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Tag: remedies

  • Remedies for prostate problems

    A traditional medical practitioner, who is also a priest at St. Benedictine Monastery of the Catholic Church, Ewu in Edo State, Rev Father Anselm Adodo, answers the first question. The search engine, Google, provides information on the second.

    Are herbs useful in managing prostate problems? What kind of prostate problems can be managed with herbs?

    Prostate problems are common among men of over 40 years. Three problems are associated with the prostate. They are Prostatitis, enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.  Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, sometimes caused by infection. Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), affects virtually all men over 50.  BPH is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. As a man ages, BPH becomes more common. About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 develop it, and up to 90 per cent of men over age 80 will have it. The third type of prostate problem is Prostate cancer. Most prostate cancer grows slowly and initially stays within the prostate gland, but it can spread to local lymph nodes, bones or more distant areas.

    There are many herbal remedies for prostate problems. Since we are in the season of corn, let us begin with corn. The silk from corn has been used for generations as a remedy for the symptoms of prostate enlargement. When fresh corn is in season, cut the silk and spread them to dry in an open, airy place, but not directly under the sun. When corn silk is thoroughly dried, they turned dark brown and can be kept for up to a year.  Ensure to store them in a brown paper bag, rather than in glass container, to allow some air inflow.  Add a little of the dried silk to a glass of hot water and allow to infuse for 30 minutes before drinking. It suffices to do this once a day. After a few days, you will notice that your urine flow is freer and regular, without any feeling of retention. Corn silk is especially useful for prostatitis and BPH.

    The leaves of pigeon peas are very good for prostatitis and BPH.  A woody shrub that reaches only up to 4m high upon maturity, Pigeon Pea or Cajanus cajan is grown in Nigeria and around West Africa and other tropical climates.  It is short-lived and believed to be one of the earliest of cultivated plants. It has deep tap roots hence it can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Edible parts of pigeon pea plants are the seeds, seedpods, leaves, and young shoots. Botanically, it is called Cajanus cajan. In Igbo, it is called Fiofio while Yorubas call it Otili. The plant produces hard peas that are cooked and eaten like other beans. Pictures of many of these useful plants can be found in my new book on ‘Medicinal Plants of Nigeria.’ Unlike other beans, pigeon peas have hard shells, which explains why it takes thrice as long time to cook than other beans. Pigeon peas contain high levels of protein and the essential amino acids methionine, lysine, and tryptophan. The leaves are also used for the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhages, sores, and wounds.

    Tomatoes are good for management of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (Cancerous) tumours.  Learn to add more tomatoes to your diet. Studies have shown that as little as four balls of tomatoes, either eaten raw or cooked daily can help men reduce their risk of prostate cancer by half.  Ripe tomatoes are full of lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps fight cancer.  Researchers have found that men, who consume more than 10 tomatoes each week reduce their risk by about 20 per cent.

    Cancer experts recommend eating a balanced diet, which is high in fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, fat and salt. In fact, do not eat processed meat at all. You can eat goat meat and local chicken. Local chickens are those fowls that move freely in the village or fenced compounds and are fed with corn and natural foods, not with poultry feeds. Men should still eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active.

    Watermelon seeds are excellent remedies for prostate problems. Watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, niacin and thiamine. However, lycopene, which is also present in tomato, is the most well-known phytonutrient present in watermelon. Watermelon is made up of 92 per cent water, has little or no fat, is low in sodium and also low in calories.  Fruits like watermelon allow the human body to function optimally because of the high contents of antioxidants. Antioxidants are excellent protection against cancer, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, while Amino Acids boost the body’s immune system, thereby protecting against all forms of diseases.  Lycopene, which is also present in tomatoes, grapefruits, and guava, is beneficial for a healthy heart, healthy bone, and helps to prevent prostate cancer.

    Pumpkin seeds are used to treat painful urination, which accompanies an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous. The seeds contain diuretic properties and plenty of zinc, which helps repair and build the immune system. The tastiest way to enjoy pumpkin seeds is to eat them plain. Remove the shells and don’t add salt. You can also crush the fresh seeds and soak a tablespoon in a glass of hot water and allow cooling; before drinking.

  • Remedies for prostate problems

    Are herbs useful in managing prostate problems? What kind of prostate problems can be managed with herbs?

    Prostate problems are common among men of over 40 years. Three problems are associated with the prostate. They are Prostatitis, enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.  Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, sometimes caused by infection. Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), affects virtually all men over 50.  BPH is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. As a man ages, BPH becomes more common. About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 develop it, and up to 90 per cent of men over age 80 will have it. The third type of prostate problem is Prostate cancer. Most prostate cancer grows slowly and initially stays within the prostate gland, but it can spread to local lymph nodes, bones or more distant areas.

    There are many herbal remedies for prostate problems. Since we are in the season of corn, let us begin with corn. The silk from corn has been used for generations as a remedy for the symptoms of prostate enlargement. When fresh corn is in season, cut the silk and spread them to dry in an open, airy place, but not directly under the sun. When corn silk is thoroughly dried, they turned dark brown and can be kept for up to a year.  Ensure to store them in a brown paper bag, rather than in glass container, to allow some air inflow.  Add a little of the dried silk to a glass of hot water and allow to infuse for 30 minutes before drinking. It suffices to do this once a day. After a few days, you will notice that your urine flow is freer and regular, without any feeling of retention. Corn silk is especially useful for prostatitis and BPH.

    The leaves of pigeon peas are very good for prostatitis and BPH.  A woody shrub that reaches only up to 4m high upon maturity, Pigeon Pea or Cajanus cajan is grown in Nigeria and around West Africa and other tropical climates.  It is short-lived and believed to be one of the earliest of cultivated plants. It has deep tap roots hence it can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Edible parts of pigeon pea plants are the seeds, seedpods, leaves, and young shoots. Botanically, it is called Cajanus cajan. In Igbo, it is called Fiofio while Yorubas call it Otili. The plant produces hard peas that are cooked and eaten like other beans. Pictures of many of these useful plants can be found in my new book on ‘Medicinal Plants of Nigeria.’ Unlike other beans, pigeon peas have hard shells, which explains why it takes thrice as long time to cook than other beans. Pigeon peas contain high levels of protein and the essential amino acids methionine, lysine, and tryptophan. The leaves are also used for the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhages, sores, and wounds.

