Dracunculus is a genus of two species of a tuberous perennial of the family Araceae. They are characterised by a large purple spathe and spadix, often produced in advance of the pedate, dark green leaves often with white mottling. The open spathe is usually accompanied by a foul smell.

The best known species is Dracunculus vulgaris, which is sometimes grown in gardens for ornamental purposes.

They are native to the Mediterranean, Madeira and the Canary Islands where they are found in rocky areas, ...

dracunculus

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Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

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Some of the plants we are used to living with or even eating may pose a danger to our pets. In this article you will read which plants and foods we need to watch out for in order to preserve the health and life of our four-legged friends.

Alcoholic-beverages

Alcoholic beverages

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Alcohol is toxic to animals. It can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, low blood presure and body temperature. Alcohol suppresses the central nervous system and can stop breathing and cause death.

Apple-seeds,-apricot-pits,-cherry-pits,-peach-pits

Apple seeds, apricot pits, cherry pits, peach pits

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All of them contain cyanide inside, which is toxic and released by chewing the seeds or pits. If the animal accidentally swallows a few apple seeds, it probably will not get hurt, but the risk is not worth it.

Avocado

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The leaves, fruits, seeds and bark of avocados contain persine. This substance can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and more serious signs of poisoning in other animals - birds, horses and rodents are particularly sensitive to the toxicity of avocados.

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Chocolate-and-candy

Chocolate and candy

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Chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets due to its content of theobromine and caffeine, which can excessively increase heart rate and cause excessive activation of the nervous system, seizures and death. Cocoa powder is most dangerous, followed by dark chocolate.

Coffee-and-black-or-green-tea

Coffee and black or green tea

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Animals are much more sensitive to caffeine than humans. The symptoms of caffeine poisoning are similar to those of chocolate poisoning - tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures.

Artificial-sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners

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Xyliol is a common artificial sweetener in our food - in candy, chewing gum, etc. It is toxic to pets.

Garlic-and-onions

Garlic and onions

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Garlic, onions and all representatives of their family contain thiosulfate, which is harmless to us, but toxic to animals, since it leads to oxidative damage of red blood cells and hemolytic anemia.

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Grapes-and-raisins

Grapes and raisins

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They are particularly dangerous for dogs. Their consumption leads to vomiting and diarrhea, but the danger comes from the fact that they can cause sudden renal failure, which is a very serious condition.

Hops-and-beer

Hops and beer

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Hops are particularly dangerous for dogs, but also for cats. It leads to a very strong and dangerous increase in body temperature, vomiting, anxiety, rapid pulse and even death after only a few hours.

Macadamia-nuts

Macadamia nuts

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In dogs, macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, ataxia (loss of balance and coordination), weakness, hyperthermia and depression.

Mouldy-foods

Mouldy foods

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As we would not eat mouldy food, so it is also dangerous for animals due to the content of mycotoxins in mold, capable of damaging the liver and other organs and systems.

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The-green-parts-of-potatoes-and-tomatoes

The green parts of potatoes and tomatoes

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Potatoes and tomatoes are from the same family - Solanaceae, and contain the poisonous substance solanine. If a small amount is ingested, poisoning should not occur. But large amounts of solanine lead to confusion, severe gastrointestinal disorders, lethargy and weakness.

Wild-mushrooms

Wild mushrooms

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People mistakenly think that the dog would not eat a poisonous mushroom. Unfortunately, it does not have an innate instinct for this and cases of dogs poisoned by wild mushrooms are not rare. Even worse, some poisonous mushrooms smell like fish, which especially attracts dogs and can have fatal consequences. Experts advise to immediately contact a veterinarian if you see that your dog has eaten a mushroom while on a walk in nature.

Mustard-and-mustard-seeds

Mustard and mustard seeds

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Mustard seed (from which mustard is made) contains substances that lead to inflammation of the stomach or digestive system - gastroenteritis.

Salt

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It sounds strange, but it is true. Salt poisoning in dogs and cats leads to vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, impaired coordination, excessive thirst or urination. In severe cases, tremors, convulsions, coma and even death are possible.

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Walnuts

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Walnuts are safe for pets only in small quantities. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, tremor, weakness, fever, seizures.

