Remedy For Hypertension
Hypertension
History
Modern understanding of the cardiovascular system began with the work of physician
William Harvey (1578–1657), who described the circulation of blood in his book "De motu
cordis". The English clergyman Stephen Hales made the first published measurement of
blood pressure in 1733. Descriptions of hypertension as a disease came among others from
Thomas Young in 1808 and especially Richard Bright in 1836. The first report of elevated
blood pressure in a person without evidence of kidney disease was made by Frederick Akbar
Mahomed (1849–1884). However hypertension as a clinical entity came into being in 1896
with the invention of the cuff-based sphygmomanometer by Scipione Riva-Rocci in 1896.
This allowed blood pressure to be measured in the clinic. In 1905, Nikolai Korotkoff
improved the technique by describing the Korotkoff sounds that are heard when the artery is
ausculated with a stethoscope while the sphygmomanometer cuff is deflated.
The concept of essential hypertension ('hypertonie essential') was introduced in 1925 by the
physiologist Otto Frank to describe elevated blood pressure for which no cause could be
found. In 1928, the term malignant hypertension was coined by physicians from the Mayo
Clinic to describe a syndrome of very high blood pressure, severe retinopathy and adequate
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Remedy For Hypertension
kidney function which usually resulted in death within a year from strokes, heart failure or
kidney failure.
In 1931, John Hay, Professor of Medicine at Liverpool University, wrote that "there is some
truth in the saying that the greatest danger to a man with a high blood pressure lies in its
discovery, because then some fool is certain to try and reduce it". This view was echoed by
the eminent US cardiologist Paul Dudley White in 1937, who suggested that "hypertension
may be an important compensatory mechanism which should not be tampered with, even
were it certain that we could control it".
Charles Friedberg's 1949 classic textbook "Diseases of the Heart", stated that "people with
'mild benign' hypertension ... [defined as blood pressures up to levels of 210/100 mm Hg] ...
need not be treated". However the tide of medical opinion was turning: it was increasingly
recognised in the 1950s that "benign" hypertension was not harmless.
Over the next decade increasing evidence accumulated from actuarial reports and
longitudinal studies, such as the Framingham Heart Study, that "benign" hypertension
increased de
ath and cardiovascular disease, and that these risks increased in a graded manner with
increasing blood pressure across the whole spectrum of population blood pressures.
Subsequently the National Institutes of Health also sponsored other population studies, which
additionally showed that African Americans had a higher burden of hypertension and its
complications.
Historically the treatment for what was called the "hard pulse disease" consisted in reducing
the quantity of blood by bloodletting or the application of leeches. This was advocated by
The Yellow Emperor of China, Cornelius Celsus, Galen, and Hipocrates.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, before effective pharmacological treatment for hypertension
became possible, three treatment modalities were used, all with numerous side-effects:
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strict sodium restriction (for example the rice diet),
sympathectomy (surgical ablation of parts of the sympathetic nervous system),
pyrogen therapy (injection of substances that caused a fever, indirectly reducing blood
pressure).
The first chemical for hypertension, sodium thiocyanate, was used in 1900 but had many side
effects and was unpopular. Several other agents were developed after the Second World War,
the most popular and reasonably effective of which were tetramethylammonium chloride and
its derivative hexamethonium, hydralazine and reserpine (derived from the medicinal plant
Rauwolfia serpentina).
A major breakthrough was achieved with the discovery of the first well-tolerated orally
available agents. The first was chlorothiazide, the first thiazide diuretic and developed from
the antibiotic sulfanilamide, which became available in 1958; it increased salt excretion while
preventing fluid accumulation. A randomized controlled trial sponsored by the Veterans
Administration comparing hydrochlorothiazide plus reserpine plus hydralazine versus
placebo had to be stopped early in a high blood pressure group because those not receiving
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Remedy For Hypertension
treatment developed many more complications and it was deemed unethical to withhold
treatment from them.
The study continued in people with lower blood pressures and showed that treatment even in
people with mild hypertension more than halved the risk of cardiovascular death. In 1975, the
Lasker Special Public Health Award was awarded to the team that developed chlorothiazide.
The results of these studies prompted public health campaigns to increase public awareness
of hypertension and promoted the measurement and treatment of high blood pressure. These
measures appear to have contributed at least in part to the observed 50% fall in stroke and
ischemic heart disease between 1972 and 1994.
Soon more drugs became available to treat hypertension. The British physician James W.
Black developed beta blockers in the early 1960s; these were initially used for angina, but
turned out to lower blood pressure. Black received the 1976 Lasker Award and in 1988 the
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery.
The next class of antihypertensives to be discovered were calcium channel blockers. The
first member was verapamil, a derivative of papaverine that was initially thought to be a beta
blocker and used for angina, but then turned out to have a different mode of action and was
shown to lower blood pressure.
The renin-angiotensin system was known to play an important role in blood pressure
regulation, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were developed through
rational drug design. In 1977 captopril, an orally active agent, was described; this led to the
development of a number of other ACE inhibitors. More recently angiotensin receptor
blockers and renin inhibitors have also been introduced as antihypertensive agents.
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Remedy For Hypertension
WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
Hypertension
Automated arm blood pressure meter showing arterial
hypertension (shown a systolic blood pressure 158 mmHg,
diastolic blood pressure 99 mmHg and heart rate of 80 beats
per minute).
Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a
chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This
requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels.
Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether
the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed between beats (diastole). Normal blood
pressure at rest is within the range of 100-140mmHg systolic (top reading) and 60-90mmHg
diastolic (bottom reading). High blood pressure is said to be present if it is persistently at or
above 140/90 mmHg.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), heart
failure, aneurysms of the arteries (e.g. aortic aneurysm), peripheral arterial disease and is a
cause of chronic kidney disease. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is
associated with a shortened life expectancy.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of
associated health complications, although drug treatment is often necessary in people for
whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient
Classification
Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary
hypertension; about 90–95% of cases are categorized as "primary hypertension" which means
high blood pressure with no obvious underlying medical cause.The remaining 5–10% of
cases (secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys,
arteries, heart or endocrine system.
Systolic pressure Diastolic pressure
mmHg
kPa
mmHg
kPa
Normal
90–119 12–15.9 60–79 8.0–10.5
Prehypertension
120–139 16.0–18.5 80–89 10.7–11.9
Stage 1 hypertension 140–159 18.7–21.2 90–99 12.0–13.2
Stage 2 hypertension
≥160
≥21.3
≥100
≥13.3
Isolated systolic
≥140
≥18.7
<90
<12.0
hypertension
Classification (JNC7)
Adults
In people aged 18 years or older hypertension is defined as a systolic and/or a diastolic blood
pressure measurement consistently higher than an accepted normal value (currently
139 mmHg systolic, 89 mmHg diastolic: see table — Classification (JNC7)). Lower
thresholds are used (135 mmHg systolic or 85 mmHg diastolic) if measurements are derived
from 24-hour ambulatory or home monitoring.
Recent international hypertension guidelines have also created categories below the
hypertensive range to indicate a continuum of risk with higher blood pressures in the normal
range. JNC7 (2003) uses the term prehypertension for blood pressure in the range 120139 mmHg systolic and/or 80-89 mmHg diastolic, while ESH-ESC Guidelines (2007) and
BHS IV (2004) use optimal, normal and high normal categories to subdivide pressures below
140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic.
Hypertension is also sub-classified: JNC7 distinguishes hypertension stage I, hypertension
stage II, and isolated systolic hypertension. Isolated systolic hypertension refers to elevated
systolic pressure with normal diastolic pressure and is common in the elderly. The ESH-ESC
Guidelines (2007) and BHS IV (2004), additionally define a third stage (stage III
hypertension) for people with systolic blood pressure exceeding 179 mmHg or a diastolic
pressure over 109 mmHg. Hypertension is classified as "resistant" if medications do not
reduce blood pressure to normal levels.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Neonates and infants
Hypertension in neonates is rare, occurring in around 0.2 to 3% of neonates, and blood
pressure is not measured routinely in the healthy newborn. Hypertension is more common in
high risk newborns. A variety of factors, such as gestational age, postconceptional age and
birth weight needs to be taken into account when deciding if a blood pressure is normal in a
neonate.
Children and adolescents
Hypertension occurs quite commonly in children and adolescents (2-9% depending on age,
sex and ethnicity) and is associated with long term risks of ill-health. It is now recommended
that children over the age of 3 have their blood pressure checked whenever they attend for
routine medical care or checks, but high blood pressure must be confirmed on repeated visits
before characterizing a child as having hypertension.
Blood pressure rises with age in childhood and, in children, hypertension is defined as an
average systolic or diastolic blood pressure on three or more occasions equal or higher than
the 95th percentile appropriate for the sex, age and height of the child. In adolescents, it has
been proposed that hypertension and pre-hypertension are diagnosed and classified using the
same criteria as in adults.
Cause
Primary hypertension
Primary (essential) hypertension is the most common form of hypertension, accounting for
90–95% of all cases of hypertension. In almost all contemporary societies, blood pressure
rises with aging and the risk of becoming hypertensive in later life is considerable.
Hypertension results from a complex interaction of genes and environmental factors.
Numerous common genes with small effects on blood pressure have been identifiedas well as
some rare genes with large effects on blood pressurebut the genetic basis of hypertension is
still poorly understood.
Several environmental factors influence blood pressure. Lifestyle factors that lower blood
pressure, include reduced dietary salt intake, increased consumption of fruits and low fat
products, exercise, weight loss and reduced alcohol intake. The possible role of other factors
such as stress, caffeine consumption, and vitamin D deficiency are less clear cut.
Insulin resistance, which is common in obesity and is a component of syndrome X (or the
metabolic syndrome), is also thought to contribute to hypertension. Recent studies have also
implicated events in early life (for example low birth weight, maternal smoking and lack of
breast feeding) as risk factors for adult essential hypertension, although the mechanisms
linking these exposures to adult hypertension remain obscure.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension results from an identifiable cause:
1. Renal disease is the most common secondary cause of hypertension.
2. Hypertension can also be caused by endocrine conditions, such as
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Cushing's syndrome,
hyperthyroidism,
hypothyroidism,
acromegaly,
Conn's syndrome or hyperaldosteronism,
hyperparathyroidism
pheochromocytoma.
Other causes of secondary hypertension include
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
obesity,
sleep apnea,
pregnancy,
coarctation of the aorta,
excessive liquorice consumption
certain prescription medicines,
illegal drugs.
Signs and symptoms
Hypertension is rarely accompanied by any symptoms, and its identification is usually
through screening, or when seeking healthcare for an unrelated problem.
A proportion of people with high blood pressure reports :
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headaches (particularly at the back of the head and in the morning),
lightheadedness,
vertigo,
tinnitus (buzzing or hissing in the ears),
 altered vision
 fainting episodes.
Secondary hypertension
Some additional signs and symptoms may suggest secondary hypertension, i.e. hypertension
due to an identifiable cause such as kidney diseases or endocrine diseases.
For example:
 Truncal obesity, glucose intolerance, moon facies, a "buffalo hump" and purple striae suggest
Cushing's syndrome.
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Remedy For Hypertension
 Thyroid disease and acromegaly can also cause hypertension and have characteristic
symptoms and signs.
 An abdominal bruit may be an indicator of renal artery stenosis (a narrowing of the arteries
supplying the kidneys),
 Decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities and/or delayed or absent femoral arterial
pulses may indicate aortic coarctation (a narrowing of the aorta shortly after it leaves the
heart).
 Labile or paroxysmal hypertension accompanied by headache, palpitations, pallor, and
perspiration should prompt suspicions of pheochromocytoma.
Hypertensive crises
Severely elevated blood pressure (equal to or greater than a systolic 180 or diastolic of 110 —
sometime termed malignant or accelerated hypertension) is referred to as a "hypertensive
crisis", as blood pressures above these levels are known to confer a high risk of
complications.
symptoms
a) People with blood pressures in this range may have no symptoms, but are more likely to
report headaches (22% of cases) and dizziness than the general population.
b) Other symptoms accompanying a hypertensive crisis may include visual deterioration or
breathlessness due to heart failure or a general feeling of malaise due to renal failure.
c) Most people with a hypertensive crisis are known to have elevated blood pressure, but
additional triggers may have led to a sudden rise.
A "hypertensive emergency", previously "malignant hypertension", is diagnosed when there
is evidence of direct damage to one or more organs as a result of the severely elevated blood
pressure.
This may include:
 Hypertensive encephalopathy, caused by brain swelling and dysfunction, and characterized
by headaches and an altered level of consciousness (confusion or drowsiness).
 Retinal papilloedema and/or fundal hemorrhages and exudates are another sign of target
organ damage.
 Chest pain may indicate heart muscle damage (which may progress to myocardial infarction)
or sometimes aortic dissection, the tearing of the inner wall of the aorta.
 Breathlessness, cough, and the expectoration of blood-stained sputum are characteristic signs
of pulmonary edema, the swelling of lung tissue due to left ventricular failure an inability of
the left ventricle of the heart to adequately pump blood from the lungs into the arterial
system.
 Rapid deterioration of kidney function (acute kidney injury) and microangiopathic hemolytic
anemia (destruction of blood cells) may also occur.
In these situations, rapid reduction of the blood pressure is mandated to stop ongoing organ
damage. In contrast there is no evidence that blood pressure needs to be lowered rapidly in
hypertensive urgencies where there is no evidence of target organ damage and over
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Remedy For Hypertension
aggressive reduction of blood pressure is not without risks. Use of oral medications to lower
the BP gradually over 24 to 48 hr is advocated in hypertensive urgencies.
In pregnancy
Hypertension occurs in approximately 8-10% of pregnancies. Most women with hypertension
in pregnancy have pre-existing primary hypertension, but high blood pressure in pregnancy
may be the first sign of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition of the second half of pregnancy
and puerperium.
Pre-eclampsia is characterised by increased blood pressure and the presence of protein in the
urine. It occurs in about 5% of pregnancies and is responsible for approximately 16% of all
maternal deaths globally. Pre-eclampsia also doubles the risk of perinatal mortality. Usually
there are no symptoms in pre-eclampsia and it is detected by routine screening.
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia occur the most common are:
headache,
visual disturbance (often "flashing lights"),
vomiting,
epigastric pain,
oedema.
Pre-eclampsia can occasionally progress to a life-threatening condition called eclampsia,
which is a hypertensive emergency and has several serious complications including:
vision loss,
cerebral oedema,
seizures or convulsions,
renal failure,
pulmonary oedema,
disseminated intravascular coagulation (a blood clotting disorder).
In infants and children
Failure to thrive, seizures, irritability, lack of energy, and difficulty breathing can be
associated with hypertension in neonates and young infants.
In older infants and children, hypertension can cause headache, unexplained irritability,
fatigue, failure to thrive, blurred vision, nosebleeds, and facial paralysis.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Complications
Diagram illustrating the main complications of persistent high blood pressure.
Hypertension is the most important preventable risk factor for premature death
worldwide.
It increases the risk of
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ischemic heart disease strokes,
peripheral vascular disease,
other cardiovascular diseases,
heart failure,
aortic aneurysms
diffuse atherosclerosis,
pulmonary embolism
Hypertension is also a risk factor for :
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Remedy For Hypertension
 congenitive impairment
 dementia,
 chronic kidney disease.
Other complications include:
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Hypertensive retinopathy
Hypertensive nephropathy
Pathophysiology
A diagram explaining factors affecting arterial pressure
In most people with established essential (primary) hypertension, increased resistance to
blood flow (total peripheral resistance) accounting for the high pressure while cardiac output
remains normal. There is evidence that some younger people with prehypertension or
'borderline hypertension' have high cardiac output, an elevated heart rate and normal
peripheral resistance, termed hyperkinetic borderline hypertension.
These individuals develop the typical features of established essential hypertension in later
life as their cardiac output falls and peripheral resistance rises with age. Whether this pattern
is typical of all people who ultimately develop hypertension is disputed. The increased
peripheral resistance in established hypertension is mainly attributable to structural narrowing
of small arteries and arterioles, although a reduction in the number or density of capillaries
may also contribute.
Hypertension is also associated with decreased peripheral venous compliance which may
increase venous return, increase cardiac preload and, ultimately, cause diastolic dysfunction.
Whether increased active vasoconstriction plays a role in established essential hypertension is
unclear.
Pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure) is frequently
increased in older people with hypertension. This can mean that systolic pressure is
abnormally high, but diastolic pressure may be normal or low — a condition termed isolated
systolic hypertension. The high pulse pressure in elderly people with hypertension or isolated
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Remedy For Hypertension
systolic hypertension is explained by increased arterial stiffness, which typically accompanies
aging and may be exacerbated by high blood pressure.
Many mechanisms have been proposed to account for the rise in peripheral resistance in
hypertension. Most evidence implicates either:

Disturbances in renal salt and water handling, particularly abnormalities in the intrarenal
renin-angiotensin system
and/or

Abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system
These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive and it is likely that both contribute to some
extent in most cases of essential hypertension. It has also been suggested that endothelial
dysfunction and vascular inflammation may also contribute to increased peripheral resistance
and vascular damage in hypertension.
Diagnosis
System
Renal
Endocrine
Metabolic
Other
Typical tests performed in hypertension
Tests
Microscopic urinalysis, proteinuria, serum BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and/or
creatinine
Serum sodium, potassium, calcium, TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol,
triglycerides
Hematocrit, electrocardiogram, and chest radiograph
Hypertension is diagnosed on the basis of a persistently high blood pressure. Traditionally,
this requires three separate sphygmomanometer measurements at one monthly intervals.
Initial assessment of the hypertensive people should include a complete history and physical
examination.
With the availability of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors and home blood
pressure machines, the importance of not wrongly diagnosing those who have white coat
hypertension has led to a change in protocols. In the United Kingdom, current best practice is
to follow up a single raised clinic reading with ambulatory measurement, or less ideally with
home blood pressure monitoring over the course of 7 days.
Once the diagnosis of hypertension has been made, physicians will attempt to identify the
underlying cause based on risk factors and other symptoms, if present. Secondary
hypertension is more common in preadolescent children, with most cases caused by renal
disease. Primary or essential hypertension is more common in adolescents and has multiple
risk factors, including obesity and a family history of hypertension.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Laboratory tests can also be performed to identify possible causes of secondary hypertension,
and to determine whether hypertension has caused damage to the heart, eyes, and kidneys.
Additional tests for diabetes and high cholesterol levels are usually performed because these
conditions are additional risk factors for the development of heart disease and require
treatment.
Serum creatinine is measured to assess for the presence of kidney disease, which can be
either the cause or the result of hypertension. Serum creatinine alone may overestimate
glomerular filtration rate and recent guidelines advocate the use of predictive equations such
as the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula to estimate glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR). eGFR can also provides a baseline measurement of kidney function
that can be used to monitor for side effects of certain antihypertensive drugs on kidney
function. Additionally, testing of urine samples for protein is used as a secondary indicator of
kidney disease. Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) testing is done to check for evidence that the
heart is under strain from high blood pressure. It may also show whether there is thickening
of the heart muscle (left ventricular hypertrophy) or whether the heart has experienced a prior
minor disturbance such as a silent heart attack. A chest X-ray or an echocardiogram may also
be performed to look for signs of heart enlargement or damage to the heart.
Prevention
Much of the disease burden of high blood pressure is experienced by people who are not
labelled as hypertensive. Consequently, population strategies are required to reduce the
consequences of high blood pressure and reduce the need for antihypertensive drug therapy.
Lifestyle changes are recommended to lower blood pressure, before starting drug therapy.
The 2004 British Hypertension Society guidelinesproposed the following lifestyle changes
consistent with those outlined by the US National High BP Education Program in 2002for the
primary prevention of hypertension:
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maintain normal body weight for adults (e.g. body mass index 20–25 kg/m2)
reduce dietary sodium intake to <100 mmol/ day (<6 g of sodium chloride or <2.4 g of
sodium per day)
engage in regular aerobic physical activity such as brisk walking (≥30 min per day, most days
of the week)
limit alcohol consumption to no more than 3 units/day in men and no more than 2 units/day
in women
consume a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (e.g. at least five portions per day);
consume a diet with reduced content of saturated and total fat.
Effective lifestyle modification may lower blood pressure as much an individual
antihypertensive drug. Combinations of two or more lifestyle modifications can achieve even
better results.
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Remedy For Hypertension
Management
Lifestyle modifications
The first line of treatment for hypertension is identical to the recommended preventative
lifestyle changes and includes: dietary changes physical exercise, and weight loss. These have
all been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension. If
hypertension is high enough to justify immediate use of medications, lifestyle changes are
still recommended in conjunction with medication. Different programs aimed to reduce
psychological stress such as biofeedback, relaxation or meditation are advertised to reduce
hypertension. However, in general claims of efficacy are not supported by scientific studies,
which have been in general of low quality.
Dietary change such as a low sodium diet is beneficial. A long term (more than 4 weeks) low
sodium diet in Caucasians is effective in reducing blood pressure, both in people with
hypertension and in people with normal blood pressure. Also a diet rich in nuts, whole grains,
fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
lowers blood pressure. A major feature of the plan is limiting intake of sodium, although the
diet is also rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, as well as protein.
Medications
Several classes of medications, collectively referred to as antihypertensive drugs, are
currently available for treating hypertension. Prescription should take into account the
person's cardiovascular risk (including risk of myocardial infarction and stroke) as well as
blood pressure readings, in order to gain a more accurate picture of the person's
cardiovascular profile.
If drug treatment is initiated the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Seventh Joint
National Committee on High Blood Pressure (JNC-7) recommends that the physician not
only monitor for response to treatment but should also assess for any adverse reactions
resulting from the medication.
Reduction of the blood pressure by 5 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by 34%, of
ischaemic heart disease by 21%, and reduce the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and
mortality from cardiovascular disease.
The aim of treatment should be to reduce blood pressure to <140/90 mmHg for most
individuals, and lower for those with diabetes or kidney disease (some medical professionals
recommend keeping levels below 120/80 mmHg). If the blood pressure goal is not met, a
change in treatment should be made as therapeutic inertia is a clear impediment to blood
pressure control.
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Awareness
Graph showing, prevalence of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension
The World Health Organization has identified hypertension, or high blood pressure, as the
leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. The World Hypertension League (WHL), an
umbrella organization of 85 national hypertension societies and leagues, recognized that more
than 50% of the hypertensive population worldwide are unaware of their condition.
To address this problem, the WHL initiated a global awareness campaign on hypertension in
2005 and dedicated May 17 of each year as World Hypertension Day (WHD). Over the past
three years, more national societies have been engaging in WHD and have been innovative in
their activities to get the message to the public.
In 2007, there was record participation from 47 member countries of the WHL. During the
week of WHD, all these countries – in partnership with their local governments, professional
societies, nongovernmental organizations and private industries – promoted hypertension
awareness among the public through several media and public rallies. Using mass media such
as Internet and television, the message reached more than 250 million people.
As the momentum picks up year after year, the WHL is confident that almost all the
estimated 1.5 billion people affected by elevated blood pressure can be reached.
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Pulmonary Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms,
Diagnosis, Treatment
What is pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disorder in which the arteries that carry blood from the
heart to the lungs become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through the vessels.
As a result, the blood pressure in these arteries -- called pulmonary arteries -- rises far above
normal levels. This abnormally high pressure strains the right ventricle of the heart, causing it
to expand in size. Overworked and enlarged, the right ventricle gradually becomes weaker
and loses its ability to pump enough blood to the lungs. This could lead to the development of
right heart failure.
Pulmonary hypertension occurs in individuals of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds
although it is much more common in young adults and is approximately twice as common in
women as in men.
Why do the pulmonary arteries narrow?
Scientists believe that the process starts with injury to the layer of cells that line the small
blood vessels of the lungs. This injury, which occurs for unknown reasons, may cause
changes in the way these cells interact with the smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall. As a
result, the smooth muscle contracts more than normal and narrows the vessel.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension do not usually occur until the condition has
progressed. The first symptom of pulmonary hypertension is usually
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shortness of breath with everyday activities, such as climbing stairs.
Fatigue,
dizziness,
fainting.
Swelling in the ankles, abdomen or legs;
bluish lips and skin,
chest pain may occur as strain on the heart increases.
Symptoms range in severity and a given patient may not have all of the symptoms.In more
advanced stages of the disease, even minimal activity will produce some of the symptoms.
Additional symptoms include:
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irregular heart beat (palpitations or strong, throbbing sensation),
racing pulse,
passing out or dizziness,
progressive shortness of breath during exercise or activity,
difficulty breathing at rest.
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Eventually, it may become difficult to carry out any activities as the disease worsens.
What causes pulmonary hypertension?
The following are some known causes of pulmonary hypertension:
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The diet drug "fen-phen." Although the appetite suppressant "fen-phen" (dexfenfluramine
and phentermine) has been taken off the market, former fen-phen users have a 23-fold
increase risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, possibly years later.
Liver diseases, rheumatic disorders, lung conditions. Pulmonary hypertension also can
occur as a result of other medical conditions, such as chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis;
rheumatic disorders such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus); and lung
conditions including tumors, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
and pulmonary fibrosis.
Certain heart diseases. Heart diseases including aortic valve disease, left heart failure,
mitral valve disease, and congenital heart disease can also cause pulmonary hypertension.
Thromboembolic disease. A blood clot in a large pulmonary artery can result in the
development of pulmonary hypertension.
Low-oxygen conditions. High altitude living, obesity, and sleep apnea can also lead to the
development of pulmonary hypertension.
Genetic predisposition. Pulmonary hypertension is inherited in a small number of cases.
Knowing that someone in the family had or has pulmonary hypertension should prompt you
to seek early evaluation should symptoms occur.
Pulmonary hypertension may also be caused by other conditions, and in some cases, the
cause is unknown.
How is pulmonary hypertension diagnosed?
Because pulmonary hypertension may be caused by many medical conditions, a complete
medical history, physical exam, and description of your symptoms are necessary to rule out
other diseases and make the correct diagnosis. During the physical exam, your health care
provider will:
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listen for abnormal heart sounds such as a loud pulmonic valve sound, a systolic murmur of
tricuspid regurgitation, or a gallop due to ventricular failure.
examine the jugular vein in the neck for engorgement.
examine the abdomen, legs, and ankles for fluid retention.
examine nail beds for bluish tint.
look for signs of other underlying diseases that might be causing pulmonary hypertension.
Other tests that might be ordered include:
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o
o
o
o
Blood tests:
Complete metabolic panel (CMP): Examines liver and kidney function
Autoantibody blood tests, such as ANA, ESR, and others: Screens for collagen vascular
diseases
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): A screen for thyroid problems
HIV: A screen for human immunodeficiency virus
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Remedy For Hypertension
o
o
o









Arterial blood gases (ABG): Determines the level of oxygen in arterial blood.
Complete blood count (CBC): Tests for infection, elevated hemoglobin, and anemia
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP): A marker for heart failure
Doppler echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to show the function of the right ventricle, to
measure blood flow through the heart valves, and then calculate the systolic pulmonary artery
pressure.
Chest X-ray: Shows an enlarged right ventricle and enlarged pulmonary arteries.
6 minute walk test: Determines exercise tolerance level and blood oxygen saturation level
during exercise.
Pulmonary function tests: Evaluates for other lung conditions such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis among others.
Polysomnogram or overnight oximetry: Screens for sleep apnea (results in low oxygen
levels at night).
Right heart catheterization: Measures various heart pressures (ie, inside the pulmonary
arteries, coming from the left side of the heart), the rate at which the heart is able to pump
blood, and finds any leaks between the right and left sides of the heart.
Ventilation perfusion scan (V/Q scan): Looks for evidence of blood clots along the
pathway to the lungs.
Pulmonary angiogram: Looks for blood clot blockages in the pulmonary arteries.
Chest CT scan: Looks for blood clots and other lung conditions that may be contributing to
or worsening pulmonary hypertension.
Tests To Look for the Underlying Cause of Pulmonary
Hypertension
PH has many causes, so many tests may need to be done to find its underlying cause.
Chest CT scan. A chest computed tomography (to-MOG-ra-fee) scan, or chest CT scan,
creates pictures of the structures inside your chest, such as your heart, lungs, and blood
vessels. These pictures can show signs of PH or a condition that may be causing PH.
Chest MRI. Chest magnetic resonance imaging, or chest MRI, shows how your right
ventricle is working. The test also shows blood flow in your lungs. Chest MRI also can help
detect signs of PH or an underlying condition causing PH.
Lung function tests. Lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out,
how fast you can breathe air out, and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood.
These tests can help detect a lung disease that may be causing PH.
Polysomnogram (PSG). This test records brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and
blood pressure while you sleep. A PSG also measures the level of oxygen in your blood. A
low oxygen level during sleep is common in PH, and it can make the condition worse.
A PSG usually is done while you stay overnight at a sleep center. For more information about
this test, go to the Health Topics Sleep Studies article.
Lung ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scan. A lung VQ scan measures air and blood flow in
your lungs. This test can help detect blood clots in your lung's blood vessels.
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Blood tests. Blood tests are used to rule out other diseases, such as HIV, liver disease, and
autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
Finding Out the Severity of Pulmonary Hypertension
Exercise testing is used to find out the severity of PH. This testing consists of either a 6minute walk test or a cardiopulmonary exercise test.
A 6-minute walk test measures the distance you can quickly walk in 6 minutes. A
cardiopulmonary exercise test measures how well your lungs and heart work while you
exercise on a treadmill or bicycle.
During exercise testing, your doctor will rate your activity level. Your level is linked to the
severity of your PH. The rating system ranges from class 1 to class 4.

Class 1 has no limits. You can do regular physical activities, such as walking or climbing
stairs. These activities don't cause PH symptoms, such as tiredness, shortness of breath, or
chest pain.

Class 2 has slight or mild limits. You're comfortable while resting, but regular physical
activity causes PH symptoms.

Class 3 has marked or noticeable limits. You're comfortable while resting. However, walking
even one or two blocks or climbing one flight of stairs can cause PH symptoms.

Class 4 has severe limits. You're not able to do any physical activity without discomfort. You
also may have PH symptoms while at rest.
Over time, you may need more exercise tests to find out how well your treatments are
working. Each time testing is done, your doctor will compare your activity level with the
previous one.
Other Names for Pulmonary Hypertension
Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that occurs without a known cause often is
called primary PAH or idiopathic PAH.
Group 1 PAH that occurs with a known cause often is called associated PAH. For example,
PAH that occurs in a person who has scleroderma might be called "PAH occurring in
association with scleroderma," or simply "scleroderma-associated PAH."
Groups 2–5 pulmonary hypertension (PH) sometimes are called secondary PH.
Who Is at Risk for Pulmonary Hypertension?
The exact number of people who have pulmonary hypertension (PH) isn't known.
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Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) without a known cause is rare. It affects
women more often than men. People who have group 1 PAH tend to be overweight.
PH that occurs with another disease or condition is more common.
PH usually develops between the ages of 20 and 60, but it can occur at any age. People who
are at increased risk for PH include:

Those who have a family history of the condition.

Those who have certain diseases or conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, liver disease,
HIV infection, or blood clots in the pulmonary arteries. (For more information about the
diseases, conditions, and factors that cause PH, go to "Types of Pulmonary Hypertension.")

Those who use street drugs (such as cocaine) or certain diet medicines.

Those who live at high altitudes.
Living With Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has no cure. However, you can work with your doctor to
manage your symptoms and slow the progress of the disease.
Ongoing Care
Follow your treatment plan as your doctor advises. Call your doctor if your PH symptoms
worsen or change. The earlier symptoms are addressed, the easier it is to treat them.
Some symptoms, such as chest pain, may require emergency treatment. Ask your doctor
when you should call him or her or seek emergency care.
Also, talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines
can make your PH worse or interfere with the medicines you're taking for PH. Ask your
doctor whether you should get a pneumonia vaccine and a yearly flu shot.
You may have a complex schedule for taking medicines. Call your doctor or nurse if you're
having problems with this schedule. Knowing the names of your medicines and how they
work is helpful. Keep a list of your medicines with you. Don't stop or change medicines
unless you talk with your doctor first.
Pay careful attention to your weight. You may want to keep a daily record of your weight.
You should weigh yourself at the same time each day. If you notice a rapid weight gain (2 or
more pounds in 1 day or 5 or more pounds in 1 week), call your doctor. This may be a sign
that your PH is worsening.
Pregnancy is risky for women who have PH. Consider using birth control if there is a chance
you may become pregnant. Ask your doctor which birth control methods are safe for you.
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Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can help you manage your symptoms. These changes will depend
on the type of PH you have. Talk with your doctor about which lifestyle changes can help
you.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, quit. Smoking makes PH symptoms worse. Ask your doctor about programs
and products that can help you quit. Also, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Follow a Healthy Diet
Following a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are part of a healthy lifestyle. A
healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also includes lean
meats, poultry, fish, and fat-free or low-fat milk or milk products. A healthy diet also is low
in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugar.
Talk with your doctor about whether you need to limit the amount of salt and fluids in your
diet. Ask him or her whether you also need to regulate foods that contain vitamin K. These
foods can affect how well blood-thinning medicines work. Vitamin K is found in green leafy
vegetables and some oils, such as canola and soyabean oil.
For more information about following a healthy diet, go to the NHLBI's Aim for a Healthy
Weight Web site, "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart," and "Your Guide to Lowering Your
Blood Pressure With DASH."
All of these resources include general advice about healthy eating.
Be Physically Active
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Try to do physical activity, such as
walking, regularly. This will keep your muscles strong and help you stay active. Ask your
doctor how much activity is safe for you. Your doctor may tell you to limit or avoid certain
activities, such as:

Those that cause straining, such as lifting heavy objects or weights.

Sitting in a hot tub or sauna or taking long baths. These activities can lower your blood
pressure too much.

Flying in an airplane or traveling to high-altitude areas. Your doctor may ask you to use extra
oxygen during air travel.
Avoid activities that cause breathing problems, dizziness, or chest pain. If you have any of
these symptoms, seek care right away.
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Emotional Issues and Support
Living with PH may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. You may worry about your
medical condition, treatment, finances, and other issues.
Talk about how you feel with your health care team. Talking to a professional counselor also
can help. If you're very depressed, your doctor may recommend medicines or other
treatments that can improve your quality of life.
Joining a patient support group may help you adjust to living with PH. You can see how other
people who have the same symptoms have coped with them. Talk with your doctor about
local support groups or check with an area medical center.
Support from family and friends also can help relieve stress and anxiety. Let your loved ones
know how you feel and what they can do to help you.
High Blood Pressure In Children
Few children have signs, symptoms or adverse events though these are
possible when hypertension is severe.



