Herbal mix may reverse tobacco damage, helps smokers quit
A herbal preparation made predominantly with local herbs and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, scent leaf, and cloves may be the much sought after cure for smoking addiction and tobacco damage. CHUKWUMA MUANYA reports.
YAHAYA Yusuf has been smoking for the past 22 years. At 36, Yusuf has tried on several occasions to quit the habit, but without success. With an irritant and persistent cough, and warning from his doctor that his lungs are already affected, it has dawned on him it was 'now or never.'
It has been shown that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general.
In desperation to quit the habit, Yusuf has used different conventional drugs, a special chewing gum, and even the much hyped nicotine patch, but without success until he came across a herbal preparation made predominantly with ginger (Zingiber officinale), scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum, nchuanwu in Igbo, effirin ajale in Yoruba), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), camphor plant (Cinnamomum camphora), among others.
Indeed, there have been various proposed treatments for the administration of nicotine (the putative addictive substance in tobacco smoking) as a replacement for tobacco smoking.
One of the most successful approaches, which have been used to date in reducing the incidence of tobacco smoking, relies upon nicotine containing chewing gum, and nicotine patch. However, these approaches have reported unpleasant side effects, and they are not easy to come by in this part of the world.
The novel nicotine free anticigarette herbal formulation Yusuf was introduced to by a friend has received a United States Patent 7534454 as an anti-dote to the poisoning effects of tobacco products such as cigarettes and other similar tobacco related products.
The formulation comprises of sterilised dried plant powder/extracts together with the conventional additives to form the oral dosage forms, which include tablets, capsules, syrup and powders ready for suspension and mouth spray.
The anti tobacco addiction herbal formulation comprises of Sesbania grandiflora, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Elettaria cardamomum, Carum copticum, clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Cinnamomum tamala, calamus root (Acorus calamus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), black pepper (Piper nigrum), Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cuminum cyminum, Nigella sativum, camphor plant (Cinnamomum camphora), Piper longum, scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) and Hemidesmus indicus.
The inventors include: Karerat Arun Kumar, Ifthikar Oommer Rowther Mohammed, Varghese Joy, and Vellappillil Achuthan Venugopal of MIR Holistics Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India; and Palpu Pushpangadan, Rawat Ajay Kumar Singh, Rao Chandana Venkateswara, and Govindarajan Raghavan of National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
In a detailed description of the invention, the inventors wrote: ..."If desired one or more pharmaceutical additives can be added and the composition converted to a solid dosage forms like tablet or capsule or used as a syrup, aerosol spray etc. Sesbania grandiflora and Ocimum gratissimum potentiated the free radical scavenging and 89.5 per cent stopped smoking with the formulation containing the Sesbania grandiflora and Ocimum gratissimum than that of the composition containing the other components..."
It was observed that the formulation at a dose of more than 1000 mg/kg did not cause any biochemical changes in serum or any significant change in the organ weight or any change in haematological parameters. It was further observed that the formulation at a dose of 100-200-mg/kg showed stoppage of smoking in three to10 weeks treatment as well as showed free radical scavenging property and potent antioxidant activity.
"It is, therefore, noted that the formulation is useful as an antidote to the effects of tobacco as well as helps prevent smoking," the inventors wrote.
Botanically called Zingiber officinale, ginger is of plant family Zingiberaceae. Ginger is called jinja in Efik/Ibibio; jinja in Igbo; aje, orin or atale in Yoruba. The rhizome is used to cure toothache, congested nostrils, cough, colds, influenza and flu, asthma, stomach problems, rheumatism, piles, hepatitis and liver problems.
Camphor plant (Cinnamomum camphora) is esteemed as an analeptic (a central nervous system stimulant medication) in various cardiac depressions and has been used in the treatment of myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle).
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), whose seed is widely used as a spice, has a characteristic pleasant fragrance and slightly warm taste. It is used to flavour many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and beverages. It is also used as components of curry powder, teas and soft drinks, or mixed in milk and alcohol.
Medicinally, nutmeg is used as an anti-diarrhoeal agent for patients with medullary carcinoma (cancer of the thyroid gland) of the thyroid. It is sometimes used as a stomachic, stimulant, carminative (prevents or relieves flatulence- gas in the gastrointestinal tract) as well as for intestinal catarrh and colic (inconsolable crying in a healthy newborn baby with bouts of fussiness and irritability), to stimulate appetite, to control flatulence, and has a reputation as an emmenagogue (to promote and regulate menstrual flow) and abortifacient (a substance that induces abortion).
Nutmeg has also been found useful as tonic for the heart and brain and also in sexual and general debility. Aphrodisiac (a substance that is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire) activity of 50 per cent ethanolic extracts of nutmeg and clove in male mice has also been reported. The extracts of the nutmeg and clove were found to stimulate the mounting behaviour of male mice, and also to significantly increase their mating performance. It has been reported that nutmeg can be toxic when ingested in large quantities (one to three nutmegs) causing convulsions, hallucinations, and possibly death.
Commonly called clove, Syzygium aromaticum belongs to the plant family Myrtaceae. It is a dried flower bud, which is one of the important herbs used as an indigenous medicine and spice in many Asian counties, Africa and other parts of the world. Syzygium aromaticum oil has been reported by folkloric claim as anticonvulsant.
