The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Medicine

  • Acting is as lucrative as Medicine, Law – Fred Amata

    Fred Amata, the president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), on Monday says acting is a profession that is as productive as Medicine or Law.

    Amata told our reporter in Lagos that the stakeholders in the acting profession should be accorded same respect accorded to lawyers, engineers, medical doctors and other noble professions.

    Reports have it that DGN are those who direct stage plays and home videos on locations.

    He said that acting had advanced in scope and international acceptability as well as become more lucrative than ever before.

    “With the growth of the industry today, and one film being able to rake in over half a billion naira a year, I believe the sky is a starting point.

    “I know that this massive change will definitely make acting the next best thing,” he said.

    The former actor said that theatricals or stagecraft was a job that a person could do from ones cradle till death.

    “For instance, I can never play the role of a new born or play that of a teenage boy. At every single phase of life, you have a place and an opportunity to venture into the world of art.

    “Once a person becomes an actor, he or she will always remain an actor, regardless of being in or out of the industry.

    “However, it is not easy to reach stardom or remain in limelight, but it is also not impossible, as there are three things that make a person a star.

    “These are how talented an individual is, the person’s structure, his or her readiness to learn the craft and getting as much education as possible as well as the grace of God,” he said.

    The president explained that acting was not only about the looks, but intelligence and ability to grasp whatever script one was given.

    “The X-factor here is God’s grace, opportunity and luck that keep one going in the game.

    “Most times, it is the grace of God that one needs to take one to places beyond ones expectation.

    “Learning is a continuous process; so striving to better ones’ self is very important in this profession.

    “Most of the vocations we hear about today are man-made; and it is the value the society places on it that it gives back,” Amata said.

    NAN

  • ‘Urbanisation threatens herbal medicine practice’

    Popular alternative medicine practitioner, Dr. Akintunde Ayeni, has urged government at all levels to create botanical gardens to preserve herbs and roots, as practised in China and other advanced countries.

    He expressed concern that herbs and roots were disappearing from Nigeria due to urbanisation and other human activities.

    Ayeni, who is the Chairman of Yemkem International, spoke at a meeting of Herbal Therapy Society of Nigeria (HTSN) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    He said: “Many herbs and roots have been cleared by bulldozers for building of houses. It will get to a time we will not get herbs and roots again. If we don’t have botanical garden, herbs and roots would go into extinction.

    “When you go to a country like China, which has efficient herbal medicine practice, it has botanical gardens.”

    Also, a prominent theatre arts practitioner, Chief Jimoh Aliu, urged government to enact policies that would ensure that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of healing power of herbal medicine.

    He said: “Herbal medicine blurs the line between foods and medicines – a line that in many cultures was never drawn in the first place.

    “Using herbs and spices that have disease-preventive effect in foods is one of the best ways to take advantage of their healing power.

    “I also urge you to support those at the helms of affairs of the society in the best interest of unity, progress and stability of HTSN.”

  • ‘Medicine is like Real Estate in many ways’

    ‘Medicine is like Real Estate in many ways’

    Chibuzor Odega is a University of Port Harcourt-trained medical doctor with over 9 years experience. He is also an entrepreneur and CEO of Cabigo Properties and Investments Limited. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, he shares his mission and vision for the Real Estate sector and how he has been able to combine it with the medical profession.

    You obviously had other options, why did you study Medicine?

    First and foremost, I want to let people know that Medicine is not just a profession but a calling. So, I have always had that calling to go into Medicine help people. There is this joy that I derive, don’t know if it is universal. When you come into my office with pain, you are not happy. Then I give you the necessary prescription and you start the treatment from the office. I tell some of my patients that treatment actually starts from the table, from the conversation before you even start taking your medication. …And when they start taking the medication, they come back to say, Doctor thank you…. That joy is indescribable.

    What is your area of specialisation?

    For now, I am a general practitioner. In Medicine, I wanted to be a neuro-surgeon.

    How would you describe the demands of our doctors, who are always threatening to go on strike?

    I think that they deserved everything that they are asking for. Let’s be honest, one question that we must ask ourselves is why are doctors always seeking greener pastures. Why can’t we keep our doctors? When some people travel out for medical treatment, it will shock you to know that the doctors some of them meet over there are Nigerians.

    Let’s talk about some memorable moments in your life and career?

    I think that one very memorable moment for me is when I was in LUTH doing my house job. I was in the Neuron-surgeon department and it was a very challenging period in the sense that you had lots of patients; you are dealing with the human brain and you are working round the clock. We had this particular patient who had hydrocephalous and we needed to decongest the pressure by taking part of the fluid. I saw my senior registrar do it and I asked him a couple of questions and he answered me. It’s a teaching hospital and he taught me and another day, I was making my rounds and the child is convulsing and they called my senior registrar and he was on his way and he told me to go ahead and get it ready. I did it and the pressure reduced and I saw the baby more stable. For me, that tops the chart.

