Traditional Medicine

One of the most influential alchemical authors of the early modern period was Michael Sendivogius whose early life is shrouded in mystery. He may be labelled the most famous Polish scientific writer between Copernicus and Marie Skłodowska-Curie, but because of the difficulties involved in researching the biography of any alchemist, there has been relatively little interest in him among Polish historians. The early work of Roman Bugaj (author of the still fundamental monograph) and Włodzimierz Hubicki (who made his research available to the international community) has been continued only by the English-born Zbigniew Szydło and the author of this article. The roots of many legends about Sendivogius were three mid-17th century short biographies, none of which is trustworthy, so it is crucial to verify the received myth and the version constructed in the 1960's and 1970's with primary sources and evidence from the recent "new historiography of alchemy". The present ar...

Diabetes mellitus is becoming a common metabolic disorder which has serious threat to public health in the world. There are chemicals and biochemical agent that helps in controlling diabetes but there is no permanent remedy available which helps to get recovered completely from this disorder. By conducting large number of research work, numerous traditional medicines have been found for diabetes. Substances and extracts isolated from different natural resources especially plants have always been a rich arsenal for controlling and treating diabetes problem and complication arising due to it. So this review helps the reader to understand the importance of various types of herbal and polyherbal formulations present traditionally which can be used to treat diabetes mellitus. 

1. J Psychedelic Drugs. 1979 Jan-Jun;11(1-2):145-6. Entheogens. Ruck CA, Bigwood J, Staples D, Ott J, Wasson RG. PMID: 522165 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]. MeSH Terms. Hallucinogens*; Medicine, Traditional*; Terminology as Topic. Substances. Hallucinogens.

Tinospora cordifolia (wild) Hook.f. (Thomas) is an important medicinal plant distributed throughout in Sri Lanka and commonly known as Rasakinda in Sinhala and Giloy in English. It is widely used in Sri Lankan traditional medical system and Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, fever, arthritis, skin diseases and for Rasayana (rejuvenating) therapies due to its anti-inflammatory, hypoglyceamic, immunomodulatory, antioxident, anti-allergy, antipyretic, antiarthritic and various other medicinal properties. Imported T. cordifolia stems and Sri Lankan grown T. cordifolia stems can be found in Sri Lankan herbal market. Moreover, different varieties of Tinospora species known as Tikthakinda, Bukinda and Gatakinda are available in the market under the name of Rasakinda which leads to adulteration. Hence, in this research an attempt was made to develop standards for genuine T. cordifolia grown in Sri Lanka. Stems of T. cordifolia evaluated for macroscopical, microscopical, physic...

Although the majority of serious cases in the world are concerned with snake bite envenomation, but those which are caused by scorpion stings are also famous for causing extreme pain. The present view is an attempt to enlist scientifically ignored medicinal plants of Pakistan exhibiting anti-scorpion venom activity. In this review data of 35 medicinal plants is collected with their families, parts used, distribution in Pakistan, and major constituents present in plant. Amaranthaceae, Astraceae and Euphorbiaceae represent 3 species. Anacardiaceae, Asclepidaceae and Liliaceae represent 2 species. Araceae, Capparidaceae, Ceasalpinaceae, Cyperaceae, Labiatae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Oleaceae, Oxalidaceae, Pinaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae, Valerianaceae and Zingiberaceae represented single medicinal plant with anti scorpion potential. According to literature, all parts are used in anti scorpion envenomination. Leaves exhibit 30%, whole plant 9%, fru...

The antimicrobial activities of Circium arvense extracts were evaluated against two human gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus) and four gram negative pathogen (Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae). The Methanol extracts of Circium arvense were used to obtain various fractions (X1) n-hexane, (X2) chloroform, (X3) ethyl acetate and (X4) n-butanol. The agar well diffusion assay and agar dilution susceptibility testing were carried out to determine the zone of inhibitions and the minimum inhibitory concentration respectively. Antifungal activity was employed by agar well diffusion method. The Ampicilline, Ofloxacine and Itraconazole were used as standard agents. Almost all fractions exhibited more or less antimicrobial activity. The X2 (Chloroform) fraction was reported as highly active fraction with good antimicrobial activity MIC 0.312 mg/ml against staphylococcus areous. The MBC values of fraction X2 (chloroform) was 2 ti...

