More Proof of Soybean's Benefits

By Clementine Wallace
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Soy proteins modulate the ratio of different lipids in the blood, in a way that should reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, in healthy subjects, according Canadian researchers.

Tree bark extract suggests novel treatment for lung-cancer

RESEARCHERS at UT Southwestern Medical Centre, United States, have determined how a substance derived from the bark of the South American lapacho tree kills certain kinds of cancer cells, findings that also suggest a novel treatment for the most common type of lung cancer.

Reasons you should not ignore aloe vera

We all aware about the importance of aloe-vera plant in the treatment of certain ailments and diseases. Aloe-vera have also been described as multi-purpose herbal plant which is commanding high respect and attention in many pharmaceutical companies today. Its importance cannot be overruled in the production of confectioneries as well as in the production of skin cream and other anti-fungal, anti-bacteria dermal lotions.

Study unveils medicinal values of 35 local plants

CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes on how 35 local plants are prepared in South-eastern Nigeria for treating several ailments including chesty coughs, boils, malaria, typhoid, fever, ulcers, diarrhoea, among others.

A RECENT study by Gordian C. Obute of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt has unveiled some 35 medicinal plants scattered in 23 plant families, with reported medicinal importance to the people of South-eastern Nigeria.

The study catalogued common plants used by the indigenous people of South-eastern Nigeria for medicinal purposes based on collections during field trips and visits to traditional medicine practitioners in these parts, and questionnaires administered to resident knowledgeable respondents. The study also described the plants and their local names provided where possible while the medicinal uses and parts used were listed.

The plants include: False thistle, alligator pepper, goat weed, Cashew, dogoyaro, pawpaw, Awolowo weed, lime, lemon, bitter leaf, lemon grass, vegetable jute, castor bean, oil palm tree; goose-grass; yellow tassel flower, asthma plant, mango, bitter kola, scent leaf, smooth Newbouldia, cassava, guava, fluted pumpkin, native Pear, Christmas bush, among others.