    What do you think of clinics who turn back patients in need of emergency attention because they don’t have money ready?

    My advice is to stabilise first. This does not mean that you are giving the patient the full treatment. A patient may even have the means to pay but at that moment did not remember to pick his wallet.

    How do you intend to combine Medicine with Real Estate?

    You can achieve that on a different level. It is not only by sitting in the consulting room that you can do this. You can build hospitals, make treatment affordable or build a charity organisation. I must say that Capital Properties is also into charity. You can put smiles on people’s faces this way.

    How did your passion for Real Estate start?

    I started practising Real Estate about six or seven years ago. But the passion started when my father lost his job. I also have uncles who are in the sector, I follow them from time to time and I see what they do. Worthy of note is Engineer Jonathan, the owner of Orchid’s Hotels. He has specimen builders and each time I go to his office, I see how he handles things. I went to sites with them and that was how the passion started. I felt it was something that is doable. In school, they taught us about communicable and non-communicable diseases and you find that the communicable diseases spring up from environments with poor living conditions. I realised that it was because they could afford good houses. So I asked myself, how I can I bridge this gap? You always find that the areas that are endemic are places that you have the poor, so I thought it was better to provide land and houses that are affordable for them.

    How have you been able to survive in that environment?

    The truth of the matter is that to survive, you must be honest and stand for integrity. I would say that luckily, being a doctor has made that possible.

    Who are your targets?

    We have specific plans for different people. We try to cut across all levels of income. Low level, middle class and the high-class. For the low level and the middle class, we have a specific package for them.

    What influence the things that you do?

    I have always been versatile. I would say my dad influenced me. He worked in Savannah Bank and he was thinking about going into the Real Estate sector before he lost his job. It was pretty rough and challenging at that point, as he lost the capital he wanted to use. At that point, I told myself that procrastination is an enemy. I have also done designs and have my own clothing line. Interestingly, in any area that I find myself, I make sure that I am doing it for the interest of the people and not just to make money.

    I think that one of my God-given talents is creativity. I used to watch a lot of cartoons while I was growing up and so I love the color combination, the different sketches and so on. Usually, I would look at you and imagine what would look good on you, how best it would fit and it would come out well. While doing my House Job at LUTH, I had a roommate who was into shoes too and he was like me. He would pick up a piece of paper and just design a shoe. And each time he did that, the image of an outfit that would match the shoe just comes to mind. Sometimes, I’d just be looking at something and the inspiration would come.

     

  • PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    PaxHerbals to hold conference on traditional medicine

    The management of PaxHerbals Clinic and Research Laboratories in collaboration with its subsidiary Ofure (Pax) Integral Research and Development Initiative (OFIRDI) is organising an international conference on indigenous traditional knowledge.

    According to the convener, Rev Father Anselm Adodo it will hold between October 5 and 6 at Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

    It has as theme: The contribution of indigenous knowledge in stimulating integral development in Nigeria and Africa.

    Partnering PaxHerbal are: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, and Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.    The organisers said conference aimed at bringing together researchers, scientists, research scholars, entrepreneurs, health care practitioners and health technologists to discuss, exchange and share their experiences and research results in all aspects of indigenous knowledge in health care and health policy, traditional medicine research and practice, community development, local innovations in agriculture, biodiversity, solar technology and business enterprise.

    The organisers also said there was an urgent need to examine approaches to education, healthcare, technologies, enterprise, agriculture and development in the country, and propose new methodologies, new approaches and new action plans.

    The common thread weaving these diverse topics together is the need to stimulate integral development in Nigeria and in Africa.

    They added that as such, the conference would focuse on applying trans-disciplinary approach to  development issues that have  impeded rather sustainable development.

     

  • Medical physicists oppose proposed radiology, radiation medicine bill

    The Nigerian Association of Medical Physicists (NAMP) has opposed the National Council of Radiology and Radiation Medicine (NCRRM) Bill, which is being considered for passage by the House of Representatives, describing it as needless.

    The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to establish the National Council of Radiology and Radiation Medicine (NCRRM) to provide for the control and practice of the profession of Radiology, Radiation Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiography, Medical Physics and Technology and other related matters,” was brought before the  House by Hon. Patrick Asadu.

    In a statement by its President, Professor Moses Aweda, and Secretary Dr. Taofik Ige, the association said Medical Physics Bill, an Executive Bill, which has reached advanced stage of its proposition, has taken care of all issues concerning registration, training, qualification, practice, ethics, among others, being raised in the said NCRRM Bill. The Bill is, therefore, not only unnecessary, but least relevant to medical physics.

    They said NAMP was unequivocally opposed to the proposed NCRRM  because it is apparently taking over the job of NNRA as it seeks to register and monitor radiological facilities.

    “They said the Bill is retrogressive in nature rather than progressive in a world where technology in medical and paramedical disciplines is fast advancing, hence promoting fast growth. The administrative system as provided by the said NCRRM Bill will create bottleneck, retard inter-disciplinary research and development, thus making the concerned professions and specialties and sub-specialties lag behind in the fast-growing world.