The use of 'traditional' medicine, or a combination of biomedical treatment and 'traditional'
medicine, is a common phenomenon all over Indonesia. In today’s Indonesian healthcare system
'traditional' and alternative medicine coexist with globalized biomedicine. It has been found only
recently that Indonesian urban, educated households are more likely to use 'traditional' than
biomedical healthcare (Nurhayati & Widowati 2017). As early as 2003, Liebich described 80% of
the urban population of Jakarta as occasionally or frequently using 'traditional' medicine. Despite
the dominance of biomedical approaches in the Primary Health Care (PHC) system and the
accompanying skepticism towards other health etiologies, the 'traditional' and complementary
medicine (T&CM) market in Indonesia has experienced a veritable boom during the past 30 years.
Drawing on the transdiciplinary field of health psychology and medical anthropology, this thesis
discusses concepts and approaches that explain the use of T&CM in urban Yogyakarta (Java,
Indonesia). These discussions are based on a Reflexive Grounded Theory study, conducted with
semi-standardized interviews as the main source. The interview questions were designed to elicit
narrative elements addressing previous experiences and evaluations of illness and previous
treatment as well as possible combinations of medical practices. Additionally, expert interviews
with different health agents illustrate conflicting interests and controversies. Even though this study
focuses on illuminating issues of healthcare in urban Yogyakarta, it also finds a textual form to trace
the journey of a 'Western' researcher, who tries to understand the meaning of healthcare in urban
Yogyakarta. Thus, in addition to the substantive focus, this thesis has a methodological focus,
aiming to trace the formative influence of the author along different steps of meaning making about
healthcare in urban Indonesia.
The first part of the dissertation gives insights into the contextual, epistemological and
methodological background of the study (chapters 1 and 2). The second part analyzes interview
narratives. This is done, on the one hand, by highlighting narrations of binary conceptualizations of
'health', 'illness' and 'healing', presented in the model of natural versus kimia. On the other hand, the
analysis follows the ways in which my interviewees navigate healing, where they transcend conceptual
differences by referring to their 'traditional' Javanese rasa of cocok (chapter 3). The third part of the
thesis identifies the author as a situated outsider, highlighting the entanglement of a Western researcher
in conceptual constructions used during interviews with Javanese women (chapter 4). The last part
argues that binary thinking needs to be overcome in order to offer health seekers a truly people-
centered and context-sensitive navigation of healing (chapter 5).
This study highlights different voices of health seekers who emphasize that the current healthcare
system in Indonesia does not meet their needs: neither the needs of the female Javanese health seekers,
nor those of the medical experts and practitioners of both sectors, natural as well as kimia.
Consequently, research on healthcare needs to recognize and accomodate the plurality and complexity
of medical approaches, in order to bridge the rhetoric of healthcare systems and the experienced reality
of health seekers as well as the formal and the informal healthcare system. Similar to bricoleurs,
researchers need to consistently reflect upon and adjust their assumptions, introduce new
methodological tools and use different forms of representation and interpretation to unite various
disciplines, multiple methodologies, and various theoretical perspectives in their healthcare research.

