Sicily^] elsewhere in Europe, in Caucasus (Western Georgia), and California.^[ Drainage removes swamps which provide a habitat for mosquito larvae, but can also destroy ecologically productive areas. This drainage is not limited to the soil surface, because the eucalyptus roots are up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length and can, depending on the location, even reach the phreatic zon                     

An essential oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves contains compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and can be toxic in large quantities. Several marsupial herbivores, notablykoalas and some possums, are relatively tolerant of it. The close correlation of these oils with other more potent toxins called formylated phloroglucinol compounds (euglobals, macrocarpals and sideroxylonals)^[14] allows koalas and other marsupial species to make food choices based on the smell of the leaves. For koalas, these compounds are the most important factor in leaf choice.

Eucalyptus flowers produce a great abundance of nectar, providing food for many pollinators including insects, birds, bats andpossums. Although eucalyptus trees are seemingly well-defended from herbivores by the oils and phenolic compounds, they have insect pests. These include the eucalyptus longhorn borer Phoracantha semipunctata and the aphid-like psyllids known as "bell lerps", both of which have become established as pests throughout the world wherever eucalypts are cultivated.

Eucalyptus flowers produce a great abundance of nectar, providing food for many pollinators including insects, birds, bats andpossums. Although eucalyptus trees are seemingly well-defended from herbivores by the oils and phenolic compounds, they have insect pests. These include the eucalyptus longhorn borer Phoracantha semipunctata and the aphid-like psyllids known as "bell lerps", both of which have become established as pests throughout the world wherever eucalypts are cultivated.

Fire hazard

Eucalyptus trees bent over due to the high winds and heat of the October 2007 California wildfires. They are located in the San Dieguito River Park of San Diego County and leaning west

Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable (ignited trees have been known to explode,^[8][16] bushfires can travel easily through the oil-rich air of the tree crowns.^[17][18] Eucalypts obtain their long-term fire survivability from their ability to regenerate from epicormic buds situated deep within their thick bark, and lignotubers,^[19] or by producing serotinous fruits.

In seasonally dry climates oaks are often fire-resistant, particularly in open grasslands, as a grass fire is insufficient to ignite the scattered trees. In contrast a eucalyptus forest tends to promote fire because of the volatile and highly combustible oils produced by the leaves, as well as the production of large amounts of litter which is high in phenolics, preventing its breakdown by fungi and thus accumulates as large amounts of dry, combustible fuel.Consequently, dense eucalypt plantings may be subject to catastrophic firestorms. In fact, almost thirty years before the Oakland firestorm of 1991, a study of eucalyptus in the area warned that the litter beneath the trees builds up very rapidly and should be regularly monitored and removed. It has been estimated that 70% of the energy released through the combustion of vegetation in the Oakland fire was due to eucalyptus In a National Park Service study, it was found that the fuel load (in tons per acre) of non-native eucalyptus woods is almost three times as great as native oak woodland.

Eucalyptus essential oil has many uses, and almost as many health benefits. Used appropriately and with care, eucalyptus oil can be an excellent addition to your alternative medications. It has a wide range of actions; being useful for muscle aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, and poor circulation; bronchitis, colds, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats, flu, and asthma; burns, blisters, cuts, insect bites, and as an insect repellent; as well as headaches and neuralgia.

CAUTION: Never take eucalyptus oil internally. Although eucalyptus is used as a flavoring ingredient in some cough drops, medications and foods; the pure essential oil is toxic in even small doses. In addition, it should not be used at all on anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, or epilepsy; and should never be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Eucalyptus oil should always be used diluted in a base oil like almond, coconut, or olive to prevent skin irritation; and should be kept away from eyes and mucus membranes. As long as these restrictions are followed, it is quite safe used externally. Although there are many possible uses, it is most effective for the following:

Eucalyptus Oil For Insects

- Bites:
 To ease the itching and irritation of insect bites, mix at the rate of 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil. Apply a drop or two of this mixture to bites, massaging in a circular motion and extending a bit past the bite itself.

யூகலிப்டஸ் மிக உயரமான மரமாகும். இந்தியாவில் நீலகிரி, ஆனை மலை, பழநி மலைத்தொடர் ஆகிய இடங்களில் வளர்க்கப்படுகிறது. பழங்குடியினரால் பல காலமாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டு வரும் எண்ணெய். இது சிறந்த நுண்ணுயிர் எதிரியாகும்.

சாம்பல் நிற சதைப்பற்று கொண்ட இலைகள் மிகுந்த எண்ணெய் சுரப்பிகளைக் கொண்டவை. இலைகளும், வேர்களும் மருத்துவ குண நலன்கள் கொண்டவை.

நறுமணம் கொண்ட இலைகளிலிருந்து பெறப்படும் எண்ணெய் எளிதில் ஆவியாகக் கூடியது.