    “NAMP considers the NCRRM Bill as most unnecessary, most irrelevant, futile, barren, inappropriate, without genuine focus and empty. The Bill will lead to waste of time, material, financial and human resources due to its retrogressive nature. There is not even one of the listed roles that are not yet in place in Medical Physics and in the different concerned professions,” the statement read.

    It continued: “And after much considerations and deliberations on the said Bill, NAMP decided to take position as follows: Medical  Physics  is a specialty of Physics  that  applies  the  concepts  and  theories  of Physics  in  almost  every  branch  of  health  and  medicine. The NCRRM Bill does not portray the interest of Medical Physics. The control and practice of Medical Physics are already in place. There is no justification for the proposed NCRRM Bill as it is difficult to identify the problem the Bill intends to solve.” In the words of the body, “there is no problem with the current system in place as each profession already has a Body, and has been, to date, operating a good standard through the accreditation system put in place, which serves as quality assurance.

    “The regulation of the practice of radiation medicine, which the NCRRM Bill seeks to address, is already in place. The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), the watchdog for radiation safety in the country, is in place to ensure safe practice, not only in medical and para-medical practices, but also in the Industrial applications of ionising radiations. Passage of the Bill will amount to duplication of duties, waste of govern-ment’s scarce human, financial and material resources.”

  • ‘Give us traditional medicine commission’

    Traditional and alternative medicine practitioners have canvassed its integration into the nation’s primary healthcare delivery system.

    They spoke under the aegis of Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine and the Centre for Research in Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine of  Nigerian Institute of Medical Research(NIMR) during the African Traditional Day celebration in Lagos.

    According to them, the relevance, affordability, accessibility and availability of herbs, plants, and roots cannot be over-emphasised.

    “This makes us the traditional medicine practitioners, and complimentary alternative practitioners (CAM) to closest to the people in the community. And the patronages are high  compared to the conventional health services. Therefore, it is high time the government does the needful, which is to legitimate, control and integrates traditional medicine into the mainstream of the health care delivery in the country,” President, Nigeria Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine, Magnus Atilade, said.

    Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) the NIMR Director-General, Prof Babatunde Salako, said it was no longer a news that over 70 per cent of Africans use traditional medicine as their means of therapeutic treatments to relief them of sufferings and ailments.

    He said: “Proper regulation of herbal practice will go a long way in ensuring sanity and ethics in the practice. This will put stop to quackery, and the enormous reduction in the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria caused by one of the arms of this noble profession. This is because all the practitioners will be bonded within the law and the training and retraining of the practitioners will be enforced, thereby leading to a boost in the outcome of the health care delivery in the country.

    He went on: “It is long overdue to pass into law the act that establishes the practices of traditional alternative medicine in the country. But kudos to the present administration that is taking a giant stride for the proper establishment of the Act to establish- Traditional Medicine Council and Alternative Medicine Commission (TMCAMC), which has scaled through third reading in the House of Assembly.

    “We are applauding the effort of our distinguished senators for the great landmark action and still using this opportunity to appeal to them to make sure that the bill is read, passed and have the approval of the president so that the Traditional/Alternative Medicine can have a stand in Nigeria’s health system.”

    Atilade added: “The Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine is a professional educational research and development organisation registered and recognised locally and internationally for the promotion and development of Traditional and Alternative Medicine.”

  • The Prophet’s medicine

    Preamble

    This article is a follow up to that of last Friday in which the bee was described as ‘The Insect that Heals’. Both articles are a deliberate diversion of readers’ attention from the economic and political   madness of this moment in Nigeria.

    Such diversion becomes necessary as a relief from the current overwhelming tension in a country where every news item is sad and every hope turns forlorn. A worthy columnist must know when to bite and when to blow editorially if only to sustain the readership of his/her column. This is the time of mental, physical and psychological trauma in Nigeria for which there must be a soothing medicament.

     

    Appropriate medicament

    Incidentally, the most appropriate medicament for all ailments including trauma is the one prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about 1,440 years ago which still remains as potent today as it was when it was prophetically prescribed. And it will keep remaining relevant for the rest period of human existence on earth.

    Prophet Muhammad’s prescription was a practical fine-tuning of the coded medicine primordially prescribed by the first human being who bore the name Adam.

    Prophet Adam, the primogenitor of mankind, was hardly one hour old when he started prescribing medicine against ailments. He was commanded by Allah to teach the Angels the names of all things which they (the Angels) had confessed not to know. By teaching the Angels, Adam thus became a teacher to the Angels and this made teaching the very first profession of man. But, those in the information sector could, as well, argue that what Adam did was more of information dissemination than teaching or prescription.

     

    First human profession

    There is tendency that a fierce debate might ensue between teachers and journalists on the one hand and both of them and the medical experts on the other over what can be called the first profession of man on earth. But the truth is that all the three professionals are right. By teaching, a teacher informs. By informing, a journalist teaches. And by medicating, a doctor helps to dispel ignorance. Thus, the three professions are mutually complimentary.

