how to combat vitamin deficiency in a natural way avoiding tablets?

For long I have wondered why we take so many vitamin tablets when our body can absorb only very less of it.
Vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency can be overcome by taking rice waterwash with a pinch of salt.
Vitamin C by taking Lime juice with salt
Vitamin D by simply standing for some time in morning sun
Vitamin A by taking carrot  in empty stomach or carrot juice with a spoon of milk

In general we can get intake of all vitamins by including greens veg and fruits

why is abishekam (pooja) milk good?,

Milk is a natural bleach. It can remove dirt and dissolve elements to a small amount. Ancient temples have idols made of panchaloga (madeof 5metals) .our body requires minerals in small quantities . our ancestors have standardised this amount as few millilitres- the amount given to us after abhishekam In take of this milk once a week replenishes our essential mineral intake. 
IN my opinion lets not avoid this milk when given in temples and lets visit temples a week!

Alarming Vitamin B12 deficiency- Tingling feel? you may be Vitamin B12 deficient!

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a silent deficiency disorder on a increase in vegetarians!
Tingling feeling, tiredness, nervous weakness are some of the notable symptoms seen in this deficiency. When somebody pulls a chair strongly a normal person get annoyed but does not  physically much bother us. But this is not so in the case of vitamin B12 deficient people. It produces a strong tingling effect. Mostly palm and feet sense this feeel more and even intake of tablets for a period of time does not cure this. Injections of B12 - methylcobalamin seem to be more effective.

So how do we combat this deficiency or take some precautionary measure to avoid this!
Vitamin B12 is present in appreciable amounts in liver of animal foods. Vegetarian foods lack vitamin B12. Soya has meagre amounts of this vitamin. Hence this deficiency is called a vegetarian disease. 
If you are a non-vegetarian, give your child liver before the age of 15 when the absorption of vitamin b12 is appreciable. This will not produce this deficiency in your life time.!

Best source of Vit B12: rain water, soy milk, Liver (meat)

does iron interfere with calcium absorption in food?

THERE ARE SEVERAL RESEARCHES AND ARGUEMENTS related to absorption of minerals from food.  Its true that iron competes with calcium absorption but does not interfere. Also food preparations are a mixture of varied nutrients. Hence when speakung of a normal diet calcium absorption is not interfered by iron. Except when we take gelusil or such exexternal calcium sources iron absorption may be interfered. Otherwise milk helps in absorption of vitamins particularly vit a d e and k since these are lipid soluble.  Hence in short iron will only compete with calcium and not interfere.

Always synergistic effect only plays a role as far as food prep are concerned.

Ward off evil eyes with salt , pepper and dry red chillies? is it a myth?

Its is customary to use common salt, pepper and red chilly to ward off evil eyes. This is normally done for children mostly for kids. In south India it is common . After few days from birth, this is followed. The science behind it speaks of the chemistry our ancestors knew. Amazing!

Common salt , pepper and chilli take up the bacteria and virus surrounding a person( lets say when your mother uses these in her closed fist and does the suthi podufying ( excuse my language- so that  bloggers understand) with the intention of warding off all evil eyes, all virus, bacteria and other germs are taken up in this medium and this prevents infection. This is also the principle involved in Reiki treatment where the surrounding air is cleansed to cure a disease. To expose our body surroundings to more salt, it was made mandatory to use salt , pepper etc taken around 3 times or nine times both clockwise and anticlockwise direction and to discard without turning back !. The salt does not provide the optimal environment for the microbes to grow. In case of child birth, the new born is visited by many people relatives, neighbours and many well wishers . Increase in number of visitors over a closed area ( since the new born is confined to a closed space) increases microbial concentration in the room . Hence this system was adopted wherein salt removes microbes in the air in the closed space. 

so in the case , when a kid achieves something, a mother is excited and does this suthi poduthal- whenever there is an achievement, people have the habit of congratulating, shaking hands etc which causes more transfer of microbes. HEnce be young or old, using salt to ward off this microbes slowly became warding off evil eyes. 

IF your kid or yourself suffer from an infection be it a fever, common cold or any other pain, using a handful of salt and taking it all over your body from top to bottom and all over the body- clockwise and anticlockwise for atleast 2 minutes will ease you from pain. THis salt should immediately be washed off. 

WARD OFF MIGRAINE BY SIMPLER MEANS!

