Professional Documents
Culture Documents
An herb is a plant whose properties allow its use as a medicine. Most of the
herbs we use today as seasoning were originally medicines. They served for
centuries as the principle medicines of the times. They were kept in
pharmacies in dried form for availability all year.
They have been human medicine for all of our history and are still the main
medicine for much of the world. Some are well researched and proven
effective; others have been around for hundreds of years and stand on
empirical evidence.
Herbs do work; however, you must have the right herb for the right situation,
for the right body, at the right time.
Many people incorrectly assure that remedies used for centuries must be safe.
Unfortunately, we have learns in recent years that many traditional herbs have
dangerous, and even fatal, side effects.
Herbal remedies may be natural, but that doesn't make them safe and we
need to be well informed about the optimum dosage as well as about possible
side effects and what are called "contra-indications" in the medical profession.
After all, before a doctor prescribes a drug to you, he will refer to your medical
history and question you about your life style.
Most common herbs are safe as food. However, many contain potent chemical
constituents that can harm if used carelessly, and some of the most virulent of
poisons come from plants, (egg: poison hemlock and night shade) which can
be deadly although they are sold as herbs.
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There is also the fact that for every substance in the world, there is someone
who is allergic to it. So all herbs should be used with caution and respect.
Risks of Herbs
. Medical interactions
. Residues of herb in food room farm animals (egg: eggs, milk, and meat).
. An herbal remedy may cause harm which is unanticipated due to lack of full
understanding of its composition and biochemical effects.
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. Infections (antiseptic, bladder infection)
3. Ephedrine: decongestant
Bronchodilator in asthma
4. Licorice: antiviral
Finally, herbs won't replace pharmaceuticals, but the research shows that
for many conditions herbs work well, are cheaper than drugs and cause fewer
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side effects. Herbs aren't quite main stream, but they are moving in that
direction. Patients are interested in them, and doctors are increasingly familiar
with herb research.
Hypertension
Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the
heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force
and amount of blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries.
Normal blood pressure is agreed to be less than 120/80 mmHg, while those
who have blood pressure between 120/80 mmHg to 139/89 mmHg are defined
as "prehypertensive". Prehypertension is not a disease category; rather, it is a
designation chosen to identify individuals at high risk of developing
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hypertension. Some organizations consider the blood pressure of value
115/75 mm Hg should be the gold standard.
There are two stages of hypertension, the first stage is when blood pressure
reading lies between 140/90 and 159/99. and the second stage is when the
reading exceeds 160/100.
There are certain groups of patients that blood pressure shouldn't exceed
certain levels , like in diabetic patients the blood pressure shouldn't be more
than 130/80.
Hypertension is often confused with mental tension, stress and anxiety. While
chronic anxiety is associated with poor outcomes in people with hypertension,
it alone does not cause it.
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Etiology of Essential Hypertension
Environment
Salt Sensitivity
Sodium is the environmental factor that has received the greatest attention. It
is to be noted that approximately 60% of the essential hypertension population
is responsive to sodium intake.
Role of Renin
Insulin Resistance
Genetics
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animal studies as well as in population studies in humans. Most of these
studies support the concept that the inheritance is probably multifactorial or
that a number of different genetic defects each have an elevated blood
pressure as one of their phenotypic expressions.
Other Etiologies
There are some anecdotal or transient causes of high blood pressure. These
are not to be confused with the disease called hypertension in which there is
an intrinsic physiopathological mechanism.
- Renal Hypertension
- Adrenal Hypertension
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In patients with pheochromocytoma increased secretion of catecholamines
such as epinephrine and norepinephrine by a tumor (most often located in the
adrenal medulla) causes excessive stimulation of [adrenergic receptors],
which results in peripheral vasoconstriction and cardiac stimulation. This
diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating increased urinary excretion of
epinephrine and norepinephrine and/or their metabolites (vanillylmandelic
acid).
- Hypercalcemia
- Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which people repeatedly stop breathing for short
periods of time (10-30 seconds) during their sleep. This condition is often
associated with obesity, although it can have other causes such as airway
obstruction or disorders of the central nervous system. These individuals have
a higher incidence of hypertension. The mechanism of hypertension may be
related to sympathetic activation and hormonal changes associated with
repeated periods of apnea-induced hypoxia and hypercapnea, and from stress
associated with the loss of sleep.
- Stress
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elevation of angiotensin II and catecholamines can lead to cardiac and
vascular hypertrophy, both of which can contribute to a sustained increase in
blood pressure.