     

    Prophet Adam as a doctor

    By teaching the Angels, what Prophet Adam really did was to cure the worst disease in them as well as in man. That disease is ignorance. Shortly before the creation of Adam, Allah informed the Angels that He was going to create a new living being and put him in charge of the garden to be called the earth. But, feigning knowledge, the Angels kicked against the plan and advised their Lord not to do it. Allah then told them in a tone of finality that “I know what you do not know”. (Q.2:31). It eventually took Adam, by Allah’s command, to heal those Angels of the disease of ignorance in them.

    If Adam had not taught them the names of all things on earth, as revealed in the Qur’an, the Angels would have remained ignorant forever. And, Allah’s messages to mankind, as contained in the divinely Revealed Books, would not have come mankind through them.

     

    Categories of medicine

    In ordinary man’s view, medicine is the substance required to cure an ailment. Such substance may be natural or artificial. It may also be as crude as herbs or as sophisticated as surgery. However, it is generally believed that a person does not need medicine unless he is ill. That is why the Western conventional medicine is rather curative than preventive. Illness resides in the body just as ignorance makes the mind its abode. Today, in most cases, people neither go to the hospitals nor take medicine unless they are sick.

     

    Prophet Muhammad’s prescription

    Though unlettered, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had known the different types of medicine before he diagnosed two basic ailments and prescribed two fundamental medicines for them. The first of these ailments is ignorance. The second is poverty. And poverty in this case is not lack of material wealth alone as many people erroneously believe. It is also lack of many things including health and conscience. Thus, in Islam, ailment is basically of two classes: ignorance and poverty. Many people are victims of one. Many more are victims of both.

     

    Analysis

    A person is said to be poor-sighted when he cannot see well without artificial aid. He is deemed poor in memory when his remembering ability becomes weak. He is also pronounced poor in health when some of his body organs malfunction or when he loses some active enzymes or minerals or vitamins. Thus, man may be poor, not in terms of money or material needs but despite his possession of both.

    As an antidote for ignorance, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prescribed the Qur’an. And for body ailment, he prescribed honey.

     

    The role of the Qur’an

    Qur’an is the encyclopedia of life which personifies knowledge in all its ramifications. There is nothing about knowledge, whether spiritual or mundane, in this world or the hereafter that is not fully explained in the Qur’an.

    By recommending the Qur’an as medicine for ignorance, therefore, the Prophet simply provided cure for the ailment of the mind. And by prescribing honey for body ailments he encouraged elongation of life expectancy through a boost to human immune system. It is not by accident that a whole chapter in the Qur’an (chapter 16) is named after the insect that produces honey. Verse 68 of that chapter reads thus:

    “And your Lord revealed to the bee (saying): Build your homes in the mountains, in the trees and in the hives which men shall make for you. Feed on every kind of fruit and follow the trodden path of your Lord’. From its belly comes forth a fluid of many hues as healing (drink) for mankind. Surely in this, there is a sign for those who can reason….”

     

    Products of the Bee

    Contrary to general belief, honey is not the only product of the bee. There are six others so far known to man. These are: propolis; pollen; royal jelly; bees wax; bee venom and bee bread. More can be discovered as research continues in line with the Qur’anic challenge. Each of these products has specific functions in maintaining and immunizing the human hormone system.

     

    Characteristics honey

    Honey is one of the products of the bee. It is the most popular of the bee products. It is a special fluid with various hues odours and flavours. For instance there are bitter, white and granulated honeys which most people do not know of. Honey is the foremost known natural product that serves as both food and medicine. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once reportedly told his patients while prescribing honey for them thus: “let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food”. There is no known nutritional value in terms of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that is not proportionately present in honey.

     

    Composition of honey

    A raw, pure honey contains about 80 different substances that are most important for human nutrition. Besides glucose and fructose, honey contains all of the B-complex minerals like vitamins A, C, D, E and K as well as trace elements such as magnesium, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, chlorine, potassium, iodine, sodium, copper and manganese. The enzyme content of honey is one of the highest of all existing foods. Honey also contains and antimicrobial and antibacterial factors.

    The composition and nutritional value of honey differ in relation to the floral sources from which honeybees do pick their raw materials. For example, a recent research supports the claim that dark coloured honey has larger amount of antioxidants than brown. The inorganic contents of honey, minerals and other trace elements, play a significant role in human metabolism and nutrition. Owing to its chlorine content, honey is appreciated as an excellent tonic and helps people to overcome suffering from constipation and other enteric problems.

     

    Doses of honey

    Whereas no synthetic medicine can and should be taken by any ill person without doctor’s prescription, honey requires no such prescription for anybody who is not allergic to it because it has no side effect. The suggestion in certain quarters that honey can cause piles is based on ignorance. As a multipurpose natural food and medicine, honey can be taken alone or along with other foods albeit in moderation.