The main significance is the implication for the future in that these
children are very likely to have hypertension in adulthood and indeed
may start having tissue changes in adolescence.
Another important significance is that almost all hypertensive children
younger than 15 years had secondary highbloodpressure. That is
hypertension caused by a disease or condition. Only 25 % of 15 to 18
year olds with high readings had secondary hypertension. That’s still a
lot more than the 5 % of adult hypertensives who have secondary type.
Thus it behooves us to look very persistently in children for secondary
causes which are quite potentially curable. The best treatment for
anything is to remove the cause.
Definition of High Blood Pressure in Children:
It is defined by Age, Sex, and Height.
Here it is: Three separate readings that are at or above the 95th
percentile for that age, sex, and height.
Pre-Hypertension would be the 90th to the 95th percentile.
A few representative readings of high blood pressure in children would
be:
A 5 year old boy at the 50th percentile of height would have
hypertension at 112/72 mm Hg. Add 4 mm systolic for the 95th
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percentile and subtract 4 mm for the 5th.
A similar girl would be hypertensive at 110/72. Add and subtract 3 mm
systolic for the 95th and 5th percentiles.
A 15 year old boy at the 50th percentile of height should be less than
131/83. Add and subtract 4 mm for the 95th and the 5th.
A similar girl should be less than 127/83. Add 4 mm and subtract 3 mm
at the 95th and 5th.
Doctor’s Practical Guide:
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association
and the American Medical Association all recommend screening for
high blood pressure in normal children starting at the age of
As noted above, the high chance of it being due to a secondary cause
demands a diligent search for said cause. A considerable majority will
turn out to be of renal origin.
Level of Severity
Mild Hypertension
Moderate Hypertension
Severe Hypertension
Systolic Blood Pressure Diastolic Blood pressure
140-160
90-100
160-200
100-120
Above 200
Above 120
Blood Pressure Range Chart Notes
NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
BP READINGS RANGE
HIGH Blood Pressure Symptoms Stressed, Sedentary, Bloated, Weak, Failing
Systolic - Diastolic
210 - 120 - Stage 4 High Blood Pressure
180 - 110 - Stage 3 High Blood Pressure
160 - 100 - Stage 2 High Blood Pressure
140 - 90 - Stage 1 High Blood Pressure
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140 - 90 - BORDERLINE HIGH
130 - 85 - High Normal
120 - 80 - NORMAL Blood Pressure
110 - 75 - Low Normal
90 - 60 - BORDERLINE LOW
60 - 40 - TOO LOW Blood Pressure
50 - 33 - DANGER Blood Pressure
LOW Blood Pressure Symptoms Weak, Tired, Dizzy, Fainting, Coma
Blood Pressure Levels Table
Here is essentially the same information
presented above, in tabular format,
with notes at the bottom.
Comment
Far, Far, Far
TOO HIGH
Medication Is
ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY
To Prevent
Heart Attack
and Stroke
Way Too High Medication Is
STRONGLY ADVISED
Too High Most Doctors
Will Prescribe Meds
Borderline Some Doctors
Will Prescribe Meds
Pulse
Pressure
Systolic Diastolic (S - D) MAP
95 167
230
135
95
162
225
130
220
130
90
160
215
125
90
155
210
125
85
153
205
120
85
148
200
120
80
147
80
142
195
115
190
115
75
140
185
110
75
135
180
110
70
133
175
105
70
128
170
105
65
127
165
100
65
122
160
100
60
120
60
115
155
95
150
95
55
113
145
90
55
108
140
135
90
85
50
107
50
102
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Good
Very Good
Excellent
130
85
45
100
125
80
45
95
120
80
93
115
75
40
88
110
70
40
83
105
70
35
82
100
65
35
77
95
65
Children and Athletes
90
Too Low Meds May Be
Required To
Prevent Fainting
(Syncope)
Far, Far, Far
Too Low MEDICATION
REQUIRED
270-510
40
60
60
30
75
30
70
30
65
85
55
80
55
25
63
75
50
25
58
70
50
20
57
65
45
20
52
60
45
15
50
55
40
15
45
50
35
15
43
60
60
60
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1. Why did I do this? I searched high and low on the Internet, and I could
find nothing like this in one place - a Summary of human BP range, the
Averages, and the Comments relating to each BP level.
2. How did I get the numbers? I started with the commonly seen
"Systolic/ Diastolic pairs" seen in the literature - 200/120, 160/100,
140/90, 120/80 and 90/60. From there, I interpolated and extrapolated all
the other numbers. Note that these are AVERAGE relationships. For
instance, instead of 140/90, your BP may be 140/100, or 140/80. Each
individual will have a unique systolic-diastolic relationship. If your S/D
difference varies significantly from the averages shown above, this can
be helpful in assessing your particular cardiovascular condition.
3. Fairly recently, the difference between Systolic and Diastolic pressure,
named "Pulse Pressure", has been gaining interest in the research
community. This Pulse Pressure has been found to correlate linearly with
heart attack risk - the higher the number, the higher the risk. According
to this theory, a BP of 140/ 90 (PP=50) is more desirable than a BP of
140/ 80 (PP=60).
This PP relationship at each pressure appears to be almost linear.
4. As for the comments, I have "averaged" the references made in the
literature, since not all doctors agree upon the pressures at which to treat,
and how aggressively to treat (multiple medications, type of meds, etc.).
You can rest assured that the pharmaceutical companies prefer that you
take medication at 135/80, since they sell the meds. Most doctors are not
so aggressive. Remember that ALL medications have side effects. Heart
medications have more serious side effects than any other class of
prescription drugs.
5. Be aware of the "Circadian Rhythm" cycle. Your Blood Pressure is
highly influenced by the time of day. For normal people, the highest BP
occurs about midday, and the lowest at about 3-4 AM in the morning.
For some people, described as "non-dippers", this early morning BP dip
does not occur. For these people, highest blood pressure usually occurs
around 6 AM to 9 AM in the morning. Some doctors are not aware of
this, and make erroneous assumptions. A non-dipper may see 150/95 in
the morning, and 130/85 in the evening. Non-dipping is usually
associated with abnormal sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea, heavy
snoring, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.
6. One blood pressure reading means very little. The advice to "Have
your blood pressure checked once a year" is useless. What time of day?
Had you eaten less salty foods recently? Were you relaxed that day,
when you are usually much more stressed? Had you recently exercised
vigorously? You must check your BP far more often than once a year,
especially if you show "borderline" readings. I can produce a very low,
or very high blood pressure AT WILL, based upon what I do during the
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24 hours prior to the measurement.
7. Beware of "white coat syndrome", which results in a much higher BP
reading than normal, due to the authoritative doctor, the foreboding,
sterile exam room, and the smells such as alcohol and disinfectant. All
this is not relaxing. Some unaware doctors may prescribe medication,
when in fact, you don't need it at all. As soon as you leave the office,
your BP returns to normal. This is another great reason to use your own
automatic BP wrist monitor, so that you come to know your own body,
and the effects of stress, food, mood, sleep, and time of day.
8. MAP = Mean Arterial Pressure. Three formulas are used to compute
MAP. All three produce very similar results.
Above, I used Method #1 MAP = DP + (1/3 (SP - DP))
Ideal Mean Arterial Pressure is defined as 93 mm of mercury, which
corresponds to 120/80.
Alternative Method #2 Also, MAP = (2/3 DP) + (1/3 SP)
Alternative Method #3
MAP = ((2*DP) + SP) / 3
where SP= Systolic Pressure,
and DP= Diastolic Pressure
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Fluctuating Blood Pressure
...is not a big deal but what if fluctuating blood pressure predicts
something that is a big deal?
Definitions of Fluctuating and Labile Blood
Pressure:
Fluctuating blood pressure: This is not an official term in
medicine. It merely means that the pressure varies from the desirable
level to an undesirable level.
Labile blood pressure: Also called borderline hypertension. A
condition in which the pressure is sometimes in the normo tensive range
and sometimes in the hypertensive range.
This sounds a lot alike and as far as I know they are basically the same
thing.
The Significance of Fluctuating Blood Pressure:
This depends on what percentage of the time your pressure is up and
what percentage it is down:



Up a small % of the time: Then you will get only a small % of the
adverse effects and risks of the higher pressure.
Up about one half of the time: You will get about one half of the adverse
effects and risks.
Up most of the time: You will probably suffer most of the adverse
effects of elevated pressure.
Doctor’s Practical Guide:
So the significance of the fluctuations in blood pressure is dependent on
how high it goes and how long it stays up.
There is a further significance. There is something different about
someone whose blood pressure is sometimes elevated. Today’s’
intermittent elevation is tomorrow’s sustained elevation. In other words
it is a predictor of hypertension in the future.
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This is a great opportunity and a very fertile area for natural measures to
lower blood pressure and indeed prevent moving into the actual
hypertensive state. Measures like:













Exercise
Diet
Smoking cessation
Alcohol restriction (1 or 2 drinks a day)
Weight loss (easier said than done)
Sodium (salt) reduction
Deep breathing exercises
Herbs and other supplements.
These carry no real risk and can make a marvelously better you. The
benefits of the measures go far beyond just eliminating fluctuations in
blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Diet: Foods to Avoid
1. Alcohol
People with high blood pressure should not drink alcohol. While studies have demonstrated
that low levels of alcohol intake can have protective effects for the heart, and can possibly
reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, research has also clearly demonstrated that
consuming alcohol in the setting of exisiting high blood pressure is unhealthy.
Alcohol directly raises blood pressure, and further acts to damage the walls of blood vessels,
which can elevate the blood pressure further and make it more difficult to treat, while
simultaneously increasing the risk of complications.
2. Salt
In some people, eating too much salt can make high blood pressure much worse. In others,
the same salt consumption may have no effect. The problem is that no doctor or scientist can
tell which is the case for an individual patient until it is too late.
This, combined with the fact that too much salt is bad for the heart regardless of blood
pressure status, means that reduced sodium is a strongly recommended part of a healthy diet.
These recommendations are especially important in the setting of secondary high blood
pressure due to kidney problems.
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3. Fats
Saturated fats, especially trans-fats, are bad for both the heart and blood vessels. Because the
circulatory system is already under a lot of stress in the setting of high blood pressure, extra
strain can be devastating.
The balanced high blood pressure diet should include sparse amounts of saturated and transfats (red meat, fast food), and moderate amounts of other fats (olives, canola oil).
Sphygmomanometer
Electronic sphygmomanometer
Aneroid sphygmomanometer with an adult cuff
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Aneroid sphygmomanometer dial, bulb, and air valve
Clinical mercury Manometer
A sphygmomanometer blood pressure meter (also referred to as a sphygmometer) is a device
used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a
mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction
with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it
is unimpeded. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope.
The word comes from the Greek sphygmós (pulse), plus the scientific term manometer
(pressure meter). The device was invented by Samuel Siegfried Karl Ritter von Basch in
1881. Scipione Riva-Rocci introduced a more easily used version in 1896. In 1901, Harvey
Cushing modernized the device and popularized it within the medical community.
A sphygmomanometer consists of an inflatable cuff, a measuring unit (the mercury
manometer, or aneroid gauge), and inflation bulb and valve, for manual instruments.
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Operation
In humans, the cuff is normally placed smoothly and snugly around an upper arm, at roughly
the same vertical height as the heart while the subject is seated with the arm supported. Other
sites of placement depend on species, it may include the flipper or tail. It is essential that the
correct size of cuff is selected for the patient. Too small a cuff results in too high a pressure,
while too large a cuff results in too low a pressure.
For clinical measurements, it is imperative to measure both arms in the initial consultation,
to determine if the pressure is significantly higher in one arm than the other. A difference of
10 mm Hg may be a sign of coarctation of the aorta.
Records notes should be made as to which arm measures the highest. Afterwards, measure
the higher reading arm.
The cuff is inflated until the artery is completely occluded. Listening with a stethoscope to
the brachial artery at the elbow, the examiner slowly releases the pressure in the cuff. As the
pressure in the cuffs falls, a "whooshing" or pounding sound is heard when blood flow first
starts again in the artery. The pressure at which this sound began is noted and recorded as the
systolic blood pressure. The cuff pressure is further released until the sound can no longer be
heard. This is recorded as the diastolic blood pressure.
In noisy environments where auscultation is impossible (such as the scenes often
encountered in emergency medicine), systolic blood pressure alone may be read by releasing
the pressure until a radial pulse is palpated (felt).
In veterinary medicine, auscultation is rarely of use, and palpation or visualization of pulse
distal to the sphygmomanometer is used to detect systolic pressure.
Significance
By observing the mercury in the column while releasing the air pressure with a control valve,
one can read the values of the blood pressure in mm Hg. The peak pressure in the arteries
during the cardiac cycle is the systolic pressure, and the lowest pressure (at the resting phase
of the cardiac cycle) is the diastolic pressure. A stethoscope is used in the auscultatory
method. Systolic pressure (first phase) is identified with the first of the continuous Korotkoff
sounds. Diastolic is identified at the moment the Korotkoff sounds disappear (fifth phase).
Measurement of the blood pressure is carried out in the diagnosis and treatment of
hypertension (high blood pressure), and in many other healthcare scenarios.
Types
There are three types of sphygmomanometers:

Digital with manual or automatic inflation. These are electronic, easy to operate, and practical
in noisy environments. They measure mean arterial pressure (MAP) and use oscillometric
detection to calculate systolic and diastolic values. In this sense, they do not actually measure
the blood pressure, but rather derive the readings. Digital oscillometric monitors are also
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