- Hyper- or hypothyroidism
-Preeclampsia
Coarctation, or narrowing of the aorta (typically just distal to the left subclavian
artery), is a congenital defect that obstructs aortic outflow leading to elevated
pressures proximal to the coarctation (i.e., elevated arterial pressures in the
head and arms). Distal pressures, however, are not necessarily reduced as
would be expected from the hemodynamics associated with a stenosis. The
reason for this is that reduced systemic blood flow, and in particular reduced
renal blood flow, leads to an increase in the release of 9ennin and an
activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This in turn elevates
blood volume and arterial pressure. Although the aortic arch and carotid sinus
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baroreceptors are exposed to higher than normal pressures, the baroreceptor
reflex in blunted due to structural changes in the walls of vessels where the
baroreceptors are located. Also, baroreceptors become desensitized to
chronic elevation in pressure and become "reset" to the higher pressure.
-Diet
-Age
Over time, the number of collagen fibers in artery and arteriole walls
increases, making blood vessels stiffer. With the reduced elasticity comes a
smaller cross-sectional area in systole, and so a raised mean arterial blood
pressure.
Routine tests
• Cholesterol
Complications of hypertension
• heart attacks
• aortic dissection
• kidney failure
• stroke
• brain damage
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• loss of vision
• Bone weakening
• Other complications
Treatment of Hypertension
Second: medications
There are many drugs used to control hypertension , like ACE inhibitors ,
ARBs, alpha blockers, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,
Diuretics……..etc. The choice of medicine is differs from one patient to
another according to patient's condition and history. Usually more than
one drug are administered to control hypertension.
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Marjoram
Origanum vulgare
Simple description:
The name Origanum is derived from the greek oros gonos,which means
‘joy of mountain’.The Romans introduced the plant to Britian,mainly as a
preserving and disinfectant herb.
The dried herb is often more flavourful than the fresh leaves.
Origin
Main constituents:
1- The essential oil (max. 4%) may contain variable amounts of the two
phenols, carvacrol and thymol.
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2- variety of monoterpene hydrocarbons (limonene, terpinene, ocimene,
caryophyllene, β-bisabolene and p-cymene) and monoterpene alcohols
(linalool, 4-terpineol) are reported.
3- Rosmarinic acid
Uses:
1-it was proved by the scientific researches that this plant has a great anti-
oxidant activity which has a great effect in the treatment of arthritis and this is
attributed to the presence of the Rosmarinic acid which has anti-viral and
antibacterial effect..so it’s recommended to drink it as tea daily or take it with
salade or any other food like pizza.
Also the anti oxidantant activity of this plant helps in preventing glaucoma.
4-emmenagogue.
7-it was proved by researches that extracts of this herb have a great effect as
a stimulant for the immune system so can be used to treat
depression(psychologically).
Herbal therapy:the herb has weak antispasmodic properities and can be used
to help in the digestion also helpful for cold and flu and nervous tension.
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flower therapy:collecting the flower during early summer and potentise using
the sun method.Mrjoram can be used for soothing the nerves.
Special Precautions
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• Avoid during pregnancy(due to its ability to promote menstruation)
although adverse effects are extremely unlikely.
• Women who experience heavy menstruation should avoid marjoram.
• The herb is not recommended for infants and small children.
Toxicity:researches indicated that this herb is safe till 5gm/1kg of the body
weight-the continous use of this herb for two monthes cause no troubles for
kidney or liver which indicate the safety of the continous use of this herb.
Purslaneبذر الرجلة
( ).Portulaca oleracea L
.English name:Purslane.
:Arabic name .
.Latin name:Portulaca oleracea L.
.Official name:Little Hogweed.
.Family:Portulacaceae.
.Part use:Herb,,juice,and seeds.
Description
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yellow leaves, but is a larger plant and is not weedy.
.Chemical compound:
2-Some of the biologically active include free oxalic acids, alkaloids, omega-3
fatty acids, coumarins,flavonoids, cardiac glycosides,andanthraquinone
glycosides.
:Medical uses .
1-Ti contain mora Omega-3 fatty acid so ti aid the body in the production of
compound that effect blood pressure,clottin ,the immune system,prevent
inflammation,lower cholesterol(LDL),prevent certain cancers and control
coronary spasms.
2-Ti have positive effect on the brain and may aid in such condition as
depression,bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's
disease,autism,schizophrenia,attention deficit disorder,hyperactivity and
magrain.
3-Ti used in constipation and inflammation of the urinary system.
4-The fresh juice is used in the treatment of coughs and sores.
5-The leaves are poulticed and applied to burns, both they and the plant juice
are particularly effective in the skin disease and insect stings.
6-A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of stomach aches and
headaches.