    Tomatoes are good for management of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (Cancerous) tumours.  Learn to add more tomatoes to your diet. Studies have shown that as little as four balls of tomatoes, either eaten raw or cooked daily can help men reduce their risk of prostate cancer by half.  Ripe tomatoes are full of lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps fight cancer.  Researchers have found that men, who consume more than 10 tomatoes each week reduce their risk by about 20 per cent.

    Cancer experts recommend eating a balanced diet, which is high in fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, fat and salt. In fact, do not eat processed meat at all. You can eat goat meat and local chicken. Local chickens are those fowls that move freely in the village or fenced compounds and are fed with corn and natural foods, not with poultry feeds. Men should still eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active.

    Watermelon seeds are excellent remedies for prostate problems. Watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, niacin and thiamine. However, lycopene, which is also present in tomato, is the most well-known phytonutrient present in watermelon. Watermelon is made up of 92 per cent water, has little or no fat, is low in sodium and also low in calories.  Fruits like watermelon allow the human body to function optimally because of the high contents of antioxidants. Antioxidants are excellent protection against cancer, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, while Amino Acids boost the body’s immune system, thereby protecting against all forms of diseases.  Lycopene, which is also present in tomatoes, grapefruits, and guava, is beneficial for a healthy heart, healthy bone, and helps to prevent prostate cancer.

    Pumpkin seeds are used to treat painful urination, which accompanies an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous. The seeds contain diuretic properties and plenty of zinc, which helps repair and build the immune system. The tastiest way to enjoy pumpkin seeds is to eat them plain. Remove the shells and don’t add salt. You can also crush the fresh seeds and soak a tablespoon in a glass of hot water and allow cooling; before drinking.

  • Remedies for hot flashes

    Remedies for hot flashes

    Hot flashes are symptoms of menopause. They are characterised by sudden body heat, flushing, and sweating. Other unpleasant symptoms often coincide with hot flashes, include- weight gain, mood swings, depression, loss of libido and sexual dysfunction.

    According to a Naturopath of Herbs’ Villa Ventures, Lagos Prof Theophilus Lambo luckily, there are several treatment options for hot flashes. Your choices range from medications and herbal supplements to lifestyle changes. The most important thing to note is how and what you can use to help stay cool.

    He described Hot flash as a quick feeling of heat and sometimes a red, flushed face and sweating. The exact cause of hot flashes is not known, but they may be related to changes in circulation. Hot flashes happen when the blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate to cool, making you break out in a sweat.

    Prof Lambo said it is true that hot flashes can strike at any time of the day, but they are also more frequent during times of stress, as he added that stress reduction techniques may decrease the frequency of hot flashes. So it is good to consider taking some time for: yoga, meditation and visualisation, guided breathing, and walking.

    He said some of these techniques also have the benefit of improving sleep quality. Even taking a few minutes alone to read a book, sing out loud, or simply sit outside can do wonders in terms of relaxation.

    The Naturopath draws attention to the role of food and cautioned that women in that menopausal age should watch what they eat, “Certain foods and drinks that naturally increase body temperature can worsen hot flashes. Spicy foods, caffeinated beverages, high-fat and high-sugar diets, and alcohol have all been implicated in increasing the severity and frequency of hot flashes,” he explained.

    Prof Lambo said fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, reduced hot flashes. “Your experience might be different, but eating plant-based foods is associated with better health outcomes for virtually everyone, so it can’t hurt to try. What foods and drinks trigger your hot flashes and limit or completely avoid them if you can. Regularly sipping on cool beverages throughout the day may help keep your body temperature down and thereby reduce hot flashes,” he added.

    Generally, it is believed that there is nothing one can do to avoid hot flashes during menopause. But one can stay away from triggers that make hot flashes more frequent or more severe. Common ones include- stress, caffeine, alcohol, Spicy foods, tight clothing, heat or cigarette smoke.

    But overtime, “Black cohosh is among the most popular herbs for treating hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

    “The root of the plant is used in capsules and, less commonly, tea. Both forms are found in most health food stores and available online. Although the exact mechanism of black Cohosh is unknown, researchers believe it binds to estrogen receptors or stimulates serotonin receptors,” said Prof Lambo.

     

  • Remedies for ulcer

    Remedies for ulcer

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Franel Phytotherapy Clinic, Ikotun, Lagos, Dr Francis Elegbuo, answers the first question on ulcer. Consultant Homeopath/ Magnetotherapist Dr Cyril Omisande of Cyrillic Holistic Health Clinic, Magnet House, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State answers the second on magnetic field.

    Contrary to popular belief, neither stress, nor spicy foods, another commonly blamed culprit, causes ulcers. They can, however, exacerbate ulcers. Peptic ulcers —sores in the lining of the stomach or intestines—can largely be blamed on a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a spiral-shaped micro-organism that can live in the human digestive system.

    A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, is a sore or lesion that develops in the lining of the stomach. It can also occur in the upper part of the intestine. Stomach ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach or upper intestine gets irritated by the harmful effects of stomach acid.

    The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is burning sensation or pain in the area between your chest and belly button. The pain can last for a few minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the ulcer. Other symptoms include poor appetite, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, belching, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Also, dull, aching, abdominal pain that comes and goes over an extended period of time, burping and bloating, and loss of appetite

    People of any age can get stomach ulcers and women are affected as frequently as men. It must be treated immediately or else the ulcer can get worse.

    Researchers are not completely certain about how the bacteria spread, but several likely routes have been discovered. Contact with human fecal matter, kissing or sharing saliva with someone who is infected, or ingesting contaminated food or drinking water.