confronted with "special conditions" for which they are not designed to be used:
arteriosclerosis; arrhythmia; preeclampsia; pulsus alternans; and pulsus paradoxus.
Digital portable finger blood pressure monitors with automatic inflation. These are more
portable and easy to operate, although less accurate. They are the smallest blood pressure
monitors.
Manual. Ideally operated by a trained person, mercury manometers are considered to be the
gold standard and cannot be decalibrated , they are consistently accurate. Due to their
accuracy, they are often required in clinical trials of pharmaceuticals and for clinical
evaluations of determining blood pressure for high risk patients including pregnant women.
Aneroid (mechanical types with a dial) are in common use but they require regular calibration
checks, unlike a mercury manometer. Aneroid sphygmomanometers are considered safer than
mercury based, although less accurate.The prime reason for such maintenance is their
susceptibility to bumps which can alter their accuracy. Wall mounted and mobile aneroids
avoid this shortcoming. The aneroid sphygmomanometer should be checked for accuracy
(usually every 6 months) by using a mercury manometer, as the gold standard.
The unit of measurement of blood pressure is millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and are
usually given as an even number. Manual sphygmomanometers require a stethoscope for
auscultation. Although it is possible to obtain a basic reading through palpation, this only
yields the systolic number.
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Siddha aspect of hypertension
Siddhars call hypertension as “Kuruthiazhal” or “Irratha pitham”.
Definition of kuruthiazhal:
Due to external reasons pitham increases from its normal level and merge with the
second udal thathu blood and increases the blood’s pressure and disturbs the normal
parameters of blood.
Causes of kuruthiazhal:
It is caused due to the following reasons:
 Excessive exposure to hot sun,
 Taking more spicy,salty,sour and pungent taste foods frequently,
 Over indulgence in sex,
 Improper sleep habits.
Types of kuruthiazhal:
Ther are two thoughts in classifying this disease.
1st type of classification: 8 types. They are:
1. Vali kuruthiazhal:
2. Azhal kuruthiazhal:
3. Iyam kuruthiazhal:
4. Valiazhal kuruthiazhal:
5. Valiiyam kuruthiazhal:
6. Iyavali kuruthiazhal:
7. Iyaazhal kuruthiazhal:
8. Mukkutra kuruthiazhal:
2nd type of classification: 4 types. They are:
1. Melnooku
2. Keelnooku
3. Iru nokku
4. Azhalavilla nokku.
Symptoms of kuruthiazhal:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Headache
Anorexia
Nausea
Vomiting
Apthousulcer
Guidiness
Sleeplessness
Breathlessness
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9. Palpitation
10. Excessive sweeting
11. Dysurea
Treatment:
The word siddha means “An object to be attained”, “Perfection” or “heavenly bliss”.”
The knowledge of siddha was hand over to siddhar’s by God Shiva.
Even though the siddhars are numerous, the Eighteen siddhars are well known by the
Tamil community.
Siddha is fully based on Panchabutha Theory ( Five element) and it emphasis a strong
relationship between the universe and body.
Vatham, Pitham and Kapam that is three humours play important role in different
functions of the body called Uyirthathu (Physiology). Disturbance in equilibrium of
uyirthathu is called Mukkuttrum (Pathology). The Diagnosis, treatment and preventive
care are based on three humours.
According to siddhars in case of hypertension reducing pitha is the main objective in
treating hypertension.
Treatment in herbal medicine:
A Few Herbs For High Blood Pressure :
According to the Natural Medicines there are fifteen supplements including herbs that
are rated "Possibly Effective" in lowering blood pressure:
Only stevia, garlic, green tea and oolong tea tea are herbs.
The others are naturally occurring substances. All fifteen are listed here with comments:
Alpha-linolenic acid: Reduces risk of hypertension by about one third. Good
preventive effect. Some safety concerns.
Blond psyllium: Reduces by 8 mm systolic and 2 mm diastolic. Good effect
Calcium: Very modest reductions. May not be worth the effort. Important in
osteoporosis and should be taken in regard to this consideration. Bulky.
Cod liver oil: Modest effect. Bulky.
Coenzyme Q-10: May get up to 17 mm reduction in systolic and 10 mm in diastolic.
26% reduction in isolated systolic hypertension. Takes about 12 weeks to obtain full
benefit. Excellent effect.
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Fish oil: A modest effect, similar to cod liver oil. Bulky.
Garlic: A 2 to 7% reduction. Modest effect. A food and bulky.
Green tea and Oolong tea: One half to two cups a day for a year cuts the risk of
developing high blood pressure by 46%. 600 ml a day (2 ½ cups) cuts risk by 65%. An
excellent preventive effect Very bulky but available as an extract.
Olive or olive leaf extract: Some lowering effect. Has other benefits such as
cholesterol lowering, reducing heart attacks and heart disease, and reducing risk of
breast cancer and colorectal cancer and, oddly, rheumatoid arthritis.
Potassium: Reduces systolic 2-4 mm and diastolic 0.5 to 3.5 mm. Modest effect.
Controls cardiac rhythm Both high and low levels are serious! We won’t meddle with
this.
Pycnogenol (pine bark extract): Affects only systolic, reducing Stage One
hypertensives (140-159) to about 133 mm Hg. Very good effect.
Stevia (stevioside): Reduces systolic by 10-14 mm and diastolic by 6-14 mm. Very
good effect. Bulky.
Sweet orange (juice): Rich in potassium so the effect is that of potassium. Drink some
orange juice. A food and bulky.
Vitamin C: Works only in conjunction with antihypertensive medication, otherwise has
no effect. Does it work in conjunction with herbs that lower blood pressure? A study to
this effect was not found. Why not try it and see?
Wheat bran: Modest effects, but how much bran can you eat? A food and bulky.
A number of these are “foods”, are bulky and therefore can only be taken separately.
They are listed here:
 Blond psyllium
 Calcium
 Cod liver oil
 Fish oil
 Garlic. Can be extract.
 Green and Oolong teas. Can be extract.
 Olive oil. Can be extract.
 Stevia. Can be extract but still too bulky.
 Sweet orange
 Wheat bran
These must be considered singly because of their bulk except for the ones that can be
made into extracts or concentrates of their active ingredients.
High Blood Pressure Natural Remedies:
Taking naturally occurring substances:
 Potassium: This works. Expect an average reduction in systolic pressure of 4.4
mm Hg.
 Calcium: This works but to a lesser extent, perhaps a third as much as
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potassium. Look for an average of 1.4 mm Hg.
 Fish oil supplementation: As good as potassium. Expect about 4.5 mm Hg
reduction in systolic pressure. Unpleasant side-effects for 1/3 of people.
 Magnesium: Frequently touted as one of the high blood pressure natural
remedies. Inadequate data provides no reason to believe it works. Small studies
demonstrated mixed results.
Avoiding naturally occurring substances:
 Salt (Sodium chloride) : Provides some of the best results in pressure reduction.
Cut your salt by a little more than half and see a 6.8 mm Hg reduction in
systolic.
 Saturated fat: Eating vegetables and fruits and other preferred food in place of
saturated fats reduces systolic by 5.5 mm Hg.Excellent.
 Excess alcohol: Hold it down to 2 or 3 drinks a day and see a 2.6 mm Hg
reduction. African-American men get twice as much benefit.
 Caffeine and Nicotine: These substances have a transient effect on blood
pressure and don’t contribute to a sustained elevation. Elimination of these does
not affect average blood pressure. We all can think of reasons to quit smoking.
Lifestyle modifications:
 Proper diet: Eating fruits, vegetables, nuts and low-fat dairy products lowers
blood pressure by 5.5 mm Hg systolic and you don’t have to lose weight.
 Exercise: My favorite. Expect at least 4 mm Hg reduction. Many other benefits
as well.
 Weight loss: 4.5 mm Hg systolic drop. Could be a lot more. Other benefits
accrue not the least of which are looking good and feeling good”.
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Aravindh Herbal Remedy For High Blood
Pressure:
Few people know which herbs that lower blood pressure can be effective and how much
to take. Don’t waste your efforts.
How nice it would be to have a combination of supplements or herbs that lower blood
pressure all in one capsule. This is available right now in aravindh herbals. Read this
physician’s guide...
It’s the capsule “HERBO SERPIN” which contains the following ingredients:
1. Rauvolfia serpentine
2. Andrographis paniculata
3. Vetriveria zizanioides
4. Citrus reticulate
5. Santalum album
6. Tricosanthes cucumerina
7. Cyperus rotundus
8. Zingiber officinale
9. Piper nigrum
10.Withania somnifera
Action of the ingredients in Herboserpin:
The action of the ingredients are mentioned with a detailed study of each and every
ingredients of the capsule on scientific basis.
Read the following to understand the capsule’s action to control hypertension.
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Rauvolfia serpentina
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Gentianales
Family:
Apocynaceae
Genus:
Rauvolfia
Species:
Serpentine
Botanical name:
Rauvolfia Serpentine
Distribution
Rauvolfia serpentina, or 'snakeroot' or 'sarpagandha' is a species of flowering plant in the
family Apocynaceae. It is native to South and East Asia (from India to China and Indonesia)
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The plant is found in almost all parts of India up to an altitude of about 1000 meters. It grows
in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Jawa, in abundance.
Morphology
An erect glabrous shrub grows 0.33-1 meter in height. The leaves whorled, 7-15 cm long and
5-6 cm broad, bright green above and pale beneath. The flowers about 1.5 cm long, petals
white or pinkish. or red, occurring in whorls. Peduncle deep red, in small clusters. The fruits,
drupes, small, round, dark purple when ripe. The roots 40 cm long and 2 cm in diameter, hard
when dry, grayish in color. It is the roots of the plant that are mainly used for medicinal
purposes.
Chemical Contents
The root contains an alkaloid ophioxylin, an orange colored crystalline principle, resin, st
and wax. The total alkaloid yield is 0.5%.
Five crystalline alkaloids isolated are ajmaline. Ajmalicine, serpentine, serpent-tinine and
yohimbine.
Other constituents identified are phytosterol, oleic acid and unsaturated alcohols or formula
C25 H44O2.
The root also contains a lot of resin and starch and when incinerated leaves about 8% of ash
consisting mainly of potassium carbonate, phosphate, silicate and traces of iron and
manganese.
About 7 species of Rauwolifa are uninvestigated. Structure elucidation of reserpine and
deserpidine; essential oil (0.22%) from roots yielded chief terpene constituent – serpoterpine.
Detection of reserpine, reserpinine, yohimbine, ajmaline, serpentine and serpentinine by PC.
Stereo-chemical studies in structure elucidation of yohimbine and reserpine.Bio chemicals
isolated from it’s root are ajmaline, ajmalicine, reserpine, sarpagine, yohimbine, deserpidine,
rescinnamine aricine and serpiline.
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Medicinal uses
Sarpagandha is bitter and pungent in taste, pungent in the post digestive effective and has hot
potency. It alleviates kapha and vata doshas but aggravates the pitta dosha.
It has a special potency as a sedative, anti-epileptic and anti-hysteric. It possesses light and
dry attributes. It is beneficial in the treatment of hypertension (ati asrabhinodana), fever,
psychogenic disorders (manasa roga) and worm infestations.
The extract of the plant has also been used for millennia in India — Alexander the Great
administered this plant to cure his general Ptolemy of a poisoned arrow.
It was reported that Mahatma Gandhi took it as a tranquilizer during his lifetimeA compound
which it contains called reserpine, is used to treat high blood pressure and mental disorders
including schizophrenia, and was particularly popular for that purpose in the West from 1954
to 1957.
It has been used for millennia as an antidote against bites of venomous reptiles.
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The wood, commonly known as serpentwood, is mildly popular amongst woodcarving and
woodturning hobbyists.Sarpagandha is a famous tranquilizer and antipsychotic herb of India
for the treatment of paranoia and schizophrenia, as well as a substance that controls
hypertension..
Although this plant was well known in India, westerners paid no attention to it until an Indian
physician wrote an article on rauvolfia in 1943. Because of the drug's noted sedative effects,
it was used to treat over a million Indians in the 1940s for high blood pressure.
After a U.S. physician named Wilkins demonstrated the positive effects of reserpine (1952),
the plant made front page news. This drug rapidly replaced electric shock and lobotomy as
treatments for certain types of mental illness.
Moreover, knowledge about the chemistry of this natural plant stimulated the synthesis of
other similar alkaloids that are now used as major tranquilizers.
The Sanskrit word sarpagandha literally means one which smells like a serpent. It is
mentioned in all ancient Ayurvedic scriptures for its special property, as a sedative. It is also
cited to have a special potency as an anti-epileptic and as a remedy for gysteria.
Maharishi Charka has categorized it as svapna janana – sedative Sarpagandha, during last
few decades, has attracted the attention of the scientists for its anti hypertensive property.
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The roots of sarpagandha orally, it is used in gastrointestinal maladies like anoresia, dyspepsia, worms and abdominal pain. For this purpose, sarpagandha, kutaja bark skin and vyaghri
eranda roots are mixed (in 1:2:3 proportion) and given with the milk. It destroys ama and
eliminates vata from the gut.
In fever associated with delirium or agitation, sarpagandha works well as it relieves the
fever, along with digests the ama.
In hypertension the paste of its roots, mixed with rose water and rock candy ameliorates
mental stress. Headache, giddiness and induces sound sleep.
In hyper excited patients of hysteria and epilepsy, sarpagandha renders a calming effect on
mind. It also acts as a catalyst to sadhaka pitta and imparts a nervine activity.
In insomnia, it works well when given along with ghee.
Sarpagandha works well with Kutaj skin, given with the buttermilk in treating bacillary
dysentery. In chronic fever, the root powder is given by itself.
In serpant bite, the powder of its roots is given orally, as well as, applied topically on the site
of bite.
Sarpagandha , being an uterine stimulant, is beneficial in dysmenorrheal and is salutary in the
delivery of the placenta and to augment the uterine contractions (labor pains).
In males, it is used to suppress the excessive sexual vigor, as it depresses the libido. The
juice of the leaves is used as a remedy for the removal of opacities of the cornea.
Recently, Sarpagandha has regained the attraction of scientists as a safe antihypertensive
medicine.
Adulteration
While selecting the raw material (root), care should be taken to see that the bark is intact. If
the bark is peeled off, the quality of the root is severely affected as the bark contains more
alkaloid than the woody portion. Among commercial supplies, this raw material is often
adulterated with stems of Rauwolfia serpentine, roots of other Rauwolfia species and roots of
the Clerodendrum species.
Pharmacological action
Constituent that helps lower high blood pressure: Reserpine, an alkaloid substance with
powerfulsedativeeffectfoundintheroot.
Although this herb is best known for treating high blood pressure, it is used in Indian folk
medicine as remedy for mental disorders too. The role of reserpine in reducing blood pressure
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can be described as follows.
Dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and noradrenaline are a group of hormones
(neurotransmitters) known collectively as catecholamines.
These are produced in the adrenal glands and are released into the bloodstream in response to
physical or emotional stress.
Noradrenaline constricts the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure and adrenaline
increases the heart rate and metabolism.
Reserpine works by significantly lowering catecholamines stores in adrenergic nerves and in
the heart.
This slows down the heart rate and helps open up capillaries and arterioles which in turn cause
areductioninbloodpressure. The powdered root of Rauwolfia serpentina contains not less than
0.15 percent of alkaloids calculated as reserpine. Studies conducted to determine the effect of
R.serpentinarootonbloodpressurefoundthat reserpine is effective in reducing systolic blood
pressure approximately to the same degree as otherfirstlineanti-hypertensivedrugs.
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Andrographis paniculata
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Eudicots
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Acanthaceae
Genus:
Andrographis
Species:
paniculata
Botanical name:
Andrographis paniculata
Distribution
Andrographis paniculata is a herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to India and
Sri Lanka.
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It is widely cultivated in Southern and Southeastern Asia. Mostly the leaves and roots were
used for medicinal purposes.
The genus Andrographis consists of 28 species of small annual shrubs essentially distributed
in tropical Asia. Only a few species are medicinal, of which A. paniculata is the most
popular.
A. paniculata is distributed in tropical Asian countries, often in isolated patches. It can be
found in a variety of habitats, such as plains, hillsides, coastlines, and disturbed and
cultivated areas such as roadsides, farms, and wastelands.
Native populations of A. paniculata are spread throughout south India and Sri Lanka which
perhaps represent the center of origin and diversity of the species.
The herb is an introduced species in northern parts of India, Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, the
West Indies, and elsewhere in the Americas.
The species also occurs in Hong Kong, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and other parts of Asia
where it may or may not be native. The plant is cultivated in many areas, as well.
Unlike other species of the genus, A. paniculata is of common occurrence in most places in
India, including the plains and hilly areas up to 500 m, which accounts for its wide use.
Morphology
Andrographis paniculata is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in all parts of the
plant body. The plant is known in north-eastern India as Maha-tita, literally "king of bitters".
As an Ayurveda herb it is known as Kalmegh or Kalamegha, meaning "dark cloud".
It is also known as Bhui-neem, meaning "neem of the ground", since the plant, though being a
small annual herb, has a similar strong bitter taste as that of the large Neem tree (Azadirachta
indica).
In Malaysia, it is known as Hempedu Bumi, which literally means 'bile of earth' since it is
one of the most bitter plants that are used in traditional medicine.
Description
Andrographis paniculata grows erect to a height of 30–110 cm in moist, shady places.
The slender stem is dark green, squared in cross-section with longitudinal furrows and wings
along the angles.
The lance-shaped leaves have hairless blades measuring up to 8 centimeters long by 2.5 wide.
The small flowers are borne in spreading racemes.
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The fruit is a capsule around 2 centimeters long and a few millimeters wide. It contains many
yellow-brown seeds.
Cultivation
It does best in a sunny location. The seeds are sown during May and June. The seedlings are
transplanted at a distance of 60 cm x 30 cm.
Chemical contents
Andrographolide is the major constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant which is a
bicyclic diterpenoid lactone. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by Gorter (1911).
Such other activities as liver protection under various experimental conditions of treatment
with galactosamine, paracetamol etc. are also attributed to Andrographolide.
The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to the activity of certain metabolic
enzymes.
Systematic studies on chemistry of A. paniculata have been carried out.Some known
constituents are:












"14-Deoxy-11-dehydroandrographolide, Plant
14-Deoxy-11-oxoandrographolide, Plant
5-Hydroxy-7,8,2',3'-Tetramethoxyflavone, Plant
5-Hydroxy-7,8,2'-Trimethoxyflavone, Tissue Culture
Andrographine, Root
Andrographolide, Plant
Neoandrographolide, Plant
Panicoline, Root
Paniculide-A, Plant
Paniculide-B, Plant
Paniculide-C, Plant"
Andrographis contains andrographolide, deoxyandrographolide and
neoandrographolide, 5,7, tetramethoxyflavanone and 5-hydroxy-7, trimethoxyflavone,
as well as several other flavonoids and polyphenols.
Medicinal use
Since ancient times, A. peniculata is used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of
medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India and some other countries for multiple clinical
applications.
From a biomedicinal perspective, the therapeutic value of Kalmegh is due to its mechanism
of action which is perhaps by enzyme induction.
The plant extract exhibits antityphoid and antifungal activities.
Kalmegh is also reportedto possess
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








antihepatotoxic,
antibiotic,
antimalarial,
antihepatitic,
antithrombogenic,
antiinflammatory,
anti-snake venom,
antipyretic
immunostimulant agent.
A study conducted at BastyrUniversity, showed a significant rise in the mean CD4
lymphocyte level of HIV subjects after administration of 10 mg/kg andrographolide, the
chief constituent extracted from the leaves of the plant.
The herb has shown an ability to reduce inflammation (heat) and fight viral infection, and is
used as a principal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicinal formulas for lung support from
colds.
The herb is the well-known drug Kalmegh 'green chiretta', and forms the principal ingredient
of a household medicine used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge.
The Tamils have been using Nilavempu - as it is called in Tamil - for centuries. In Siddha
medicine, Andrographis Paniculata is used widely to treat fevers like chikenguinea, swineflu, typhoid etc.
Diabetes
The ethanolic extract of andrographis possesses antidiabetic property. Its antidiabetic effect
may be attributed at least in part to increased glucose metabolism.
Familial Mediterranean Fever
Standardized fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata Nees, with Eleutherococcus
senticosus Maxim, Schizandra chinensis Bail. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts a good
result in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Herpes Simplex
Andrographis paniculata inhibits herpes simplex I activity in vitro.
Immune system
Most flavonoids have anti-microbial activity and have a positive effect on the immune
system. Andrographis has demonstrated significant activity in fighting common cold, flu, and
upper respiratory infections.
Malaria
Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata..
Mind and mental effect & Hypertension
Andrographis extract exhibited a significant alteration in behavior pattern and a reduction in
spontaneous motility in animals.
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The extract also produced a prolongation of the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and
lowered the body temperature in different experimental animal models.
This proved its action in lowering stress and hypertension simultaneously.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis
symptoms:
Andrographis paniculata possesses anti-inflammatory effects, attributed to the main
constituent andrographolide proposed as alternative in the treatment of autoimmune disease.
A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study in patients with
rheumatoid arthritis was performed. Tablets made of an extract of A. paniculata (30% total
andrographolides) were administered three times a day for 14 weeks, after a 2-week washout
period to 60 patients with active RA.
The intensity of joint pain decreased .A significant diminishing in tender joint, number of
swollen joints, total grade of swollen joint, number of tender joints, total grade of swollen
joints was observed within the group with the active drug.
Moreover, it was associated to a reduction of rheumatoid factor, IgA, and C4.
These findings suggest that A. paniculata herb could be a useful natural complement in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Pharmacological action
Andrographis paniculata plant extract is known to possess a variety of pharmacological
activities.
Andrographolide is a bitter water-soluble lactone exhibiting protective effects in carbon
tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
Its LD in male mice was 11.46 gm/kg, ip. This bitter principle was isolated in pure form by
Gorter (1911). Such other activities as liver protection under various experimental conditions
of treatment with galactosamine, paracetamol etc. are also attributed to andrographolide.
The hepatoprotective action of andrographolide is related to activity of certain metabolic
enzymes.
Andrographolide, the major constituent of the extract, is implicated in its pharmacological
activity. A study has been conducted on the cellular processes and targets modulated by
andrographolide treatment in human cancer and immune cells.
Andrographolide treatment inhibited the in vitro proliferation of different tumor cell lines,
representing various types of cancers. The compound exerts direct anticancer activity on
cancer cells by cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through induction of cell cycle inhibitory
protein p27 and decreased expression of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4).
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Immunostimulatory activity of andrographolide is evidenced by increased proliferation of
lymphocytes and production of interleukin 2.
Andrographolide also enhanced the tumor necrosis factor α production and CD marker
expression, resulting in increased cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against cancer cells,
which may contribute for its indirect anticancer activity.
The in vivo anticancer activity of the compound is further substantiated against B16F0
melanoma syngenic and HT 29 xenograft models. These results suggest that andrographolide
is an interesting pharmacophore with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities and hence
has the potential for being developed as a cancer therapeutic agent
In one Chilean study, the herb had a significant drying effect on the nasal secretions of cold
sufferers who took 1,200 milligrams of andrographis extract daily for five days.
A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials also
suggested the herb alone or in combination with eleuthero may be an appropriate alternative
treatment of uncomplicated acute upper respiratory tract infection.
A recent(2011)randomised, double-blind, multicentre,study found Andrographis paniculata
as effective as mesalazine (mesalamine) in ulcerative colitis.
Further, andrographolide inhibits interleukin-6 expression and suppresses prostate cancer
cell growth in vitro.
Andrographis has been shown to be a safe traditional botanical for supporting upper
respiratory tract health, per analysis of seven double-blind controlled trials.
The herb has been shown to inhibit RANTES secretion in inflamed bronchial cells.
RANTES is a chemoattractant for eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes that is stored in,
and released by, platelets and activated T-cells.
In related research: Andrographolide, an active ingredient in Andrographis, has been shown
to be responsible for the herb's inflammatory modulating actions, including the reduction of
cytokine and peritoneal deposition of neutrophils, and modulation of lung inflammation in
vivo.
Extracts of Andrographis exhibit potent inflammatory modulating and antioxidant actions in
mouse models.
Andrographis paniculata extracts are mosquito repellent and can also be adulticidal to
mosquitoes, viz., Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti.
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Vetiveria zizanioides
.
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Commelinids
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Vetiveria
Species:
Zizanioides
Botanical name:
Vetiveria zizanioides
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Distribution
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver (from Tamil), is a perennial grass of
the Poaceae family, native to India. In western and northern India, it is popularly known as
khus. Though it originates in India, vetiver is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of the
world. The world's major producers include Haiti, India, Java, and Réunion.
Morphology
Vetiver can grow up to 1.5 metres high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the
leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid; the flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses,
which form horizontally spreading mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2–4
metres in depth.
Vetiver is most closely related to Sorghum but shares many morphological characteristics
with other fragrant grasses such as lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), citronella
(Cymbopogon nardus, C. winterianus), and Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii
The most commonly used commercial genotypes of vetiver are sterile (do not produce fertile
seeds), and because vetiver propagates itself by small offsets instead of underground stolons,
these genotypes are noninvasive and can easily be controlled by cultivation of the soil at the
boundary of the hedge.
The vetiver grass has a gregarious habit and lives in bunches.
Shoots growing from the underground crown make the plant frost and fire resistant and allow
it to survive heavy grazing pressure.
The leaves can become up to 120-150 centimeters long and 0.8 centimeters wide.
The inflorescence is a panicle of numerous slender racemes in whorls on a central axis. The
panicles are 15-30 centimeters long and have whorled, 2.5-5.0 centimeters long branches.
The spikelets are grey-green or purplish in colour and in pairs. One is sessile and the other is
pedicelled. Those of each pair are more or less alike in shape and size, different in sex and 2flowered. The lower floret is reduced to a lemma. Upper is bisexual in the sessile. Male is in
the pedicelled spikelet, glumes armed with short, tubercle-based spines, lemmas awn-less,
palea minute.
The flowers grey, purplish, in slender racemes 10-30 cm in length. The fruits are oblong
grains; the roots are hairy and aromatic and flowers in June.
The plant stems are erect and stiff. They can persist deep water flow. Under clear water, the
plant can survive up to 2 months.
The root system of vetiver is finely structured and very strong. It can grow 3–4 meters deep
within the first year. Vetiver has no stolons nor rhizomes.
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Because of all these characteristics, the vetiver plant is highly drought tolerant and can help
to protect soil against sheet erosion. In case of sediment deposition, new roots can grow out
of buried nodes. The Vetiver System, a technology of soil conservation and water quality
management, is based on the use of the vetiver plant.
Chemical contents
A volatile oil resins, coloring agents, iron oxide and lime salts have isolated from the plant.
Khusimal, zizanol and isovalesenol are isolated from essential oil together with a new
sequiterpene alcohol which was characterized.
A new epoxy alchoholkhusinol oxide-isolated from oil and its structure established
Cyclopacamphenol, epicyclocopacamphenol, vetiselinenol and zizanol isolated and their
structures elucidated Tetrahedron.
Vetiver oil or khus oil is a complex oil containing over 100 identified components,
typicall.They are:
benzoic acid
furfurol
vetivene
vetivenyl vetivenate
terpinen-4-ol
5-epiprezizane
Khusimene
α-muurolene
Khusimone
Calacorene
β-humulene
α-longipinene
γ-selinene
δ-selinene
valencene
δ-cadinene
Calarene,-gurjunene α-amorphene
Epizizanal
3-epizizanol
Khusimol
Iso-khusimol
Valerenol
β-vetivone
vetivazulene
α-vetivone

