Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the high river Ter valley (Pyrenees, Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula)

An ethnobotanical study has been carried out in the high river Ter valley (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula) a small area located in the eastern Pyrenees, with 294 km(2) and 4526 inhabitants. Through 42 interviews with 60 informants of a mean age of 71.1, 220 species belonging to 71 botanical families were reported, 90.6% of which were used in human medicine and 7.8% in veterinary therapy. The present paper is focused on human medicinal plant uses. One fungal and four vascular plant species have not, or have very rarely been cited as medicinal, and for other taxa some very scarcely reported medicinal uses have been recorded (110 uses concerning 78 species).     

Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine

The present paper deals with plants used in veterinary medicine in Montseny. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Montseny massif, which is situated in north-east Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), covers 826 km(2) and has a population of 80,000. The information was obtained through 120 ethnobotanical interviews to 180 informants. Out of 584 species reported, 351 are claimed to be used in the health field (human and veterinary medicine), 280 in human and animal food and 236 have another kind of popular use. Medicinal species represent around 16.5% of Montseny's vascular flora. In a previous paper we addressed plant use in human medicine, and the present paper deals with veterinarian uses. As a reflection of the importance of rural life in the region, at least until recent times, a substantial number of medicinal plants (89 species, representing 6% of the flora of the territory and 6.4% of all medicinal use-reports in the region) is used in veterinary medicine. These remedies are mostly for cows, calves, sheep, pigs and horses, and secondarily, to poultry, rabbits and dogs. The main ailments treated are postnatal problems, intestinal troubles, wounds and dermatological problems. In many cases, the use of these remedies in veterinary medicine is fully consistent with their use in human medicine.     

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in Eastern Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Mediterranean Sea)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

This paper represents the first large-scale ethnobotanical study in the island of Mallorca, and provides significant information on pharmaceutical plant uses, built up from interviews with native people from this touristic hotspot, demonstrating its ethnopharmacological importance.

Aim of the study

To collect, analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical knowledge concerning medicinal plants in a north-eastern Mallorcan area (municipalities of Artà, Capdepera and Son Servera; 298 km², 31,764 inhabitants).

Materials and methods

We performed semi-structured interviews with 42 informants (mean age 77; 40% women, 60% men), identified the plant taxa reported and analysed the results, comparing them with those found in the current Mallorcan ethnobotanical information and in other territories.

Results

The informants reported data on 121 human medicinal plants representing 64 botanical families. Around 45 medicinal uses reported, concerning 37 species, have not or have very rarely been cited as medicinal. An index of medicinal importance is proposed.

Conclusions

All efforts addressed to compiling ethnobotanical information in industrialised or touristised areas such as Eastern Mallorca are still valuable. New possibilities can be explored to give practical value to Mallorcan ethnobotanical data in the frame of considering traditional plant knowledge as part of the islanders’ lifestyle and healthy habits.     

Implementation des NADA-Protokolls in der Psychosomatik : Eine begleitende Untersuchung

Background

In 2011, the NADA protocol was introduced in the department of psychosomatic medicine, psychotherapy, and psychosomatic rehabilitation of the Diana hospital in Bad Bevensen.

Objective

In view of the paucity of data with respect to indications outside of substance dependency, data were collected concomitantly to the introduction of the NADA protocol. Along with the routine data collection using the SCL-90-R, the group of NADA ear acupuncture patients was examined with the WHO 5 questionnaire before and after treatment.

Results

Individual pre- and post-testing data were obtained from 53 patients. Patients predominantly received NADA acupuncture in a group setting. Compared to pre-data, patients improved significantly in terms of WHO 5 scores (t = 19.54, p < 0.001) and showed high satisfaction with the NADA treatment. Side effects were rare and mild. The patients strongly opted for a repetition of the treatment.

Discussion

The data here presented demonstrate a strong treatment effect with very small side effects” along with a high degree of patient acceptance of the NADA protocol in the setting of a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic.     

Acupuncture may Improve Vision in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): An Observational Study

Background and Aims

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Treatment options for AMD are limited and often vision loss cannot be prevented. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture treatment on vision in AMD patients.

Methods

A total of 328 patients with a clinical diagnosis of AMD were treated over a period of 2 weeks (Monday to Friday) with acupuncture given two times per day with a minimum time of 60 minutes between treatments. Vision was evaluated at baseline, after one and after two weeks of treatment by a distant (3 m) and at near (40 cm) standard reading test.

Results

Median visual acuity improved during the first treatment week at both distances (p < 0.001). Further improvement of visual acuity was observed during the second week (p < 0.001). From baseline examination to the final examination, vision at 3 m distance improved in 145 (44.2%) patients and vision at 40 cm distance improved in 290 (88.4%) patients.

Conclusion

We conclude that acupuncture may be a useful treatment option in patients with AMD. Double-blinded, randomized sham-controlled studies will be necessary for final proof of action.     

Patientin mit allergischer Rhinitis: Female Patient Suffering from Allergic Rhinitis

Background

Any allergic problem is a functional disease and therefore accessible to functional therapies such as acupuncture. This case report of a 25 year-old female patient who in her childhood suffered from eczema and rhinitis due to cat-hair allergy and who over the recent years has developed a mite allergy causing persistent pain in the sinuses demonstrates how allergic problems can be treated using acupuncture and related techniques. In addition to well-established acupuncture points, three experts will show further methods to alleviate allergic symptoms.

Objective

The aim of treating patients with allergic disposition is to reduce symptoms as well as the use of anti-histaminic drugs. Treatment should also prevent an aggravation of symptoms, for instance from allergic rhinitis to allergic asthma.

Methods

One acupuncture session per week over the course of 10 weeks.

Results

The patient's symptoms in the present case could be reduced by about 50 %. This result remained stable throughout the following 6 months. There was no follow-up.

Discussion

Acupuncture can alleviate allergic symptoms but should always be combined with the appropriate diet as well as physical exercise. Clinical studies have brought inhomogenous results. However, long-term observations collected at the Kaiserin Elisabeth-Hospital in Vienna suggest that acupuncture administered as a therapy against allergic rhinitis should be initialized pre-seasonally and be administered annually over the course of 10 weeks.     

Chronisches Seromucotympanon bei einem Dreijährigen: Behandlung mit Laserakupunktur und Ernährungsumstellung

Background

A 3-year old patient suffering from chronic otitis media of the left ear, and susceptibility to infections. A year ago, the boy suffered from bacterial meningitis due to inflammation of the middle ear. An operation (paracentesis) of the chronic hydromyrinx is scheduled to take place in about three months after a conservative therapeutic attempt. The patient is deaf on the right side, most probably since birth.

Aim

Reducing the number of infections, especially of the left middle ear, and possibly to prevent the operation.

Method

Ten sessions of laser acupuncture, dietary change, symbiosis control.

Result

Improvement of hearing back to normal.

Conclusion

Laser acupuncture in combination with changing of diet habits has proven to be an effective integrative method to treat a chronic infection of the middle ear.     

Koreanische Handakupunktur: Vorstellung einer noch selten verwendeten Therapieform unter den Mikrosystemen

Korean Hand Acupuncture (Korean Hand Therapy [KHT], or “Koryo Sooji Chim”) dates from the discovery of the corresponding somatotopic area by Korean doctor Yoo Tae Woo in the 1970's. As is the case with the outer ear in ear acupuncture, the hands also resemble a microcosmic model of the body. Stimulation of acupuncture points located on the hands can influence many physiological functions of the body.     

Nutzung des Ohr-Somatotops in der Therapie von Neuralgien und Neuropathien: die Helix-Außenkante

Background

In ear-acupuncture, a region on the outer rim of the ear has been established in the treatment of neuropathic pain of the trigeminal nerve. Treatment of other kinds of neuropathic pain has remained difficult.

Objective

To further improve the therapy of neuralgic pains in other parts of the body by means of ear acupuncture.

Methods

Starting from the well-known trigeminal zone, a therapeutic area for neuropathic pain can be found by extrapolating the trigeminal zone over the entire outer helix rim. The area in question can be identified by projecting a straight line from the Spleen point (0) to the segmental spine area and continuing this line to the outer helix rim. This area is easy to find and can be verified by very point-method as well as the RAC as established by Nogier. The irritated area on the outer border of the helix is being treated consequnetly.

Results

For many years now I have incorporated this area into my treatment repertoire. The suggested method has proved very efficient in the treatment of neuralgic and neuropathic pains. The area in question is easy to find and treatment can be accomplished quickly.

Conclusion

The method suggested in this article is easily applicable and highly efficient in the treatment of neuralgic as well as neuropathic pains and will prove to the quite beneficial.     

Akupunktur bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Asthma bronchiale: Eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie

Background

During rehabilitation children and adolescents with bronchial asthma suffer from physical and mental stress in spite of receiving their asthma medication, or demonstrate poor therapy compliance. The randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture in the course of inpatient rehabilitation of children and adolescents with mild to severe persistent bronchial asthma.

Patients and methods

In a longitudinal study design (pre-, post-, 4 month-follow-up) the effects of additional acupuncture on symptom frequency and severity, lung function, medication, quality of life (PAQLQ), general and asthma specific level of anxiety (STAIK) were examined in 43 acupuncture and 42 control patients. Apart from asthma sport, climate therapy and behavioural training, the acupuncture group was given acupuncture treatment according to a standardized needle pattern (12 × 30′).

Results

After acupuncture the frequency of morning breathlessness and inhalation difficulty decreased significantly (p < .05) with equal or reduced medication. Patients treated with acupuncture also showed a tendency towards reduced anxiety levels . Patients of the acupuncture group with moderately persistent asthma demonstrated an additional decline of workload-induced obstruction (FEV₁ Diff. %).

Conclusion

Add-on acupuncture was able to achieve significant improvements in lung function, especially in severe asthma, as well as a sustained reduction of anxiety scores.