Bread-yeast-and-yeast-dough

Bread yeast and yeast dough

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Yeast is very toxic to dogs. If they get into the digestive system alive, they find favorable conditions for development and cause severe bloating of the stomach, which is a life-threatening condition. In addition, they release alcohol that enters the blood and can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Herbs-that-are-poisonous-to-dogs

Herbs that are poisonous to dogs

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Here are which herbs and spices it is good to keep away from the dog:

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<ul>
<li>Mace (spice made from the shell of the nutmeg)</li>
<li>Oregano (Origanum vulgare)</li>
<li>Cannabis sativa</li>
<li>Marjoram (Origanum majorana)</li>
<li>Tarragon, taros (Artemisia dracunculus)</li>
<li>Borage, medicinal cucumber (Borago officinalis)</li>
<li>Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla)</li>
<li>Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)</li>
<li>Bay leaf (Lauraceae)</li>
<li>Epazote, Mexican tea (Dysphania ambrosioides)</li>
<li>Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)</li>
<li>Mint in large quantities (Mentha)</li>
</ul>

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Herbs-that-are-poisonous-to-cats

Herbs that are poisonous to cats

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Here are which herbs and spices it is good to keep away from the cat:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Oregano</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marjoram</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cannabis</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tarragon</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Borage</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chamomile</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sorrel</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lavender in large quantities</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Epazote, Mexican tea</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lemon verbena and lemongrass</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Mint in large quantities</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bay leaf</li>
</ul>

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It is important to distinguish between tastes, emotions and physiology between humans and animals without attributing ours to them. This will help us understand them and their world much better and meet their needs appropriately.

Plants and foods that are toxic for your pets

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 Plants and foods that are toxic for your pets

Rositsa Tashkova-Kacharova

Pain is probably the number one sensation we want to get rid of as soon as possible. A lot of people suffer from chronic pain that does not respond to medication, or the medicine itself has adverse effects. Often the cause of pain is inflammatory processes.&nbsp;

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In this article, we will consider the types of pain and herbs that have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, especially in neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Types-of-Pain

Types of Pain

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Pain is different, depending on its origin and character [<a href="https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/analgesic-and-anti-inflammatory-herbs-a-potential-source-of-modern-medicine/?view=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Somatic pain: it is caused by the activation of pain receptors on the surface of the body or in musculoskeletal tissue, which can be caused by a combination of factors such as abnormalities, inflammation, recurrent trauma, excessive activity, vigorous stretching and contractions due to paralysis.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Visceral pain: it is associated with damage to internal organs and is the most common form of pain, it is the result of the activation of pain receptors in the chest, abdomen or pelvis.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Neuropathic pain: caused by an injury or malfunction of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, the sensation can be burning, tingling, pricking.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Acute pain: the result of tissue damage or injury, which usually disappears when the injury is treated or the cause of the pain is removed. It is short-lived and usually manifests itself in ways that can be easily described and monitored.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chronic pain: this pain is more subjective and lasts more than three months. Treatment of chronic pain is a great challenge for doctors, as it changes the quality of life of the patient.</li>
</ul>

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Sweet-Flag-(Acorus-calamus)

Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)

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Sweet flag, also known as calamus, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective action. It is used to treat inflammatory diseases in traditional Indian medicine.

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Sweet flag aqueous-alcohol extract has been successfully used to relieve neuropathic pain in rats. These effects may be due to numerous mechanisms: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, calcium-inhibiting and neuroprotective action.

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What are the benefits of antioxidants for health and which foods are richest to them

Tarragon-(Artemisia-dracunculus)

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

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Tarragon is also known as estragon. It has an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

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There is evidence that it can help sufferers of neuropathic pain caused by a prediabetic condition or obesity.

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Obesity and overweight - are there effective herbs against them

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Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

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The main active substance in turmeric is curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.

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It may relieve pain in osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain.

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Due to its anti-inflammatory action, curcumin can be effective against inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and suppress symptoms such as joint swelling and morning stiffness. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Review_of_Anti_Inflammatory_Herbal_Medicines_27247570" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]

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Saffron-(Crocus-sativus)

Saffron (Crocus sativus)

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Saffron is grown in Iran, India and Greece. It is traditionally used as a spice and to treat bronchospasm, insomnia, asthma, menstrual problems, pain relief and cardiovascular disorders.

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Aqueous and alcohol extracts of saffron have analgesic effects, including in neuropathic pain. And stamens have an anti-inflammatory effect.

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Russian-Olive-(Elaeagnus-angustifolia)

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

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It is also known as silver berry, oleaster, or wild olive. In Iranian traditional medicine, the fruits of Russian olive are used to relieve pain in rheumatoid arthritis. They have anti-inflammatory action and relax muscles. Probably these effects are due to flavonoids, which are contained in the fruits of the tree.

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According to one study, extract from the plant relieves osteoarthritis pain as successful as ibuprofen, without adverse side effects. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Efficacy_of_Elaeagnus_Angustifolia_extract_in_the_treatment_of_knee_osteoarthritis_a_randomized_controlled_trial_27330526" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.3</a>]

Rosemary-(Rosmarinus-officinalis)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

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Rosemary has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and can relieve pain in sufferers of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Holy-Basil-(Ocimum-tenuiflorum)

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

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The holy basil is also known as tulsi or Ocimum sanctum.