Migraine is a common problem noted when there is sodium deficiency. At the onset of headache, a glass of water with salt and lime should  be taken. The lime peel can be applied on the forehead. This will ward off the migraine. 

Multani Mitti (Fuller's earth) is nothing but a form of mud

 or clay. When this is mixed with honey or curd or lime 

juice or milk it not only gives glow to your face but also 

relieves you from headache.

What is fever? Why should you take a course of antibiotics?

What is fever?
Fever is a symptom indicating the presence of  a foreign substance in the body be it a objects or bacteria, virus etc. There is an increase in temperature which should be brought down by wet cloth swab. This is to ensure that we dont lose moisture from our body and get dehydrated. The functioning of  most of the organs is also disturbed when the temperature of the body increases. HEnce care should be taken to bring down the body temperature. 
Do not immediately give crocin or any anti-pyretic tablet . Analyse the causative for the onset of fever. 
When doctor prescribes a dose of tablets say 8 tablets , do not skip these. 
Bacteria forms spores when you take the first tablet. It becomes inactivated. Immediately we feel that we are cured. No fever! No tab!
But the bacteria is only inactive. With the second tab it still more hardens the cell wall as a self defense. Further doses act on the cell wall and kills the bacteria. If you stop with two tablets , the bacteria inside the spore starts multiplying and after few days there would be an outburst of bacteria which would act with full vigour . In this situations the common broad spectrum anti biotics might be resistant.
that is why you should take a full dose of prescribed antibiotics or medicine

How to improve eye sight? the chemistry of Vision

How we see an object is a photochemical reaction. For vision to take place the reaction is conversion of cis-retinal an organic molecule with aldehyde group, to trans-retinal. This process is called cis- trans isomerization. When this process takes place in our eye, we are able to see.
Now Whats the role of carrot ?

carrot has vitamin A.
Vitamin A has trans retinol an organic compound with alcoholic functional group. this has to be converted to cis retinol. THis retinol is then oxidized to retinal . 
Carrot is also an good anti oxidant. It makes us look young. Free radicals generated in our body are responsible for ageing of cells. When these free radicals are removed from the body / quenched, then we can maintain our youth look. This is possible by use of free radical scavengers. Carrot is one such miracle food. 
Drink carrot juice with few milliliters of milk and no added sugar. Vitamins are of two types- water soluble and fat soluble. Fat soluble ones are called lipophilic. Vitamin A is lipophilic . Hence milk to carrot juice would help in easy absorption and utilization of vitamin A. Thus vitamin A helps in good vision and  acts as an anti-ageing agent.

want instant fairness? want to bleach your face by natural means? follow this tip!

Take 3ml raw unboiled milk in a small bottle cap(so that the milk does not spread). Apply gently on your face with fingers(no cotton). Let it dry. use the same milk from same container to apply again. Likewise apply the whole 3ml . wash off after 15 min. You can see a instant glow and fairness.

Milk is an instant bleach. It removes dirt and oil (which accumulates dirt)

How to prevent common cold and fever?

Does your child suffer from frequent cold, cough and fever? Have you ever wondered why this happens to your child only!?   
Bacteria and virus cause these. Unhygienic atmosphere, contamination with bacteria infected things etc cause spread of such infections.
onion adsorbs these bacteria and virus and it prevents such infections.
Cut 1 or 2 thin slices of onion and leave it in your child's bedroom. It takes up the bacteria and virus in your room !
When the onion becomes shrunk and turns dark , discard without touching it.
Try this! your child will never get infections!

2016 will be full of posts

Common Salt- a wonder in kitchen!!!!!

SALT- a wonderful & versatile chemical!!

1. If you drop a whole egg on the floor, pour salt all over the egg, let it sit for awhile,

then use dustpan, the egg will come right up, without all that mess.

2. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.

3. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.

4. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.

5. Put a few grains of rice in your saltshaker for easier pouring.

6. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.

7. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink;bad ones float.

8. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.

9. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.

10. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.

11. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won’t stick.

12. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.

13. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.

14. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.

15. Soak nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole.

Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.

16. Boil clothes pins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.

17. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour

18. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.

19. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.

20. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface

21. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.

22. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.

23. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make stiff putty.

24. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.

25. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.

26. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.

27. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.

28. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.

29. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.

30. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for a while.

31. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.

32. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.

33. Soak your clothesline in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line;

likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.

34. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.

35. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.

36. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.

37. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.

38. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.

39. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.

40. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.

41. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.

42. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.

43. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.

44. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.

45. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.

46. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.

47. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.

48. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.

49. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.

50. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.

51. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.

52. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.

53. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later..

54. Remove offensive odours from stove with salt and cinnamon.

55. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.

56. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.

57. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.

58. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don’t want grass growing.

59. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.

60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won’t smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.

Courtesy: google.com; http://www.mailments.com/2011/06/uses-of-common-salt/

Use of a pipette ! in a different angle ! Ward off common cold !

Dear All,
We chemists teach students to remove the last drop of solution from a pipette. one way and the best way rather than blowing is to hold the bulb tightly and press the mouth of pipette with our thumb. This forces the last drop of water to fall off. This has a daily life application. I always teach my students daily life chemistry and try to correlate such things to daily applications. In a similar manner, if you have your mouth full of water  and take bath, water will not enter the tender skull . By capillary action water has a tendancy of entering our head and that is why most of them say that they get cold if they bath or wash hair. But with your mouth full of water you are pushing air and forcing air out that it prevents water entering and you will definitely not get cold!.
Try this.! It has worked for many. It is the simplest way of getting rid of cold after a shower!!!
Try and give your comments

treatment for Burns!

 A young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it. He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors ignited and engulfed him He jumped from his truck, screaming. His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs and a bowl yelling: "bring me some more eggs!" She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks. The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites onto the young man's face. When the ambulance arrived and the EMTs saw the young man, they asked who had done this. Everyone pointed to the lady in charge. They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face." By the end of the summer, the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her. His face was like a baby's skin. A Healing Miracle for Burns: Keep in mind this treatment of burns is being included in teaching beginner fireman. First Aid consists of first spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced which stops the continued burning of all layers of the skin. Then, spread the egg whites onto the affected area. One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water. In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg whites from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution. The whites then dried and formed a protective layer. She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white. By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn. 10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color. The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins

chemistry facts

* Liquid oxygen is blue.
* fish scales are a common lipstick ingredient
*some lipstick contains lead acetate or sugar of lead. This toxic lead compound makes the lipstick taste sweet.
*lobster blood is colorless until it is exposed to air. Then the blood appears blue.
*fresh egg will sink in fresh water. A stale egg will float
*about 78% of the average human brain consists of water
*urine fluoresces or glows under ultraviolet light
*the ethylene gas produced by a ripening apple ripens other apples as well as many other types of produce.
*Mars is red because its surface contains a lot of iron oxide or rust.
*you have chemoreceptors or taste buds on the inside of your cheek as well as on your tongue.
*

Bisphenol A- a dangerous chemical - beware!

The chemical bisphenol A is commonly called  BPA.The chemical is increasingly thought to mimic human hormones, which direct body processes. Studies have linked exposure to bisphenol A in lab animals to a number of problems, from obesity to diabetes, early onset puberty, impaired immune function and even breast cancer.
A report is currently being finalized by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Toxicology Program on bisphenol A, with the goal of informing regulators who will likely soon decide whether the chemical warrants increased restrictions.
 It was first made in 1891, and was investigated for use as a replacement for estrogen. It is used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics (often identified by the recycling number 7), which find service in a variety of applications, especially food and drink packaging. These include:
Common Metal Coatings Liners of food cans
Dental Fillings
Baby Bottles
Water Coolers and BottlesTableware and Food Storage ContainersMedical DevicesConsumer Items Sunglasses CDs and DVDs Electronic equipment Automobile parts Sports equipment
Gov. Panel Confirms Health Risk from Bisphenol-A

Chemical May Affect Prostate, Brain and the Development of Fetuses, Infants and Children

affects the development of the mammary glands

accelerates puberty in females

affects the reproductive health of those who work with the chemical

Adathoda Vasica

 

 

 

 

 

English:                   Malabar nut                                                                

Botanical:                Adhatoda vasica                                                         

                                                                                                              

Common names:      Justicia adhatoda, Adulsa Arusa, Adathodai, Bakash, Adathoda, Adalodakam, Adusoge, Addasaramu                                                                                          

Family name:          Acanthaceae

It is also called Simha mukhi since the flowers of this plant are in the shape of lion head.

Vaidya mata: This plant is like mother to doctors. Kaphahari: Which balances Kapha in the body.

 

Description Of plant:      Dense shurb
Leaves : elliptic or elliptic lanceolate, accuminate
Flowers: In dense spikes, white, calyx deeply 5 lobed
Fruit : Four seeded capsule
Seeds: glabrous

Adhatoda is a medicinal plant of common occurrence in Kerala. Botanically, the plant is a profusely branching shrub growing up to a height of 1.5 metres. Two major species are important medicinally viz., Adhatoda vasica (Valiya adalodakam) and Adhatoda beddomei (Chittadalodakam or cheriya adalodakam). Chittadalodakam is the medicinally important species mostly seen in Kerala.  

Chemical constituents:   Vasicine, b-sitosterol, kaempferol, vasakin

Constituents  : A Volatile essentiol oil, fat resin, a bitter non volatile, alkaloid called 
 vasicine, an organicacid "ADOTHODIC ACID" The antiseptic properties of the leaves is due to the volatic princeple.
  Action    : Expectorant, diuretic, anti-spasmodic and alterative.

Parts used are : Leaves - primary source of medicine and are leaves are rich source of vitamin C. The leaves of the plant contain two major alkaloids called vasicine, and vasicinone 1,2.

¨      Roots

¨      Flowers

¨      Stem Bark

¨      fruits

3. Properties and Action According to Indigenous Medical Systems:

• Rasa: Bitter
• Vipaka: Spicy
• Veerya: Seetaveerya

Though the crop grows in a variety of climatic and soil conditions, alluvial soils are best suited for raising the crop. The plant is tolerant to shade but is susceptible to water logging. It can be cultivated either as a pure crop or as an intercrop in coconut and rubber plantations in the initial 3-4 years.

Adhatoda is propagated by tender stem cuttings. Stem cuttings of 15-20 cm long and 3-4 nodes are ideal for planting. It is better to root the cuttings in nursery before transplanting in the main field. Nursery preparation can be done in March-April. For this, the tender stem cuttings are planted in poly bags filled with farm yard manure, top soil and sand in the ratio 1:1:1. Cuttings will root readily and will be ready to transplant to main field after two months.

Rooted cuttings of adhatoda can be planted on mounds or on ridges. Plough and level the main field thoroughly and ridges or mounds are prepared 60 cm away from each other. With the commencement of rainfall, rooted cuttings are planted on the ridges with a plant to plant spacing of 30 cm. If grown on mounds, up to 5 cuttings may be planted on a single mound. In sloppy areas cuttings are planted directly by making pits with a sharp pole. Adequate care should be taken to prevent water logging as it may promote rotting.

4. Uses:

• The extraction of leaf is a good medicine for Asthma and cough.
• It is a good medicine to stop internal and external bleedings like bleeding gums, piles and peptic ulcers.
• It is a good ingredient in decoctions for all types of fever due to kapha and pitta doshas.
• It is expectorant, antispasmodic and good blood purifier.
• It speeds up the child birth.
• It has sedative properties
• There are different alkaloids present in adathoda and is used in the treatment of bronchitis,  rheumatism, etc. It is part of many Ayurvedic medicines.
• It is a special remedy for Pthisis or consumption
• An infusion of fresh pavatta leaves, two or three tablespoons mixed with one teaspoon of ginger juice and bee’s honey is known to be effective for the treatment of  coughs accompanied by a heavy chest.
• Its roots are known to be used as coffee powder for chronic bronchitis
• A poultice or the leaves is applied over fresh wounds, rheumatic joints and inflammatory swellings.
• A warm decoction of the leaves is reported to have used for scabies and other skin diseases, neuralgic pains and bleeding from the nose.
• Alkaloid fraction isolated from Adathoda vasica shows anti inflammatory activity.
•  Vasicinone, an alkaloid present in the leaves and roots of Adhatoda vasica (Acanthaceae) possesses     potent antiallergic activity in mice, rats and guinea pigs.
• Adathoda vasica extract exhibit anti tussive activity in anaesthetized guinea pigs and rabbits and in     unanaesthetized guinea pigs.
• Alkaloids from Adhatoda vasica shows pronounced protection against allergen-induced bronchial     obstruction in guinea pigs.
• Roots of Adathoda vasica L. is used in rheumatism, pneumonia and cough, while leaves are used as antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic, and demulcent.[ Muhammad Hamayun¹, Sumera Afzal² and Mir Ajab Khan^3, THNOPHARMACOLOGY, INDIGENOUS COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES OF SOME FREQUENTLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF UTROR AND GABRAL, DISTRICT SWAT, PAKISTAN, African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines,bAfrican Ethnomedicines Network Vol. 3, Num. 2, 2006, pp. 57-73 ]
• It relieves breathlessness.
•  It is also prescribed commonly for local bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles etc.
• ts local use gives relief in pyorrhoea and in bleeding gums.
• vasicine, and vasicinone, are shown to be having bronchodilator and antihistaminic effects. These alkaloids are said to exist in combination with an acid that has been named adhatodic acid.