    And as an antiviral and antibiotic substance, honey is the best medicine for the eye and the ear diseases as well as tooth ache, insomnia, staphylococcus, constipation, whitlow, burns and wounds. After many centuries of disputing these facts ignorantly, conventional doctors finally came to realize that no medicine is as effective in sealing up surgical wounds and healing sores as honey. Today, honey is used for these purposes in most public hospitals in various parts of the world including Nigeria.

     

    Products of the Bees

    As mentioned above, the products of the bees are seven. These are: honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, bee venom and bee bread. Each of these products has a potent value in the life of man. For instance, royal jelly is the secret of the longevity of the Queen of England and even that of her mother called the Queen mother just as pollen was the secret behind the strength of a onetime American President, Ronald Reagan at old age.

     

    Honey

    To produce honey alone, the bees make contact with about 250,000 plants picking and metabolizing their flower nectars. It is possible for them to contact more plants depending on the richness of the vegetation in which they dwell. (Nectar is the main raw material which the bees use to produce honey).

     

    Propolis

    Propolis is produced by the bees from the resin of certain specific trees identifiable only by the bees themselves. Through research, propolis has come to be known as the strongest anti-biotic ever discovered by man. This product is used not only to protect the living but also to preserve the remains of the dead as well. At least it is on record that the famous historic Egyptian mammies were embalmed with propolis several millennia ago. This same propolis is the product used by the bees, themselves, to sterilize their bodies against bacteria and secure their hives against viruses brought in by predators. Whenever they sting such predator to death, it is propolis they use to embalm it to prevent its decaying body from polluting the hive.

     

    Pollen

    Pollen is the secret of strength in old age.  It heals almost all the old age diseases like prostate, arthritis, pneumonia and bronchitis. It rejuvenates the nerves and reinvigorates the hormonal glands especially in the aged.

     

    Royal jelly

    Royal jelly is the bee product that prolongs life and solves the problem of infertility in men and women. It is the exclusive food of the queen bee which enables her to lay an average of 2000 eggs per day.

     

    Bee venom

    Bee venom is a natural antibiotic vaccine which strengthens human immunity against all diseases. It works like magic in the human system especially when applied through the natural acupunctural points in the body.

     

    Beeswax

    Bees wax, as distinct from other products, is used to produce non-chemical cosmetics and to coat pharmaceutical and capsules like multivites to protect the potency of the substances used to produce the.

     

    Bee bread

    Bee bread is the lava of the young bees. It is used by the apitherapists to prevent or heal children’s diseases.

    The use of each of these products to heal human ailments depends on the extent of knowledge of apitherapy possessed by the user. (Apitherapy is the use of bee products to prevent or heal human or animal ailments). A specialist in this field is called apitherapist.

    The uniqueness of using these products for healing or prevention of diseases is in the fact that they do not entail any negative side effect because of their natural potency. And that is a major sharp difference between them and the synthetic drugs manufactured chemically by the conventional pharmacists.

     

    Summary

    If most people were knowledgeable about the efficacy of the bee products in preventing and healing diseases, hospitals would have been less congested and substantial percentage of their incomes would have been saved to enhance the quality of their lives. The world of bees is a wonderful world. It takes only those who know it to appreciate it and benefit from its healing miracle.

    Through divine instinct, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had known this almost one and a half millennia ago and he had recommended it to mankind for their survival. The case of the bee and honey is like that of the hen and the egg. No one can tell with precision which of them first came into existence. The fact that honey is still a subject of scientific research today is a further confirmation that the prophecy of the unlettered Arabian man called Muhammad (SAW) is truly divine.

     

    Conclusion

    Without the bee there can be no honey. And without honey, the bees cannot exist since honey is the food upon which they depend for survival.

    The story of the insect called bee is inexhaustible despite centuries of research on it. It is therefore impossible to tell it all in a one page column of this type. That Prophet Muhammad (SAW) knew this much even as an unlettered person at a time when the world was assailed by blatant ignorance and primitivism is a further confirmation of Michael Hart’s classification of him as the greatest human being that ever lived.

     

    Information

    Four Muslim brothers across three Universities successfully delivered their inaugural lectures recently. They are Professor Lai Olurode of the Socology Department, University of Lagos; Professors Ishaq Lakin Akintola and Lateef Adetona of Religious Studies Department, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria and Professor Fehintola of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The Message Column joins many well wishers in congratulating them all and in wishing them further higher pedestals in their respective academic careers. Amin.

  • Marigold flower medicine goes beyond clear vision

    Thanks, everyone who read the last column, MARIGOLD FLOWER, EYE PROMISE, WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMIN A, and immediately pulled me by the shirt collar to remind me that Marigold flower, as medicine, does more than strengthening weak eyes and vision.

