The Daffodil or Lent Lilly (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. of the Liliaceous family) is a flowering plant that originates from “southern Europe, Asia, and North Africa” (Enna and Norton). By tradition the Daffodil was used for inducing vomiting, topically for joint pain, and for hysteria and epilepsy (Enna and Norton). As medical and plant sciences have progressed, Galantamine an alkaloid produced by the Daffodil has been researched for its interactions with the nervous system in reliving the symptoms of Alzheimer’s (New Drugs). While Daffodil’s medical benefits are just starting to be realized, for its neurological effects and other possible uses it is poisonous to humans. The toxic substances produced by the Daffodil can cause nausea, diarrhea, “Daffodil itch”, lower heart rate, and neurological dysfunction. (Enna and Norton)
History
The Narcissus pseudonarcissus was used as early as the first century, as a topical treatment for “wounds and sprains”. (Enna and Norton) The Daffodil common name according to documents only appeared around the 16th century, possibly derived from asphodel or affodyl. (Dalton) The accepted scientific name came in 1933 from the “MONOGRAPH OF NARCISSUS, SUBGENUS AJAX” by H. W. Pugesley which can be found on the Dafflibrary website. The Daffodil flow was so widely prized during the 1920’s to 50’s in England that British rail created a rail system, for the sole use of sightseers and flower pikers, called the “Daffodil specials”. (Dalton) I was not able to find a definitive statement about locations where they are grown now from just one, or academically reliable sources, they seem to be grown all around the world. One site I browsed across mentioned Arkansas and California specifically as large commerc...
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...many plants. (Enna and Norton)
Summary
There is much more research to be done on the Daffodil for nervous system disorders, fighting cancers, or other as yet undiscovered uses. It may not be the magic drug or a cure all we would hope for. But it is a step forward that is giving family members more valuable time with their loved ones and some comfort for those who have been afflicted with these diseases.
Works Cited
Dalton, Jan. "The English Lent Lily." n.d. thedaffodilsociety.com. .
Enna, Salvatore Joseph and Stata Norton. Herbal supplements and the brain: understanding their health benefits and hazards. Upper Saddle River, N.J: FT Press, 2012.
"New Drugs." The American Journal of Nursing 101 (2001): pp. 24AAAA+24CCCC. .
Oken, Barry S. 1999, The efficacy of Ginkgo biloba on cognitive function in Alzheimer disease. Journal of American Medical Association 281(5): 402.
N,N-dimethyltryptamine(DMT) is a psychoactive chemical in the tryptamine family, which causes intense visuals and strong psychedelic mental affects when smoked, injected, snorted, or when swallowed orally (with an MAOI such as haramaline). DMT was first synthesized in 1931, and demonstrated to be hallucinogenic in 1956. It has been shown to be present in many plant genera (Acacia, Anadenanthera, Mimosa, Piptadenia, Virola) and is a major component of several hallucinogenic snuffs (cohoba, parica, yopo). It is also present in the intoxicating beverage ayahuasca made from banisteriopsis caapi. This drink inspired much rock art and paintings drawn on the walls of native shelters in tribal Africa- what would be called 'psychedelic' art today (Bindal, 1983). The mechanism of action of DMT and related compounds is still a scientific mystery, however DMT has been identified as an endogenous psychadelic- it is a neurotransmitter found naturally in the human body and takes part in normal brain metabolism. Twenty-five years ago, Japanese scientists discovered that the brain actively transports DMT across the blood-brain barrier into its tissues. "I know of no other psychedelic drug that the brain treats with such eagerness," said one of the scientists. What intrigued me were the questions, how and why does DMT alter our percep...
The daffodil is a genus of mainly spring plants that are long lasting. It is a flower with 6 petals that is overcomed with a corona shaped like a trumpet. The flowers are usually white or yellow.
Tyler, Varro. "Should Herbal Remedies Remain in FDA Regulatory Limbo?". Nutrition Forum. Nov/Dec 92, Vol. 9, Issue 6, p41.
