Amukkara: How It Works

              Alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins and withanolides are thought to be the biologically active components. Studies have pointed to cyclooxygenase inhibition as the cause of the herb's anti-arthritis properties. Amukkara's anti-inflammatory effects were comparable to hydrocortisone sodium succinate in rats. The root extract of the herb produced significant increases in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count and platelet count. Amukkara has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects in the brain and to have a tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system in animals. In vitro, isolates from the root of the plant have cytotoxic properties against H-460, HCT-116, SF-268 and MCF-7 cell lines. Amukkara increase cytotoxic T lymphocyte production. Other studies show amukkara's cytotoxicity is related to its structure and that it enhances ATPase and inhibits succinate dehydrogenase activity, impairing oxidative phosphorylation. In animal studies, amukkara can increase the effects of radiation therapy and inhibits tumor growth. The herb also reduces tumor GSH levels which may contribute to the enhancement of radiation response. Amukkara can reverse paclitaxel induced neutropenia in mice. Significant toxicity was observed at high doses in animal studies, however, toxicity studies in humans are limited.  

 

NELLIKAAI

            Nelli kaai  has high vitamin C content. It also has other minerals and amino acids. The tissue of the fruit has concentrated protein three times and ascorbic acid a hundred and sixty times compared to that of an apple. it has higher contents of mineral and amino acids than apples. Glutamic acid, aspacratic acid, proline, lysine and alanine are the amino acids that are present in gooseberries. The pulp of the fruit when dried and removed from the nuts contains Gallic acid, tannin, sugar, gum, albumin, crude cellulose, mineral matter. The fruit itself has chromium, zinc and copper. It is used to treat peptic ulcer and dyspepsia in a more effective manner. It has hypolipiadaemic and antiatherosclerotic effects in rats and rabbits. The fruit has antimutagenic which can fight off a certain strain of salmonella. .

NELLIKAI TONIC

 Ingredients.  

Kaatu Nelli-250 gm

Panai vellam-250 gm

Chukka powder-5 pinch

Ealakai powder-2 pinch

 Method of preparation:

Take a clean dried glass bottle, make one row  of nellikai inside the bottle and place panaivellam  above nellikai  heights about  one inch. Repeat the same procedure up to the neck of the bottle ending with panaivellam, then add chukka and ealam powder. Close the bottle with lid and place it in a dark room undisturbed  for 30 days. Then  filter it and consume the nellikai tonic.

 

Medicinal uses;

It is rich in vitamin C and Iron. Uses for anemia and cough.

PSORIASIS

               The thick, red, scaly skin of psoriasis can be not only painful but also embarrassing.  Most people get psoriasis on their elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms and feet. It can show up on other parts of the body, too, including fingernails, toenails, genitals and inside the mouth. Besides being uncomfortable, these patches of skin can make you self-conscious about the way you look. Psoriasis can be socially isolating for many people,"  "Often, people can become depressed."Psoriasis is not a disease you can catch from others. It's caused by an overactive immune system. The immune system essentially raises false alarms, which lead to   inflammation and a rapid turnover of skin cells. Normally, skin cells take about a month to grow deep in your skin and then rise to the surface. In psoriasis, the cells rise in a matter of days, before they have a chance to mature. The new cells and existing cells all pile up on the surface of the skin. The result is redness, irritation and discomfort.

     unfortunately, psoriasis can affect more than just the skin. It causes some people to have swollen joints and arthritis. Studies have also linked psoriasis to higher risks for diabetes, obesity, abnormal cholesterol, strokes and heart attacks.                                               

For these reasons, it's especially important for psoriasis patients to get their blood pressure checked, quit smoking if they smoke and maintain a healthy body weight," Gelfand says. Researchers are continuing to look into the causes of psoriasis. The genes you inherit affect your chances of getting the disease, but other factors are also involved, too. "We're understanding more about psoriasis every day that the past decade has brought about more treatments for psoriasis than ever before. Doctors now have many more options to help their patients manage and cope with the disorder.

PIPER BETEL-HEPATOPROTECTIVE

                  An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extracts of Piper betel  leaves. Liver damage was induced in male Wister rats weighed 150-200 gm by administering CCl4 (2ml/kg i.p) regularly for 10days and tissue damage was noted by various biochemical parameters like serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate Pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Lipidperoxidation, Level of antioxidant enzy -me like catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) in liver. Ethanolic extract of piper betel 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg i.p administered regularly for 10 days and compared with acontrol group silymarin (25 mg/kg i.p.).

                A significant reduction in serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP, ACP, lipid peroxidation andimprovement in CAT, SOD, GSH, MDA level in the liver were observed when compared with CCl4 administered rats.Piper betel leaves extract (PBLE) was able to protect the liver against the oxidative damage produced by CCl4.