    Ulcers can cause serious problems including internal bleeding, blockage of food as it leaves the stomach, and/or holes in the intestines. Symptoms needing immediate attention include: sudden, sharp, and persistent abdominal pain, black or bloody stools and vomit that contains blood or looks similar to coffee grounds.

    A good way to prevent ulcer is to guard against infection by H. pylori and  avoid activities that weaken the protective lining of the stomach. Here are some common recommendations:

    Avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) regularly. These medications can damage the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Long-term and/or regular use of NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, may increase the risk for ulcers. If you must take these medications, try taking them with a meal to reduce irritation to the stomach.

    Quit using tobacco if you have not already. Some research has shown that smoking may exacerbate symptoms and slow the healing of ulcers.

    Limit the use of alcohol. They  increase stomach acid and irritate the stomach, possibly making it more susceptible to ulceration.

    Wash your hands frequently. Be sure to wash your hands completely, tops and palms, using soap and water after using the bathroom, and dry them well. H. pylori can be transmitted through human stools.

    Drink water from clean sources. Contaminated water can contain H. pylori. Health care providers usually treat ulcers caused by H. pylori with antibiotics and other drugs. If you’re having some of these or other symptoms, and you are worried you might have an ulcer, make an appointment with your health care provider. She/he will  examine you, if necessary, so that the course of treatment can be determined for you.

    Here are other alternative ways to reduce inflammation and strengthens the stomach lining, so as to prevent ulcer:

    Banana: Both ripe and unripe bananas are very effective. There are certain antibacterial compounds in bananas that inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori. To treat an ulcer eat at least three ripe bananas a day. If you do not like eating bananas, you can make banana milkshakes. Alternatively, peel two or three bananas and cut them into thin slices. Put the slices in the sun until they become dry, and eat.

    Cabbage: Being a lactic acid food, cabbage helps produce amino acid that stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining. This in turn helps strengthen the stomach lining and heal the ulcer. Cut one half of a raw head of cabbage and two carrots into small pieces and put them in a blender to extract the juice. Drink one-half cup of this juice before each meal and at bedtime. Repeat daily for a few weeks. Be sure to use fresh juice each time.

    Cayenne Pepper: Surprisingly, cayenne pepper is another very effective remedy for treating stomach ulcers. Mix one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of warm water. Drink it twice a day for the first two to three days. Gradually increase the amount of cayenne pepper up to one-quarter-teaspoon twice daily for the rest of the week. Alternatively, take cayenne capsules that you can buy at health food stores. Take three capsules a day immediately after meals for one week. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to soups, meats and other savory dishes.

    Coconut: Coconut is very good for people suffering from stomach ulcers because of its antibacterial qualities. It kills the bacteria that cause ulcers. Moreover, coconut milk and coconut water have anti-ulcer properties. Drink a few cups of fresh coconut milk or tender coconut water daily. Also, eat the kernel of the tender coconut. Follow this treatment for at least one week to get positive results. Alternatively, take one tablespoon of coconut oil in the morning and another at night for one week.

    Raw honey: It has potent healing properties that help a lot in the treatment of stomach ulcers. An enzyme called glucose oxidase in honey produces hydrogen peroxide, which in turn kills harmful bacteria that cause ulcers. It also soothes and reduces the inflammation of the stomach lining.

    Take two tablespoons of raw honey daily, early in the morning on an empty stomach. It will help cleanse the bowel, strengthen the stomach lining, and prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

  • ‘Causes ‘ll determine remedies for men’s poor libido’

    ‘Causes ‘ll determine remedies for men’s poor libido’

    As we age, our energy, stamina and virility level reduces. Many men have problems with their sexual lives, which we will rather not admit because of our ego. But it is high time we did so, as there are effective natural remedies guaranteed to reverse such problems.

    Indeed, of what use is it for your “third leg” to fail to perform adequately on the field of play and when it matters most. This could be most embarrassing not only for you but equally for your woman. That is why you must ensure it does not happen to you at all and or not again.

    The good news for men is that nature has provided us with several herbs to help men suffering low sex drive/low libido, weak erection, premature ejaculation and others.

    There are herbs in nature’s pharmacy for increasing and stabilising testosterone production and others that soothe and calm nerves. Most of them are essential in increasing the men’s libido and are available in my stable.

    A man should consult his physician/healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplements. This is because one needs to understand the cause and health profile of a man before providing solution. For instance, prolonged stress and poor circulation are common causes of diminished libido in men. Not only will Korean ginseng (paxan ginseng) increase your blood circulation, but it also has the added benefit of working on your central nervous system to calm nerves and quiet anxiety. It is the most commonly prescribed treatment for low sex drive in men in Japan and China. Korean ginseng is available in standardised powder, tablet and tincture form.

    A less common cause of low sex drive is low testosterone production. Wild oats will increase its production. There is also the extract from wild oat straw, avena sativa, which will free up and increase your circulation of testosterone. Read labels, many extracts available lack the essential active ingredient avenacosides. Stinging nettle root will work in conjunction with wild oats and avena sativa by keeping your testosterone in an active form and available for use. Nervines are a group herbs that work directly on the central nervous system. They can bring you to a more relaxed state of mind, which is required for a healthy sexual libido. Herbal aphrodisiacs increase sexual arousal and desire, usually in a short amount of time.The strongest natural aphrodisiac available is yohimbe. Take caution when taking this herb. It works so quickly that it can have a sharp and sudden change in blood pressure.

    Other, more subtle herbal aphrodisiacs include sarsaparilla, horny goat weed, damiana and maca. You can also increase your sex drive by including zinc and kelp into your diet, which are also aphrodisiacs.These are what helped our forefathers to maintain great virility despite old age. They are what they took from time to time to enhance performance. The secret of how they impress their many wives and concubines. You can also benefit from the secret and surely change your sexual life for the better. These herbs are good for intense sexual pleasure and stamina for repeat pleasurable performances, not stimulants; they are very natural, effective and highly guaranteed to work.