A collection of Salvia divinorum suitable for identification was originally made by Wasson and Hofmann in 1962 and described by Epling and J. Tiva-M. as a new species (Epling and J. Tiva-M. 1962). The description was later amended by Reisfield. The plant is a perennial herb with trailing stems that grow from 0.5 to 1.5 m tall and have a square shape characteristic of mints. The flowers are white, turning blue with age, and borne on racemes (Reisfield 1993). It was originally described by Schultes as having all blue flowers, due to the fact that the calyces are blue (Ott 1996). Nutlets are rare among greenhouse cultivated plants, and have never been observed in the wild (Reisfield 1993).
Epiro, E. & Walsh, N., (1997). “Alternative Medicine–Part Two: Mind Body Medicine–Expanding Health Model”. Patient Care 15 Sept. 1997: 127-145. Retrieved: February 13, 2011, from:
The boy brushes past her, not bothering to say sorry. He didn't want to speak to her, not even a mere word because he simply didn't want to speak to anybody at this point.
Our friends the Native American people held a knowledge of plants used for medicine that has held true to this day. The Native Americans used more than 500 healing herbs thought to be healing secrets that are used in many modern day drugs. Native American healers regarded plants as relatives with the same energy, elements, minerals, and living compounds that are found in the natural world. Researchers in laboratories estimate that 25 percent of the drugs in use have actual ingredients either derived from or chemically similar to those in plants. Some of the drugs that have their roots in nature are the cancer drug tamoxifen, the heart drug digitalis, and painkillers morphine and aspirin. The powers of observation and the passing on of
Narcissus pseudonarcissus is an Old World perennial flowering plant native to Western Europe from England and Wales southward across the western continent to Portugal and Spain.
The knowledge Native peoples have gained over generations of trial and error about what different species of plants do medically far exceeds what modern drug companies know about them. For instance, Natives in Latin America knew the uses of what is now known to be Vitamin C, and they knew that it could be found in the barks of certain trees, leafy plants, and even mosses that are totally different from each other in appearance. Currently, there is a great deal of interest among natural scientists and drug researchers in Native American traditions of medicine, especially regarding their knowledge and use of drugs. Since anthropologists began documenting Native people’s use of plants for healing, they have been responsible for contributing
An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavour, or therapeutic properties which are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People use herbal medicines to maintain or improve their health. Herbalism or the use of plants for medicinal purposes has existed for centuries and their knowledge has been relayed from one generation to another. Written evidence of herbal remedies dates back over 5,000 years, to the Sumerians, who created lists of plants. A number of ancient cultures wrote on plants and their medical uses. Herbs are mentioned in Egyptian medical papyri and depicted in tomb illustrations (Nunn and John, 2002). In India, the oldest known ayurvedic texts, Susrutha Samhita and Charaka Samhitha speak of herbal preparations for treating diseases. One such plant which has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for diseases including parkinsonism is Mucuna pruriens. Mucuna is rich in L-Dopa (L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) or levodopa which is the precursor of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is deficient in Parkinson’s...
...ibility with a wide range of experts and primary sources that the reader identifies as believable. As the reader Dyck compiled her knowledge and that of others that I was easily able to identify as key points to stress. She uses proper flow to organize a well balanced and exciting amount of sources that interest the reader and capture their attention to spread Dyck’s claims. She writes her historical novel based on solidifying themes and arguments with extensive sources that makes her claims hard to dismiss. Already I’ve researched other medical therapies using other sensitive illegal substances marijuana, MDMA, and cocaine that may be on breakthroughs of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer related diseases. Maybe more funding should be invested in this research to better gain understanding and awareness of the possible valuable advances that these drugs may offer.
It is important for us to learn a much as we can about hallucinogenic plants. A great amount of scientific literature has been published about their uses and effects, but the information is locked away in technical journals. No matter whether we believe the use of hallucinogenic plants is right or wrong, they have played an extensive role in human culture and probably will continue to do so.
Scientific findings are illuminating novel treatment strategies for many illnesses, and CBD is being increasingly recognized as an effective advancement in healing therapeutics.
Health claims are booming in today’s world. Many of these consumers are being misled by advertising and believe that their choice will benefit their health. Although herbal medicines have been in existence throughout human evolution, I have chosen to take a deeper look into these health practices. I’m curious if this is just another health claim or if there are actual benefits to taking these medicines.