Plant tonics

Liquid seaweed extract (see alsop.l95) is a well-known plant tonic that can be used as a root drip, drench, or foliar spray, to help boost a plant s defenses against pests and diseases. There are a range of other plant-based tonics and stimulants available that are said to have similar effects. They may be worth trying while your garden is adjusting to an organic regimen. 

The stems of these plants constitute the drug Chin-Shih-Hu, used in China and Japan as a tonic and antipyretic. Some uncertainty... 

It is medicinally used from Korea to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In Korea, the plant is used as an aphrodisiac for males and the elderly. In Japan, a decoction of the root is drunk to treat cough, invigorate, and treat tuberculosis. In Taiwan, the plant is an external remedy for snake bites. In Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the roots are used to treat bronchitis, amnesia, and to stimulate memory and urination. The antitussive property is very probably owed to polygalasaponins, which are known to abound in the plant (24-26). It would be interesting to know whether the tonic properties mentioned here are owed to serotoninergic mechanisms. What is the alkaloidal content of this herb ... 

In China, the plant affords a tonic remedy particularly recommended for chest complaints. Indonesians use the leaves medicinally because they are strongly aromatic. The pharmacological potentials of this plant are, to date, unknown. Note that 6 3-hydroxy-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid and 3,1 l-dioxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid from the stem bark of Liquidambar styraciflua, as well as 25-acetoxy-3a-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, inhibited the growth of several cancer cell lines (43). What is the activity of 25-acetoxy-3a-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid against topoisomerase ... 

One of the most common psychostimulants, cocaine, is derived from the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) and has a long history as a stimulant. It has been used for centuries in Bolivia and Peru as a tonic and other preparations to alleviate fatigue (Siegel 1985 Hill et al. 1977). 

Recent discoveries from Southern Moravia in the Czech Republic indicate that the inhabitants who lived at two of the most famous eastern Gravettian settlements, the upper paleolithic sites of Pavlov and Dolni Vis-tonice, some 29 000 to 22 000 years ago were expert weavers. Excavations by American and Czech scientists revealed the evidence of plant fibres used in the manufacture of textiles, basketry, cordage and perhaps netting. However the plant(s) used have not been identified and wild hemp is just one of the possibilities. 

Elisabetsky, E., W. Figueiredo, and G. Oliveria. Traditional Amazonian nerve tonics as antidepressant agents Chaunochiton kappleri a case study. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 1992 1(1/2) 125-162. 

Soni, K. B., A. Rajan, and R. Kuttan. Inhibition of aflatoxin-induced liver damage in ducklings by food additives. Mycotoxin Res 1993 9(1) 22-27. Elisabetsky, E., W. Figueiredo, and G. Oliveria. Traditional Amazonian nerve tonics as antidepressant agents Chaunochiton kappleri a case study. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 1992 1(1/ 2) 125-162. 

Mexico. Decoction of the bark and dried branches is taken orally as an abortive and for diabetes. Decoction of the dried root is taken orally by pregnant humans as an abortive and for diabetes . Infusion of the shade-dried entire plant is taken orally to treat infectious diseases ". Decoction of the dried leaf is taken orally for treatment of diabetes. Hot water extract of the dried leaf is taken orally as a blood purifier to treat kidney problems, urinary tract infections, and frigidity for gallstones, rheumatism and arthritis, diabetes, wounds, and skin injuries, displacement of the womb, and paralysis and to dissolve tumors 5 United States. Hot water extract of the dried leaf is taken orally as a stimulating expectorant and tonic, for tuberculosis, and is drank by Indians of the Southwest for bowel cramps, as a diuretic, and for venereal disease. Hot water extract of the dried leaf is used externally for wound healing . Hot water extract of the dried plant is taken orally for cancer. Effects described are from multicomponent reaction ". 

Reunion Island. Hot water extract of the dried Olea europaea ssp. africana plant is taken orally for diabetes, diarrhea, rheumatism, fever, and gastroenteritis in infants . South Africa. Hot water extract of the dried bark of Olea europaea ssp. africana is taken orally as antirheumatic and antifebrile agents and as a tonic ... 

Monoterpenes, 10-carbon-containing terpenoids, are composed of two isoprene units, and found abundantly in plants, e.g. (+)-limonene from lemon oil, and (—)-linalool from rose oil. Many monoterpenes are the constituents of plant volatile oils or essential oils. These compounds are particularly important as flavouring agents in pharmaceutical, confectionery and perfume products. However, a number of monoterpenes show various types of bioactivity and are used in medicinal preparations. For example, camphor is used in liniments against rheumatic pain, menthol is used in ointments and liniments as a remedy against itching, bitter-orange peel is used as an aromatic bitter tonic and as a remedy for poor appetite and thymol and carvacrol are used in bactericidal preparations. 

Avena fatua L. Ye Yen Me (Oats) (whole plant) Aminoadipic acid, glucovanillin, trigonelline, leucine, isoleucin, threonine, asparaginic acid, oxylysin, beta-sitosterol, aconitic acid, avenasterol, secalose, erucic acid, xanthopyhllepoxyd.48 Stop bleeding, a tonic. 

Eclipta alba Hassk. E. marginata Boiss. E. prostrata (L.) L. E. thermalis Bunge. Fang Kui (Pink plant) (aerial part) Alkaloids, nicotine, ecliptine.60 Leaves heated or crushed in oil are applied to keep the hair black and to encourage its growth. Astringent, hemostatic, tonic. 

Elephantopus molis H. . K. Mao Liang Cai (Hairy elephant s foot) (whole plant) Elephantin, deoxyelephantopin, isodexyelephantopin, elephantopin, molephantin, motephantinin, phantomolin, dotriacontanol, epifriedelinol, lupeol, lupeol acetate.58 A tonic, diuretic, treat swellings, diarrhea. 

Elephantopus scaber L. Tian Ja Cai (Rough elephant s foot) (whole plant) A bitter principle, a glycosidic compound.50-52 Diuretic, tonic, vermifuge, for diarrhea, dysentery, leucorrhea. 

Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray S. acmella L. var. oleracea Clarke Tian We Cao Liu Shen Cao (whole plant) Alpha-amyrenol, beta-amyrenol, myricyl, stigmasterol, sitosteryl-o-(3-d-glucoside, spilanthol.58 Treat aphrodisiac, depurative, diuretic, ophthalmic, tonic. 

Zingiber zerumbet Smith Qiu Jiang (Ginger) (rhizome)55-60 3".4"-0-diacetylafzelin, zerumbone, zerumbone epoxide, curcuminoids diferuloylmethane, feruloyl-p-coumaroylmethane, di-p-coumaroylmethane, essential oils, alpha-humulene.192-193-195 These compounds are cytotoxic. A tonic, stimulant, depurative, to treat asthma, stomachache, antimicrobial properties. This plant plays an important role in masculine rituals and it makes women sterile. 

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