Posts Tagged ‘Witch hazel’
FAMILY: Apiaceae.
HABITAT: Originally East. Today it is cultivated in Russia, the United States, in countries of the Mediterranean basin and in Central and Eastern Europe.
Parts Used: fruit technically called diacheni.
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS RECOMMENDED: Essential oil microencapsulated titrated in essence min. 8% (French Pharmacopoeia X), whose daily dose is from 6 to 8 mg per kg of body weight, taken about 30 minutes before two meals.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: is a plant rich in essential oil, since it contains from 2 to 3%, consisting mainly of E-anethole (84-93%). We also find some coumarins.
PROPERTY ‘Therapeutic Action antimeteorica: this plant is able to reduce intestinal bloating due to its ability to inhibit intestinal fermentation and thus the production of biogas. Furthermore, it is commonly used in the treatment of digestive disorders such as feeling of fullness in the abdomen, digestive insufficiency, belching, flatulence and as an adjunct in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Action on the muscles: in rats the essential oil of anise causes smooth muscle relaxation of the intestine and to a lesser extent also on that of the trachea, while regularization motility. This action, combined with the action antimeteorica explains the usefulness of the essential oil of anise in the intestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and bloating such as spastic colitis. In these disorders is useful to the association with extracts of fennel and / or lemon balm.
Side effects: Some patients may develop allergies, usually with symptoms such as inflammation of the buccal tongue and gums with itching and burning.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: None known. Conservatively not use during pregnancy and lactation.
INTERACTIONS WITH DRUGS: not known.
DIARRHOEA : is the issuance of repeated semi-liquid or liquid stools, and is often accompanied by abdominal pain. It can be due to intestinal infections caused by bacterial or viral infections, such as influenza, by poor nutrition, by spoiled food and medicines. One form of diarrhea is the traveler’s diarrhoea, common in those who travel to tropical or subtropical countries. This trouble is often accompanied by bloating and general discomfort with a sense of weakness. USEFUL PLANTS: Tilia tomentosa (Linden), Vaccinium myrtillus (blueberry), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel).