Getting to know you Herbal medicine is a fascinating field with all sorts of complexities that scientists will forever be studying. So with infinite possibilities, why is it we hear about the same herbs -- saw palmetto, Echinacea, etc. -- over and over again? While these are all undeniably useful, it's nice to hear about something different every once in awhile. Which is why I was excited to come across an article recently on a little-known Indian herb called perungalli. Like all herbal remedies, perungalli itself isn't new: Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has put pretty much every part of the plant to use for generations. The plant material is used to treat diarrhea; the juice that comes from the plant is used to treat inflammation, and the bark and leaves are used to cover infected or inflamed areas. What is new about perungalli is the research on its anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers from Jadavpur University in India tested the effects of perungalli on two different forms of inflammation -- chronic and acute. First they divided 24 rats into four groups and induced acute inflammation into the hind paws of two of the groups. Then they treated one of the inflammation groups with a small dose of perungalli extract, and the second inflammation group was given a dose double that of the first group. The researchers then used the same model to test perungallu in rats induced with chronic inflammation. They found that the rats with acute inflammation that were treated with the smaller dose of perungally extract experienced roughly 36 percent reduction of inflammation. The chronic-inflammation rats treated with the larger dose also fared well: They experienced a 45-percent reduction in the formation of granuloma tissue (see the "What is..." section below for more information on this term). If you're interested in trying perungalli, talk to a doctor skilled in herbal medicine to determine the best source and dose for your needs. To locate one in your area, contact the American Academy of Environmental Medicine at or (316)684-5500 or www.aaem.com. Source: "Little-known perungally herb from India shows powerful anti-inflammatory effects in latest clinical trials," News Target (www.newstarget.com), 11/30/06 | 
