Ptelea trifoliata, commonly known as common hoptree, wafer ash, stinking ash, and skunk bush, is a species of flowering plant in the citrus family (Rutaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It is a deciduous shrub or tree, with alternate, trifoliate leaves.

Ptelea trifoliata is a small tree, or often a shrub of a few spreading stems, growing to around 6–8 m (20–26 ft) tall with a broad crown. The bark is reddish brown to gray brown, with ...

ptelea trifoliata

Old-Remedies-That-Still-Heal-Us-Today

Old Remedies That Still Heal Us Today 

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From opium in maca, to quinine extracted from a quinine tree, to active compounds in snowdrop, there are many old working natural remedies that have actually tested and proven medical benefits.

Artemisia-annua

Artemisia annua  

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Artemisinin&nbsp; (Artemisia annua) and its semisynthetic derivatives are a group of drugs used in the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165614708001648" target="_blank" data-ref="Redirecting" rel="noopener">[ref.</a>&nbsp;1]&nbsp;

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Tu Youyou discovered a substance called artemisinin, which can be used to treat malaria. Not only did Tu find a way to extract artemisinin from traditional Chinese medicine, but he also tested the new drug on himself to speed up development time.&nbsp;

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Through a joint effort collectively referred to as "Project 523," Chinese scientists prepared dihydroartemisinin, artemether, and artesunate in the 1970s. It is these derivatives, along with others, including artemizone, arteter and artellinic acid, collectively known as "artemisinins", that are now making a decisive contribution to the management of malaria.

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This breakthrough contributed to a successful treatment that saved millions of people in China, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.868087/full" target="_blank" data-ref="Worldwide Research Trends on Artemisinin: A Bibliometric Analysis From 2000 to 2021" rel="noopener">[ref.</a>&nbsp;2]&nbsp;

Spurgia-esulae-(Euphorbia-peplus)

Spurgia esulae (Euphorbia peplus)  

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The white juice of this common weed, also known as garden milkweed, is described in&nbsp; the book "Complete Herbalist" by Nicholas Culpepper (1826) as "a good treatment for warts". However, do not try this remedy at home, as it can irritate the skin.

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Garden milkweed makes its way from native Europe to Australia, where biochemist Dr. Jim Aylward grows it in his garden. In 1997, Dr. Aylward isolated the plant's active ingredient, ingenol mebutate, which he discovered was toxic to rapidly reproducing human tissue.

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And recent clinical trials of a gel derived from milkweed juice suggest that it is effective in stopping lesions turning into skin cancer. The study in question involved 36 patients with non-melanoma skin cancer lesions. Each was treated with the juice of the Euphorbia peplus plant, which was applied to the skin once a day for three days. The juice of the plant has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine, and researchers include it at various stages in an appropriate clinical trial.

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After one month, 41 of the 48 cancers showed a complete clinical response to treatment, which means that no trace of the tumor could be found at the clinical examination. Patients who received only a partial response from the first round of treatment were then offered a second course.&nbsp;

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Lesions that responded positively to one or two courses of treatment were then followed further between two and 31 months. After an average of 15 months of treatment, two-thirds (68.5% or 30 out of 48) of skin cancer lesions still showed a complete response. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/euphorbia-peplus#:~:text=(Euphorbiaceae)%20or%20petty%20spurge%2F,bladder%20cancer%20systemically%20against%20leukemia" target="_blank" data-ref="ScienceDirectScience DirectScienceDirect helpElsevierRELX Group" rel="noopener">[ref.</a>&nbsp;3]&nbsp;

Leeches-(Hirudinea)

Leeches (Hirudinea) 

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Yes, you may not have expected to see this here, but there's a reason. Leeches were one of the more civilized methods of bloodletting, a popular cure for diseases in bygone times. "Hirudotherapy" is the name of the treatment itself with medical leeches. In general, hirudotherapy prevents the formation of thrombi and is considered an effective remedy for varicose veins disease, thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids and others.

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For the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, any imbalance in the four bodily dimensions (blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm) would have caused disease. And the best way to correct this is by draining the excess - often blood.

