Drugs and Medicines
Medicinal Uses of Cumin
Historically, several systems of medicine and essential oil cumin cumin seeds have been used to treat digestive problems. It is also believed to have a tonic effect on the muscles and nervous system. However, to date, no scientific evidence in humans to support the use of cumin for any medical indication.
Africa: In ancient Egypt, cumin was used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders (such as cough), pain, ear infections and dental problems.
Arabic Medicine: Cumin has been used in Arab medicine as an aid to weight loss by reducing appetite and improve digestion. Also used as a purgative. Read the rest of this entry »
Medicinal Uses of Cilantro
The cilantro (or coriander) has been used as a flavoring agent medicinal plant since ancient times. In many cultures, cilantro was used historically to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain, indigestion and nausea. However, now missing high-quality studies in humans to support the use of coriander for any medical indication.
Ayurveda: The traditional medicine of India, coriander seeds combined with other plants, such as cumin, cardamom, fennel and anise. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is considered that the Dhania (coriander seed) has the following properties: it is acrid, cooling, or cooling, diuretic, anti-fever, stomach, aphrodisiac, stimulant, laxative and anthelmintic (expels worms). In the ancient text Sushruta Samita, cilantro is known as Kustumvari, commonly used for fresh and dry digestion, as an emollient, to relieve thirst and burning of the skin. It was believed that the bitter taste and penetrating the body cleansed and relieved all the three doshas in Hindu medicine. Read the rest of this entry »
Medicinal Uses of Dill
Traditionally, dill has been used to treat diseases of the digestive tract and relieve insomnia. Preliminary research has suggested cholesterol-lowering effects, however, clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of dill for hyperlipidemia is limited.
Africa: Ethiopia, chewed the leaves of the dill and fennel to treat headaches.
Arab medicine: systems of medicine in Arabic, Anethum graveolens is used as a carminative (an agent for the expulsion of gases from the digestive system) for abdominal colic. In Unani medicine, it is reported that the dill is used as a digestive aid and for fever, ulcers, kidney problems and eye disorders. Read the rest of this entry »
Traditional Uses of Rosemary
Rosemary has been used medicinally for centuries and was mentioned in several medieval texts. Historically, it has been used for various therapeutic effects, including relief from renal colic, dysmenorrhea, respiratory disorders, depression and hair loss. Today, rosemary extracts are often used in aromatherapy to treat conditions related to anxiety and increase alertness. However, while some initial investigations have indicated a possible benefit, the clinical evidence remains inadequate to support the use of rosemary in humans for any medical indication.
African medicine: A survey ethnopharmacological, the use of rosemary was common in Morocco for gastrointestinal disorders. In Morocco, rosemary has also been used traditionally to treat diabetes and hypertension. Rosemary oil is prepared by distillation in Tunis, and also exported to Europe.
In Tunisia, the traditional medicinal uses of rosemary include: as a poultice or poultice from the leaves crushed dried rosemary and olive oil after a circumcision as an antispasmodic agent for the gastrointestinal system. Other uses include the treatment of muscle or joint pain with the external application of a remedy that contains rosemary, treating bloating and flatulence (intestinal gas) with an infusion of herbs, and to the respiratory system, an essential oil for its alleged antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Read the rest of this entry »
Anabolic Steroids: Health Hazards
The main complications of anabolic steroid abuse include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellowing of the skin, tissues and body fluids), fluid retention, hypertension, increased LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreased HDL (good cholesterol). Other side effects include kidney tumors, severe acne and trembling. In addition, there are some specific side effects by sex or age of the user:
- For men-shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm production, infertility, baldness, development of breasts, increased risk of prostate cancer.
- For women-growth of facial hair, male pattern baldness, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, increased the size of the clitoris, deepened voice.
- For adolescents-growth halted prematurely through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes. This means that adolescents are at risk for short stature the rest of their lives if they take anabolic steroids before passing through a period of “stretching” typical of adolescence. Read the rest of this entry »
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic substances related to male sex hormones. “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building, while “androgenic” refers to increased masculine characteristics. “Steroids” refers to a class of drugs.
These drugs are available legally only by prescription and are used to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence.
They are also prescribed as a treatment for body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in the loss of lean muscle mass. However, the anabolic steroid abuse can cause serious health problems, some irreversible. Read the rest of this entry »