    I agree with you all. You are all people who have been reading this column for decades and are, so, familiar with information on the medicinal uses of Marigold flower. In the last column, this multi-purpose medicinal herb was featured along with two other important vision supporting nutrients, and that gave Marigold flower the image of being useful only for healthy vision. That feature was predicated on HARRY MARSLAND, the 73-year-old British optician who was reported to have become the first Briton who regain his vision in one eye virtually lost to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

    TODAY, I wish again to unmask Marigold flower in some of its true colours through a guided tour in the PSYCHIC GARDEN, a book I always recommend for the Alternative Medicine library of readers of this column. The PSYCHIC GARDEN (ISBN 0722505485) was written by MELLIE UYLDERT and first published in English language in 1980 by THORSONS PUBLISHERS LIMITED 1980. It was first published in Holland as Plantenzielen.

    The book describes Marigold as “a plant of life and death” which is controlled by forces of the sun and of the moon. The orange colour in Marigold flower reveals its creative potential, says Uyldert. People who are familiar with Marigold ointment or salve know it is better not to waste it on ordinary wounds but on those that appear incurable, such as dirty wounds, with inflammation and suppuration and on cancerous wounds and swellings that emit a bad smell.

    Mellie Uyldert adds:

    “Using its moon force, the marigold creates new cells which must replace those damaged and lost. But with its sun force, it creates a plan for new structures, the pattern for making better cells, I.e., healthy ones!

    “It cleanses at the same time. Tea from the petals may be used for washing wounds and helps to remove pus and inflammation products. Inflammation itself is a purifying fire, lit by the ego. The ego says: we shall start a new life, the old member and the spoiled pattern in the soul are removed from the subconscious, away with negative thoughts!

    “This is the subtle action of the marigold on cancer patients and it is quite remarkable how this plant appears in abundance quite by itself round houses where this sickness is present. As soon as the patient has recovered or has died, the marigold disappears, its task being completed.

    “Tea of the petals when drunk (they may be fresh or dried) is a good curative (but it must be accompanied by the proper diet and purification of the soul!).

    “Cancer is the result of creative forces that are kept suppressed, which cannot be used in life, loving or artistic creation and which then turn inwards and proceed to build up gratuitous material forms.”

    At the psychic level, Mellie Uyldert proposes: “But if these swellings contain poison, there must be poison foci in the soul of unprocessed, old sorrow. Then, there is too much moon and too little sun in proportion in the person. The sun-ego must then be strengthened, so that it can process, understand and clear away all those moon ailments and injuries that have been sustained. The house of the soul must be cleaned, the windows thrown open, allowing the light of truth to flood in. For this we need the help of this flower of sun and moon!”

    She says Marigold flower tea is good for the heart, the liver and the kidneys, and that it clears oedema. She says, also, that, in France, the flower buds are infused in vinegar and they are eaten pickled like capers.

    As for some of the other uses to which marigold may be put, Mellie Uyldert advises: “The marigold, as a tea of the green leaves and petals, cleanses and calms, and cures inflammations, wounds and sores, particularly internal ulcers. It is taken for nausea, constipation, nervous debility and nervous upsets, and it helps with menstruation. It is particularly good for scrofulous systems.”

    In http://draxe.com, Dr. Axe offers seven research based benefit of Marigold flowers. They are:

    “•Lowers Inflammation and Free Radical Damage

    Research shows that calendula’s dozens of active chemicals make it a natural cytotoxic, hepatoprotective and spasmogenic herb that’s been demonstrated in both animal and human experiments. Extracts taken from the flower have been shown to lower C-reactive protein and cytokine levels and protect cells from being damaged by free radicals — one of the primary causes of aging and cell deterioration.

    “Calendula not only controls oxidative damage from free radicals that can affect delicate tissues, such as those of the eyes, but also defend against infections of the skin, GI tract and genitals caused by viruses or bacteria.

    “In addition, research also shows that calendula marigold helps fight growth of bacteria in wounds and might even be able to reduce symptoms associated with chemotherapy and cancer treatments.

    “• Reduces Eye Inflammation and Conjunctivitis

    Findings from animal studies show that calendula extract is capable of treating conjunctivitis and other chronic ocular inflammatory conditions.

    “These extracts have demonstrated antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immuno-stimulating properties that not only reduce eye infections, but protect vision by guarding delicate tissues of the eyes from the effects of UV light, deterioration/aging and oxidative damage.

    “• Has Natural Antiseptic Properties

    One well-researched use of marigold/calendula extract is applying it in drop form to the inside of the ear canal to help treat bacterial ear infections and decrease pain. It’s been found that calendula drops can lower inner-ear swelling and inflammation within just a couple short days of use, even without the use of antibiotics in some cases.

    “Due to its antifungal properties, calendula can also be used to treat vaginitis /vaginal infections and jock itch . Applying an ointment or cream containing marigold/calendula, probiotic “good bacteria” like Lactobacillus sporogenes and lactic acid to the affected area of the groin/genitals for four weeks can help decrease symptoms, including pain, itchiness, burning when urinating and dryness.

