Essay on Exoticism
Feverfew
History:
Feverfew is a native plant of southeastern Europe that is now common throughout Australia, Europe and North America, where it sometime grows wild. The daisy-like flower is a perennial that grows about two feet in height. Ancient Greek physicians used Feverfew to treat melancholy, prevent headaches and to lower fevers; Dioscorides is believed to have used it to treat arthritis. One of its botanical genus names,Chrysanthemum, is derived from two Greek words, i.e., chrysos, meaning "golden" and anthos, meaning "flower," and its English name is a corrupted version of the Latin word, febrifugia, meaning "fever reducer." Its botanical specific, parthenium, is said to be derived from the Greek word, parthenos, meaning virgin, in reference to young women who used the plant to treat menstrual irregularities. This herb has been used since the first century A. D., to treat headaches, and the English continued to use it into the seventeenth century to treat depression, headache, vertigo and to lower fever. The esteemed English pharmacist, Nicholas Culpeper, recommended its use in 1649 for "all pains in the head," and in 1772, the herbalist, John Hill, said it would cure the "worst headache." Feverfew faded from herbal popularity after that time, but it was planted in gardens for its small daisy-like flowers that appeared to "purify the air" and repel insects. Recently, however, it has returned to the herbalists' repertoire, primarily to prevent migraine headaches. The respected British journal, Lancet, reported in 1988, that extracts of Feverfew inhibited the release of two inflammatory substances, serotonin and prostaglandin, and its use was effective against headache. The chemical composition of the plant appears to fluctuate qualitatively depending on the origin of the plant and its vegetative cycle, but the principal active constituent of feverfew is a sesquiterpenoid lactone called parthenolide. The strong odor of Feverfew is due to an essential oil consisting of camphor, camphene, germacrene-D, p-cymene, linalool, borneol and chrysanthemyl acetate. Other chemical and nutritional constituents included in Feverfew are flavonoid glycosides, beta-carotene, B-vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.
Feverfew is a native plant of southeastern Europe that is now common throughout Australia, Europe and North America, where it sometime grows wild. The daisy-like flower is a perennial that grows about two feet in height. Ancient Greek physicians used Feverfew to treat melancholy, prevent headaches and to lower fevers; Dioscorides is believed to have used it to treat arthritis. One of its botanical genus names,Chrysanthemum, is derived from two Greek words, i.e., chrysos, meaning "golden" and anthos, meaning "flower," and its English name is a corrupted version of the Latin word, febrifugia, meaning "fever reducer." Its botanical specific, parthenium, is said to be derived from the Greek word, parthenos, meaning virgin, in reference to young women who used the plant to treat menstrual irregularities. This herb has been used since the first century A. D., to treat headaches, and the English continued to use it into the seventeenth century to treat depression, headache, vertigo and to lower fever. The esteemed English pharmacist, Nicholas Culpeper, recommended its use in 1649 for "all pains in the head," and in 1772, the herbalist, John Hill, said it would cure the "worst headache." Feverfew faded from herbal popularity after that time, but it was planted in gardens for its small daisy-like flowers that appeared to "purify the air" and repel insects. Recently, however, it has returned to the herbalists' repertoire, primarily to prevent migraine headaches. The respected British journal, Lancet, reported in 1988, that extracts of Feverfew inhibited the release of two inflammatory substances, serotonin and prostaglandin, and its use was effective against headache. The chemical composition of the plant appears to fluctuate qualitatively depending on the origin of the plant and its vegetative cycle, but the principal active constituent of feverfew is a sesquiterpenoid lactone called parthenolide. The strong odor of Feverfew is due to an essential oil consisting of camphor, camphene, germacrene-D, p-cymene, linalool, borneol and chrysanthemyl acetate. Other chemical and nutritional constituents included in Feverfew are flavonoid glycosides, beta-carotene, B-vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.
Beneficial Uses:
A regimen of Feverfew has been found to be effective in preventing migraine headaches and/or reducing the nausea and vomiting associated with migraines. The parthenolide in Feverfew appears to block platelets and inhibit the production of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in the release of pain-causing chemicals. Ideally, when taken on a regular basis before the onset of pain, Feverfew may prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
A regimen of Feverfew has been found to be effective in preventing migraine headaches and/or reducing the nausea and vomiting associated with migraines. The parthenolide in Feverfew appears to block platelets and inhibit the production of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in the release of pain-causing chemicals. Ideally, when taken on a regular basis before the onset of pain, Feverfew may prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
Feverfew, as a febrifuge, has
been used to lower fever and "cool" the body since ancient times.
As an anti-inflammatory,
Feverfew reduces the body's manufacture of prostaglandin, a chemical that
produces inflammation. As such it is used to relieve the discomforts of
colitis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Feverfew is a mild laxative,
and it is also used to help relieve gas and bloating.
As a tonic, Feverfew is used
to stimulate the appetite and promote good digestion.
Feverfew has a strong and
lasting odor that is considered an insect repellent and has been used to purify
the air around houses.
Feverfew is used as a mild
sedative and antispasmodic that will help relieve muscle spasms.
Herbalists have used it to treat hysteria, DTs, nervousness and low spirits.
For menstrual discomfort,
Feverfew is thought to be an effective herbal pain reliever; and as an
emmenagogue, it is used to promote the onset of the menstrual flow. It
may also stimulate uterine contractions and, therefore, should not be used by
pregnant women.
In preliminary tests, Feverfew
has been shown to keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming
clots, so it may be useful as an anticoagulant and to improve blood
circulation.
