David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHEuonymus atropurpureus Part Used: Root bark. Constituents: Cardenolides based on digitoxigenin Alkaloids such as asparagine & atropurpurine Sterols; euonysterol, atropurpurol, homoeuonysterol Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, laxative, diuretic...
Rheum palmatum Part Used: Rhizome of Rheum palmatum and other species, not the garden rhubarb. Constituents: Anthraquinone derivatives such as chrysophanic acid (=chrysophanol),emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein & physcion, with their O-glycosides such...
Cassia angustifolia & Cassia senna Part Used: Dried fruit pods, and leaves. Constituents: Anthraquinone glycosides: in the leaf; sennosidesA and B based on the aglycones sennidin A & B, sennosides C & D which are glycosides of...
Scrophularia nodosa Scrophulariaceae Names: Rosenoble, Throatwort, Carpenter’s Square, Scrofula Plant. Habitat: A European and British wild plant. Collection: The stalks and leaves are gathered during flowering betweenJune and August. Part...
Rhamnus purshiana Rhamnaceae Names: Sacred Bark, Chittem Bark, Cascara. Habitat: Native to the Pacific Coast of North America. Collection: The bark is stripped from the trunk of this tree in the spring and summer and left to age for a few years. Due...
Brigitte MarsCherimoya (Annona cherimola), also known as “Custard apple” is native to the tropics of South America. Its genus name is from an ancient Incan word, annona and means “year’s harvest.” It is a member of the Anonaceae...
What Doctors Don't Tell YouQ I’ve been experiencing pain after going to the toilet, and I’ve also noticed blood on the toilet paper. A friend thinks I could have anal fissures. Can you tell me what these are, and how they might be treated? - MS, Huddersfield
In WDDTY vol 15 no 9 (page 3), you state that antihistamines are “often wrongly used to induce sleep”. Please explain what harm this will do. I find that a half tablet of Nytol works very well. I will be very disappointed to be discouraged from...
A drug for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which was linked to the deaths of at least five patients, within nine months of being licensed, may soon be back on the market.
Re treatment for ganglion cysts (WDDTY vol 15 no 7), a patient came to me with a large cyst on her wrist, which she had had for seven years. I didn’t know if reflexology would help, but we tried it.