  • Simple do it yourself remedies for unbearable mouth odour, offensive general body & vaginal odour

    Simple do it yourself remedies for unbearable mouth odour, offensive general body & vaginal odour

    Smelly conditions of the body can be socially traumatizing  for any body , and indeed  except for infants, nearly all persons irrespective of race, sex and social class   can  develop any one or all of the very disturbing problems stated above.  Add  athletes foot (tinea pedis)  of rotten flesh most commonly in the space between the 4t and fifth toes and the spectrum  is  almost complete.

    Smelly conditions  of the human body are very  challenging to health care professionals in terms of resistance to treatment.  Though   drug treatment  options are available, frustration and disappointment often attend  treatment efforts. For this and other reasons, Doctors and the patients that daily trouble them with tales of treatment failure understandably  develop treatment  fatigue.

    For these  conditions  bothering on social medicine, conditions, nomenclature   by  way of different  medical names have continued to  emerge such as; ozochrotia,  bromhidrosis, osmidrosis, fetor corporis etc.,  for body odour, and  then  the fairly well known  term; halitosis for mouth odour

    Associated Factors

    Thus an individual with body odour may have  the smell coming from  the mouth, ear, nose, throat, the anus, axilla (armpit), the vagina, the groin region, the pubic region (for those who keep pubic hair unshaved) the umbilical region (navel) ,the urinary tract, the feet, fingers, hair,  and of course not to forget the cloths , handkerchief or stockings he or she is wearing at the time

    Generally,   food, race, gender, health status, medication, occupation and geographical location are the main factors  usually  given priority when considering malodourant conditions of the body.

    In terms of health status,  a number of  disease conditions are  directly associated with  characteristic odour. These include obesity, diseases of the heart, kidney, liver, the thyroid gland, the pancreas and throat, and for halitosis, various conditions of the teeth, gums and tongue. However, failure to properly clean  certain parts of the mouth including the tongue, roof of the mouth, as well as the  use of the wrong tooth paste and hard tooth brush can also be responsible for bad mouth odour

    It is  not uncommon to find  patients with  metabolic  conditions such as diabetes mellitus (fruity odour) and hypertension presenting with  certain easily recognizable  kinds of malodour .

    In Africa, a common  complication  of HIV/AIDS , is mycobacterium tuberculosis, pulmonary or disseminated, unlike in America and Europe where Pneumocystis Carini Pneumonitis is the predominant co infection. Both conditions are associated invariably with hyperhidrosis particularly at night, and usually by day time , so much interaction with bacteria will have taken place as to result in off-putting body odour

    Diseases of the urinary tract  and the genitalia are in a different class of their own when it comes to bad vaginal odour; they may or may not be coexistent with infections; viral as in Herpes Simplex Genitalis, Human Papilloma virus , bacterial as in Gonorrhea and Chanccroid(caused by Hemophilus Ducreyi) ; The terrible ones amongst them include the foamy vaginal odour of Trichomonas vaginalis , the foetid smell of bacterial urethrovaginitis. The odour of Cervical cancer when it has invaded adjacent tissues and of the woman with vesicovaginal fistulae can be picked up 100 yards away, For the woman with no obvious pathology in the Genitourinary system, poor personal hygiene mostly from laziness and habit  is the contending issue. When the vagina  is not  properly and  regularly washed with soap(neutral soaps-Neutrogena), it takes on the odour of the anus with the passage of time .

    As concerns menopause, observations  and comments have  been   made  with particular reference to  women  in the transitional menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal  periods. Similar observations and remarks have been reported concerning senility.  The period  is associated with gradual reduction in the female  hormone estrogen, and the  unchallenged  elevation in  the  level of progesterone; consequently, there is episodic dilatation  activities affecting  nearly all vessels, but particularly those supplying the face .These hot flushes  in many affected individuals  equally stimulate activities of apocrine glands, which release most of the chemicals  available in different parts of the body for bacteria to breakdown and produce offensive odour .  This goes  to support the argument that  time produces disintegration which  for  Homosapiens,  is   dependent on many factors  that  are  largely  destructive rather than constructive .Every one should  therefore as a matter of necessity be made aware of this fact , so the process can be slowed  and not accelerated or complicated.

    Remedies

    There are as always pharmacologic and non pharmacologic approaches to medical matters

    It is strongly recommended that you see your family Physician for  solutions to your  medical problems but  it is certainly not possible  that in all cases, success will attend his efforts . and that is why  simple preventive measures are  frequently worthy of consideration.

    Remedies can be divided into  two classes; general and specific

    General Firstly, it is relevant to  note here that these conditions are usually difficult to discuss with anyone. The African  woman  for  reasons of culture amongst others  would not tell a partner or husband that  he has a  mouth that smells. Just as  a Nigerian African  may find it difficult to tell his wife that the latter has  a  repulsive vaginal odour  instead of the usual  aphrodisiac  vaginal smell.

    The first  step to  painstakingly search for any  underlying medical conditions and report these to the  medical specialists

    Unlike the situation in Europe and America, Africa is hot most of the year, and even getting hotter with climate change and global warming;  to complicate matters, power is  neither available not steady . It therefore makes sense while you are here  to limit the number of times

    you cover your self with nylon pants, stockings, underclothes , shirts, and suits

    Wash yourself as often as necessary ,paying attention to the hollow regions of the body as well as the openings.

    Begin and maintain a diet  low in protein and  high in vegetables  and fruits

    Avoid using soaps creams and lotions you do not fully understand

    The skin lightening creams and soaps which contain quinolones cause hyperhidrosis; the excessive sweat  chemicals from the apocrine glands will nearly always cause offensive body odour  when broken down by skin  bacteria (worse when antibiotic soaps used)

    Stop these skin lightening creams, and lotions immediately

    SPECIFIC Washing of the anus and vagina should be done as frequently and as thoroughly as possible, as long as you avoid  using medicated soaps

    Cleaning of the mouth is incomplete without  properly  cleaning the tongue , and roof of the mouth

    The  longer the time the teeth and mouth are left uncleaned the greater  the time available for the hundreds of bacteria in the mouth to complete their periods of incubation and cause diseases of the mouth. This is  particularly bad for  young adults and  kids who love sugary stuff

    Brush your teeth  at least thrice a day and any other time you feel uncomfortable with the condition of your mouth .  Chose a mild brush and  tooth pastes

    Remove pubic hair if you are lazy and can’t properly take care of it. Same thing goes for your scalp hair

    For  athlete’s foot (smelly rotten flesh between the toes), salt sugar solution, prepared in a special way yields amazing results Smelly conditions of the body can be socially traumatizing  for any body , and indeed  except for infants, nearly all persons irrespective of race, sex and social class   can  develop any one or all of the very disturbing problems stated above.  Add  athletes foot (tinea pedis)  of rotten flesh most commonly in the space between the 4t and fifth toes and the spectrum  is  almost complete.