Structure of α-vetivone, the main fragrant component of the oil of vetiver.

Structure of khusimol, another fragrant component of the oil of vetiver.
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
Structure of β-vetivone, another fragrant component of the oil of vetiver.
Vetiveer’s oil:
The oil is amber brown and rather thick.
The odor of vetiver oil is described as deep, sweet, woody, smoky, earthy, amber, balsam.
The best quality oil is obtained from roots that are 18 to 24 months old.
The roots are dug up and cleaned then dried. Before the distillation, the roots are chopped
and soaked in water. The distillation process can take up to 18 to 24 hours.
After the distillate separates into the essential oil and hydrosol, the oil is skimmed off and
allowed to age for a few months to allow some undesirable notes which form during the
distillation to dissipate.
Like patchouli and sandalwood essential oils, the odor of vetiver develops and improves with
aging.
The characteristics of the oil can vary significantly depending on where the grass is grown
and the climate and soil conditions.
The oil distilled in Haiti and Réunion has a more floral quality and is considered of higher
quality than the oil from Java which has a smokier scent.
In the north of India, oil is distilled from wild-growing vetiver. This oil is known as Khus or
Khas and is considered superior to the oil obtained from the cultivated variety. It is rarely
found outside of India as most of it is consumed within the country.
Medicinal use
The commercial importance of roots is confirmed from the incidence of leving duty on
vetiver roots by the king of Kannauj in 12 th century.
Vetiver grass is grown for many different purposes.
The plant helps to stabilise soil and protects it against erosion, but it can also protect fields
against pests and weeds.
Vetiver has favourable qualities for animal feed.
From the roots, oil is extracted and used for cosmetics and aromatherapy.
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Due to its fibrous properties, the plant can also be used for handicraft, ropes and else.
Vetiver roots
The leaves of vetiver are a useful byproduct to feed cattle, goats, sheep and horses. The
nutritional content depends on season, growth stage and soil fertility. Under most climates,
nutritional values and yields are best if vetiver is cut every 1-3 months.
Young Vetiver Mature Vetiver Old Vetiver
Energy [kcal/kg]
Digestibility [%]
Protein [%]
Fat [%]
522
706
969
51
13.1
3.05
50
7.93
1.30
6.66
1.40
Vetiver is mainly cultivated for the fragrant essential oil distilled from its roots.
It is contained in 90% of all western perfumes Réunion is considered to produce the highest
quality vetiver oil called "bourbon vetiver" with the next favorable being Haiti and then Java.
In the hot summer months in India, sometimes a muslin sachet of vetiver roots is tossed into
the earthen pot that keeps a household's drinking water cool. Like a bouquet garni, the bundle
lends distinctive flavor and aroma to the water.
Usira is one of the best refrigerant herbs that cools and calms the entire body and mind, with
its influence spreading throughout the circulatory, digestive, reparatory, and urinary and
nervous systems.
It enjoys an important place among medicinal herbs in India since ancient times. The great
sage Charka has categorized it as varnya {complexion improving herb}, dahaprasamana –
{refrigerant}, angamarda prasamana {relieves body pains}, chardi nigrahana {anti emetic},
stanya janana{ galactogogue} and svedapanayana{ alleviates the excessive sweating}.
It has been cited also to be jvaraghna {anti- pyretic}, pacana{ digestant}, trsnaghna{relieves
the thirst} and raktapittahara{ mitigates blood diathesis}.
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The commercial importance of roots is confirmed from the incidence of leving duty on
vetiver roots by the king of Kannauj in 12 th century.
Usira is bitter and sweet in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has cold potency.
It alleviates pitta and kapha doshas, but aggravates the vata dosha.
As it is fragrant, is deodorant.
It is also diuretic and a rejuvenative. It alleviates the blood diseases, excessive thirst, dysuria,
fever, skin disorders and the burning sensation of the body .
The paste of usira and sandal wood is applied on skin, in burning sensation.
In prickly heat, the paste of usira, coriander fruit and musta is applied with benefit.
The paste of usira roots is applied by itself to alleviate the burning sensation, excessive
sweating and foul body smell.
It is also beneficial in various skin ailments to improve the complexion of the skin. Usually,
the thin paste of its roots is applied in summer season, to pacify the vitiated pitta.
To control the excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), it is used externally and internally also.
Orally, the fine powder of its roots, approximately 2-3 grams, is given with rock candy and
milk. It ameliorates the burning sensation of the body.
Because of its bitter taste, it is an appetizer and digestant, and cold potency aids in alleviating
vomiting, excessive thirst and also arrests bleeding. Hence, it is benevolent in treating
anorexia, dyspepsia, thirst, vomiting and diarrhea.
It also destroys ama, so effectively used in diarrhea of pitta type. The decoction of usira,
musta, dhanyaka, bilva, lajjalu, dhataki, lodhra and sunthi is given with honey to mitigate
diarrhea associated with the fever and bleeding.
It is also effective to treat colitis due to vitiated pitta.
The cold infusion works well to control vomiting.
The root powder of usira, combined with honey, relieves the phlegm and so used in asthma,
coughs and hiccup. In such conditions, the smoking of usira root powder in a form of
cigarette is often recommended.
Usira is a valuable blood purifier, destroys ama and toxins. To alleviate the burning
sensation, it works well with sugar.
In the bleeding disorders, Rakta pitta, the decoction of usira, chandana for better results.
It also serves to strengthen the nerves and imparts a pacifying effect on brain in nervine
debility due to pitta.
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In hysteria, unconsciousness and chronic alcoholism, the decoction of usira, jatamansi and
parpata is used with benefit.
Usira alleviates the vitiation of pitta and works well a lactodepurant and galactogogue.
The cold infusion with sugar imparts a diuretic action and alleviates dysuria of pitta type.
Many a times, the decoction of the roots of usira, iksu and darbha along with raktacandana is
of special benefit in dysuria.
The general burning sensation of the body is tackled, by giving the misture of usira, rose
petals, karcura and rock candy alongwith the milk.
The cardiac pan is said to get relieved with the mixture of usira and pimpala mula, when
given along with ghee.
The cold infusion or decoction of usira and patha is commonly recommended in treating
fever.
In treating erysipelas, the decoction of usira, amalaki, sariva and musta is very effective.
The bleeding per rectum and anal canal in Rakta pitta is controlled by the milk, medicated
with usira, kamala and sunthi.
When locally applied in rheumatism, lumbago and sprain, it is a good
ambrocation and affords relief.
The plant is used as an anthelmintic for children.
The oil is reported to be used as a carminative in flatulence, colic and obstinate
vomiting.
It is regarded as a stimulant, refrigerant and antibacterial and when applied
externally, it removes excess heat from the body and gives a cooling effect.
A decoction of the leaves is recommended as a diaphoretic.
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Citrus reticulata
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Rosids
Order:
Sapindales
Family:
Rutaceae
Genus:
Citrus
Species:
reticulata
Botanical name:
Citrus reticulata
Distribution
The Citrus reticulata resembles other oranges.
The tree is more drought-tolerant than the fruit. It can be grown in tropical and subtropical
areas.
Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern
India, Myanmar (Burma) and the Yunnan province of China.
Citrus fruit has been cultivated in an ever-widening area since ancient times
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Morphology
These plants are large shrubs or small trees, reaching 5–15 m tall, with spiny shoots and
alternately arranged evergreen leaves with an entire margin.
The flowers are solitary or in small corymbs, each flower 2–4 cm diameter, with five (rarely
four) white petals and numerous stamens; they are often very strongly scented.
The fruit is a hesperidium, a specialised berry, globose to elongated, 4–30 cm long and 4–
20 cm diameter, with a leathery rind or "peel" called a pericarp.
The outermost layer of the pericarp is an "exocarp" called the flavedo, commonly referred to
as the zest.
The middle layer of the pericarp is the mesocarp, which in citrus fruits consists of the white,
spongy "albedo", or "pith".
The innermost layer of the pericarp is the endocarp.
The segments are also called "liths", and the space inside each lith is a locule filled with juice
vesicles, or "pulp".
From the endocarp, string-like "hairs" extend into the locules, which provide nourishment to
the fruit as it develops.
Citrus fruits are notable for their fragrance, partly due to flavonoids and limonoids (which in
turn are terpenes) contained in the rind, and most are juice-laden.
The juice contains a high quantity of citric acid giving them their characteristic sharp flavour.
Citrus fruits are usually self-fertile (needing only a bee to move pollen within the same
flower) or parthenocarpic (not needing pollination and therefore seedless, such as the
satsuma).
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Varieties
Canned and peeled mandarin orange segments
Kinnow, a variety of Mandarin orange from Pakisthan
The mandarin orange is a variety of the orange family. The mandarin has many names, some
of which actually refer to crosses between the mandarin and another citrus fruit.





