Category: health

In Ayurvedic medicine, bacopa (Bacopa monnieri, Plantaginaceae) is called brahmi and used as a brain tonic to enhance cognitive function and prevent memory loss. Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and, in clinical studies, has been found to improve aspects of cognitive function and memory in both healthy participants and patients with cognitive impairments. The purpose of this literature review was to summarize the experimental and clinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of BME for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Various formulations of BME were used in the studies reviewed by the authors.

Mechanisms of Action

In animal and cell studies, BME has been shown to decrease oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, scavenging free radicals, inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), and upregulating antioxidant enzymes, among numerous other mechanisms. BME also has been found to ameliorate mitochondrial and plasma membrane damage, protect against cytotoxicity…

Summer is prime time for enjoying the outdoors. But more often than not, there’s a dark cloud hanging over that backyard barbecue: bugs – and especially mosquitoes. These blood-seeking fun busters expertly follow their senses right to your skin. But if you can repel them with one quick application of bug spray, then what’s the problem? It turns out that many old-fashioned bug sprays contain neurotoxic ingredients that may increase cancer risk. But, worry not – there are plenty of nontoxic essential oil blends that repel the bugs, without the bite to your health.

Why Should We Use Natural Mosquito Repellent?

Mosquito bites are not just annoying. They can also transmit diseases such as malaria, Zika, and dengue fever, among others. So, it’s important to guard against them. Mosquitoes are guided by their sense of smell, which is equipped with hundreds of odor-receptor proteins, and they’re attracted to the carbon dioxide we…

Dental plaque can lead to dental caries and gingivitis. Streptococcus mutans is a common microorganism that causes dental plaque. Improper tooth-brushing techniques used by some children are inadequate in removing plaque. In children, mouthwashes could help prevent plaque formation and could be an alternative to chlorhexidine and triclosan mouthwashes, which are associated with adverse effects, such as teeth staining and altered taste. Aloe vera (Aloe vera, Asphodelaceae) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae) oil have reported antibacterial and antifungal effects, and have been used for oral health. These authors conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, interventional study to compare the efficacy of herbal mouthwashes containing 7% aloe vera and 0.2% tea tree oil with chlorhexidine mouthwash used by schoolchildren.

The study was conducted at the Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at the Manipal College of Dental Sciences in Manipal, India. Schoolchildren aged 8-14 years and enrolled in one…

Birch
Betula lenta, B. papyrifera, B. pendula (syn. B. verrucosa), and B. pubescens (syn. B. alba)
Family: Betulaceae

by Josef Brinckmann, Thomas Brendler

INTRODUCTION

The Betulaceae family includes an estimated 150 to 200 species of trees and shrubs,¹ and, depending on the author, the Betula genus includes about 30 to 60 of those species. Betula species are deciduous trees or shrubs and are monoecious (they have both male and female catkins, spike-like inflorescences of unisexual flowers). Authorities differ on the precise number of Betula species. This is likely because birches hybridize easily, which confounds species delineation.²

In Europe, the main species used in herbal medicinal products, foods, and beverages are downy birch (B. pubescens) and silver birch (B. pendula), and their hybrids and subspecies. Betula pendula is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to about 25 m (82 ft) and occur more or…