    Smelly conditions  of the human body are very  challenging to health care professionals in terms of resistance to treatment.  Though   drug treatment  options are available, frustration and disappointment often attend  treatment efforts. For this and other reasons, Doctors and the patients that daily trouble them with tales of treatment failure understandably  develop treatment  fatigue.

    For these  conditions  bothering on social medicine, conditions, nomenclature   by  way of different  medical names have continued to  emerge such as; ozochrotia,  bromhidrosis, osmidrosis, fetor corporis etc.,  for body odour, and  then  the fairly well known  term; halitosis for mouth odour

    Associated Factors

    Thus an individual with body odour may have  the smell coming from  the mouth, ear, nose, throat, the anus, axilla (armpit), the vagina, the groin region, the pubic region (for those who keep pubic hair unshaved) the umbilical region (navel) ,the urinary tract, the feet, fingers, hair,  and of course not to forget the cloths , handkerchief or stockings he or she is wearing at the time

    Generally,   food, race, gender, health status, medication, occupation and geographical location are the main factors  usually  given priority when considering malodourant conditions of the body.

    In terms of health status,  a number of  disease conditions are  directly associated with  characteristic odour. These include obesity, diseases of the heart, kidney, liver, the thyroid gland, the pancreas and throat, and for halitosis, various conditions of the teeth, gums and tongue. However, failure to properly clean  certain parts of the mouth including the tongue, roof of the mouth, as well as the  use of the wrong tooth paste and hard tooth brush can also be responsible for bad mouth odour

    It is  not uncommon to find  patients with  metabolic  conditions such as diabetes mellitus (fruity odour) and hypertension presenting with  certain easily recognizable  kinds of malodour .

    In Africa, a common  complication  of HIV/AIDS , is mycobacterium tuberculosis, pulmonary or disseminated, unlike in America and Europe where Pneumocystis Carini Pneumonitis is the predominant co infection. Both conditions are associated invariably with hyperhidrosis particularly at night, and usually by day time , so much interaction with bacteria will have taken place as to result in off-putting body odour

    Diseases of the urinary tract  and the genitalia are in a different class of their own when it comes to bad vaginal odour; they may or may not be coexistent with infections; viral as in Herpes Simplex Genitalis, Human Papilloma virus , bacterial as in Gonorrhea and Chanccroid(caused by Hemophilus Ducreyi) ; The terrible ones amongst them include the foamy vaginal odour of Trichomonas vaginalis , the foetid smell of bacterial urethrovaginitis. The odour of Cervical cancer when it has invaded adjacent tissues and of the woman with vesicovaginal fistulae can be picked up 100 yards away, For the woman with no obvious pathology in the Genitourinary system, poor personal hygiene mostly from laziness and habit  is the contending issue. When the vagina  is not  properly and  regularly washed with soap(neutral soaps-Neutrogena), it takes on the odour of the anus with the passage of time .

    As concerns menopause, observations  and comments have  been   made  with particular reference to  women  in the transitional menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal  periods. Similar observations and remarks have been reported concerning senility.  The period  is associated with gradual reduction in the female  hormone estrogen, and the  unchallenged  elevation in  the  level of progesterone; consequently, there is episodic dilatation  activities affecting  nearly all vessels, but particularly those supplying the face .These hot flushes  in many affected individuals  equally stimulate activities of apocrine glands, which release most of the chemicals  available in different parts of the body for bacteria to breakdown and produce offensive odour .  This goes  to support the argument that  time produces disintegration which  for  Homosapiens,  is   dependent on many factors  that  are  largely  destructive rather than constructive .Every one should  therefore as a matter of necessity be made aware of this fact , so the process can be slowed  and not accelerated or complicated.

    Remedies

    There are as always pharmacologic and non pharmacologic approaches to medical matters

    It is strongly recommended that you see your family Physician for  solutions to your  medical problems but  it is certainly not possible  that in all cases, success will attend his efforts . and that is why  simple preventive measures are  frequently worthy of consideration.

    Remedies can be divided into  two classes; general and specific

    General Firstly, it is relevant to  note here that these conditions are usually difficult to discuss with anyone. The African  woman  for  reasons of culture amongst others  would not tell a partner or husband that  he has a  mouth that smells. Just as  a Nigerian African  may find it difficult to tell his wife that the latter has  a  repulsive vaginal odour  instead of the usual  aphrodisiac  vaginal smell.

    The first  step to  painstakingly search for any  underlying medical conditions and report these to the  medical specialists

    Unlike the situation in Europe and America, Africa is hot most of the year, and even getting hotter with climate change and global warming;  to complicate matters, power is  neither available not steady . It therefore makes sense while you are here  to limit the number of times

    you cover your self with nylon pants, stockings, underclothes , shirts, and suits

    Wash yourself as often as necessary ,paying attention to the hollow regions of the body as well as the openings.