a nutricious recipe

 

 

Cissus (Pirandai) Chutney

Ingredients

•  Asafotida:    a pinch
•  Black gram Dal:    One teaspoon
• Mustard:    One teaspoon
• Cissus (Bone vine or Pirandai) Tender stems:    8
• Oil to sauté
• Red chilies:    4 - 6 numbers
• Salt:    to taste
• Tamarind: small ball

Method

1. Select fresh and tender stems of Cissus. With a knife remove the hard veins.
2.  Keep the fleshy portions. Cut in to small pieces. heat oil. Add mustard and allow it to splutter. Add black gram Dal, red chilies and Asafotida and stir well. Add tamarind and sauté. Add salt. grind the ingredients into fine paste.

about Pirandai, called Veld grape, Veldt grape, Winged treebine in English

Cissus quadrangularis

Family : Vitaceae
Sanskrit Name : Asthisrinkhala, Chaturdhara, Vajralatha
Origin: Southern and eastern Africa, Arabia to India
Common names of Cissus quadrangularis:
Tamil : pirandai

English: Veld grape, Veldt grape, Winged treebine •

 

Succulent vine with tendrils, fleshy 3-lobed leaves and quandrangular 4-winged stem and grape-shaped leaves 2 inches long (5 cm). The flowers are also typical of the grape family are greenish white and come at the end of the summer. A good basket plant. A tendril climber with stout fleshy quadrangular stem. It is used to help heal broken bones. so call asthisamharaka (which avoids the destruction of the bones). Also properties have been attributed to treat osteoporosis, asthma and cough and the external hemorrhoids and Gonococcus.

Chemical Constituents and Components : Main chemical constituents are tetracyclic triterpenoids, onocer-7-ene-3alpha, 21 beta-diol and onocer-7-ene-3beta, 21 alpha-diol and two steriodal principles I and II, alpha-sitosterol, delta-amyrin

As a rich source of carotenoids, triterpenoids and ascorbic acid it has potential for medical effects, including "gastroprotective activity" in conjunction with NSAID therapy and in "lipid metabolism and oxidative stress" Cissus has been "discovered" by sports and nutritional supplement manufacturers and, mostly based on anecdotal evidence, many claims for "weight loss" and "muscle protective" effects are being made. issus is known to be an ancient medical plant, with optimal healing in white tissue areas of the body ( tendons, ligaments, etc. port supplement manufactures recently purified an extract of the plant to help increase the delivery of nutrients to soft tissue. It also helps heal fractures by increases in new bone growth, and has been shown to relieve arthritis and osteoarthritis when used topically as a balm.

The plant is mentioned in the ancient systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, and is useful for treatment of bloody diarrhoea, skin disorders, earache[ Geissler et al, 2002], haemorrhoids, irregular menstruation, and accelerates healing of bone fracture[ Attawish,2002]. Cissus quadrangularis formulation appears to be useful in the management of weight loss and metabolic syndrome. In Cameroon, the whole plant is used in oral re-hydration, while in Africa and Asia the leaf, stem, and root extracts are utilized in the management of various ailments.

