Migraine: Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) plant was proven effective against migraine (Vogler, Pittler, & Ernst, 1998). The study quoted a Dutch study suggesting the essential oil constituent of feverfew, chrysanthenyl acetate, is a component that inhibits prostaglandin synthetase in vitro and this reduces the frequency of migraine attacks. It also possess analgesic properties. According to Johnson, Kadam, Hylands, & Hylands (1985), feverfew plant is rich in sesquiterpene lactones that work antagonistically with endogenous substances such as acetylcholine, bradykinin, histamine, and serotonin which are consistent with an antimigraine effect through inhibition of the influx of extracellular calcium into vascular smooth muscle cells and therefore reduces or eliminates migraine episodes.
Reference:
Johnson, E. S., Kadam, N. P., Hylands, D. M., & Hylands, P. J. (1985). Efficacy of Feverfew as Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine. British Medical Journal Vol 291, 569-573.
Vogler, B., Pittler, M., & Ernst, E. (1998). Feverfew as a Preventive Treatment for Migraine: A Systematic Review. Cephalalgia vol 18, 704-708.
Diabetes: According to Bailey & Day (1989), concentrated extracts from raw onion and garlic bulbs have a weak anti-glycemic activity in healthy humans. The fruits of the Momordica charantia (Indian bitter gourd) contains an insulin like peptide that lowers glucose concentrations when upon introduction into insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients which subsequently lowers their blood glucose level.
Reference:
Bailey, C. J., & Day, C. (1989). Traditional Plant Medicines as Treatment for Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 554-564.
Skin burn: In a study of papaya latex extract by Gurunga & Skalko-Basnet (2009), papain and chymopapain of the papaya latex, is reported to be effective against necrotic tissues, preventing infection, and decreasing the risk of oxidative damage to tissues. The research also states the properties of hydroxyproline from the papaya latex in increasing collagen production which subsequently improves wound healing, reducing the epithelialization time therefore promoting burn wound contraction and wound shrinkage.
Reference:
Gurunga, S., & Skalko-Basnet, N. (2009). Wound Healing Properties of Carica Papaya Latex: In vivo Evaluation in Mice Burn Model . Journal of Ethnopharmacology vol 121, 338-341.
Seizure: Peredery & Persinger (2004) reported the anti-seizure activities of Scutellaria (Skullcap), Gelsemium and D. stramonium (Jimsonweed). Scutellaria leaf is reported to possess anticonvulsant and nerve sedative properties possibly mediated through GABA-A receptors, while Gelsemium contains alkaloids that are both CNS stimulants and CNS depressants whereas hyoscyamine from D. stramonium, possess anticholinergic properties. When combined in one treatment, they produce a synergistic effect in preventing seizures in the animals tested.
Reference:
Peredery, O., & Persinger, M. A. (2004). Herbal Treatment Following Post-Seizure Induction in Rat by Lithium Pilocarpine: Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap), Gelsemium sempervirens (Gelsemium) and Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed) May Prevent Development of Spontaneous Seizures. Phytotherapy Research vol 18, 700-705.