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is of plant family, Piperaceae. Local names are unknown. The fruits and seeds are used to cure dyspepsia (indigestion), diarrhoea, cholera, piles, urinary problems, boils, rheumatism, toothaches and headaches.
Scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) is a shrub commonly found around village huts and in gardens. It is known as Efinrin ajase in Yoruba, Ebavbokho in Bini, Aai doya ta gida in Hausa, Nchonwu in Igbo. The leaves are used locally for soup. It is also used to treat cases of stomach upset and diarrhea.
The scent leaf plant is considered digestive, tonic, and stimulant. The plant is considered carminative and aphrodisiac and used to treat diseases of the brain, heart, liver and spleen, to relief griping and piles. A decoction of the leaves is considered a useful remedy for gonorrhoea and for seminal weakness.
Acorus calamus is the botanical name of the plant more commonly known as calamus. Other common names of calamus include calamus root, flag root, muskrat root, sweet calomel, sweet flag, sweet sedge, and many other names. Acorus calamus is said to keep people young, boost their health, and strengthen their sexual life.
Cinnamomum tamala is used for anorexia, bladder disorders, dryness of mouth, coryza (a cold in the head), diarrhoea, nausea, and spermatorrhea (premature ejaculation). The bark in form of infusion, decoction, or powder is prescribed in bowel complaints such as dyspepsia, flatulence, and vomiting.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum infusion, decoction, or powder of bark is effective in bowel complaints such as dyspepsia, flatulency, diarrhoea, and vomiting. It is frequently employed as an adjunct to bitter tonic and purgatives. As a stimulant of uterine muscular fiber it is employed in menorrhagia (an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals) and protracted labor due to defective uterine contractions.
Piper longum belongs to family piperaceae. Fruit is vermifuge (a medicine that expels intestinal worms) and also used after childbirth to check post-partum hemorrhage (severe bleeding after birth). Root is used as stimulant. The drug is also used in snakebites and scorpion sting. _
Carum copticum seeds are useful in flatulence, indigestion, colic, atonic dyspepsia (indigestion with impaired tone in the muscular walls of the stomach), diarrhoea, cholera, and spasmodic affections of the bowels. The oil is also used in flatulent colic, atonic dyspepsia or diarrhea, hysteria (describes a state of mind, one of unmanageable fear or emotional excesses), and indigestion.
Hemidesmus indicus is usually prescribed against inflammation, diarrhoea, respiratory disorders, skin diseases, syphilis, fever, bronchitis, asthma, eye diseases, urinary disorders, loss of appetite, burning sensation and rheumatism and especially for epileptic fits in children.
-1. Sesbania grandiflora belongs to the plant family Papilionoideae. According to The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa Vol. 3, the bark is used in oral treatments for small pox, chicken pox and measles. The leaf is used in eye treatments for general healing, in kidneys as diuretics (drugs that induce urination), as laxatives (or purgatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation), and in naso-pharyngeal (upper part of the neck and throat situated immediately behind the mouth and nasal cavity) affections.
Ocimum sanctum or holy basil leaves is used for treatment of several debilitating disorders. Ocimum sanctum is commonly known as efirin in Yoruba. Infusion of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum is given in malaria and as a stomachic in gastric disease of children and hepatic affections.
The seeds of Elletaria cardamomum are very useful in asthma, bronchitis, piles, strangury (slow and painful discharge of the urine, due to spasm of the urethra and bladder), and diseases of the bladder. As diuretic the seeds are given with honey as a corrective; the seeds are administrated in flatulence and in griping of purgative.
Seeds of Cuminum cyminum have a cooling effect and therefore form an ingredient of most prescriptions for gonorrhea, chronic diarrhea, and dyspepsia. It is also useful in curing hoarseness of voice, dyspepsia, and chronic diarrhea.
Catharanthus roseus, formerly known as Vinca rosea, it is commonly called Madagascar periwinkle. It belongs to the plant family Apocynaceae. The organic extracts are used in the folklore treatment of diabetes, malaria, leukemia wasp stings, sore throat, eye irritation, infections and to stop bleeding. It is also used as an astringent, diuretic and expectorant.
The inventors wrote: "The composition of the invention is nicotine free and acts as an antidote to the poisoning effects of tobacco and tobacco related products. The composition is effective in controlling a number of complications associated with cigarette smoking. It is also non-toxic and safe to use. Moreover the composition reduces tobacco-induced toxicity. The composition has the potential to maintain the homeostasis in general and has the potential to provide a supportive and protective cover to the cellular and organic functions of the heart, the lungs, the blood vessels, and the gastro-intestinal epithelium and mucosa in particular.
"The composition can be used as an oral dosage form such as syrup, tablet, capsule and a powder/spray. The extracts are alcoholic extracts wherein the alcohol is preferably ethanol. The extracts of plants are 50 per cent aqueous alcoholic extract. The composition itself comprises about 15-50 per cent wt. of the total formulation..."
Yusuf claims that after using a herbal mix made with ginger, scent leaf, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper he feels a lot better, and has stopped smoking. "The persistent cough has gone. As you can see I no longer have dry cough. I use to feel a sharp pain by my lungs, and that has also gone. Most importantly, I have stopped smoking," he said.
