The whole earth medicine chest, nature, traditionally, has yielded
some of the most potent weapons against disease. Form the bark of a Peruvian tree quinine has been produced, the first known treatment and cure for malaria. From the purple foxglove came digitalis, a drug the makes a weak heart
heartier. And from willow bark we produced the early form of aspirin.
All of these were folk remedies before modern science discovered them.
One-quarter of today’s drugs are derived from natural sources, and about 10 percent actually have their roots in folk healing. In fact, natural substances continue to be fertile ground for serious pharmaceutical research, and many may become the wonder drugs of tomorrow. Here is a selection of the latest crop of promising nature cures.
Unprocessed honey may heal wounds when more conventional dressings and antibiotic treatments fail. Honey was effective in all but one case Topical application kept sterile wounds sterile until they healed, while infected became sterile within a week. Honey can be used to remove dead tissue from persistent wound, helping some patients avoid skin graft or amputation.
Honey is slightly acidic and absorbs water, which may account for its ability to reduce swelling in wounds, the researcher says, it also contains an antibacterial agent called inhibine.
۞ Mutant Fungi
Two newly developed strains of fungus yield large amounts of toxins called trichothecenes, potential cancer fighters. By themselves, trichothecenes kill normal and cancerous cells. But when combined with monoclonal antibodies, proteins custom designed to zero in on cancerous cells, they may become potent anticancer drugs. Cancer researchers may wish to select one kind of trichothecene that works best for a particular type of cancer.
۞ Chokes malaria
A centuries old Chinese treatment for malaria has inspired international research on the healing properties of a weed, Artemisia annua. Laboratory and animal studies show that arteether, a drug derived from the weed, is effective against the malaria parasite. The active ingredient is a molecule, called qinghaosu. Scientists are now attempting to produce a derivative of qinghaosu that will be more potent and easier for the body to assimilate.
۞ Cactus stems diabetes
Mexican herbologists have long advised clients with diabetes to eat the stems of the nopal cactus. Recently, Mexican researchers found that 12 f 16 subjects who are broiled nopal cactus stems had a significant drop in their blood sugar levels with in hour. Glucose continued to decline for the next two hours. By comparison, diabetics eating broiled squash did not benefit. The researchers think something in the cactus may improve the cells’ ability to use glucose, and that it may be useful in managing diabetes.
۞ Ginkgo breakthrough fans
Asians have relied on extract of the fan-shaped ginkgo leaf since 3,000 B C to heal a wide variety of ills. Now the active ingredient, ginkgolide B, has been synthesized in the lab for the first time. As a result, stepped-up research in this country and in Europe could lead to new treatment for asthma, toxic shock, circulatory and kidney disorders. Ginkgo extracts even offer promise as a safer alternative to the drugs used by organ-transplant recipients.
One-quarter of today’s drugs are derived from natural sources, and about 10 percent actually have their roots in folk healing. In fact, natural substances continue to be fertile ground for serious pharmaceutical research, and many may become the wonder drugs of tomorrow. Here is a selection of the latest crop of promising nature cures.
Unprocessed honey may heal wounds when more conventional dressings and antibiotic treatments fail. Honey was effective in all but one case Topical application kept sterile wounds sterile until they healed, while infected became sterile within a week. Honey can be used to remove dead tissue from persistent wound, helping some patients avoid skin graft or amputation.
Honey is slightly acidic and absorbs water, which may account for its ability to reduce swelling in wounds, the researcher says, it also contains an antibacterial agent called inhibine.
۞ Mutant Fungi
Two newly developed strains of fungus yield large amounts of toxins called trichothecenes, potential cancer fighters. By themselves, trichothecenes kill normal and cancerous cells. But when combined with monoclonal antibodies, proteins custom designed to zero in on cancerous cells, they may become potent anticancer drugs. Cancer researchers may wish to select one kind of trichothecene that works best for a particular type of cancer.
۞ Chokes malaria
A centuries old Chinese treatment for malaria has inspired international research on the healing properties of a weed, Artemisia annua. Laboratory and animal studies show that arteether, a drug derived from the weed, is effective against the malaria parasite. The active ingredient is a molecule, called qinghaosu. Scientists are now attempting to produce a derivative of qinghaosu that will be more potent and easier for the body to assimilate.
۞ Cactus stems diabetes
Mexican herbologists have long advised clients with diabetes to eat the stems of the nopal cactus. Recently, Mexican researchers found that 12 f 16 subjects who are broiled nopal cactus stems had a significant drop in their blood sugar levels with in hour. Glucose continued to decline for the next two hours. By comparison, diabetics eating broiled squash did not benefit. The researchers think something in the cactus may improve the cells’ ability to use glucose, and that it may be useful in managing diabetes.
۞ Ginkgo breakthrough fans
Asians have relied on extract of the fan-shaped ginkgo leaf since 3,000 B C to heal a wide variety of ills. Now the active ingredient, ginkgolide B, has been synthesized in the lab for the first time. As a result, stepped-up research in this country and in Europe could lead to new treatment for asthma, toxic shock, circulatory and kidney disorders. Ginkgo extracts even offer promise as a safer alternative to the drugs used by organ-transplant recipients.
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