இதை அழகிற்காகவும், காற்றின் வேகத்தைத் தடுப்பதற்காக சாலை ஓர மரங்களாகவும் வளர்க்கிறார்கள். இதன் எண்ணெய்க்காகவும், ரெசினிற்காகவும், மரத்திற்காகவும் பெருமளவு பயிரிடப்படுகிறது. உலகிலுள்ள மிக உயரமான மரங்களில் இவ்வகை ஒன்று. இதன் இலைகள் விறைப்பாகவும், தோல் போலவும் பல வடிவங்களில் இருக்கும். இதன் மலர்கள் பம்பர வடிவில் சிவப்பு, வெள்ளை அல்லது மஞ்சள் நிறத்தில் கொத்துக் கொத்தாக இருக்கும்.

கப்பல் கட்ட, தரைபோட, கருவிகள் செய்ய இம்மரங்கள் பெரிதும் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்றன. இதன் பசை போன்ற ரெசின் வயிற்றுப் போக்கை கட்டுப்படுத்துகிற மருந்தாக உபயோகப்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. ஒப்பனைப் பொருள்கள் செய்வதிலும், சோப்புகள் தயாரிப்பிலும் உபயோகிக்கப்படுகிறது.

காயங்களில் பாக்டீரியாக்களினால் ஏற்படும் சீழ்வடிதலைக் தடுக்கும். உடலில் வெப்பமுண்டாக்குவதால் மார்பு சளி, கோழை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நோய்களைத் தீர்க்கும்.

ப்ளேவனாய்டுகள், டேனின் மற்றும் ரெசின்கள் இருப்பதால் மாத்திரை, டிங்க்சர், வடிநீர் முதலியன தயாரிக்கப்படுகின்றன.

அழகுக்கூடும்…

Eucalyptus leaves and gumnuts form a full-frame background.

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www.malaysianherbals.com-South African Leaf -(107) NAN HUI YE

 NAN HUI YE 

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South Africa leaves

Summary : South Africa leaves the effectiveness of heat-clearing and detoxifying, feature heat and cooling blood, apply to lowering blood pressure, diabetes, wind-heat or blood-hot skin, and itching of the skin.

South African Plant or Pokok South Africa

That's the name of the plant’s cutting given by a two Chinese patients or rather cancer survivors. From just a small cutting, it grew to a considerable size, standing guard to the side entrance on the right, and on the left is the Momordica charantia plant, climbing the tall decorative plant. The other cutting - with me not really appreciating its value at that time - died on being neglected.



Just before Ramadan this year, i.e. since August 2008, I have been suffering a severe nagging pain in the left hip and had tried various remedies to no avail. Thought of it as possible bone metastasis. Then one day, a guy mentioned to DH that he heard people talking in the coffee shop, about one plant named "Pokok South Afrika" that is said to be good for all sorts of pain and chronic illnesses. Well, DH was excited and showed the plant to the man. He said the practice is by soaking three to four leaves in hot water, covering them and drinking the water after a while.



What we did was, we soaked 6 leaves in a mug of boiling hot water. Covered them for a while. DH drank the water and I ate the leaves. It was like making full use of the limited leaves. After five days, red spots appeared on our thighs. DH panicked and stopped, in spite of me telling him that it was probably healing crisis.

Well, I continued, but taking three to four young leaves with my rice. I chewed the bitter leaves with some rice and gravy at the beginning of my breakfast or lunch. After swallowing the leaves, after the bitterness cleared (not as bitter as Andrographis paniculata or Hempedu bumi leave, slightly less bitter than Elaphantos scaber or Daun tutup bumi), there is a subtle sweetness and what was more pleasing to me was the fact that the leaves took care of my appetite or craving.

In the past, after eating nasi lemak, I will be craving for a sandwich or whatever I saw other people were eating, but with the leaves, not only I was satiated by half pack of nasi lemak, but that was all, in fact for the rest of the day if I chose not to eat. No hunger pang, no craving. And yes, I forgot, the nagging pain is now just 10%, or rather I am not bothered by the pain anymore. That was after taking the leaves for a week. However, after the fasting month, I had also continued my twice a week jogging in the campus. That probably helped too.



Lilly Chew told me that the leaves from Pokok South Afrika is a "cure all." Saw Har, the other survivor who gave me the cutting, told me that she knew one lady who had cancer of uterus or ovary, and while waiting for op day, had taken the leaves regularly and pre-op ultra sound showed that the tumour had regressed and the op was cancelled. I am sure, that lady had other healing practices.

We usually hear such fantastic story about others who tried recommended remedy. I really don’t know whether it is truly a cure. Well, placebo is also a cure, what I called “faith at work.” What I know is that I can’t afford to wait for its therapeutic trials whether in animal or in human, but what I knew from taking the leaves is that it works for me. I guess those recommended herbs that are bitter, are good for us survivors. The bitter the better. Probably the bitter chemical inhibit the growth factor for tumour or cancer. ANY ONE KNOWING THE SCIENTIFIC NAME, PLEASE HELP!

Well, so much for medicinal herbs. By the way some of the shrubs and trees in my garden are turning into other live forms.

Labels: Pokok South Africa, South African plant

   
                   

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