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7-Purslane is beneficial in urinary and digestive problems, has antifungal and
antimicrobial effects, is high in vitamins and minerals, and has been used as
food source.
9-Purslane herb has also been used as a purgative, cardiac tonic, emollient,
muscle relaxant, and in anti-inflammatory and diuretic treatments.
Special precautions:
Taxonomy
Family: Arecaceae
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Synonym(s)
Corypha thebaica L.
Botanic description
Hyphaene thebaica is a deciduous palm 10-17 m high, with a girth of 90 cm.
Trunk is Y-shaped, and the tree is easily recognizable by the dichotomy of its
stem forming up to 16 crowns. Bole fairly smooth but clearly showing the scars
of the fallen leaves. Bark dark grey. Leaves 120 x 180 cm, fan shaped, in tufts
at the ends of branches with the blade divided into segments about 60 cm
long, margins entire; leaf stalk about 60 cm long, armed with curved thorns;
petiole more than 1 m long, sheathing at the base with numerous upwardly
curving hooks. Male and female flowers on separate trees. The inflorescence
is similar in both sexes, up to 1.2 m long, with short branches at irregular
intervals and 2-3 spikes arising from each branch. Male flowers shortly
stalked, solitary in pits of the spadix, spathe-bracts encircling the spadix,
pointed. Branches of female spadices stouter, in the fruiting stage marked by
densely tomentose cushions after the fall of the fruit. The female palm
produces woody fruits that persist on the tree for a long time. They are 6-10 x
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6-8 cm, smooth, rectangular to cubical, with rounded edges, shiny brown
when ripe, about 120 g each when fresh, 60 g when dry, each containing a
single seed. Seeds 2-3.5 x 3 cm, ivory in colour, trunkate at base, apex
obtuse. Hyphaene is derived from the Greek word ‘hyphaino’ (web), referring
to the fibres from the leaves, which are used for weaving.
Origin :
The doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica, ÇáÏæã in Arabic) is a type of palm
tree, also called gingerbread tree, with edible oval fruit,
It was considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians and the stone was
found in many pharaoh's tombs.
Active constituents and Uses:
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was devoid of oestrogenic and androgenic properties when tested on uterine
and seminal vesicle weights of ovariectomized and castrated rats.
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Water (%) 0 Ash (%) 7.69
Hyphaene thebaica provide fibres from pounded leaf petioles from which
fibres are manually separated and used for cordage, strings or raw fibres for
binding and the manufacture of domestic articles and handicrafts.
Functional uses:
Food: The covering of the fruit is edible and can either be pounded to form a
powder or cut off in slices; the powder is often dried then added to food as a
flavouring agent. Young shoots produce tasty palm cabbage; the hypocotyl is
edible, and so are the immature seeds if well prepared.
Fodder: Trees are browsed to a limited extent by livestock, especially in dry
periods.
Fuel: Palms are occasionally used for firewood and charcoal; leaves may also
be used as fuel.
Fibre: Leaves are probably the most important part of the palm, providing the
raw material used in basketry, making mats, brooms, coarse textiles, ropes,
thatching and string. Root fibres obtained after 2-3 days of soaking and
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beating of the roots are used for making fishing nets.
Timber: Wood can be cut using an axe, but is difficult to saw due to the many
fibres that constitute the wood. Timber from the male palm is said to be better
than that from the female, as it is borer and termite proof, decorative and
durable. It is often used for construction, providing supports and rafters for
houses, water ducts and wheels, railway sleepers, planks, fence posts and raft
construction.
Tannin or dyestuff: Dried bark is used to produce a black dye for leatherwear.
Alcohol: In Turkana, Kenya, the powder made from the outer covering of the
fruit is added to water and milk and left to stand to make a mild alcoholic drink;
in other countries, the terminal meristem is tapped for making palm wine.
Medicine: Roots are used in the treatment of bilharzia, while fruit pulp is
chewed to control hypertension. Sore eyes in livestock are treated using
charcoal from the seed kernel.
Other products: The hard seed inside the fruit, known as ‘vegetable ivory’, is
used to make buttons and small carvings, and as artificial pearls. Ashes from
the stipes of trees can be used as a substitute for salt.
Services:
rosion control: Doum palm is grown on river banks to stabilize them.
Olive leaves
Family: Oleaceae
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Part used: the oil of the fruit, leaves, bark.
The dark purple fruit is a drupe, ovoid and often pointed,the fleshy part filled
with oil.The thick,bony stone has a blunt keel down one side. The thick, bony
stone has a blunt keel down one side.