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Returning to the present, the use of medical leeches to treat multiple diseases has peaked, with France importing around 40 million each year. It is also interesting that recent advances in surgery include the use of leeches again. Hospitals such as UCLH in London use these bloodthirsty animals to drain excess blood after microsurgery, which helps promote natural healing. They can also be used in postoperative care for skin grafts or after reattachment of lost fingers and ears.

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One of the mechanisms by which leeches are beneficial is that they produce a protein that stops blood clotting. They work by sinking into the reflexogenic (acupuncture) zones and releasing their biologically active substances, which number over 50!&nbsp;

White-willow-(Salix-alba)

White willow (Salix alba) 

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Both the ancient Egyptians and Hippocrates recommended using willow bark to relieve pain. Its effectiveness was eventually proven in a Royal Society study in 1763, but it wasn't until 1915 that pharmaceutical giant Bayer began selling it over-the-counter as aspirin. In fact, acetylsalicylic acid is the valuable chemical derived from salicylic acid extracted from the bark of white willow.

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This tree is now the subject of between 700 and 1,000 clinical trials each year. And recent advances have shown that it has other beneficial effects besides a pain-relieving effect.

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From reducing the risk of strokes to indications that it can help prevent cancer, aspirin is the traditional remedy that comes from the bark of white willow. &nbsp;<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.3386" target="_blank" data-ref="Just a moment..." rel="noopener">[ref. 4]</a>&nbsp;

Snowdrops-(Galanthus)

Snowdrops (Galanthus) 

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Thus, the favorite spring flowers - snowdrops (Galanthus spp., Family Amaryllidaceae), are besides beautiful and supposedly beneficial to health. Their biological activities have been described in more than one study, with scientists pointing to the anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer potential of Galanthus spp. The main pharmacological ingredients in snowdrops, especially in bulbs, are galantamine and lycorin. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.552453/full" target="_blank" data-ref="Biological Activities of Snowdrop (Galanthus spp., Family Amaryllidaceae)" rel="noopener">[ref. 5]</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Natural gifts continue to be an inexhaustible source of new therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. Both among plants and among some animal species, there are ways to alleviate various health problems. They may not have the same effect as medications, but it's always helpful to have some old natural remedies in your medicine cabinet that may be helpful in relieving symptoms.

5 Old Remedies That Still Heal Us Today

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Бетина Цветкова

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Author: Sylvia Marinova, PhD student in in the "Genomic Stability" lab at BAS

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Gin tonic - a favorite drink, which we can safely call one of the symbols of warm summer evenings, filled with broad smiles and high spirits in the presence of good company. And this is only the simplest variation of this refreshing drink - with a little imagination one could add wonderful notes of variety and taste, and at the end of the article you will find a few original ideas for easy cocktails with gin. Until then - let's turn to the curious and less familiar facts about the history and benefits of gin.

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Where does gin come from

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As a national drink of the British, you might easily think that the gin originated from there. But that's not quite the case. It turns out that the drink has a longer history.

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Francisco Sylvius, physician from the Leiden University, is officially thought to be the discoverer of&nbsp; gin. He was first to describe the production of the drink in the 17th century by distilling fermented cereals, namely malt wine, to which "fruit" of juniper was added during the process.&nbsp; It has strong aromatic and healing properties, and the resulting drink he used as a medicine mainly for kidney problems. He called the juniper liqueur - gin (in Latin juniper is Juniperus).

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Although his name is traditionally mentioned as the discoverer of gin, there is various evidence to suggest that even previously, high-alcohol distilled juniper beverages were well known as a medicinal product [<a href="https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1108/gin/history-of-gin-1100s-mid-1500s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]. For example, during the Black Death, the devastating bubonic plague epidemic that spread across Europe in the mid-14th century, there was a belief that distilled juniper drinks helped fight the disease. For this reason, they were very popular.

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Still, how does gin as we know it get to the British and to us? Even before Francisco Sylvius was born, the Dutch had produced large quantities of giniver and traded with it. In the 17th century, during the wars, English soldiers in the low lands called the giniver "Dutch courage". They shortened the name of the drink to gin and brought the new taste to their homeland. Then the gin industry flourished and the famous London gin was born.

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What about tonic water?