    “•Heals Skin Wounds, Burns and Rashes

    Historically, and still today, one of the most popular uses of calendula has been applying it to irritated skin (or to the eyelids and elsewhere) to reduce itchiness, redness, sensitivity, dryness and swelling. It’s been found that calendula has the ability to promote the growth of healthy new tissue, increase blood flow to the affected area, boost collagen production, which firms and strengthens skin, hydrate dry skin, and speed up the process of skin repair following surgery or damage.

    “Marigold’s ability to help treat wounds is believed to be due to stimulation of epithelial cell production, mostly as a result of the presence of glycoproteins and nucleoproteins.

    “It’s also linked to increased cell turnover and improved collagen metabolism stimulation. In folklore medicine, marigold products were applied to various ulceration (both internal and external) and wounds to prevent infections, and

    even today calendula is used post-surgery to promote faster incision healing.

    For those with dry, flaking or rash-prone skin, calendula can be combined with natural lubricating products like coconut oil or shea butter to improve skin hydration and firmness.

    “In addition, marigold is used topically in order to:

    “reduce diaper rash and protect sensitive skin, decrease the appearance of discoloration due to scarring, reduce unsightly varicose veins, treat swollen bug bites, treat burns, reduce dermatitis and eczema, reduce bruises

    heal infected cuts, soothe skin after shaving, treat ingrown hairs, reduce dandruff on the scalp, decrease other signs of poor blood flow and inflammation affecting the skin.

    “•Helps Reduce Hemorrhoid Pain

    Because marigold treatments can promote tissue healing and reduce swelling, many find that applying it topically to the anal or genital area helps reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids or anal tears (also called anal fissures). One animal study that investigated the effects of marigold treatment on bleeding wounds found that using the product for an eight-day window resulted in almost 90 percent closure of the tissue wounds, compared to only 51 percent of those who had not used the treatment.

    “6. Eases Cramps and Spasms

    Calendula’s antispasmodic actions are beneficial for relieving muscle spasms , “charley horse” pains, stomach cramps and PMS/menstrual cramps. Marigold is able to decrease cramping by improving blood flow to the painful area and lowering inflammatory responses. The florets can be consumed in tea form to help ease digestion internally and improve liver health or applied over the abdomen in ointment/extract form in order to seep into tense muscles through the skin.

    “7. Naturally Repels Bugs

    Due to their pungent odor, antioxidant content and volatile oils, marigolds can be used to naturally repel mosquitoes, pests and other insects. This is one reason marigold flowers are commonly planted in vegetable gardens and also used in extract form in candles, room or bug sprays, and many skin lotions in order to prevent mosquito bites.

    “Using marigold products on your skin helps repel bites, but you can also plant the flowers directly in your yard or garden to protect soil.

    “The flowers’ aroma works underground to keep away nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests that can eat your crops, sometimes for up to three years after being planted, according to the Farmer’s Alma

     

  • Professor of Medicine Williams dies at 76

    Professor of Medicine Williams dies at 76

    An eminent Professor of Medicine, Femi Willians, is dead.

    Williams, 76, died yesterday in circumstances yet to be ascertained.

    A family friend, who confirmed his demise last night, was too distraught to speak on how he died.

    Williams, in February, did an analysis for The Nation of what might be ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, using his photographs.

    That was the first time the President took a medical vacation to attend to his health in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigerians were asking questions about his ailment, which caused the President to stay in London for more than 50 days.

    Buhari has since May 7 returned to the UK for another round of treatment.

    Williams graduated from Trinity College, University of Dublin in 1961.

    He obtained arts and medical degrees with postgraduate medical education and fellowships in Internal Medicine and Pathology at Queens University and Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Ireland.

    He also got Board Certification in Internal Medicine and Pathology, UK and Ireland.

    He held faculty positions at Dublin University in Pathology and later at University of Ibadan.

    The late Williams was Professor and Chair of Pathology, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital Ibadan.

    He was the Foundation Dean and Chief Medical Director, College of Medicine, University of Calabar.

    He was a visiting Professor at Universities of Minnesota, Howard, Vanderbilt, New Jersey, Hopkins Cleveland Clinic as well as Executive Secretary, Science Technical Research Commission (STRC), African Union, Addis Ababa.

    The pathologist was also Chairman, Committee on Solar Energy for Africa and Chairman of Board, Africa Union Centre for Soil Science, Harare, Zimbabwe.

    He was Scholar-in-Residence, National Cancer Institute, Fogarty International Centre, Bethesda, Maryland.

    The late professor was the founder and Director, African Cancer Centre, Lagos and fellow African Academy of Science.

    He was author of over 100 peer review publications in medical journals and seven monographs/books.

    The late Williams’ statement on the President’s state of health, “Clinical diagnosis of President Buhari’s requests for medical vacation”, said Nigerians have a “constitutional right to know the health of our President”.

    “It is a moral prerogative to be concerned about our President’s health. The physical and mental well-beings of most presidents in the world are usually not shrouded in secrecy because details of the health of current and past presidents in the developed world are published in the public domain.