Official olive soap is made from olive oil and sodium hydroxide.
Costituents:
. Tannins
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The oil is a nourishing demulcent and laxative.Externally,it relieves pruritis,the
effects of stings or burns,and is a good vehicle for liniments.With alcohol it is a
good hair tonic.
Contraindications:
Na7'wa Hendi
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trachyspermum ammi, Carum ajowan, Ptychotis ajowan,
Trachyspermum copticum, Ammi Coptium
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as there is for Queen Ann's Lace. Science is investigating Bishop's Weed to
see if it might fight cancer. Ammi visnaga, an essential oil coming from N.
Africa and utilized for asthma, is closely related to Ajowan.
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Cumin
Description: small annual growing to 30 cm ,has long narrow leaves , clusters of pink or
white flowers and small oblong rigid fruits.
Habitat & cultivation : cumin native to Egypt & widely cultivated in southern Europe & as
. The seeds are gathered when ripe in late Summer.
constituents: cumin seeds contain 2-5 % volatile oil which consistof 25-35%
aldehyde, pinene and alpha-terpinied.
It contains 2.5 % essential oil which used in perfumery & for flavouring
beverages.
History & folklore : a popular spice & medicinal herb in ancient Egypt. Cumin
was used for illness Of the digestive system, for chest conditions, coughs, as
a pain killer, & to treat rotten teeth. The herb is mentioned in the old testament
.In cookery: cumin is an ingredient found in many Chinese ,Indian & middle
eastern recipes , especially carries 7 pickles .
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Medicinal action & uses:
Cumin like its close relatives, caraway ( carum carvi ) & anise ( pimpinella
In Indian herbal medicine: cumin is used for insomnia , colds & fevers
.It may be mixed into a paste with onion juice . It has been applied to
scorpion stings . The seeds are also taken to improve breast milk
production .It is also stomachic , astringent &useful in diarrhea &
dyspepsia , improve appetite & taste . Cumin is considered iron rich
plant source .
Adulteration :
Cumin is hotter to the taste, lighter in color & larger than caraway .(cumin can be
adulterated with caraway).
Interaction & precaution : cumin is hypoglycemic herb ,& for those plants , the
hypoglycemic activity has been confirmed for an extract or an identified constituent.These
herbs are usually administrated in non insulin dependent diabetes . Insulin dependent
diabetes must monitor their blood sugar carefully to prevent hyperglycemic & hypoglycem
episodes . The combined effect of hypoglycemic herbs with insulin treatment may lower
blood sugar levels & could potentially result in insulin shock.
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Celery
(Apium graveolens)
Fami
ly:Apiaceae
origin: native to the coasts of western and northern Europe, most commonly
in ditches and saltmarshes
Destribution: It grows to 1 m tall, with pinnate to bipinnate leaves with
rhombic leaflets 3-6 cm long and 2-4 cm broad. The flowers are creamy-white,
2-3 mm diameter, produced in dense compound umbels. The seeds are broad
ovoid to globose, 1.5-2 mm long and wide
History : Known to the Ancient Greeks, celery has been found in deposits
dating to the 9th century BC at Kastanas, as well as at 7th century BC Heraion
onSamos.
Main Constituents:
Celery seeds contain several substances including volatile oils , flavonoids ,
coumarins , and linoleic acid.
Medicinal uses 11-
The whole plant is gently stimulant, nourishing, and restorative
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it can be liquefied, with the juice taken for joint and urinary tract inflammations,
such as rheumatoid arthritis, cystitis, or for nervous urethritis, exhaustion
2-The seeds, harvested after the plant flowers in its second year, are the
basis for a homeopathic extract used as a diuretic. The extract is believed to
help clear toxins from the system, so are especially good for gout, where uric
acid crystals collect in the joints, and arthritis. They are also used as a mild
digestive stimulant. The extract can be combined with almond or sunflower oil,
and massaged into arthritic joints or for painful gout in the feet or toes.
3-
The root is an effective diuretic and has been taken for urinary stones and
gravel. It also acts as a bitter digestive remedy and liver stimulant. A tincture
can be used as a diuretic in hypertension and urinary disorders, as a
component in arthritic remedies, or as a kidney energy stimulant and cleanser.
4-Celery roots, fruits (seeds), and aerial parts, are used ethnomedically to
treat mild anxiety and agitation, loss of appetite, fatigue, cough, and as an
anthelmintics
How to Take It
Pediatric
There are no known scientific reports on the pediatric use of celery seed.
Therefore, it is not currently recommended for medicinal purposes in children.