    Begin and maintain a diet  low in protein and  high in vegetables  and fruits

    Avoid using soaps creams and lotions you do not fully understand

    The skin lightening creams and soaps which contain quinolones cause hyperhidrosis; the excessive sweat  chemicals from the apocrine glands will nearly always cause offensive body odour  when broken down by skin  bacteria (worse when antibiotic soaps used)

    Stop these skin lightening creams, and lotions immediately

    SPECIFIC Washing of the anus and vagina should be done as frequently and as thoroughly as possible, as long as you avoid  using medicated soaps

    Cleaning of the mouth is incomplete without  properly  cleaning the tongue , and roof of the mouth

    The  longer the time the teeth and mouth are left uncleaned the greater  the time available for the hundreds of bacteria in the mouth to complete their periods of incubation and cause diseases of the mouth. This is  particularly bad for  young adults and  kids who love sugary stuff

    Brush your teeth  at least thrice a day and any other time you feel uncomfortable with the condition of your mouth .  Chose a mild brush and  tooth pastes

    Remove pubic hair if you are lazy and can’t properly take care of it. Same thing goes for your scalp hair

    For  athlete’s foot (smelly rotten flesh between the toes), salt sugar solution, prepared in a special way yields amazing results

  • Home remedies for cough

    Cough is one of the most common health problems. When there is a blockage or irritant in your throat or upper air passages, your brain thinks a foreign element is present and tells your body to cough to remove that element. Cough can also be due to a viral infection, common cold, flu, and smoking or health problems. such as asthma, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.

    Some of the symptoms of a cough are itchy throat, chest pain, and congestion. Instead of using over-the-counter cough syrups, you can try some natural treatments using readily available ingredients in your kitchen.

    Here are the top 10 home remedies for a cough.

    Turmeric

    The herb turmeric has a therapeutic effect on coughs, particularly a dry cough.

    •You can make a sort of herbal tea by adding one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of carom seeds to a cup of water, and boil it until water reduces to one-half cup. Add some honey and drink this herbal solution two to three times a day.

    •Another way to use turmeric is to roast turmeric root and grind it into a smooth powder. Mix it with water and honey, and drink it twice a day.

    •You can also put one tablespoon honey and one teaspoon each of turmeric and black pepper in half a cup of water. You can add cinnamon sticks too. Boil it for two to three minutes. Drink it daily until your cough subsides.

    Ginger

    Ginger is one of the most popular natural cures for a cough.

    •Cut fresh ginger into small slices and crush them slightly. Put them in a cup of water and bring to a boil. Drink this herbal solution three to four times a day for relief from sore throat, non-stop coughing and even congestion.

    •You can also chew fresh raw ginger on and off throughout the day to reduce your cough symptoms.

    Lemon

    Lemons can be used in a variety of ways for curing coughs. Lemons have properties that reduce inflammation and also provide a dose of infection-fighting vitamin C.

    •A simple cough syrup can be made by combining two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey and heating it until warm. Drink this healthy syrup several times a day.

    •You can also make your favorite tea and add ginger, honey and lemon and drink it as often as you want.

    •Another way to use lemons is to blend lemon juice with a little honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper and then drink it.

    Garlic

    Garlic has both antibacterial and antimicrobial components that help treat coughs.

    •Boil two to three cloves of garlic in a cup of water and add a teaspoon of oregano. Allow it to cool to room temperature, add some honey and drink it. This will help your breathing and alleviate other cough symptoms.

    •Eat a clove of crushed garlic mixed with a few drops of clove oil and some honey for sore throat relief. You can also use garlic in your cooking.

    5. Onion

    One of the simplest home remedies for a cough is to cut onions. Breathing in the strong vapors can help stop coughing.

    ·           You can also make a cough syrup from baked onion juice, comfrey tea and honey. Drink it daily to get relief from a dry cough.

    ·           Another option is to combine one-half teaspoon of onion juice with one teaspoon of pure honey. Swallow this solution at least twice a day to alleviate a cough and soothe your throat.

    6. Hot Milk with Honey

    Hot milk with honey can relieve a dry cough and reduce chest pain you may be experiencing from continuous coughing. For best results, drink it before going to sleep. For added benefits from the analgesic properties of honey, swallow a teaspoon of plain honey on empty stomach. This will help clear the mucus and soothe your throat.

    Source: www.top10homeremedies.com

     

     

     

  • Remedies for sleeplessness

    Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a herb that has been long used as a remedy for insomnia. Today, it is an over-the-counter insomnia remedy in Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.

    Exactly how valerian works in the body is still not well understood. Some studies suggest that like conventional sleeping pills, valerian may affect levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

    Unlike many other sleep medications, valerian is not believed to be addictive or cause grogginess in the morning. But valerian doesn’t work for everyone. And although studies in labs have been encouraging, clinical trials are still inconclusive.

    Valerian is usually taken between an hour before bedtime. It takes about two to three weeks to work. It shouldn’t be used for more than three months at a time. Side effects of valerian may include mild indigestion, headache, palpitations, and dizziness. Although valerian tea and liquid extracts are available, most people don’t like the smell of valerian and prefer taking the capsule form.

    Valerian shouldn’t be taken with many medications, especially those that depress the central nervous system, such as sedatives and antihistamines. Valerian shouldn’t be taken with alcohol, before or after surgery, or by people with liver disease. It should not be taken before driving or operating machinery. Consultation with a qualified health practitioner is recommended.

    Melatonin

    Melatonin is a popular remedy to help people fall asleep when the sleep/wake cycle has been disturbed, such as in shift workers or people who with jet lag. Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. The pineal gland in the brain makes serotonin which is then converted into melatonin at night when exposure to light decreases.

    •Source: www.altmedicine.about.com

  • Sanctions, remedies under Nigeria’s merger control law

    Sanctions, remedies under Nigeria’s merger control law

    However, for all their positive contributions, mergers also create potential problemsfor competition byincreasing the level of concentration of a given industry. Depending on whether the merger is horizontal, vertical or conglomerate, it could raise a number of competition concerns. A horizontal merger could eliminate a present competitive force from the market. Generally, a market in which there are 2 competitors from a competitive perspective is worse than one in which there are 3 competitors. To the extent that a merger creates that effect because it leads to a reduction in number of competitors, it is suspect. Vertical mergers may result in a predatory foreclosure effect or profit squeeze which ultimately may lead to the elimination of a competitor, and in the process may lead to the extension of market power from one level of the market to another. Conglomerate mergers though generally very benign may hurt competition, where for example, the introduction of a big company into a market in which it did not operate,through another company which it has acquired operating in that market, may adversely affect the competitive conditions in the market. This could be by raising the psychological barriers to entry in the market, subsidization of predation in the new market with profits from other markets in which the conglomerate is dominant, and creation of potential reciprocity situations where in imperfect markets, the merged entity’s buying power can be used to induce others to buy its products or services in other markets, when ordinarily they wouldnot, thus foreclosing the market from competitors.