Satsuma, a seedless variety, of which there are over 200 cultivars, such as Owari and
mikan; the source of most canned mandarins, and popular as a fresh fruit due to its
ease of consumption
Owari, a well-known Satsuma cultivar which ripens during the late fall season
Clementine, sometimes known as a "Christmas orange", as its peak season is
December; becoming the most important commercial Mandarin orange form, have
displaced mikans in many markets
Tangerine sometimes known as "Dancy Mandarin"
Tangor, also called the temple orange, a cross between the Mandarin orange and the
common sweet orange; its thick rind is easy to peel and its bright orange pulp is soursweet and full-flavored
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Chemical contents
Citrus fruits are notable for their fragrance, partly due to flavonoids and limonoids (which in
turn are terpenes) contained in the rind, and most are juice-laden.
The juice contains a high quantity of citric acid giving them their characteristic sharp flavour.
They are also good sources of vitamin C and flavonoids.
The flavonoids include various flavanones and flavones.
Mandarin oil is extracted from the Mandarin tree, or Citrus Reticulata. .
Mandarin oil contains metyl methylanthraniate and limonene as well as geraniol, citral, and
citronellal.
The essential oil is extracted by cold compression of the fresh peels of these fruits and
contains are alpha thujone, alpha pinene, beta pinene, camphene, citral, citronellal, gamma
terpinolene, geranial, geraniol, limonene, linalool, methyl methylanthranilate, myrcene, nerol,
sabinene and terpineol.
Phytochemical investigation of the fruit peels of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Rutaceae) resulted
in the isolation of three new phytoconstituents along with n-hexacosonoic acid.
Their structures have been established as 18betaH-urs-5,11-dien-3beta-ol-11-one-3beta-Dglucopyranosyl-(4'-->1'')-D-glucopyranosyl-6''-(3''',4'''-dihydroxyl)-benzoate
(reticulataursenoside), stigmast-5-en-3beta-ol-3beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-eicosanoate
(citrusteryl arachidate), and lanost-5-en-3beta-ol-3beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-eicosanoate
(citruslanosteroside) on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions.
Medicinal uses
The dried peel of the fruit is used to treat abdominal distension, to enhance digestion, and to
reduce phlegm.
Citrus fruits have long been valued as part of a nutritious and tasty diet. The flavours
provided by citrus are among the most preferred in the world, and it is increasingly evident
that citrus not only tastes good, but is also good for people.
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It is well established that citrus and citrus products are a rich source of vitamins, minerals
and dietary fibre (non-starch polysaccharides) that are essential for normal growth and
development and overall nutritional well-being.
The major nutritional content in oranges is Vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant neutralizes
harmful elements within the body. Vitamin C also stimulates the absorption of non-heme iron
and thus reduces the iron deficiency. As a whole the Vitamin C content in orange fruits keep
your immune system strong and healthy.
A glass of orange juice (240 milliliter or 8 oz.) supplies 100% or more of the daily value for
vitamin C, a valuable "antioxidant". Scientists believe that antioxidants may counteract the
harmful molecules called "free radicals," which they believe may contribute to the onset of
several major diseases.
Vitamin C also helps maintain collagen, the substance that helps the human body repair body
tissue.
The nutritional value of orange makes it good for indigestion, constipation, bowel disorders,
dyspepsia, dental care, pyorrhea, bone health, heart diseases, respiratory problems, cold,
cough, influenza, skin care, pimples, acne, fever, measles, typhoid and tuberculosis (T.B.).
Orange essential oil efficiently tackles the problem of colds and flu. It detoxifies the body and
boosts the lymphatic system. At the same time, it also takes care of the collagen formation in
the skin. . It is known to possess antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, sedative and antiseptic
therapeutic properties. The shelf life of oil extracted from sweet orange is usually 6 months.
Talking about the consistency, it is pretty thin in consistency.
A daily glass of orange juice can help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones better than
other citrus fruit juices such as lemonade.
The fibre in orange reduces high cholesterol level in the body.
The natural fruit sugar, fructose in orange controls the rising blood sugar levels after a meal.
So, make sure that you have that delicious fruit as a part of your everyday diet.
Orange essential oil is very valuable in the treatment of diseases such as flatulence,
constipation, stress, slow digestion and dull skin. Thus, it provides a multitude of health
benefits for which it is preferred amongst others.
Health Benefits of Mandarin oil:
Mandarin oil can be used to treat digestive problems.
It has a calming as well as stimulating effect on the liver, stomach, and intestines, and has
been used for centuries as an effective cure for all digestion related ailments.
It is especially useful for treating children and pregnant women.
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When mixed with a carrier oil such as sweet almond, safflower, or grape seed extract,
Mandarin oil can also be used as a treatment for stretch marks, acne, oily skin, and age spots.
Mandarin oil also plays a significant role in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Known
as the “happy oil,” it is popular as a mood-lifter. It also helps to de-stress the nerves and
soothe the mind.Thus it also helps to reduce hyper tension.
Finally, Mandarin oil can also be used to relieve muscle aches and cramps. Simply add 10
drops of Mandarin oil and 5 drops of Geranium oil to your bath water. Keep in mind that
water does not mix with oil and so it best to add the oils to a cup of milk first, and then add
the milk to the water.
Other uses of Mandarin oil: Apart from its cosmetic and health-related uses, Mandarin oil is
also useful around the house, owing to the antiseptic properties. It works as an excellent
natural cleaner, which not only disinfects the room and but also has an uplifting fragrance.
Mandarin oil has several properties that make it an effective healer in most aromatherapy
treatments. It is has antiseptic, antispasmodic, and diuretic properties, and is a laxative and
digestive. Mandarin oil can also be used as a sedative as well as a stimulant.
Mandarin oil is extremely popular because it is safe and can be used by children as well as
pregnant women.
The health benefits of Mandarin Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like
antiseptic, anti spasmodic, circulatory, cytophylactic, depurative, digestive, hepatic, nervous
relaxant, sedative, stomachic and tonic.
It protects wounds from being septic and other bacterial, fungal or viral
infections. It forms a protective covering on the wound and promotes collection of blood
platelets and leucocytes at the effected place, thereby checking the intrusion of microbes.
Further, the oil itself has bactericidal and fungicidal properties and kills them, thereby adding
to the effect.
Anti Spasmodic: A spasm in the respiratory system can make you suffer from breathing
troubles, congestion and exhausting coughs while muscular spasm gives cramps and muscle
pulls, which are very painful. Spasm in the digestive system (intestines etc.) can cause
vomiting and pulling aches in the stomach and intestines while a spasm in the nervous system
gives nervous afflictions and convulsions. Treatment? You have one that is herbal and has no
adverse side effects. It is the Mandarin Essential Oil. Just a few drops and the spasm cured.
You get a pleasing relief.
Circulatory: This oil of Mandarin improves circulation of blood and lymph, particularly
below the skin which keeps the skin rejuvenated and looking young and vibrant. The
improved circulation also gives warmth and gives relief from rheumatism and arthritis. This
also aids growth and boosts immunity.
Cytophylactic: The Essential Oil of Mandarin promotes growth of new cells and tissues,
thereby helping faster healing of wounds and other wear & tears. This also promotes growth
of the body.
Anti Septic:
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It purifies blood by helping removal of toxic and unwanted substances from the
body through means of excretion, such as urine, excreta and sweat. This prevents diseases
resulting from deposition of toxins, such as abscesses, boils, acne, gout & arthritis etc.
Digestive: A few drops of this oil after the lunch or dinner, facilitates digestion by provoking
discharges of digestive juices and bile into the stomach. It also increases appetite.
Hepatic: This oil is good for the liver as it helps maintain proper discharge of bile from it and
protects it from infections. It also strengthens liver.
Nervous Relaxant: Although the oil is a common sedative, but it sedating action is more
prominent in relaxing and calming nervous afflictions and disturbances. It can calm attacks of
epilepsy, hysteria and convulsions. Further, it takes away stress and anxiety.
Sedative: The Essential Oil of Mandarin is a reputed sedative for inflammations and nervous
disturbances.
Stomachic: This oil helps maintain the acid and base balance in the stomach and protects it
from ulcers and other disorders. It also fights any infections in the stomach.
Tonic: Mandarin Essential Oil tones up overall health and boosts up the immune system.
Being a tonic, it helps in the growth and proper functioning of the body by toning up all the
organic systems functioning in the body, such as the respiratory system, the digestive system,
the cardio-vascular system, the circulatory system, the neurotic system, the excretory system,
the nervous system and the endocrinal system. It also boosts up the immune system of the
body.
Other Benefits: Relieves stress; cures skin disorders and maintains moisture balance in the
skin; treats diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence and other such disorders related to digestive
and excretory systems and diminishes scars and stretch marks, fat cracks on skin.
Depurative:
Blending: Mandarin Essential Oil, being citrus oil itself, blends with most of the citrus oils such as
those of neroli, grapefruit, orange and lime
& lemon. Except these, it also blends well with
essential oils of bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, frankincense, lavender and nutmeg.
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Pharmacological actions
Though displaced by tastier varieties, researchers have shown great interest in the lowly bitter
orange after recently discovering that Citrus aurantium contains a number of natural alkaloids
that safely increase weight loss.
Best of all, Citrus aurantium does so without many of the negative side effects to the
cardiovascular and central nervous systems commonly experienced with weight-control
agents such ephedra.
Over the centuries bitter oranges were highly valued for their food and medicinal properties.
In ancient China unripened bitter oranges were used to make zhi shi, an herbal extract used to
treat constipation, improve energy (chi) and to calm nerves in cases of insomnia and shock.
In the Amazon rainforest indigenous tribes used bitter orange tea as a laxative and to relieve
nausea, stomach pains, indigestion, gas and constipation.
In Western medicine the health benefits of oranges were first noted in 1746 when the noted
Scottish naval surgeon James Lind demonstrated that consuming citrus fruits, such as orange
and limes, completely prevented scurvy, a deadly disease that killed tens of thousands of New
World sailors. What Lind didn't know at the time was that oranges and related citrus fruits are
a rich source of, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), one of the premier antioxidants.
Until recently, ma huang (ephedra sinica) was considered to be one of the most effective
natural weight loss agents available.
At the cellular level, ephedrine, the main active ingredient in ma huang, is a powerful
adrenergic agent that activates two types of cell receptors – called a alpha and beta cells – to
stimulate lipolysis (the breaking down of fat into free fatty acids and glycerol) and
thermogenesis (the production of body heat in the muscles and fat).
Alpha- and beta-receptors are found on the surface of every cell in the body and normally
respond to the stimulatory effects of the two primary adrenergic amines (nitrogen-containing
compounds) produced by the body – adrenaline and noradrenaline.
The specific cellular response to adrenergic amines is determined by the location, number and
type of different alpha and beta-receptors – alpha-1 and-2, and beta-1, -2, and -3. In general,
receptor types and their responses are described as follows:
• Alpha-1: causes constriction of arteries and potential increase in blood pressure.
• Alpha-2: affects blood pressure by constricting peripheral blood vessels, inhibits
lipolysis.
• Beta-1: affects cardiac function, causes bronchodilation and dilation of blood vessels in
heart and skeletal muscle.
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• Beta-2: affects cardiac function, causes bronchodilation and dilation of blood vessels in
heart and skeletal muscle.
• Beta-3: increases rate of fat release from body stores (lipolysis) and increases resting
metabolic rate (thermogenesis).
The Alpha (and Beta) of Ephedra
While ephedra has been shown to be an effective agent for triggering thermogenesis, one of
the continuing problems has been the potential for cardiovascular and central nervous system
over-stimulation in certain individuals
The primary benefits seen with ephedra are due to stimulation of beta-3 receptors, which
causes an increase in lipolysis and thermogenesis.
Ephedra also stimulates the beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, potentially causing over-stimulation
of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems – the classical 'fight or flight' response.
Ephedra also stimulates both of the alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors, which, as seen above,
causes arterial constriction and increased blood pressure.
Additionally, by stimulating alpha-2 receptors ephedra has the undesirable effect of blocking
lipolysis – exactly the opposite effect one desires when trying to control weight.
Bitter Orange Extracts More Effective than Ephedra
Recently researchers from McGill University in Montreal isolated five adrenergic amines
from bitter orange (Citrus aurantium): synephrine, N-methyl-tyramine, hordenine,
octopamine, and tyramine. While these alkaloids are similar to those found in ephedra, they
work on a different set of receptors to stimulate lipolysis and thermogenesis.
Laboratory tests have found that Citrus aurantium alkaloids show properties similar to
ephedrine, by triggering beta-receptors. More recently, studies have shown that both
octopamine and synephrine appear particularly effective in stimulating lipolysis, a postulated
beta-receptor effect.
Other researchers had previously revealed that synephrine was about 3.5 times as effective in
stimulating lipolysis as octopamine, leading researchers to state that "the alkaloid mixture in
bitter orange extract is superior to the mixture of ephedrine alkaloids in ma huang (Ephedra
sinica) in terms of effects on beta-receptors in general."
Citrus Amines Selective for beta-3 Receptors
The amines contained in ephedra – adrenaline and noradrenaline – are highly lipophilic,
meaning that they are readily attracted to fats and easily cross the fatty membranes that
comprise the blood-brain barrier.
Once past this protective barrier, adrenaline and noradrenaline target the alpha-1 and-2 and
beta-1, -2, and -3 receptors to cause amphetamine-like effects on the cardiovascular and
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central nervous systems believed to occur with ma huang.
By contrast, research shows that the amines found in Citrus aurantium extract make minimal
contact with the alpha and beta-1 and -2 receptors, but exert their adrenergic effects by acting
exclusively on beta-3 receptors to stimulate lipolysis and increase resting metabolic rate.
Sparing Lean Muscle Mass
New research suggests that by increasing lipolysis and burning stored fats as fuel, citrus
extracts increase energy stores necessary for the sustained physical exertion required to tone
muscle tissues.
In addition, researchers believe that these dual actions of stimulating thermogenesis and
lipolysis help to increase the amount of fatty acids released from fat stores, thereby sparing
lean muscle tissues usually broken down during weight loss.
Summary
Citrus aurantium extract is both safe and natural, it functions in four specific ways:
1. Increasing lipolysis (breaking down fat stores to be used as fuel);
2. Stimulating weight loss by enhancing thermogenesis (burning of fat);
3. Increasing fuels available for physical performance; and
4. Helping to spare and maintain lean muscle mass.
Additionally, Citrus aurantium extract has been shown to significantly increase metabolic rate
in volunteers, with no evidence of cardiovascular effects after single or repeated doses. When
given to obese subjects, researchers measured significant increases in rates of weight loss,
due almost entirely to fat loss (a consequence of lipolysis), again with no evidence of any
side effects or changes in cardiovascular parameters, making Citrus aurantium extract an
exciting new addition to programs that combine diet, moderate exercise and thermogenic
agents to control obesity.
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Santalum album
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Core eudicots
Order:
Santalales
Family:
Santalaceae
Genus:
Santalum
Species:
album
Botanical name:
Santalum album
Distribution
Santalum album or Indian sandalwood is a small tropical tree, the most commonly known
source of sandalwood.
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It is a hemiparasitic tree, native to semi-arid areas of the Indian subcontinent.
It is now planted in India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and
Northwestern Australia.
S. album occurs from coastal dry forests up to 700 m elevation.
It normally grows in sandy or stony red soils, but a wide range of soil types are inhabited.
This habitat has a temperature range from 0 to 38°C and annual rainfall between 500 and
3000 mm.
It is commonly found in the comparatively dry regions of peninsular India from Vindhya
mountains southwards, especially in Mysore and Tamil Nadu, ascending to an altitude of c.
1,200 m.
It has also been introduced into Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and
Orissa, where it has become naturalized at some places, but the sandalwood produced in these
areas is usually of an inferior quality
Morphology
The height of the evergreen tree is between 4 and 9 metres.
They may live to one hundred years of age.
The tree is variable in habit, usually upright to sprawling, and may intertwine with other
species.
The plant parasitises the roots of other tree species, with a haustorium adaptation on its own
roots, but without major detriment to its hosts.
An individual will form a non-obligate relationship with a number of other plants.
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Up to 300 species (including its own) can host the tree's development - supplying
macronutrients phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, and shade - especially during early
phases of development.
It may propagate itself through wood suckering during its early development, establishing
small stands.
A small to medium-sized, evergreen semi-parasitic tree, with slender branches, sometimes
reaching up to 18 m. in height and 2.4 m. in girth.
The reddish or brown bark can be almost black and is smooth in young trees, becoming
cracked with a red reveal.
The heartwood is pale green to white as the common name indicates.
The leaves are thin, opposite and ovate to lanceolate in shape. , 1.5-8 cm. x 1.6-3.2 cm.,
sometimes larger.Glabrous surface is shiny and bright green, with a glaucous pale reverse.
Flowers straw-coloured, brownish purple, reddish purple, or violet, unscented, in terminal
and axillary paniculate cymes; the drupe globose, 1.3 cm. diam., purple-black, with hard,
ribbed endocarp; the seeds globose or obovoid.
Fruit is produced after three years, viable seeds after five. These seeds are distributed by
birds.
Conservation
The species is threatened by over-exploitation and degradation to habitat through altered land
use; fire, agriculture and land-clearing are the factors of most concern.
To preserve this vulnerable resource from over-exploitation, legislation protects the species,
and cultivation is researched and developed.
The Indian government has placed a ban on the export of the timber.
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Young sapling
Chemical contents
The main constituent of sandalwood oil is santalol.
This primary sesquiterpene alcohol forms more than 90 per cent of the oil and is present
as a mixture of two isomers, a -santalol and &szlig;-santalol, the former predominating.
The characteristic odor and medicinal properties of sandalwood oil are mainly due to the
santalols.
The other constituents reported in sandalwood oil include: the hydrocarbons santene,
nor-tricycloekasantalene and a- and ,&szlig;-santalenes; the alcohols santenol and
teresantalol.
The aldehydes nor-tricycloekasantalal, and isovaleraldehyde; the ketones l-santenone
and santalone; and the acids teresantalic acid occurring partly free and partly in esterfied
form, and a-and &szlig;-santalic acids.
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Medicinal Use
Both the wood and the oil have long been employed in medicine.
They are credited with cooling, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant properties, and
sandalwood finds several applications in household remedies.
A paste of the wood is applied to burns; in fevers and headache, it is applied to the
forehead and upper eyelids.
The oil was at one time official in many pharmacopeias and was prescribed for the
treatment of gonorrhea.
The oil from the seeds is used in skin troubles.
The essential oil is used in treatment of chronic inflammation of mucous membrane,
gonorrhea, excessive sweating and fevers.
Sandal wood powder is taken internally in a form of infusion or decoction as alterative,
antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant,
hemostatic, refrigerant, and as well as sedative and stimulant.
It is also applied externally for eczema, acne and other skin conditions.
For allergic rashes; an equal quantity of Sandal wood powder and Tinospora cordifolia in a
form of paste is applied externally.
For menstrual disorders; a decoction of Sandal wood powder along with milk is taken
internally to counteract menstrual problems.
For spermatorrhoea; infuse one teaspoon of sandal wood powder, a teaspoon of Terminalia
arjuna bark powder along with hot milk or water, add a sip of honey and drink, 1-2 times
daily.
For Hiccups; make a paste of sandal wood powder with human or cow milk and the squeeze
the liquid in the nose drop-wise.
For poisoning; apply a paste of sandal wood powder on the chest region.
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For nausea and vomiting; take a teaspoon of Embalica officinalis and Sandal wood along
with warm water.
For nose bleeding; snuff a little amount of Sandal wood powder. It quickly checks the
condition.
For burning sensation in the body; prepare by adding Sandal wood powder into rice water,
mix it with a little amount of sugar or honey and take internally.
Pharmacological action
The essential oil of Santalum album contains a large amount of alpha- and beta-santalol that
exerts antibacterial, sedative stimulant and antiseptic properties.
Because of it’s sedative action it is used in vaso dilatation and hence it lowers the
hypertension.
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Trichosanthes cucumerina
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class:
Rosids
Order:
Cucurbitales
Family:
Cucurbitaceae
Genus:
Trichosanthes
Species:
cucumerina
Botanical name: Trichosanthes cucumerina
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Distribution
Trichosanthes cucumerina is a tropical or subtropical vine, raised for its strikingly long fruit,
used as a vegetable & medicine.
Grows in forests or thick along valleys, thickest on mountain slopes; 400-1600 m.
[Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka; N Australia].
Morphology
The narrow, soft-skinned fruit can reach 150 cm long.
Its soft, bland, somewhat mucilaginous flesh is similar to that of the luffa and the calabash.
The shoots, tendrils, and leaves are also eaten as greens.

The lace-like flower of T. cucumerina opens only after dark. Here, it is shown in the
process of unfurling.