To analyse the use of herbal supplements by individuals with diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the endocrinology clinics of two hospitals in Izmir, Turkey, between June and August 2016. The sample consisted of diabetic patients. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews guided by a questionnaire. SPSS 17 was used to analyse the data. There were 455 subjects with a mean age of 47.02±16.6 years. Of the total, 373(82%) were female, and 352(77.4%) were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Overall, 262(57.6%) subjects used herbal supplements like cinnamon, sage, thyme, turmeric and ginseng. Significant differences in the use of herbal supplements were found according to gender, marital status, and duration of diabetes (p<0.05 each). About half of the diabetic patients used herbal supplements.

publications: 1. Saneesh Kumar, Nontombi Sephuhle, Charles Awortwe, Patrick J. Bouic, Bernd Rosenkranz (2017). HPLC/LC-MS guided phytochemical/ in vitro screening of Inula Helenium L. (Asteraceae) and Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae), and prediction of possible cytochrome P450 interactions, IntJ Pharm Pharm Sci, [S.I., Sep. 2017], p. 13. (Appendix 1.2). 2. Saneesh Kumar, Nontombi Sephuhle, Charles Awortwe, Patrick J. Bouic, Bernd Rosenkranz (2015).HPLC/LC-MS guided phytochemical screening of Astragalus membranaceus and predictions of possible cytochrome P450 interactions, Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, [S.I., Feb. 2015], p. 53. (Appendix 1.3). Manuscripts in preparation: 1. S. Kumar, P. J. Bouic and B. Rosenkranz. Investigation of CYP2B6 interactions of Withania somnifera (L.) in human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za xv 2. S. Kumar, P. J. Bouic and B. Rosenkranz. In vitro assessment of the interaction potential of Ocimum basilicum (L.) on...

The study examine the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of ten selected Indian medicinal plants namely, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, Polyalthia longifolia, Allium cepa, Phyllanthus amarus, Thespesia populnea, Ricinus communis, Physalis angulata, Ixora coccinea, and Vinca rosea using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, total phenol content (TPC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) methods. In DPPH scavenging assay, the highest radical scavenging effect was found in ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava (94.48±0.07) and the least in ethanolic extract of Physalis angulata (9.58±0.65). The TPC and FRAP value followed similar trend with highest found in Ixora coccinea ethanolic extract (427.25±0.86), (554.93±2.37) and lowest in Vinca rosea aqueous extract (41.04±1.58) and Physalis angulata ethanolic extract (111.94±6.34) respectively. All the plant extracts showed strong scavenging and reducing power...

This study is aimed to find out the impact of uterine fibroid related symptoms on health related quality of life using a disease specific instrument, the UFS-QOL. Identify the specificity of uterine fibroid cases attending to Ayurveda treatment will be another objective. This prospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out at National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Borella. Sri Lanka. 100 cases have been recruitedon consecutive basis by convenience sampling between May 2018 and July 2018.Data has been collected included demographics, risk factors, symptoms, HRQL(health related quality f life). To assess the quality of life Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health Related Quality of LifeQuestionnaire (UFS-QOL) was used. Questionnaire was translated to Sinhala language and validated. This study was approved by Ethics ReviewCommittee of theinstitute. Mean age of study sample was 32.8 yrs,77% were married. Commonly reported risk factors were null parity and high BMI 54%. Most common symptoms reported were subfertility (64%), heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain.The mean (SD) symptom severity score in the UFS QoL questionnaire (range 0-100) 61.51,was moderately severe, could be another specific factor of following Ayurveda treatment as they can bear up the difficulties up to some extent till the treatment show the results. In the present study, the results clearly suggest that uterine fibroids is a precipitating factor of QoL, total HRQL was 60.41(±16.79).Study show that the profile of Sri Lankan women attend to Ayurveda treatments for uterine fibroids are of child bearing age, married and suffering from subfertility. Avoid surgeries and preserving uterus for future pregnancy by following medicine based treatment could be the reason for that. This study provides baseline assessment for the health status of the patients using Ayurveda and results could be applied in clinical practice and further research work.

