This local ‘wild beauty’ helps cure jaundice

In general, plants of ornamental value are grown in gardens just to increase the aesthetic features of landscapes. The ornamental features of the plants may not necessarily be flowers but could also be bright coloured foliage, curiously looking fruits, unusual forms and textures of barks. In all the above cases, the prime intention of the garden planner is to provide eye-pleasing designs to visitors.

In order to enhance the aesthetic values of the gardens/landscapes, our Indian horticulturists import numerous exotic species. However, the flip side to importing exotic species, often, is the sidelining of native, productive landscapes. Apparently, farmers in our country are spending lots money and energy in combating the spread of these invasive ‘imported beauties’. Therefore, it is inevitable for us to learn about the plant species that grow naturally and enhance natural landscapes.

This type of native ornamental plants are known as ‘wild beauties’. This is the right time for nature lovers to turn their attention towards familiarising and propagating our native plants. Interestingly, in addition, our native plants are useful as medicines, food and drinks, and some species are reported to positively alter human attitudes, behaviours and psychological responses. 

Mussaenda frondosa L., which belongs to Rubiaceae is one such wild beauty that can be spotted even at a distance because of its shiny, large, leaf-like floral parts. The vernacular names Bellila (Kannada); Vellila (Malayalam); Velli Madandai and popular names in English, Flag Bush, White Lady reveal the beauty of this ornamental shrub. In Sanskrit, this is known as Shruvati.

This wild beauty also has several medicinal uses. Leaves and flowers are crushed and applied externally in case of wounds. The shiny leaf-like bracts is boiled in water, and the liquid is then used to cleanse hair. It is also used to treat jaundice. The juice of the plant is used to treat eye infections. In addition, the common plant’s — found to grow in moist deciduous to evergreen forests of Western Ghats — decoction of leaves are administered orally to get rid of intestinal worms.

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Eat mushrooms to prevent risk of Dementia, Alzheimer's disease

A study claims that mushrooms may enhance nerve growth in the brain that can prevent the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
According to researchers, certain edible and medicinal mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that may enhance nerve growth in the brain and protect against neurotoxic stimuli such as inflammation that contribute to Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. 

The study, published in Journal of Medicinal Food supports the potential role of mushrooms as functional foods to reduce or delay development of age-related neurodegeneration.

The researchers from University of Malaya in Malaysia discussed the scientific findings related to the health benefits of edible and culinary mushrooms.

It is estimated that as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and, worldwide, 42 million cases are expected by 2020.

Despite the advancement of medication, the management of these diseases has remained largely ineffective.

The authors focus on the activity of bioactive components of mushrooms that may offer neuroprotective and cognitive benefits.
"In contrast to the body of literature on food ingredients that may benefit cardiometabolic diseases and cancer, very few studies have focused on food that may benefit neurodegenerative diseases," explained study author Sampath Parthasarathy from University of Central Florida.

They found that each mushroom increased production of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) - a molecule primarily involved in regulating growth, maintenance, proliferation and survival of certain nerve cells in the brain.

"The current study might stimulate the identification of more food materials that are neuroprotective," Parthasarathy added.

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PAU scientist creates medicinal cloth for asthmatics

To naturally help asthmatic patients and those suffering from severe joint pain, Devinder Kaur, 42, a senior scientist and professor at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has created a medicinal fabric through her research that she carried out for three years (2009-2011).

Having completed her education in clothing and textile from the same university, she maintains that her sensitive mind galvanised her for the research. “The rising number of asthmatic and joint pain patients influenced both my mind and heart.

So, through my education, especially through clothing, I decided to make this effort,” says Kaur, who after reading various special columns related to her research and with the advice of various experts from the university, mainly used essential oils extracted from lemon, eucalyptus, pine and jasmine to add medicinal value to the cloth.

The oil that is finely extracted is coated on to the cotton fabric with the help of microencapsulation, a scientific technique through which the cloth successfully absorbs the oil and dries up.

As of now, she has created a pillow cover, a handkerchief and a pair of gloves for asthmatic patients in which she used lemon and pine oils while for joint pain patients she has come up with knee and elbow covers in which eucalyptus and jasmine oils have been used.

She holds the view that body heat and abrasion help release medicinal effect from the respective product used.

If the products are regularly used as per the patient’s need, one can get rid of expensive medicines and ointments, she says, claiming that she along with the university has tested these products in various hospitals on various patients.

Though her created products have proved beneficial to patients, she wants to increase their shelf life before launching them in the market.

“As per my latest experiment, these fabrics can lose their medicinal value if they are washed for about ten times.

But, I wish these products should sustain their value for a longer time. So, I will continue with this research before launching my work in the market,” she says.

Apart from publication of the research in the PAU’s Journal of Research, it also got published this March in an international journal, ISOR Journal of Polymer and Textile Engineering.

The research scholar has presented papers on her research in various international textile conferences held in the PAU, New Delhi and New Zealand.

She also intends to make neck collars to save those suffering from spondylitis and head bands for those who suffer from headaches or migraine.

SS Gosal, director of research, PAU, says, “It is a laudable effort by the scientist which can naturally benefit the asthmatic and joint pain patients. We may soon launch it commercially if we notice a high demand for this work in the market.”

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