Fully open

A full grown snake gourd.
Plants annual.
Stems slender, profusely branched, ± pubescent.
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Leaf blade reniform or broadly ovate, (5-)7-10 × 8-11 cm, membranous, ± deeply 5-7-lobed;
lobes triangular or rhombic.
Plants monoecious.
Male peduncles in pairs, earlier 1-flowered, later bearing a raceme; raceme few flowered;
peduncle slender, 15-20 cm, puberulent; pedicel erect, 0.5-1.5 cm, puberulent; bracts absent
or very small; calyx tube somewhat dilated at apex, 15-16 mm.
Female flowers solitary or sometimes replacing earlier male flower; ovary oblong.
Fruit ovoid-oblong, 5-7 × 2.5-3.5 cm, with 7-10 seeds.
Seeds ovate-oblong, 9-12 × 5-6 mm, compressed, rugulose, margin thick with toothed
projections from both surfaces. Fl and fr. autumn.
The roots, fruit, and seeds are used medicinally.
Parts utilized for preparation
Leaves, stems, shoots, fruit.
Chemical contents
Root extract study isolated are:

bryonolic acid,

chondrillasteryl glucoside,

bryononic acid,

cucurbitacin B,

dihydrocucurbitacin B,
Medicinal uses
It is abortifacient, anthelmintic, emetic and purgative.
Fruit is purgative and emetic.Root is cathartic, aperient.
Two ounces of root juice is a drastic purgative.
Roots used for expelling worms.
Leaf juice rubbed externally for fevers.
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Roots used for diabetes, skin swellings likes boils and furuncles.
Stalks and leaves for fevers.
In siddha medicine, its constituent in many formulations used for treatment of liver
disorders and thereby used for lowering high blood pressure.
In India, seeds have been used for dysentery, coughs and as an emetic.
Used as a purgative; for fever and bronchitis.
Plant pacifies:












vitiated pitta,
constipation,
skin diseases,
burning sensation,
diabetes,
anorexia,
flatulence,
constipation,
worm infestation,
fever
general weakness.
hypertension
Pharmacological action
• Anti-diabetic: Trichosanthes cucurmerina impoves glucose tolerance and tissue glycogen
in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus induced rats:
 Study showed T cucurmerina possess antidiabetic activity with improvement in oral
glucose tolerance and glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.
•
Anti-inflammatory: Anti-inflammatory activity of root tubers of trichosanthes cucumerina
is proved in mouse's hind paw oedema induced by carrageenin.
•
Hepatoprotective: A study of the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Tricosanthes
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cucumerina, evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrchloride induced
heapatotoxicity, showed histopath changes that support the protective effect of the extract
and scientifically supports its use in various siddha preparations and traditional medicine for
treatment of hepatic disorders.
•
Anti-fertility: The ethanol extract of TC was evaluated for antiovulatory activity in adult
rats. The extract affected normal estrous cycle, reduced the number of healthy follicles and
increased the number of regressing follicles. The study observed antiovulatory activity of the
EE of the whole plant of TC.
•
Gastroprotective: Results show the hot water extract of Tricosanthes cucumerina possesses
significant and dose-dependent gastroprotective effects in the alcohol model. The same dose
also mediated a significant gastroprotective activity in the indomethacin model. In both, the
effect was comparable with that produced by cimetidine.
•
Bioactive Constituents of Root and Fruit Juice: Study of root and fruit juice isolated
bryonolic acid, chondrillasteryl glucoside, bryononic acid, cucurbitacin B and
dihydrocucurbitacin B. The isolated compounds showed antimalarial and antiviral activity.
•
Antibacterial: Sudies on extracts of the leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina screened for
antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacteria (B cerus, E faecalis, S paratyphi, S
aureus, E coli, Strep faecalis, P vulgaris, K pneumonia, P aeruginosa and S marcescens)
showed the ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol extracts of T cucumerina leaves showed
pronounced activity on all organisms tested with activity comparable to standard antibiotics.
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Cyperus rotundus
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Commelinids
Order:
Poales
Family:
Cyperaceae
Genus:
Cyperus
Species:
rotundus
Botanical name: Cyprus
rotundus
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Distribution
Cyperus rotundus (coco-grass, purple nut sedge, red nut sedge) is a species of sedge
(Cyperaceae) native to Africa, southern and central Europe, and southern Asia.
A cross section through the flower stem
Morphology
Cyperus rotundus is a perennial plant, that may reach a height of up to 55 inches.
The names "nut grass" and "nut sedge" are derived from its tubers, that somewhat resemble
nuts, although botanically they have nothing to do with nuts.
As in other Cyperaceae, the leaves sprout in ranks of three from the base of the plant. It has a
dark green thin stem and the leaves are long and sharp, with a width of 1/6 to 1/3 inch.
The spiklets in compound umbels are 5-20 cm long.
The flower stems have a triangular cross-section.
The flower is bisexual and has three stamina and a three-stigma carpel.
Flower from March to July.
The fruit is a three-angled achene.
The fruits are small, ovoid and the seeds tiny, numerous.
The root system of a young plant initially forms white, fleshy rhizomes.
Some rhizomes grow upward in the soil, then form a bulb-like structure from which new
shoots and roots grow, and from the new roots, new rhizomes grow.
Other rhizomes grow horizontally or downward, and form dark reddish-brown tubers or
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chains of tubers.
The rhizomes are blackish, hard, fragrant tubers and aerial stems triquetrous.
The Cyperus Rotundus or Nut Grass flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female
organs)
Nut Grass prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils prefers acid, neutral and basic
(alkaline) soils cannot grow in the shade and requires moist or wet soil.
A Cyperus rotundus tuber, approximately 20 mm long
Flower stem showing triangular cross-section
Chemical contents
Several pharmacologically active substances have been identified in Cyperus rotundus.They
are:
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α-cyperone,
β-selinene,
cyperene,
cyperotundone,
patchoulenone,
sugeonol,
kobusone,
isokobusone, that may scientifically explain the alternative-medicine uses.
The essential oil from the plant contains at least 27 components comprising
sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, epoxides, ketones, monoterpene and aliphatic alcohols
and some unidentified constituents, (+) copadiene and (+) epoxyquaine.
The rhizomes contain sitosterol, cyperene, seniline, cyperenone and sesquiterpenes
cyperone is obtained from the tubers.
The leaves contain luteolin and auresidin. Cyperene 1 and cyperene- 2 isolated from
tubers.
Muskatone and patchoulenone isolated from essential oil.
Structure of rotunol and rotunol, two norsesquiter penoides – kobusone and
isokobusone identified.
From the rhizomes cyperene, selinene, cyperenone and cyperone isolated. A new
saponon-olenolic acid -3-0 neohesperidoside (I) isolated from tubers.
It contains aromatic oil (0.5-0.6%), stable oil, alkaloids, minerals, vitamins, calcium,
phosphorus, sodium, carbonates, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, epoxides, ketones,
monoterpene, aliphatic alcohols, cyperene, seniline, cyperenone, sesquiterpenes
cyperone, luteolin, auresidin, cyperene-1, cyperene-2, muskatone, patchoulenone,
rotuno, kobusone, isokobusone, selinene, saponon-olenolic acid-3-0
neohesperidoside (I).
Medicinal uses
Mustaka was held in high esteem by the ancient sages of India.
Siddhars has admired it as the drug of choice for any type of fever.
They has also mentioned it as an appetizer, digestant ,anti diarrhoeal, anti-saturative, – thirst
relieving, reducing herb, anti-pruritic and lactodepurant herb.
It is also well known for its diaphoretic properties.
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Modern alternative medicine recommends using the plant to treat nausea, fever and
inflammation; for pain reduction; for muscle relaxation and many other disorders.
Mustaka is pungent, bitter and astringent in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has
cold potency.
It alleviates kapha and pitta doshas, but aggravates the vata dosha.
It possesses light and dry attributes. It is fragrant, astringent, diuretic and galactogogue in
properties and is used in diarrhea, fever, thirst, distaste, blood diseases etc.
It is used both, internally as well as externally.
Externally it is used for:
The root extract oil instilled into eyes in conjunctivitis reduces the pain, redness and ocular
discharges.
The external application of its paste relieves itching and reduces the foul odor due to
excessive sweating, and is salutary in skin diseases like scabies, eczema etc.
Application of its paste on the breasts purifies the breast milk.
In obesity, the massage with its dry powder (udvartana) is extremely beneficial for reducing
the subcutaneous fat deposition.
Internally, mustaka is used for:
It is a keen stimulant for appetite, digestion, digestion of ama, and is also vermicide,
astringent. Therefore, it is an effective remedy for distaste, vomiting, diarrhea, colitis,
dyspepsia, worms etc,
Mustaka is highly praised as the best panacea for dental diarrhea in children. It works well in
combination with Rhus succedanea and Aconitum heterophyllum in such condition. In dental
diarrhoea, traditionally, the decoction of mustaka combined with mustaka powder (1gm) is
given with great benefit. Hence, mustaka should be used in diarrhea, associated with fever
and excessive thirst.
In mental debility and epilepsy, it is given along with cow’s milk. It also promotes the
intelligent.
It is beneficial in cough and asthma as it alleviates the kapha .
Mustaka is the best herb for treating any type of fever.
The decoction of its roots is the best remedy for purifying the breast milk in lactation
mothers.
It is also one of the most effective menstrual regulators. It helps to promote and regulate the
menstruation (emmenagogue). As an emmenagogue, it can be used with Asparagus
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racemosus in proportions of 1:4 and also for burning micturition, urinary calculi, heamaturia
etc. mustaka renders excellent results, as it is diuretic in property and so helps to reduce hyper
tension.
The roots are considered astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, analgesic, antispasmodic, aromatic,
carminative, antitussive, emmenagogue, litholytic, sedative, anti hyper tensive,stimulant,
stomachic, vermifuge, tonic and antibacterial.
They are used in treatment of paralysis, loss of memory, insect bites, food poisoning,
indigestion, nausea, dysuria, bronchitis, infertility, cervical cancer and menstrual disorders,
and the aromatic oils are made of perfumes and splash.
An essential oil in the tubers has antibiotic activity and has been shown to arrest the growth
of Micrococcus pyrogenes.
The decoction of the roots and tubers are excellent antidote to all poisons.
A paste of the fresh tubers applied to the breast acts as an effective galactagogue.
The root is often used for developing high memory.
This herb also harmonizes the liver, spleen, and pancreas.
The grass is anthelmintic, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic,anti
hypertensive, aphrodisiac and astringent.
It cures kapha and pitta disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting, indigestion, thirst, worm troubles,
cough, bronchitis, dysuria, and poisonus affections.
It is used as an insect repellent, for perfuming clothing.
Pharmacological action
Modern research on purple nutsedge has investigated its possible
antioxidant,
antimicrobial,
antidiabetic,
weight control effects,
blood disorders controller,
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blood flow stimulater,
blood thinner,
liver protector.
At this time, there is a lack of high-quality human trials supporting the efficacy of purple
nutsedge for any indication.
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Zingiber officinale
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Commelinids
Order:
Zingiberales
Family:
Zingiberaceae
Genus:
Zingiber
Species:
officinale
Botanical name:
Zingiber officinale
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Distribution
Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and has since spread to East Africa and the
Caribbean.
Morphology
Ginger is a knotted, thick, beige underground stem, called a rhizome.
The stem sticks up about 12 inches above ground with long, narrow, ribbed, green leaves.
Ginger produces clusters of white and pink flower buds that bloom into yellowish green
flowers.
Because of its aesthetic appeal and the adaptation of the plant to warm climates, ginger is
often used as landscaping around subtropical homes.
It is a perennial reed-like plant with annual leafy stems, about a meter (3 to 4 feet) tall.
Traditionally, the root is gathered when the stalk withers; it is immediately scalded, or
washed and scraped, to kill it and prevent sprouting.
Chemical content
The important active components of the ginger root are thought to be volatile oils and
pungent phenol compounds (such as gingerols and shogaols).
The characteristic odour and flavour of ginger is caused by a mixture of zingerone, shogaols
and gingerols, volatile oils that compose one to three percent of the weight of fresh ginger.
gingerol (1-[4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone) is the major pungent
principle of ginger.
Ginger contains up to three percent of a fragrant essential oil whose main constituents are
sesquiterpenoids, with (-)-zingiberene as the main component.
Smaller amounts of other sesquiterpenoids (β-sesquiphellandrene, bisabolene and and a small
monoterpenoid fraction (β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral) have also farnesene) been
identified.
The pungent taste of ginger is due to nonvolatile phenylpropanoid-derived compounds,
particularly gingerols and shogaols, which form from gingerols when ginger is dried or
cooked.
Zingerone is also produced from gingerols during this process
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Medicinal uses
Fresh ginger is one of the main spices used for making pulse and lentil curries and other
vegetable preparations.
Fresh, as well as dried, ginger is used to spice tea and coffee, especially in winter.
Ginger powder is also used in certain food preparations, particularly for pregnant or nursing
women, the most popular one being katlu which is a mixture of gum resin, ghee, nuts, and
sugar.
Ginger is also consumed in candied and pickled form.
The traditional medical form of ginger historically was called Jamaica ginger; it was
classified as a stimulant and carminative and used frequently for dyspepsia, gastroparesis,
slow motility symptoms, constipation, and colic.
It was also frequently employed to disguise the taste of medicines.
Some studies indicate ginger may provide short-term relief of pregnancy-related nausea and
vomiting.
Studies are inconclusive about effects for other forms of nausea or in treating pain from
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle injury.
Tea brewed from ginger is a common folk remedy for colds.
Ginger has a sialagogue action, stimulating the production of saliva, which makes swallowing
easier.
Ginger field
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Fresh ginger rhizome.
Two varieties of ginger as sold in Haikou, Hainan, China
Today, health care professionals may recommend ginger to help prevent or treat nausea and
vomiting from motion sickness, pregnancy, and cancer chemotherapy.
It is also used as a digestive aid for mild stomach upset, to reduce pain of osteoarthritis, and
may even be used in heart disease or cancer.
Several studies -- but not all -- suggest that ginger may work better than placebo in reducing
some symptoms of motion sickness.
A few studies suggest that ginger reduces the severity and duration of nausea -- but not
vomiting -- during chemotherapy.
Ginger extract has long been used in traditional medical practices to reduce inflammation.
And there is some evidence that ginger may help reduce pain from osteoarthritis (OA). In a
study of 261 people with OA of the knee, those who took a ginger extract twice daily had less
pain and needed fewer pain-killing medications than those who received placebo.
A few preliminary studies suggest that ginger may lower cholesterol and help prevent blood
from clotting. That can be helpful in treating heart disease, where blood vessels can become
blocked and lead to heart attack or stroke.
Laboratory studies have also found that some substances in ginger may kill cancer cells in
test tubes.
The chemical composition and antioxidant activity (in aqueous and solvent extracts) of
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) were determined.
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The antioxidant components analysed were polyphenols, vitamin C, β carotene, flavonoids
and tannins.
Antioxidant assays such as free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and total
antioxidant activity were carried out for ethanol, methanol, acetone, 80% methanol and 80%
ethanolic extracts.
Antioxidant components (polyphenols, flavonoids and total tannin) were higher in hot water
(100C) extract than other solvent extracts and 30C water extract.
.
Ash, minerals namely (iron, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, chromium and manganese)
and vitamin C were 3.85 (g), 8.0 (mg), 88.4 (mg), 174 (mg), 0.92 (mg), 0.545 (mg), 70 (µg),
9.13 (mg) and 9.33 (mg) per 100 g of sample, respectively.
Pharmocological action
Preliminary research indicates that nine compounds found in ginger may bind to human
serotonin receptors which may influence gastrointestinal function.
In limited studies, ginger was found to be more effective than placebo for treating nausea
caused by seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy, although ginger was not found
superior to placebo for pre-emptively treating post-operative nausea.
Other preliminary studies showed that ginger may affect arthritis pain or have blood thinning
and cholesterol lowering properties.
Advanced glycation end-products are possibly associated in the development of diabetic
cataract for which ginger was effective in preliminary studies, apparently by acting through
antiglycating mechanisms.
Zingerone may have activity against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in enterotoxin-induced
diarrhea.
Ginger section
In laboratory animals, the gingerols increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and have
analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial properties.
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Ginger oil has been shown to prevent skin cancer in mice and a study at the University of
Michigan demonstrated that gingerols can kill ovarian cancer cells.
The chemopreventive potentials of gingerol present a promising future alternative to
expensive and toxic therapeutic agents.
Nutritional information
100g of Ginger contains the following nutritional information according to the USDA.





Calories : 80
Fat: 0.75
Carbohydrates: 17.77
Fibers: 2
Protein: 1.82
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Black pepper
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Magnoliids
Order:
Piperales
Family:
Piperaceae
Genus:
Piper
Species:
nigrum
Botanical name
Piper nigrum
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Distribution
Black pepper is extensively cultivated in hotter and moist part of india.
Black pepper is native to South East Asia and China, and is extensively cultivated there and
elsewhere in tropical regions. Currently Vietnam is the world's largest producer and exporter
of pepper, producing 34% of the world's Piper nigrum crop as of 2008.
Pepper is native to South East Asia and can be grown in soil that is neither too dry nor
susceptible to flooding, moist, well-drained and rich in organic matter (the vines do not do
too well over an altitude of 3000 ft above sea level).
The plants are propagated by cuttings about 40 to 50 centimetres long, tied up to
neighbouring trees or climbing frames at distances of about two metres apart; trees with
rough bark are favoured over those with smooth bark, as the pepper plants climb rough bark
more readily.
Morphology
The pepper plant is a perennial woody vine growing up to 4 metres (13 ft) in height on
supporting trees, poles, or trellises.
It is a spreading vine, rooting readily where trailing stems touch the ground.
The leaves are alternate, entire, 5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 6 cm across.
The flowers are small, produced on pendulous spikes 4 to 8 cm long at the leaf nodes, the
spikes lengthening up to 7 to 15 cm as the fruit matures.
The fruit of the black pepper is called a drupe and when dried it is a peppercorn.
The fruit, known as a peppercorn when dried, is approximately 5 millimetres (0.20 in) in
diameter, dark red when fully mature, and, like all drupes, contains a single seed.
The spiciness of black pepper is due to the chemical piperine. It is ubiquitous in the
industrialized world, often paired with table salt.
Varieties
Black and white peppercorns
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Black pepper
Roughly mashed black peppercorns
Black pepper is produced from the still-green unripe drupes of the pepper plant.
The drupes are cooked briefly in hot water, both to clean them and to prepare them for
drying.
The heat ruptures cell walls in the pepper, speeding the work of browning enzymes during
drying.
The drupes are dried in the sun or by machine for several days, during which the pepper
around the seed shrinks and darkens into a thin, wrinkled black layer.
Once dried, the spice is called black peppercorn.
On some estates, the berries are separated from the stem by hand and then sun dried without
the boiling process.
Once the peppercorns are dried, pepper spirit & oil can be extracted from the berries by
crushing them.
epper spirit is used in famous beverages like Coca-Cola and many medicinal and beauty
products.
Pepper oil is also used as an ayurvedic massage oil and used in certain beauty and herbal
treatments.
A single stem will bear 20 to 30 fruiting spikes.
The harvest begins as soon as one or two fruits at the base of the spikes begin to turn red, and
before the fruit is fully mature, and still hard; if allowed to ripen completely, the fruit lose
pungency, and ultimately fall off and are lost.
The spikes are collected and spread out to dry in the sun, then the peppercorns are stripped
off the spikes.
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The other types of pepper are:
 White pepper








