Leprosy remedies

Until the development of the antibacterial sulfones, Hanson s Disease (leprosy) remained a potentially horrible affliction, treated with largely ineffective ancient remedies. The antibacterial sulfonamides do not do well against this disease and, interestingly, the, sulfones which are effective, are not very useful... 

The traditional system of medicine of the Pacific Rim uses approx 80 species of Apiaceae, for instance, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Hydrocotyle asiatica L. centella, Indian Pharmaceutical Codex, 1955). The plant has been used in India since early times for skin diseases and as a diuretic. It has long been a popular remedy in India for leprosy and syphilis. However, large doses are said to have narcotic action. The plant was used also by the surgeons of Napoleon s army. 

The only mention of a Picrodendraceae species as a remedy in folk medicine is the use of Celaenodendron mexicanum as antiseptic 48, 257). The only known Phyllanthaceae species containing picrotoxanes, M. floribunda, is used in Cameroon against filarial and stomach disorders 248) and its bark is used in Congo (Brazzaville) as remedy against leprosy 258). 

This Precipitated Gold has the power of curing the plague, the pox, leprosy, dropsy, and other maladies which resist the healing art. It is a sovereign remedy for obstructions it will be serviceable... 

Beechwood creosote has been used as a disinfectant, a laxative, and a cough treatment. In the past, treatments for leprosy, pneumonia, and tuberculosis also involved eating or drinking beechwood creosote. It is rarely used today in the United States by doctors since it has been replaced by better medicines, and it is no longer produced by businesses in the United States. It is still available as an herbal remedy, and is used as an expectorant and a laxative in Japan. The major chemicals in beechwood creosote are phenol, cresols, and guaiacol. 

Sulphur Bath. Tho bath may bo prepared cither by adding 1 ounce sul-phuret of potassium for every 10 or 12 gallons of water used, or 1 ounce sulpburet of calcium for every 15 gallons of water. Tho sulphur bath is a powerful remedy in every description of skin disease. Leprosy (the most obstinate of all) has been completely cured by it the common itch requires only 1 or 2 applications to eradicate it all scurfy and moist skin aficctions, Ac., speedily yield to its influence. 

The Mundas (a tribe) of Nagpur (India) mix the juice of the leaves with water and mustard oil and use it as a remedy against earache [60]. Sinularfy, Physalis philadelphica is used by the people of Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and in Mexico for the treatment of leprosy [64]. 

In India, used as a folk remedy for leprosy, lupus, syphilis, tuberculosis, improving mental function, and others (csir ii). 

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