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In Ayurveda it is recommended for the treatment of arthritis and painful eye diseases. Its analgesic effect is also confirmed in laboratory animal studies, and it is believed that the decrease in neuropathic pain that the herb demonstrates is due to the saponins in it.

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Borage-(Borago-officinalis)

Borage (Borago officinalis)

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Borage is also known as starflower. It has anti-inflammatory effect and its seed oil&nbsp;can help those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the synthesis of inflammation-related tumor necrotizing factor alpha (TNF-α).

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According to some clinical trials, borage seed oil also has a beneficial effect in sufferers of atopic dermatitis.

Borage-(Borago-officinalis)_8_2

Borage-(Borago-officinalis)_8_3

It is contraindicated in pregnancy, as it can cause an abortion.

Chanka-Piedra-(Phyllanthus-amarus)

Chanka Piedra (Phyllanthus amarus)

Chanka-Piedra-(Phyllanthus-amarus)_9_0

Several species of the tropical genus Phyllanthus are widely used in traditional medicine to treat a host of diseases, including influenza, diabetes, jaundice and bladder stones. Chanka piedra demonstrates analgesic action in neuropathic pain, probably due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Chanka-Piedra-(Phyllanthus-amarus)_9_1

Black-Cumin-(Nigella-sativa)

Black Cumin (Nigella sativa)

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Black cumin is rich in oils, and in the essential oil of the herb the active substance thymoquinone is detected.

Black-Cumin-(Nigella-sativa)_10_1

Black cumin and timoquinone have been found to have an antioxidant and analgesic effect, but they also have a beneficial effect in diabetes sufferers, as they cause a significant decrease in increased glucose in the blood and a decrease in insulin concentration. And diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy.

Black-Cumin-(Nigella-sativa)_10_2

5 herbs useful for diabetics and people at risk of the disease

Sage-(Salvia-officinalis)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

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Sage can be used to relieve headaches and neuropathic pain. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Sage-(Salvia-officinalis)_11_1

The active substance in it - salvigenin, has a strong analgesic effect, similar to morphine.

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Substances-of-Plant-Origin-With-an-Analgesic-Effect

Substances of Plant Origin With an Analgesic Effect

Substances-of-Plant-Origin-With-an-Analgesic-Effect_12_0

There are isolated and specific substances from medicinal plants, which in themselves have an analgesic effect. These are:

Substances-of-Plant-Origin-With-an-Analgesic-Effect_12_1

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A9-tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) - from cannabis (Cannabis sativa);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Quercetin - from various fruits and vegetables, onions, apples, tea and cabbage;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lappaconitine - from Aconitum;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">DA-9801 - from Discorea;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">TJ-107 (Goshajinkigan) - a drug containing 10 medicinal herbs, which is usually prescribed to improve the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, for example, feeling cold and paresthesia/dysesthesia (tingling, atypical sensations on the skin, not corresponding to irritation);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Naringin - from grapes and citrus fruits;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Incarvillateine - from the Chinese herb Incarvillea sinensis;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Koumine - from Gelsemium.</li>
</ul>

Substances-of-Plant-Origin-With-an-Analgesic-Effect_12_2

Herbs have great potential in the fight against pain and inflammation. Of course, it is good to start their use after consulting a doctor, and depending on the type of pain and the causes of it&nbsp;since they are numerous, and each of the listed herbs has its own unique mechanism of action, which would manifest itself in specific cases, and in others - not.

11 Herbs With Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effect

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 11 Herbs With Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effect

Imagine a wonderfully furnished house with quality electrical installation, brand new plumbing, a fireplace, crystal vases with fresh flowers and colorful soft carpets bring aesthetics and coziness, and it seems you are safe here... What could possibly go wrong?

But someone outside throws a rock at the window and it collapses with a shatter. A bunch of bummers break into the house. One breaks the vases and tears the flowers to pieces, another pulls a burning tree out of the fireplace and lights the curtains, others cut the carpet and stuff the parts into the sewer...

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Something like this <a href="/p/kakvo_priedstavliavat_svobodnitie_radikali_i_antioksidantitie_6be12349_ec85_47d4_bcb8_0c265fb59dd4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"></a> happens in our body - when our inner environment is exposed to <a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/kakvo_priedstavliavat_svobodnitie_radikali_i_antioksidantitie_6be12349_ec85_47d4_bcb8_0c265fb59dd4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free</a><a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/kakvo_priedstavliavat_svobodnitie_radikali_i_antioksidantitie_6be12349_ec85_47d4_bcb8_0c265fb59dd4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> radicals</a> - it's called oxidative stress and we're exposed to it all the time. It leads to the development of many diseases and conditions - from aging to cancer.

dracunculus

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