Adult
Celery seed oil capsules or tablets: One to two capsules or tablets three times
a day, as directed by your health care provider. Celery seed extract: 1/4 to 1/2
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tsp three times a day, or as directed by your health care provider. (Always take
with plenty of juice or with water at mealtime, unless instructed otherwise.)
Whole celery seeds: Prepare a tea by pouring boiling water over one teaspoon
(1 to 3 g) of freshly crushed seeds. Let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes before
drinking. Drink three times a day.
Precautions
1-Pregnant women should not use celery seed because it may uterine
bleeding and cause muscle contractions in the uterus.
2-People with active kidney inflammation should also avoid this herb.
Although uncommon, allergic reactions (even anaphylaxis) to celery seed may
develop in people who handle or ingest celery. In fact, some individuals who
are allergic to birch pollen may also be allergic to celery seed.
3-Active compounds in celery stems and seeds can cause the skin to become
highly sensitive to UV rays (called photodermatitis). For this reason, people
taking celery seed should use sunscreen or sunblock lotions to protect their
skin from the sun.
4-Celery seeds should not be taken from a garden packet. Most seeds sold
for these purposes have been treated with chemicals and should not be taken
internally.
Possible Interactions
There are no known scientific reports of interactions between celery seed and
conventional medications. However, given that celery seed is an herb with
diuretic effects, people taking prescription diuretics (such as furosemide or
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hydrochlorothiazide) should not take this herb without first consulting a
healthcare provider.
Similarly, celery contains properties that may thin the blood, thus making it
somewhat of a concern to take with blood thinning medications such as
warfarin or aspirin. If you take warfarin in particular you should not use celery
seed without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Henna
Lawsonia inermis
(l.alba lam)
Lythraceae
Constituent:
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The plant: a glabrous much _branched deciduous shrub with 4-gonous lateral
branches often ending in spines; leaves simple , opposite ,entire , lancelate ,
Petioles very short or absent ;flowers white, or rose-colored, fragrant ,in large
terminal pyramidal panicled cymes , stamens 8 ,in 4 pairs inserted on the
calyx tube ; globose capsule ,tipped with the style and supported by the
persistent calyx, seeds numerous ,smooth , pyramidal .
History folklore:
henna has been used for thousands of years in North Africa and Asia as red
dye and a scent. Mummies were wrapped in henna –dyed cloth in ancient
Egypt .in Arabia and India, the leaves have traditionally been used to make a
pigment for dying intricate linear patterns on the fingers, palms and feet. The
leaves have also been used to dye not only human hair but the manes and
.tails of horses
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4-They are useful in wounds, ulcer ,strangury , cough , bronchitis, vitiated
conditions of kapha rheumatalgia , inflammations, diarrhea.
1- henna leaves are commonly taken as a gargle for sore throat, and as
infusion or decoction for diarrhoea and dysentery.
4-applied in the form of a plaster, henna treats fungal infections, acne and
boils.
Hibiscus
Classification
Kingdom :plantae
Division: magnoliophyta
Class :magnoliopsida
Order: malvales
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Family: Malvaceae
Genus: hibiscus
Species: syriacus
Uses of hibiscus:
In treatment of hypertension
Pharmacological activity:
3-Antifsh activity
4-Antiestrogenic effect
5-Antifungal activity
Active constituents:
Apigendin f1
Aracidic acid lf
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Behenic acid lf
Citric acid f1
Malvilic acid, lf
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Remedy 1
Hibiscus 28.3%
Borassus 37.7%
Purslane 18.9%
Method of dispensing:
Infusion of one tea spoonful twice daily (first time before breakfast and the
other at night)
Comment
The components of this remedy, mainly contains volatile oils and tannins,
which are extractable through infusion methods, but they also contain other
constituents ,such as falvonoids, which are extractable through decoction
method.
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This remedy is not recommended for:
• Pregnant women.
• Women with heavy menstruation.
• People suffering from kidney diseases.
• People that develop allergies to any of the constituents.
Remedy 2:
Doum palm
Sweet marjoram
Olive
Celery
Henna leaves
Cumin
Method of dispensing:
Comment:
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We do not recommend this remedy to be taken as a decoction as volatile oils
will be lost. It is better to be taken with honey to avoid this loss.
. pregnant women
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References:
Marjoram--www.khayma.com
www.Wikipedia.org
http://essentialblend.com/marjoram.htm
Hypertension introduction:
Health.allrefer.com
En.wikipedia.com
www.lifeclinic.com
www.abouthypertension.info
www.cvphysiology.com
www.cardiologychannel.com
kidney.niddk.nih.gov
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.webmd.com
www.wrongdiagnosis.com
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