Contraindications:
Those who are allergic to daisies/ragweed/sunflowers should avoid Feverfew Herbal Supplement. People taking blood thinners (Coumadin/aspirin, etc.) should not take Feverfew, nor should it be administered to children under five years. Pregnant and nursing women should not use Feverfew. Taking Feverfew with prescription pain relievers or ibuprofen may increase the chance of side effects including upset stomach, heartburn, dizziness and ringing in the ears. Minor side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and nervousness.
Those who are allergic to daisies/ragweed/sunflowers should avoid Feverfew Herbal Supplement. People taking blood thinners (Coumadin/aspirin, etc.) should not take Feverfew, nor should it be administered to children under five years. Pregnant and nursing women should not use Feverfew. Taking Feverfew with prescription pain relievers or ibuprofen may increase the chance of side effects including upset stomach, heartburn, dizziness and ringing in the ears. Minor side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and nervousness.
Tanacetum
parthenium (feverfew) is a traditional medicinal herb which is commonly used to prevent migraine
headaches, and is also occasionally
grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm
(18 in) high with citrus-scented leaves, and is covered by flowers
reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area
after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum
parthenium. It is also sometimes referred to as bachelor's buttons or featherfew.[1]
Chrysanthemum Sunflower, helianthus annuus
Looks like the Sun, some believe that the sunflower follows
the sun throughout the day, though it is also noted that they only face
Easternly all day long.
Helianthus- any plant of the
genus Helianthus, such as the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke, typically
having large yellow daisy-like flowers with yellow, brown, or purple centres:
family Compositae (composites)
Helios
Greek for sun + anthos flower
Annulus-
the area between two concentric circles, a ring-shaped part, figure, or
space. From Latin, variant of annulus
ring
We still use Latin names for flowers and plants because it
is universal. With the correct botanic
name you can look up the plant in any reference book anywhere in the world and
get t5he same information. Sometimes a
plant will have a common name, but this may not be what everyone calls it, or
not what it is called in other areas. A
common name is like a nickname for a person; everyone might call you “blondie”
or “matchbox”, but that’s not how you’re listed in the phonebook!
It’s accurate.
English or common names don’t help identify the plant- for instance,
primroses, guilder roses, the rock roses are not roses! The snapdragon in the UK is called the
worlfmouth in France. What we call lily
of the valley, the Germans know as May bells.
However, ever country calls these flowers Antirrhinum and Convallaria,
their botanic names.
Its identifying. To
simplify, the first part of the botanic name is the “surname”, and identifies
the family the plants belongs to. Just
like people, members o fthe same family share resemblances. Some plants have few family members or few
differences, and so just the surname- Tulipa- is enough to identify them for
most purposes. Sometimes the botanic
name is similar ot the common name, which makes it easier to remember.
Its informative. The
second part of the name identifies particular members of that family. ; some
families are very large and varied and so both parts of the name are
needed. Euphorbia pulcherrima will get
you a Christmas poinsettia, Euphorbia tirucalli will get you a
funny-lookingsucculent. Occasionally
this second part also tells you something about the plant- nanus is small, alba
is white, fragrans is scented.
Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius
Tinctorial- or or relating to coloring, staining, or dyeing,
imbuing with color, from the Latin tinctorius, from tingere to tinge
Tincorius- tink-TOR-ee-us
Indicates a plant used in dyeing or has a sap which can
stain
Carthamus- KAR-tha-mus
From Arabic/Hebrew words meaning to dye or paint
Safflower is one of humanity's
oldest crops. Chemical analysis of ancient
Egyptian textiles
dated to theTwelfth dynasty identified dyes made from safflower, and
garlands made from safflowers were found in the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun.[3] John
Chadwick reports
that the Greek name for safflower occurs many times in Linear
B tablets,
distinguished into two kinds: a white safflower (ka-na-ko re-u-ka, 'knākos
leukā'), which is measured, and red (ka-na-ko e-ru-ta-ra, 'knākos eruthrā')
which is weighed. "The explanation is that there are two parts of the
plant which can be used; the pale seeds and the red florets."[4]
Safflower was also known as
carthamine in the nineteenth century
The pharmaceutical company SemBioSys Genetics is currently
using transgenic safflower plants to produce human insulin as the global
demand for the hormone grows. Safflower-derived human insulin is currently in
the PI/II trials on human test subjects.
Safflower purchased at a market in Turkey
Safflower flowers are occasionally used in cooking as a cheaper
substitute for saffron, and were sometimes referred to as "bastard saffron".[11]
In coloring textiles, safflower's dried flowers are used as a
natural textile dye. The pigment in safflower is thebenzoquinone-derived chemical carthamin and
it is classified as a quinone-type dye. It is a direct
dye which is also
known as CI Natural Red 26. Yellow, mustard, khaki, and olive are the most common colors in textiles. Even bright reds and purples can be reached
using alkaline processing. Indians used this red dye as their official red
tape on legal
documents.[12] All hydrophilic fibers (all natural
fibers, such as cotton, wool, etc.) may be dyed with this plant. Polyamide textiles can also be dyed without
a mordant agent because of its wool-like chemical
structure. Polyester, polyacrylonitrile, and others which are hydrophobic synthetic
fiberscan be dyed only in
the presence of a mordant.
Safflower concentrate is an ingredient of the carbonated soft
drink Tizer and
some types of Sunkist.
Ancient Egyptians found the flower pleasing to the eye and
included it in garlands placed on mummies.[12]Dried safflower flowers (草紅花 caohonghua, 紅花 honghua) are used in traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate pain, increase circulation,
and reduce bruising.[13] They are included in herbal remedies formenstrual
pain and minor
physical trauma.[14] In India, the flowers are used for their
laxative and diaphoreticproperties, and are also used for children's
complaints of measles, fevers and eruptive skin conditions
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