Modern research has shed light on its ability to speed bone healing by showing it acts as a glucocorticoid antagonist (Chopra et al,1976;1975). Since anabolic/androgenic compounds are well known to act as antagonists to the glucocorticoid receptor as well as promote bone growth and fracture healing, it has been postulated that Cissus possesses anabolic and/or androgenic properties (Prasad,1963; Chopra et al, 1976). In addition to speeding the remodeling process of the healing bone, Cissus also leads to a much faster increase in bone tensile strength.
While the increased rate of bone healing may be of great significance to persons suffering from chronic diseases like osteoporosis (Shirwaikar et al,2003), the antiglucocorticoid properties of Cissus are likely of much more interest to the average bodybuilder or athlete, since endogenous glucocorticoids, particularly cortisol, are not only catabolic to bone, but catabolize muscle tissue as well. By exerting an anabolic, antiglucorticoid effect cissus helps preserve muscle tissue during times of physical and emotional stress.

Cissus is also rich in the vitamins/antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene. As analyzed, Cissus quadrangularis contained ascorbic acid 479 mg, and carotene 267 units per 100g of freshly prepared paste in addition to calcium oxalate (Chidambara Murthy, 2003).
           The typical recommended daily dosage of Cissus extract is between 100 and 500 mg, depending on the concentration of the extract and the severity of symptoms. For the powder of the dried plant, the Ayurvedic texts recommend a dosage of 3 to 6 grams to accelerate fracture healing. Safety studies in rats showed no toxic effects at dosages as high as 2000 mg/kg of body weight. So not only is Cissus efficacious, it is also quite safe, in either the dried powder form or the commercially available extract.

Cissus also possess analgesic properties on a mg per mg basis comparable to aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Cissus quadrangularis constitutes one of the ingredients of an Ayurvedic preparation, `Laksha Gogglu', which has been proved to be highly effective in relieving pain, reduction of swelling and promoting the process of healing of the simple fractures as well as in curing the allied disorders associated with fractures (Panda,1990). The mechanism through which Cissus exerts its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties has not been well characterized. It may act centrally, but the anti-inflammatory features suggest that it acts by preventing the conversion of arachidonic acid to inflammatory prostaglandins.

Active Ingredient of extract of C.q : Ketosterones 1.5%, Ketosterones 2% & Ketosterones 2.5%

Action:
Ketosterones:
1. It acts as antagonists to the glucocorticoid receptor and promote good bone health.

2. It shows anabolic steroid properties for healing of fracture.
3. It increases intramuscular creatinine levels.
4. It blocks the muscle damaging effect of cortisol and leads to the formation of new muscles.
5. It shows significant inhibition in DPPH free radical formation, superoxide radical production and lipid peroxide production in erythrocytes.
6. It shows sedative effect on central nervous system.
7. It protects gastric mucosa against ulceration by its antisecretory and cytoprotective property.
8. It mobilizes fibroblast and chondroblasts to an injured tissue and enhances regeneration.

Curing Diseases : 1. It is mainly used in treatment of fractured bones, asthma and cardiac problems.
2. It is anthelmintic, digestive and analgesic.
3. It is useful in eye and ear diseases and in irregular menstruation.
4. It is useful in colic, leprosy, ulcers, tumours and skin diseases.
5. It is helpful in back and spine problems.

 

It is one of the very frequently used herb by traditional bone setters of India. It is also used for piles, asthma, digestive troubles, cough, and loss of appetite.Salt of pirandai can be used to cure ulcer.

Cissus quadrangularis, a plant that has been customarily used in the Indian subcontinent to hasten the process of healing in bone fractures, has been studied and exploited to synthesize calcite crystals (Ambarish, 2005). The plant extract serves as a rich source of calcium ions, which when reacted with CO2, leads to the formation of calcite crystals of highly irregular morphology indicating that bioorganic molecules present in the extract modulate.

           Traditional recipes for treatment of physical and mental ailments exist in all major ancient civilizations of the world. One such recipe popular in the Indian subcontinent involves the use of the extract of the plant Cissus quadrangularis. The stem and root extracts of this medicinal plant are known to possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activity (Murthy et al,2003) and are routinely used to accelerate the process of bonefracture healing (Udupa and Prasad,1964;Chopra et al, 1976).

References

 

1)   Chopra SS, Patel MR, Awadhiya RP. Studies of Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair : a histopathological study Indian J Med Res. 1976 Sep;64(9):1365-8

2)   Chopra SS, Patel MR, Gupta LP, Datta IC. Studies on Cissus quadrangularis in experimental fracture repair: effect on chemical parameters in blood Indian J Med Res. 1975 Jun;63(6):824-8.

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