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It is also worth mentioning briefly about the history of tonic - after all, it is half of the drink gin tonic, and its origin is also associated with its healing properties.

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The tonic is a heartless drink and contains a substance called quinine <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Quinine_an_old_anti_malarial_drug_in_a_modern_world_role_in_the_treatment_of_malaria_21609473" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.2]</a>, which is&nbsp; due to its bitter taste. Quinine is an alkaloid, which is found in a large amount in the bark of the quinine tree.

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Historically, tonic water was used to prevent and treat malaria. So did the gin tonic drink - when British soldiers were sent to India to colonize it,&nbsp;they had to take a tonic against malaria. To make it tastier, they started mixing it with gin.

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Today, there is much less quinine in the tonic, but it continues to be consumed because of its specific flavor.

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Why juniper

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Juniperus Communis is a shrub or non-tall tree, different parts of which are used in traditional medicine. The needles, bearing twigs and "fruits" are used, which botanically represent cones and it is incorrect to call them so. For simplicity, the article refers to them as "fruits".

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Many biologically active substances are derived from juniper, which are due to its pharmacological properties, among which apigenin, lutin, quercetin, coumarins, dieterpenoids, etc.

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Juniper for urinary tract problems

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Juniper, as well as some of its close relatives, is used in urinary tract problems. Its leaves contain some antibacterial terpenes. In addition, they also have diuretic properties (increase urination), as well as some other compounds that are found in extracts of the plant.

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Juniper essential oil - a cure for rheumatism

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Besides the "fruit", which can be taken either in the form of syrup or by direct chewing and ingestion in a dose specified by a pharmacist or doctor, juniper essential oil also has well-expressed properties. Its use for rheumatic pains is known when it is applied externally (diluted in base oil) by rubbing.

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Essential oil is also very popular in the perfume industry. It is also an integral part of many flavoring preparations due to its pleasant aroma and the ability to neutralize unpleasant odors.

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Other medicinal properties of juniper

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Juniper is also used for: <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/A_Phytopharmacological_Review_on_a_Medicinal_Plant_Juniperus_communis_27419205" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [ref.3]</a>:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">skin irritations and diseases</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">digestive problems, bloating and heaviness</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">malaria</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">viral, fungal and bacterial infections, etc.</li>
</ul>

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Application of juniper in culinary

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Juniper is a very popular spice among prominent chefs and connoisseurs. It can be used in several different ways.

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Used for smoking meat and fish. Add a few twigs of it to the fire and you will be surprised by the pleasant result.

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The "fruits" can be added to the dishes for a sweet and slightly tart taste.

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Last but not least, juniper is added to the marinade for large game during its canning.

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Ideas for cocktails with gin

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As promised, I will finish the article with a few easy ideas for cocktails containing gin, which could serve as a refreshment during the summer heat, whether you are on the beach, working on the terrace like me on a Sunday evening or at a garden party with close friends. Here they are:

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Cocktail Gimlet with elderflower

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Great combination if you are in the mood for a sweeter taste. You need:

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50 ml gin

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20 ml concentrated elderflower juice

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30 ml lime juice

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The drink is very refreshing, and allows you to also benefit from elderberry syrup. When desired for a less concentrated drink, just add a little tonic or sparkling water

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Gin frieze cocktail

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For fans of more scholarship tastes. For the cocktail you need:

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25 ml lemon juice

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1 tsp caster sugar

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100 ml carbonated water

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ice

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Beat in a shaker all the ingredients without the carbonated water. Add to the end and serve with a slice of lemon.

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Cocktail gin with cucumber

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Very simple, but also very cooling combination is as follows:

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50 ml gin

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100 ml tonic

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20 ml lime juice

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4-5 pieces of thin cucumber strips

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I stop there with the recipes, encouraging everyone to experiment boldly. For example, a few sprigs of mint would fit perfectly into all three cocktails above. For beauty, you could also add a few forest fruit, but it's all a matter of choice. The secret is to balance tastes well, no matter what combination you opt for.

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And the main thing is not to forget to consume the gin, as well as any other alcohol in moderation. Especially in the summer it is also important to take enough other fluids with alcohol so as not to risk further dehydrating.

ptelea trifoliata

Healing Properties of Juniper - The Secret of Gin