    “Speculations about the health of some of our leaders should not be subject to benign or malignant analyses by medically qualified and non- medically qualified pundits,” he said.

    The statement added:

    My negative findings, based on this single photograph are as follows:

    • The president is not dehydrated;
    • The president is not clinically anaemic;
    • The President is not clinically jaundiced;
    • For his age, there are no wrinkles on his forehead indicative of good preservation and nutrition; and
    • The national costume does not permit a superficial assessment of whether he has lost weight or not.

    My positive findings based on this single snapshot are as follows:

    • The photograph shows some degree of clubbing of the fingers;
    • The photo shows a small nodule on the lateral aspect of two fingers and one of these bumps has a hyper pigmented rim suggestive of an infective etiology (cause) in the recent past;
    • There is mild reduplication of skin over the knuckles (not enough for elastosis); and
    • There are multiple transverse opacities on the nails, particularly of the left hand suggestive of an infection, viral or other infections.”

  • Forensic Medicine: Questionable injuries are not acts of God (1)

    Africa and indeed Nigeria are blessed with abundant human and material resources: that is a fact. That we are underachieving and underdeveloped is a settled matter and I will not be discussing that point here. What is most concerning is the magnitude of abuse of humans and other resources that we have been blessed with to improve our lives. We the residents of this frontier called Nigeria (and Africa) are the principal perpetrators of such abuses against our fellow human beings and it has been on-going for millennia.

    A couple of weeks ago, we discussed abuse in its various forms. I pointed out then that abuse can result into physical, psychological, financial injuries or death of the victims.  Abuse is not the only cause of deaths as we all know. Deaths can result from accidents, very often as a result of one person’s negligence or the other. There is no doubt that deaths of anyone—young or old—very frequently results from natural causes such as definite disease states such as cancer.

    In the elderly, death may come due to old age.  Death may therefore not be due to natural causes. Death that is questionable may be as a consequence of a deliberate act of harm (abuse) such as beating a person to death, poisoning, burning or deprivation of necessaries. Death may also result from negligence (act of not paying due care and attention to what one is doing or  a person is not carrying out his/her duty to the standard expected of that individual and position that the person occupies).

    Now, it’s the subject of such questionable deaths and injuries that we shall explore in this article. In medical professional circle and in law, the medico-legal examination of such questionable deaths is carried out by a Coroner.

    Coroner cases are integral part of forensic medicine. It’s a very important aspect of every decent society to question and find the root causes of what caused the death or injury of a member of the society that we all belong to.

    We will examine the nature of forensic medicine and how it applies to you and the society that we live in. We will also take a look at how you and your family can benefit from forensic medical work. In addition, we will examine the reasons why forensic examination is almost a taboo or why the practice of forensic medicine suffers from a high resistance in Nigeria. First, the scope of forensic medicine and the law.

    Let us deal with the word: “Coroner”: The history of coroner and indeed the name “coroner” (from Crown) came from the English in the 11th Century England. The principal reason for establishing coroner is simply to protect the interest of the Crown in Criminal Proceedings. The coroner was formally established in England by Article 20 of the “Articles of Eyre” in September 1194 to “keep the pleas of the Crown”) from which the word “coroner” is derived. In those days, it was the duty (as its now) of the local county official to defend and protect the interest of the Crown in courts. By the year 1215 when the Magna Carta (that brought much human rights to the world as we now know it) came into being, the word “coroner” had been enshrined in law.

    Ultimately, it became established that “the person who found a body from a death thought sudden or unnatural was required to raise the “hue and cry” and to notify the coroner” and hence the modern function and meaning of a coroner . Therefore, coroner is a person whose standard role is to confirm and certify the death of an individual within a jurisdiction (say in Lagos State or Nigeria).

    With this in mind, we can now look at what is “forensic medicine”.  “The application of medical knowledge to the investigation of crime, particularly in establishing the causes of injury or death is called forensic medicine.

    The meeting point of Forensic Medicine and Coroner:  Coroner and forensic medicine indeed have a meeting point at what is called autopsy:  which means examination of the dead to find the cause of death.  To use the words of Encyclopedia Britannica, the primary tool of forensic medicine has always been the autopsy.

    Frequently used for identification of the dead, autopsies may also be conducted to determine the cause of death. In cases of death caused by a weapon, for example, the forensic pathologist ( a medical doctor)—by examining the wound—can often provide detailed information about the type of weapon used as well as important contextual information. (In a death by gunshot, for example, he can determine with reasonable accuracy the range and angle of fire.)

    Forensic medicine is a major factor in the identification of victims of disaster, such as landslide or plane crash. In cause-of-death determinations, forensic pathologists can also significantly affect the outcome of trials dealing with insurance and inheritance.

    Therefore, a common but extremely powerful tool that exposes criminality is autopsy which in the hand of a coroner can bring justice to victims even if dead. Forensic medicine as a whole can bring justice and restitution to the living injured.

    Next week, we shall examine coroner in more details.