    It is precisely for the above reasons that in recognizing that mergers could be beneficial and at the same time potentially harmful, competition laws provide, as the ISA 2007 has done, for a mandatory pre-notification of all M&A transactions to the competition bodies, the role which the SEC plays in Nigeria in the absence of a competition authority.

    Can there be sanctions for non-notified M&A transactions and if so, what?

    In relation to this question, it is important to recognise at the outset that the ISA 2007 has under section 13(p) invested the SEC with the foundational power “to review, regulate and approve mergers, acquisitions, takeovers and all forms of business combinations and affected transactions of all companies in Nigeria.” This foundational power is reinforced by the specific provisions in Part XII, ss. 118 – 128 of the ISA, the most fundamental, as mentioned above,being the obligation for a mandatory pre-notification of qualifying M&A transactions under section 118(1) of the ISA. As mentioned earlier, a noticeable feature of the regime under Part XII is what appears to be a lacuna or gap in the law, in the sense that while the law clearly prescribes an obligation to pre-notify mergers for approval, it does notprescribe the penalty or consequence should parties choose not to heed this obligation. This lacuna therefore creates some confusion as to whether non-compliance is punishable or whether what we have is really a legal exhortation rather than an obligation.

    The author is of the view, for reasons proffered hereunder, that the absence of a specific penalty clause backing up the merger notification obligation does not support the conclusion that failure to notify is not punishable or attracts no consequence. First, one must recognise that Nigerian merger control regime, unlike the regime in other jurisdictions,does not exist within an autonomous competition law system, but exists as part of our wider securities regulation system in which the SEC is the apex or super-regulator. In the context of effective regulation, the ISA has invested the SEC with a swathe of sanction powers, from the criminal to the civil and administrative, coupled with the power to impose other remedies such as behavioural and reputational sanctions (see e.g. section 305(3(c) ISA 2007). It is to be stated therefore as a first proposition that where a violation occurs in the context of a merger transaction, there is no reason of principle or law why the SEC cannot impose or activate any of the sanction powers and provisions that exist within the ISA which the SEC enforces. Further, although Part XII of the ISA is silent on the consequence of non-notification of M&A transactions, for the reason stated above, to wit, the fact that Nigerian merger control regime at the moment is part of its wider securities regulation system, it appears that the gap in failing to provide for sanction for not notifying qualifying M&A transactions is filled by a provision such as section 303 of the ISA which provides a default sanction power for violation of any provision of the ISA or any rule or regulation made thereunder.Section 303(1) of the ISA provides: “Except as otherwise specifically provided under the provisions of this Act, any person who violates or contributes in the violation of the provisions of this Act or of any rule and regulations made thereunder is liable to a penalty of not less than N100,000 (about $600) and a further sum of N5000 ($30) per day for every day that the violation continues.”

    It is our view that parties who have not notified their merger transactions as the ISA stipulates under section 118 of the ISA are potentially liable to the general penalty regime under section 303 of the ISA. Interesting questions thereby raised, are: whether the section 303 default sanction provisions are sufficient and effective to induce compliance with the mandatory obligation to pre-notify as prescribed under section 118? In practice, are merging parties motivated to do a cost-benefit analysis and assess if the gains from non-compliance, such as the fact that transactions can proceed speedily and not suffer a delay from awaiting a decision by the SEC, outweigh the possible pains of non-compliance. Given the paltry sum provided for under section 303 of the ISA, the attraction not to comply is real and parties may conceive that itmakescommercial sense to proceed with the transaction and damn the financial sanctions.

    It appears that the default financial sanction provisions under section 303 of the ISA may not have had the potential pernicious consequences created by bad mergers in mind, but as said, applies only because it is just a default provision. One can contrast this with provisions such as Article 14 of Council Regulation 139/2004 of 20th of January 2004 (the European Merger Regulation) that imposes fines on M&A parties of up to 10% of the annual turnover of the enterprises for failure to notify and get pre-approved their M&A transactions to the European Commission, and fines of up to 1 per cent of the annual turnover for supply of incorrect information or generally for failure of merger parties to cooperate with the European Commission in investigating a merger. A similar financial penalty provision exists in almost all merger control regimes in the world, including of recent the supra-national merger control regime of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which came into force on 14 January 2013. The COMESA supra-national merger control regime provides for a fine up to 10% of the combined annual turnover in the COMESA Common Market of parties who failed to notify their merger transactions.

    The problem with the Nigerian system remains the fact that merger control is not really viewed, as it should, from the prism of antitrust or competition protection, but more from the prism of securities regulation. SEC is not an antitrust body but a securities regulator. This then raises the ideological dilemma of antitrust enforcement, as we have it in Nigeria under the ISA, subsumed within securities regulation. Thus, can SEC at the same time be effectively both a securities regulator and a guardian of competition (the role played by a competition authority)? This is also the dilemma of the hermaphrodite. Can the hermaphrodite effectively be both male and female; that is, effectively use its two sexes, or must one sex bow in deference to the other?

    Against the above discussions, on the question of whether SEC can impose fines for failure to notify an M&A transaction, in the absence of specific sanctions to back up the obligation of mandatory pre-notification under section 118, the submission is that indeed the SEC can impose fines; and this is as prescribed under section 303 of the ISA. Beyond fines on the legal entities involved in the transaction, there is no reason why the SEC cannot impose administrative sanctions even on officials and advisers of the parties involved in the non-notified M&A transaction. The basis for the later is section 151(6) of the ISA which gives to SEC the power to “impose administrative sanctions on any person or persons contravening any of the provisions of this part of the Act”; and section 118 imposing mandatory pre-notification obligation is in the same part of the Act as section 151 of the ISA.