Cannabis sativa is known among many cultures for its medicinal potential. Its complexity contributes to the historical application of various parts of the plant in ethno-medicines and pharmacotherapy. C. sativa has been used for the treatment of rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, skin burns, pain, the management of sexually transmitted diseases, difficulties during child labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal activity. However, the use of C. sativa is still limited, and it is illegal in most countries. Thus, this review aims to highlight the biological potential of the plant parts, as well as the techniques for the extraction, isolation, and characterization of C. sativa compounds. The plant produces a unique class of terpenophenolic compounds, called cannabinoids, as well as non-cannabinoid compounds. The exhaustive profiling of bioactive compounds and the chemical characterization and analysis of C. sativa compounds, which modern research has not yet fully achieved, is need...

To understand some of the cross-cultural issues in providing palliative care to aboriginal patients. MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and the Aboriginal Health Collection at the University of Manitoba were searched. Studies were selected based on their focus on both general cross-cultural caregiving and, in particular, end-of-life decision making and treatment. Only 39 relevant articles were found, half of which were opinion pieces by experienced nonaboriginal professionals; 14 were qualitative research projects from nursing and anthropologic perspectives. All patients are unique. Some cultural differences might arise when providing palliative care to aboriginal patients, who value individual respect along with family and community. Involvement of family and community members in decision making around end-of-life issues is common. Aboriginal cultures often have different approaches to telling bad news and maintaining hope for patients. Use of interpreters an...

DNA vaccines are considered as third-generation
vaccines. The recombinant DNA technology plays an
important role in the production of DNA vaccines.
These vaccines are intended to increase DNA insertion
and translation in the cell, activate CD4+ T cells,
and enhance cytotoxic T-lymphocyte induction and
antibody production. DNA vaccines are safe with few
side effects in humans and animals. Their immunogenicity
can be improved by the use of suitable
adjuvants and proper delivery systems. In recent years,
strategies have been developed to increase the efficacy
of DNA vaccines through electroporation, as well as the
use of cytokines, genetically engineered vectors, liposomes,
and micro- or nanoparticles. In the last decade,
significant advances have been made in the field of
DNA immunization. Strategies such as the use of DNA
vaccines in combination with genetic adjuvants and
prime-boost immunization increase the protective
response and decrease the doses of DNA vaccines.
Vaccine efficacy is influenced by the route of immunization,
with intracutaneous injection of the plasmid
having been found to be more effective than intramuscular
or subcutaneous injection even at lower doses.
DNA vaccines are useful in both humans and animals
against infectious diseases, allergies and even cancer.
This review elaborates on the current status of DNA
immunization in the medical and veterinary fields.

White flesh extract of Cocos nucifera (coconut) was studied to ascertain the ethnopharmacological standing of its antimalarial usage in Malaysian folk medicine.The crude methanol extract was investigated for phytochemical constituents and acute oral toxicity. Antimalarial activity of different extract doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were investigated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei (NK65) infections in mice during early, established and residual infections. Chloroquine (20 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs.The results revealed that the extract contained some phytochemical constituents and is toxicologically safe by oral administration. The extract significantly reduced the parasitaemia by the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses in the all three in vivo assessment assays. However, the extract did not significantly increase the survival time of the infected mice.The observed pharmacological activities suggest that the Malaysian folkloric medicinal application of Cocos nucifera has a pharmacological basis.

Whether communicating with a fellow practitioner, looking up research on a plant, or checking official legislation, plant names are essential to practising herbal medicine. However, names used to refer to Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) are complicated by the fact that one name can refer to several species, and these names can mean different things to different people. This creates potential for inaccuracies and miscommunication.

This article begins by giving an overview of the different names used in traditional Chinese medicine; whilst these names are useful for defining a drug entity, it is often not clear what species of plant they refer to and that they are defined differently in different publications. It then explores the benefits of using scientific names whilst also exploring the difficulties their use can present.

It goes on to cover the work Medicinal Plant Names Services (MPNS), a project based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has been doing to highlight and help resolve these issues. MPNS has created a global resource that indexes the many different names in use and links them to up to date scientific classification. This resource is publicly available and its aim is to improve communication about medicinal plants. MPNS also advises on best practice in the use of plant names and works with global health regulators to ensure accuracy.