China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Extraordinary dreams
Published in Josie Malinowski, The Psychology of Dreaming, 2020
The evidence for galantamine is strong, and it is easily available to purchase in some countries, such as the USA. However, in other countries it is a restricted substance and can only be obtained with a prescription. There are other options for psychoactive substances that anecdotally are said to enhance dreaming. Huperzine A, an alkaloid derived from the toothed clubmoss plant, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, acts on the same neural pathways as galantamine. It may produce similar effects, is touted on many lucid dreaming websites as a rival to galantamine, and is readily available to buy. Calea ternifolia, also known as bitter-grass, is a plant native to Mexico and Central America used to encourage divinatory dreams. There’s also mugwort, which is easy to buy online, and you can even pick it yourself: it tends to grow by water and in wastelands and is easily recognisable by its silvery underside and the smell it gives off if you rub it. Mugwort has been used to promote healing dreams by the Chumash people in North America for centuries. There are no controlled experiments with these substances yet, but we may be encouraged by their long history of usage and anecdotal evidence since this was the case for galantamine. (All of these substance possibilities – and any others you may come across – come with an obvious warning to tread carefully, particularly if you have allergies, health conditions, or are pregnant.)
Greece and Rome
Published in Michael J. O’Dowd, The History of Medications for Women, 2020
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a related plant species, known by Pliny as ‘parthenium’, was an ingredient placed in a sitz-bath in which women sat to treat inflammation of the uterus (Jones, 1989 book 21, p. 285). The plant, also known as mater herbarum (Harris, 1916), was popular as an infusion for ‘female complaints’ during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine the dried leaf, known as ‘moxa’, is burned on the skin over certain acupuncture sites. Mugwort is also advised for fungal infections. Another closely-related plant, tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is advocated in aromatherapy for menstrual disorders (Bown, 1996). The BHP lists mugwort as an emmenagogue (1983).
Atlas of Autofluorescence in Plant Pharmaceutical Materials
Published in Victoria Vladimirovna Roshchina, Fluorescence of Living Plant Cells for Phytomedicine Preparations, 2020
Victoria Vladimirovna Roshchina
Common mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, a well-known aromatic perennial plant from family Asteraceae with a characteristic scent, is used in officinal and folk medicine, mainly as an insecticidal and food plant (Wright 2002; Murav’eva et al. 2007; Anwar et al. 2015). All parts of the plant contain essential oils with all-purpose insecticidal properties (especially in the killing of insect larvae). Mugwort also has antibacterial and antiseptic characteristics; a paste of the leaves can be applied as a poultice for treating all kinds of skin infections. There is information about antispasmodic properties for menstrual pains and bronchodilatory properties for asthma. Mugwort stops diarrhea very effectively and may help in stomach ulcers, indigestion, and liver disorders; act as an emmenagogue, a nervine, a digestive, a diuretic, and a diaphoretic; and be used to flavor food. It has also been known as a home remedy for anxiety, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. The essential oil and extract have appreciable antimicrobial potential. Nevertheless, one should be aware of the dangers. Mugwort used in large doses is toxic, especially for children and pregnant women, because it can cause uterine contractions. In some cases, pollens of the species are famous allergens and commonly cause allergies.
Kidney-bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Dependent, Exercise-induced Anaphylaxis in Patients Comorbid with Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) Pollinosis
Published in Immunological Investigations, 2021
Pollen-food allergy syndrome, or oral allergy syndrome, is a food allergy caused by cross-reacting allergens found in both pollen and food (Price et al. 2015). The most well-known symptoms of pollen-food allergy syndrome include irritation or swelling of the mouth and throat (Muluk and Cingi 2018). Mugwort pollen is a common cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in China, and it is known to cross-react with some food (Popescu 2015). Mugwort pollen-food allergy is often observed in clinical practice. Mugwort-fennel, celery-mugwort-spice, mugwort-peach, mugwort-chamomile, and mugwort-mustard associations have been reported (Egger et al. 2006; Figueroa et al. 2005). Another association is mugwort-kidney bean syndrome, in which patients sensitized to mugwort may develop an allergy to kidney beans and experience anaphylaxis. The reaction is considered as a consequence of immunologic cross-reactivity between mugwort pollen allergen and structurally related protein from kidney bean. To date, cross-reactive allergen has not yet been identified.