Green pepper
Orange pepper and red pepper
Pink pepper
Malabar pepper and Tellicherry pepper.
Sarawak pepper
Lampung pepper
White Muntok pepper
Vietnam pepper
White pepper
Black, green, pink (Schinus terebinthifolius), and white peppercorns
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Piper nigrum on tree support.
Pepper
Pepper before ripening
Peppercorn close-up
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Pepper harvested for the European trader, from a manuscript Livre des merveilles de Marco
Polo (The book of the marvels of Marco Polo)
Chemical contents
Pepper gets its spicy heat mostly from the piperine compound, which is found both in the
outer fruit and in the seed. Black pepper contains between 4.6% and 9.7% .
The outer fruit layer, left on black pepper, also contains important odour-contributing
terpenes including pinene, sabinene, limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool, which give
citrusy, woody, and floral notes.
Notes:
Pepper loses flavour and aroma through evaporation, so airtight storage helps preserve
pepper's original spiciness longer.
Pepper can also lose flavour when exposed to light, which can transform piperine into nearly
tasteless isochavicine
Once ground, pepper's aromatics can evaporate quickly; most culinary sources recommend
grinding whole peppercorns immediately before use for this reason.
Peppercorns are composed of many health benefiting essential oils such as piperine, an amine
alkaloid, which gives strong spicy pungent character to the pepper.
It also contains numerous monoterpenes hydrocarbons such as sabinene, pinene, terpenene,
limonene, mercene etc that gives aromatic property to the pepper.
Medicinal uses
Like many eastern spices, pepper was historically both a seasoning and a medicine. Long
pepper, being stronger, was often the preferred medication, but both were used.
Black Pepper was believed to cure illness such as






constipation,
diarrhea,
earache,
gangrene,
hypertension
heart disease,
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











hernia,
hoarseness,
indigestion,
insect bites,
insomnia,
joint pain,
liver problems,
lung disease,
oral abscesses,
sunburn,
tooth decay,
toothaches.
Black pepper, either powdered or its decoction, is widely used in traditional Indian medicine
and as a home remedy for relief from sore throat, throat congestion, cough etc.
Piper Nigrum or Black pepper oil can be used to help in the treatment of pain relief,
rheumatism, chills, flu, colds, increase circulation, exhaustion, muscular aches, physical and
emotional coldness, nerve tonic and fevers.
It furthermore increases the flow of saliva, stimulates appetite, encourages peristalsis, tones
the colon muscles and is a general digestive tonic.
Sometimes it is used in place of cubebs for gonorrhoea.
As a gargle it is valued for relaxed uvula, paralysis of the tongue.
On account of its stimulant action it aids digestion and is especially useful in atonic dyspepsia
and turbid condition of the stomach.
It will correct flatulence and nausea.
It has also been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders.
It has also been advised in diarrhoea, cholera, scarlatina and in solution for a wash for tinea
capititis.
Externally it is used for its rubefacient properties and as a local application for relaxed sore
throat and some skin diseases.
Its oleoresin has bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties
Peppers have been used therapeutically in dentistry as an antiseptic for tooth-decay and gum
swellings.
Peppercorns are also being used in traditional medicines in treating flatulence and indigestion
in traditional medicine, but there is little or no data to support these claims in modern
medicine.
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Pharmacological action
It has been shown that piperine can dramatically increase absorption of





selenium,
vitamin B,
beta-carotene
curcumin
other nutrients.
Extracts from black pepper have been found to have antioxidant properties and anticarcinogenic effects, especially when compared to chili.
Piperine present in black pepper acts as a thermogenic compound. Piperine enhances the
thermogenesis of lipid and accelerates energy metabolism in the body .
Also increases the serotonin and beta-endorphin production in the brain.
Piperine and other components from black pepper may also be helpful in treating vitiligo
although when combined with UV radiation should be staggered due to the effect of light on
the compound.
Black peppercorns contain good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc,
manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate
and blood pressure.
Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide
dismutase.
Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production.
They are also excellent source of many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as
Pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin.
Peppercorns are rich source of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A.
They also rich in flavonoid polyphenolic anti-oxidants like carotenes, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lycopene. These compounds help body remove harmful free radicals and help
protect from cancers and diseases.
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Black pepper grains
Pepper in Kolli Hills in India
Black pepper corns
(Piper nigrum)
Pepper plant with green
fruits
Nutritional facts
Black peppers (Piper nigrum),
Nutritional value per 100 g.
Principle
Nutrient Value
Energy
255 Kcal
Carbohydrates 64.81 g
Protein
10.95 g
Percentage
of RDA
13%
49%
19.5%
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Total Fat
Cholesterol
Dietary Fiber
Vitamins
Choline
Folic acid
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E-γ
Vitamin K
Electrolytes
Sodium
Potassium
Minerals
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Zinc
Phytonutrients
Carotene-β
Carotene-α
Cryptoxanthin-β
Luteinzeaxanthin
Lycopene
3.26 g
0 mg
26.5 g
11%
0%
69%
11.3 mg
10 mcg
1.142 mg
0.340 mg
0.240 mg
0.109 mg
299 IU
21 mg
4.56 mg
163.7 mcg
2%
2.5%
7%
26%
18%
9%
10%
35%
30%
136%
44 mg
1259 mg
3%
27%
437 mg
1.127 mg
28.86 mg
194 mg
5.625 mg
173 mg
1.42 mg
44%
122%
360%
48.5%
244.5%
25%
13%
156 mcg
0 mcg
---
48 mcg
--
205 mcg
--
6 mcg
--
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Withania
somnifera
Kingdom: Plantae
Division:
Angiosperms
Class:
Asterids
Order:
Solanales
Family:
Solanaceae
Genus:
Withania
Species:
somnifera
Botanical name: Withania
somnifera
Distribution
Withania somnifera, known as ashwagandha, is a shrub cultivated in India and North
America whose roots have been used for thousands of years by siddha practitioners.
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Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India, such as Mandsaur
District of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Sindh, and Rajasthan.
It is also found in Nepal. Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's smell" (ashwa- horse,
gandha- smell), probably originating from the odour of its root which resembles that of a
sweaty horse.
The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" in Latin. Withania somnifera is grown
as late rainy-season (kharif) crop.
Semitropical areas receiving 500 to 750 mm rainfall are suitable for its cultivation as a
rainfed crop.
If one or two winter rains are received, then root development improves.
The crop requires a relatively dry season during its growing period.
It can tolerate a temperature range of 20 to 38°C and as low a temperature as 10°C. The plant
grows from sea level to an altitude of 1500 meters.
Morphology
It grows as a short shrub (35–75 cm) with a central stem from which branches extend radially
in a star pattern (stellate) and covered with a dense matte of wooly hairs (tomentose).
The stems are around 3 to 4 feet in height. Its stem contain fibre like texture.
One plant survives for up to 4 to 5 years.
The leaves are bowl shaped, small and without thorns. It remains green for 12 months near
big trees and ponds. The leaves are oval shaped , 2 to 4 inches long and contain fibre.
The flowers are blooming at the base of the stems are small, somewhat long with chimney
shape and yellowish green in colour. The flowers bloom from the base of the leaves and
become red when wipe.
The seeds are small, heart shaped, smooth and flat. The seeds are sown in rainy season and
harvested in the spring season.
The ripe fruit is orange-red and has milk-coagulating properties.
The roots are rough, white from within, strong, transparent, thick and one to one and half feet
long.
Crushing the fresh leaves and raw roots gives urine like smell and hence named
Ashwagandha, Ashwa means ' horse' and gandha means 'smell'.
The plant's long, brown, tuberous roots are used for medicinal purposes.
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Chemical contents
The roots excrete Cuseihygrine, Anahygrine, Tropine and 13 different kinds of acid. The
acids include Vithenyle oil, which evaporates, Hentiroctane, Phitosteryl are obtained.
It also contains a chemical called Bidaphyrine A.
Other than these Glycocide, Vithenyle, acidic starch, contain Vethinine and someniphyrine
alkaline and nicotine somanani vetheninine alkaline.
Withaferin A
The main active constituents are alkaloids and steroidal lactones. These include tropine and
cuscohygrine. The leaves contain the steroidal lactones, withanolides, notably withaferin A,
which was the first withanolide to be isolated from W. somnifera.
Withaferin A inhibits notch-1 signaling and downregulates prosurvival pathways, such as
Akt/NF-κB/Bcl-2, in three colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116, SW-480, and SW-620). Recent
research in mice suggests that withaferin A may have anti-metastatic activity. Withaferin A
inhibits Transcription Factors Sp1 and NF-κB activity.Withaferin A down regulates Vascular
Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) gene expression and inhibits angiogenesis.
Withanolide sulfoxide has been shown to suppress NF-κB and to selectively inhibit COX-2 in
cultured cell lines in vitro.
The effect of a semipurified root extract of W. somnifera containing mostly withanolides was
investigated using a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The transgenic mice
showed reversal of behavioral deficits and plaque load after treatment with the extract for 30
days.
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Medicinal uses
In Siddha the berries and leaves of W. somnifera are locally applied to tumors, tubercular
glands, carbuncles, and ulcers.
Several studies over the past few years have looked into the role of withania somnifera in
having anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immuneenhancing, and rejuvenating properties.
Historically Withania somnifera root has also been noted to have sex-enhancing properties.
It is used as a general tonic and "adaptogen", helping the body adapt to stress.
In addition, this herb has been shown to possess antioxidant activity as well as an ability to
support a healthy immune system.
It is beneficial in case of watery diseases, vata, kapha, respiratory problems, tuberculosis,
swelling, leprosy, poison, wounds, blood purifier, pain, swelling in the uterus and vagina,
bleeding, pain reliever.
Regular consumption of Ashwagandha for one year removes the deformities of the body.
Consumption of Ashwagandha in the months of December and january removes weakness
and makes the body strong. All these qualities are of the roots.
Consuming this medicine for 15 days regularly with milk, ghee or plain water brings back the
youth fullness.
It is very effective in case of Leucoderma, bronchitis and asthma.
Nadkarni says that Ashwagandha is a tonic, which increases sperm count and sexual potency.
In the rural areas vegetable made out of this plant is given to TB patients.
It increases the iron content in the blood. Sohat has termed it anti-tumor.
It is considered to be one of the seven siddha herbs capable of curing AIDS.
The Bidaphyrine chemical present in the plant is capable of killing the cancer cells.
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Taking Ashwagandha powder with milk, ghee or water cures weakness in children, weakness
in old people and reduces the aging process.
Taking ashwagandha powder with ghee made out of cow milk or sugar cures sleeplessness
and pain in the hips.
The decoction is beneficial to cure tuberculosis. Adding honey in the juice of winter cherry
leaves cures the problem of sleeplessness due to joint pain.
Adding sugar candy and ghee in Ashwagandha powder cures pain in the hips and backache.
Add liquorice in Ashwagandha powder and take it with amla juice to cure weak eyesight.
Taking Ashwagandha powder with honey and ghee regularly for one month in winter season
cures old age problems.
Take Ashwagandha powder and Baheda with jaggery for quick relief in heart ache.
Regular consumption of Ashwagandha with Giloy extract and honey cures all types of
problems.
Consumption of Ashwagandha, Shatavari, ghee and honey cures the vata dosha.
Take round 3gm of Ashwagandha powder with 12gm of sugar candy and sugar twice daily
with milk to cure white discharge and infertility Ashwagandha for Constipation:
Take Ashwagandha powder with hot milk to cure constipation
Take Ashwagandha powder and sugar in equal proportions measuring 3 to 6 gm with milk
everyday cures impotency
Add one gm each of Ashwagandha, sugar candy, honey and take 10gm ghee every morning
to improve humors, strengthening the body and brings back youthfulness.
Take equal quantities of Ashwagandha and Vidhara powder and store it in greasy container.
Take around 6 to 12 gm twice daily with hot milk regularly for 4 months. his cures vata
dosha, old age related problems and rejuvenates the body. The same taken with 6gm ghee and
3 gm honey cures the disease in which vital humors of the body are excreted through urine.
Take 10gm Ashwagandha with Amla juice everyday and gradually increase the quantity. This
stops aging.
Add Ashwagandha in one fourth quantity of ghee, grind it nicely and store it in a container.
Take 5gm of this powder with milk or lukewarm water regularly for one month to increase
strength and sperm. This cures all types of pains ad wind related problems.
Extract of the pure oil from Ashwagandha roots cures weakness and wind related problems.
Take 12gm each of Ashwagandha , Vidhara, Jaiphal, small cardamom, Nagarmotha,
Gokharu, cronch seeds, Shatavari, Triphala, Lajvanti, poppy seeds and vansh lochan. Grind
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and sieve them nicely. Add equal quantity of sugar candy and take 6gm of this powder twice
daily with milk to cure dream problems.
Add ghee in the decoction of Ashwagandha powder and cook. Consume this to cure wind
related problem. It helps the women to conceive.
Grind Ashwagandha roots in cow urine and apply on the affected ares to cure the swelling
due to stomach disorder.
Grind Ashwagandha powder with hot water and take it regularly to cure wind related problem
due to heart disease
Take decoction made out of Ashwagandha roots and sugar to cure bleeding due to vata dosha.
Make decoction with Ashwagandha roots, Vidharikand and Mulethi and take it with milk to
increase the breast milk.
Coarsely grind the roots, skin , leaves, flowers and fruits of Ashwagandha and take out the
rasa, take at least 30 to 60 gm of this juice to cure arthritis.
Add the skin of Ashwagandha and Nirgundi with Kateri fruits and paipal with ghee and burn
it. Give fumigation in the rectum area to cure piles.
In case of snake bite give 6gm of Ashwagandha roots juice at an interval of 1 hour to remove
the effect of poison
Take 12gm of Ashwagandha, grind them and add 12 gm of sugar candy, now pour one liter
water and make the decoction till it reduces to one-eight quantity. Give this decoction in little
quantity to cure whooping cough.
Take 3 gm of winter cherry powder and add equal quantity of ghee and one gm unrefined
sugar and take it twice daily to cure joint pain.
Take equal quantities of Ashwagandha powder and sugar, make a fine powder and take 4gm
with honey to cure blood impurities.
The word Ashwagandha literally means "the sweat of a horse" indicating that one who takes
it would have the strength and sexual vitality of a horse.
Pharmacological action
Tardive dyskinesia is one of the major side effects of long-term neuroleptic treatment. The
term neuroleptic refers to the effects on cognition and behavior of antipsychotic drugs that
reduce confusion, delusions, hallucinations, and psychomotor agitation in patients with
psychoses.
Withania somnifera root extract could be a useful drug for the treatment of drug-induced
dyskinesia.
some of the chemicals within withania somnifera are powerful antioxidants. They tested these
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compounds for their effects on rat brain and found an increase in the levels of three natural
antioxidants , superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
They say, "These findings are consistent with the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera as an
Ayurvedic rasayana (health promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of Withania
somnifera root may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-stress, cognition-facilitating,
anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in
clinical situations."
A new dimeric withanolide, ashwagandhanolide, was isolated from the roots of an Ayurvedic
medicinal herb, withania somnifera. Ashwagandhanolide displayed growth inhibition against
human gastric, breast (MCF-7), central nervous system (SF-268), colon (HCT-116), and lung
(NCI H460) cancer cell lines. In addition, ashwagandhanolide inhibited lipid peroxidation
and the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in vitro.
Withania somnifera is historically used as an aphrodisiac. Withania somnifera is mentioned
in the ancient Kama Sutra as an herb to be used for heightening sexual experience,
Laboratory studies show withania somnifera can produce nitric oxide which is known to
dilate blood vessels. Withania somnifera has the ability to restore sexual health and improve
overall vitality while promoting a calm state of mind.
The roots of Withania somnifera are used extensively in Ayurveda, the classical Indian
system of medicine, and Withania somnifera is categorized as a rasayana, which are used to
promote physical and mental health, to provide defense against disease and adverse
environmental factors and to slow the aging process. In rodent studies Withania somnifera
has been shown to reduce anxiety and have positive effect on mood.
Withania somnifera is used in India to treat mental deficits in geriatric patients, including
amnesia After injecting some of the chemicals in withania somnifera into rats, they later
examined slices of their brain and found an increase in acetylcholine receptor activity. The
researchers say, "The drug-induced increase in acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly
explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving effects of extracts from Withania
somnifera observed in animals and humans."
A study done in 1991 at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health
Science Center indicated that extracts of Withania somnifera had GABA-like activity. This
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may account for this herb’s anti-anxiety effects.
A 2002 laboratory study indicates Withania somnifera stimulates the growth of axons and
dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed it had memory boosting ability. A 2000 study with
rodents showed Withania somnifera to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.
One small study found withania somnifera was able to reduce blood sugar and
cholesterol levels and had a diuretic effect.Hence it is used to controll hypertension.
Clinical trials and animal research support the use of Withania somnifera for anxiety,
cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease.
Withania somnifera's chemopreventive properties make it a potentially useful adjunct for
patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
Ashwaganda is also used therapeutically as an adaptogen for patients with nervous
exhaustion, and debility due to stress, and as an immune stimulant in patients with low white
blood cell counts.
Studies indicate ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant,
immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, and rejuvenating properties.
It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central
nervous systems. The mechanisms of action for these properties are not fully understood.
Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound.
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Conclusion
In short Herbo serpin acts as follows:
Andrographis paniculata reduces the mainly increased pitha dosha.
Vetriveria zizanioides,Santalum album cooles the body by their demulcent action ,thereby
dilates the bloodvessels which are constricted due to excessive pressure exerted by the blood
on the capillary walls because of the increased azhal and vatha dosha.
Citrus reticulata by its rich vitamins and mineral contents increases the body’s immunity
and also controlls triglycerides level it results in the controll over hypertension.
Withania somnifera,Cyperus rotundus by their sedative action reduces the mental stress and
strain which is the main reason for hypertension and cures the symptom sleeplessness
araising due to hypertension.
Trichosanthes cucumerina by its prooved hepato protective action strengthens liver and
corrects the portal circulation and there by systemic circulation too hence effectively reduce
the blood pressure.
Zingiber officinale and Piper nigrum by their carminative action reduces the vatha dosha
and by their thridosha neutraliser reduces the pitha dosha and helps in reducing the blood
pressure.
Rauvolfia serpentina the queen controller of hyper tension by its active principal reserpine
acts on the brain cortex and reduces the stress.
Rauvolfia serpentina along with Santalum album,Vetriveria zizanioides, Trichosanthes
cucumerina by their diuretic action eliminates the excessive salt & water retained in the body
and corrects the renal mechanism thereby reduces and keeps the blood pressure in normal
level.
Get Herboserpin and take it under the physicians advice with regular check up of your
bloodpressure .
Many patients under the clinical trail nearly 90 out of 100 got a good controll over their blood
pressure and 20 persons got a moderate controll over their blood pressure..
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