    Will the non-notified transaction

    be dismantled?

    A different question relates to whether monetary sanctions under section 303 is exhaustive or if in addition to it, the SEC is empowered to impose a dissolution or reversal of the non-notified M&A transaction. Although the answer to this question is not explicitly provided for, it is submitted that the power of the SEC to require parties to reverse or dismantle a non-notified M&A transaction is implied within the provisions of sections 13(p) of the ISA 2007 already cited, section 118 itself which is the obligation prescribing provision, and section 127 of the ISA by which the SEC can revoke a merger approval on a number of reasons, such as where procured by deceit or incorrect information. Noteworthy is subsection 2 of section 127 which provides that the Commission may prohibit the merger over which it has revoked its approving decision, even if a time limit prescribed in the Act for the Commission to take a decision may have elapsed. Noteworthy also is section 128 of the ISA which empowers the Commission to order the break-up of a company whose business practices undermine competition. On section 128 ISA, it may be argued that it amounts to stretching the language of section 128 too much to apply it to M&A transactions, given that the language of section 128 of the ISA seems geared towards an abuse of dominance scenario and not directed at a merger scenario. However, the counter-argument should be that if the Act recognizes that in deserving circumstances that the SEC can impose radical structural remedies in a market by requiring the dissolution of companies whose commercial practices undermine competition, there is no reason why the Commission cannot also inversely require parties to an M&A to dismantle the transaction where such was implemented without securing the prior approval of the SEC as the ISA mandates, particularly where such an M&A would have serious negative consequences on the competitive structure of the market and on consumers.

    Granted, as has been argued, that the SEC has the powers to require the reversal or dismantling of a non-notified M&A transaction, a relevant question is whether the SEC should always at every occasion in which an M&A transaction is not notified to it, upon discovery require dissolution of that transaction? It is submitted that the answer to this question is that, “it depends”. Since the SEC already has fining powers which it may have imposed, proceeding to require the parties to unravel the transaction without more may amount to an over-kill. Whether the SEC should require the reversal of the transaction, in our view, should depend on if the particular transaction in question, upon examination, is one which undermines competition and does not enjoy any of the redeeming features under section 121(1)(b) of the ISA. In other words, to decide if the non-notified M&A transaction should be reversed, the Commission should undertake a consideration of the transaction against the factors listed in section 121 of the ISA as if it were one notified to it. If such a review reveals that the transaction is one that would not have been approved had it been notified to the SEC, then the Commission would be right to require a dissolution or reversal of the transaction, in addition to financial penalties imposed. If on the other hand the review reveals that the transaction is one which would have been approved by the Commission had it been notified to it, the Commission should limit its intervention to financial penalties and allow the M&A transaction to stand. The approach suggested here is consistent with best practice as encapsulated under Article 8(4)(a) of the European Merger Regulation, where the remedy of dissolution is not automatically imposed, but only imposed if the non-notified M&A is assessed to be anti-competitive. By the referenced provision, “Where the [European] Commission finds that a concentration…has already been implemented and that concentration has been declared incompatible with the common market…require the undertakings concerned to dissolve the concentration, in particular through the dissolution of the merger or the disposal of all the shares or assets acquired, so as to restore the situation prevailing prior to the implementation of the concentration..”

    Miscellaneous matters

    Power to impose remedies

    On miscellany, it is worth stating that the SEC as part of its merger control powers, can impose various remedies in order to resolve whatever competition concerns that an M&A may have. These remedies could be either behavioural such as price freeze to address consumers concerns, requirement to grant competitors access to infrastructure, Intellectual Property assets, research and Development (R&D) facilities, production facilities, and key technology. The basis for this is section 122(5)(b)(ii) of the ISA by which the SEC can approve a merger “subject to any conditions” and also section 123(3) of the ISA which contemplates that a merger may be approved by the SEC “with or without conditions”. The remedy could also be structural by way of requiring a divestiture by the enterprise of a part of the enterprise to enable new entry or to strengthen some other competitors.

    Third Party Intervention in the merger process

    Another interesting question is the extent to which third parties may intervene in or influence an M&A transaction in Nigeria and get remedies. Precisely, is there any room for third parties to obtain prerogative writs against a merger? Starting from employees, a legal basis for their intervention is situated under section 123(2) of the ISA which imposes on the M&A parties an obligation to serve a copy of their merger notice to their registered employee unions or their employees generally. Although the provision in question does not specify what the employees are to do with this notification, it is argued that this provision supplies a basis for intervention in a merger process by employees, otherwise the right to be notified becomes a hollow one. Intervention by other third parties other than employees (such as consumer groups and competitors) will find basis under section 124(3) of the ISA which provides that “any person may voluntarily file any document, affidavit, statement or other relevant information in respect of a merger.” The referenced provisions should be taken together with section 303(4) of the ISA which provides that “notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the complainant of a contravention may seek by action, consequential or punitive damages or any other remedy that may be available under the law.”

    Can the Corporate Affairs Commission come to the rescue?

    M&A transaction parties would be reluctant to disregard the obligation to notify where they assess that chances of detection by the SECis high. This does not appear to be the case since parties are able to assume control of the companies that they have acquired by effecting the necessary share transfer and change of directorship filings with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria’s companies registry. In practice, the CAC does usually accept filings without any reference to SEC. Therefore, in considering ways of making M&A parties to comply with the obligation to pre-notify, it may be necessary to think outside the box, and perhaps work out an inter-agency arrangement between the SEC and the CAC, whereby to accept filings of any significant change in shareholdings of companies and their directorships, the CAC could insist on the evidence of SEC approval of those transaction. This suggestion obviously may have its own problems, but it is believed that is one option that could be considered and fine-tuned by the SEC in order to induce compliance with the obligation on M&A parties to notify their transactions as the ISA stipulates, given that at present, the SEC’s powers to impose sanctions and remedies, as discussed above, have not been altogether successful in inducing compliance.