Semecarpus anacardium, the common marking nut is an important raw material for Ayurvedic drug preparation. It has been therapeutically used in neurological disorders, ulcers, corns, leprosy, leucoderma, arthritis and cancer. In siddha preparation of marking nut extract against experimental mammary tumour in rats in relation to glucose metabolism and found to be highly effective without any toxic side effects. Thus it is a potential antineoplastic agent against mammary carcinoma.

HERBAL TEA TO CONTROL CANCER
MFP NEWS, VOL. XIII, NO. 4, 2003

A new and confirmed formula of herbal tea has been devised by Food Technology Department of Jadavpur Univ. Kolkata, which is potential to combat toxic elements in human body. Ingredients of the recommended tea are tulsi (Ocimum spp.), mint (Mentha spp.), ginger (zingiber officinalis), lemon (Citrus spp.), black pepper (piper nigrum) and salt to be blended with good quality tea leaves. The tea is to be served without milk and will be rich in vitamins, antioxidants, non-nutritive compound like flavonoids and other phenolics that protect the body against free radicals, the destroyers of body cells. The tea would lower the risks of ailments e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastric ulcer, blood sugar, and many other ailments. The formula has been patented.

HERB CAN REDUCE CHOLESTEROL
MFP NEWS, VOL. XII, NO. 3, 2003

An extract from a small tree found across Arabic and Indian can help to reduce cholesterol, scientists have discovered. The extracts, called guglipid, comes from the guggal tree and has been used in Ayurvedic medicines, for nearly 3000 years. It received regulatory approval in India in 1987 and it used to treat to range of conditions including obesity and lipid disorders. There has been clinical data from India for years showing that guglipid is effective. Until now there has been little support for its use in conventional medicines. Experts from UT Southwestern Medical center at Dallas and Baylor College of medicine in Houston, found that the extract blocks the body’s Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR). This receptor plays a key role in managing cholesterol levels by triggering the process in which the body converts cholesterol to bile acids. The researchers said their findings, published in a recent issue of science magazine, and could pave the way for the use of guglipid in new cholesterol-lowering drugs.