Feature Article - Japan Nuclear Explosion and Earthquake Essay

Feature Article - Japan Nuclear Explosion and Earthquake - Essay Example The Fukushima accident and Chernobyl nuclear tragedy having had similar consequences, it will be useful to compare these two incidents so as to understand the possible interventions to be made in future. An analysis of Chernobyl nuclear tragedy in terms of its short term and long term impacts would help the scientists working on the Fukushima issue to predict the possible long term impacts of Fukushima accident. Moreover, they will be able take lessons from the Chernobyl experience to be adapted to their present operation in Fukushima. The objective of this essay is to compare the impacts of Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear accidents on environment. Impact on environment It is beyond any doubt that both Fukushima and Chernobyl tragedies have resulted in serious environmental impacts. The danger in the impacts is that the pollutants are radioactive. This would mean that it continually changes its chemical constitution and set forth chain reactions causing complex multiple implications. In terms of environment, the largest danger is the long time these elements take to decompose itself. Half life, which is time taken for a compound to decompose into half of it is very long in the case of these isotopes. Thus the environmental implications are long term and unpredictable. The radioactive elements get into the water, air and soil. It also gets into the supplementary systems of water, air and soil. Marine systems, food chains, agriculture, animals, milk and ecology in general is contaminated by radioactive isotopes. It has been reported that in the earlier days after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the surface deposits of radionuclides became radioactive for agricultural plants and the animals which consumed these (Roberta, 2009). . This was rapidly absorbed into milk which increased the level of thyroid in people who consumed milk. This was predominately observable across Ukraine , Belarus and Russia. The secondary phase of the sedimentary deposition was that these were taken up by plants from the soil through roots. Ceasium was the isotope which was reported to be most dangerous in this regard. It must be noted that agricultural products from highly affected areas may even now have traces of this isotope (Roberta, 2009). The direct presence of radioactive elements in plants reduced with time. The reasons could be weathering, physical decay, and the downward movement of radioactive elements into lower zones of soil inaccessible to the plants (Greenfacts, 2006). However, the impact of the radioactive leakage on agriculture does not limit to this direct surface deposition and plant uptake. The extensively cultivated areas with high content of organic content were affected. Pasturing of affected animals over unimproved grass lands also contributed to the radioactive content in agricultural plants and products. The people associated with these farms, especially the subsistence farmers in Russia were largely affected (Greenfacts, 2006) Radioactive plant products are reported to be largest contributors for human internal dose of radioactive elements. As these isotopes, especially Ceasium, has long life, the traces of the element is still found in some of the products. The current scenario is that the level of radioactive elements in products from Chernobyl has come down below national and international action levels. However, in Zhytomir and Rovno

From what you know about action potentials describe feasible Essay

From what you know about action potentials describe feasible mechanisms whereby anaesthetics might prevent pain - Essay Example Moreover, its pharmacological effect is evidenced by normal laryngeal-pharyngeal reflexes and extreme analgesia. To this end, the drug’s central point of action in the Central Nervous System is the thalamo-neocortical projection area. Consequently, the ketamine discriminately lowers the neuronal action in certain parts of the cortex. This is action is more evident in the thalamus and association areas. At the same time, it stimulates the certain areas in the limbic system and hypothalamus (Reiss, Evans, & Broyles 2002). This ultimately results to functional disorganization of unprescribed pathways in the thalamic and midbrain region. Ketalar equally lowers the impulse transmission within the medial medullary formation in the reticular. This area is critical in transmitting the emotional-affective parts on noiception the higher brain areas from the spinal cord. In addition, the analgesic effects of ketamine are attributed to its occupation of the opiate receptors in the spinal cord and brain. The interaction with the N-Methyl-d-aspartate at times mediates the analgesic and anesthetic action of ketamine (Rosdahl & Kowalski 2008). Moreover, Ketamine’s analgesic effect on the spinal cord is due to the prevention of neuronal action on the dorsal horn wide range dynamic. Evidently, the notion that CNS sodium blockade channels are the mechanism by which ketamine results to anesthesia, has been scientifically dispelled. Anesthesia Related Drugs. (n.d.).hirnforschung.kyb.mpg.de. Retrieved January 24, 2013, from

Existentialism and Metamorphosis Essay Example for Free

Existentialism and Metamorphosis Essay Existentialism is defined as a modern philosophical movement stressing the importance of one’s experience and accountability. Its focus is the make on the personal reflections that these make on the individual, who is seen as a free agent in a deterministic and seemingly meaningless universe. Its philosophy is meticulous that, in a nutshell, advocates a diverse arsenal of responses and solutions to the ‘existentialist attitude’; which, essentially, is what an individual feels when confronted by the absurdity of life. Throughout humanity, rumination and self-proclaimed ‘ultimate’ truths have assumed various forms: poetry, religion, and numerous other doctrines and textual works. In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka narrates the ramifications of a metamorphosis in which the subject and protagonist, a man named Gregor Samsa, is transformed into a bug. Despite the novella’s literary methods and influences, the most prominent being the way Kafka so nonchalantly describes such irregularity in his life, The Metamorphosis is also hailed as a prime textual work of existentialism, the previously mentioned philosophical movement. Both prior and subsequent to the transformation, Kafka portrays Gregor as a man who seems lost within himself, and lacking identity. The reminiscences of his past are neither nostalgic nor poignant: his human life is seen to revolve solely around trivial matters. His social life pays the price from this, his failure to assert a concrete and consistent existence. The extent of his lack of individuality is further exemplified by his reaction to the metamorphosis: finding himself â€Å"transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect† (Kafka, 296), he prioritizes work over all else, even in his newly equated insect form. Furthermore, he panics because â€Å"the next train went at seven o’clock; to catch that he would need to hurry like mad and his samples weren’t even packed up† (297). Gregor’s identity crisis is a device for conveying Kafka’s belief of an impersonal society where individualism is drastically mitigated as a result of excessive materialism. Gregor, in the context of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Notes from Underground analogy, would be the ‘ant’ in the anthill— thus rendering his metamorphosis ironically. Another dominant theme prevalent throughout the novella is the absurd situation Gregor is confronted by. These nonsensical happenings (296-327) reflect the world as seen from the existentialist perspective: a world absent of a rational and comprehensive objective. Jean-Paul Sartre postulated that ‘every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance’. This meaninglessness is precisely what Gregor is victim to in the microcosm of society that Kafka generates: Gregor flounders about, beleaguered by absurdity and helplessness, presumably because he is unaware of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard’s somewhat consoling conclusions that one must devise meaning for one’s own existence ex nihilo. Once again, Kafka utilizes a combination of plot and character to convey his angst concerning an apparently pointless existence. Freedom— or rather the lack thereof— is another existentialist tenet that Kafka addresses. Gregor is depicted as someone constrained by self-imposed burdens, the most demanding being the role as the financial pillar of the family. Despite having the freedom to repudiate this role, Gregor instead pursues it with feverish ardor to the extent that it becomes his ‘sole desire’ (310). Yet his harangue regarding his career (297-298) reveals that this is not due to personal desire, but rather the belief that he must replace his father financially, regardless of preference. Gregor’s delusion regarding an absence of choice contradicts what Kafka perceives as the truth: that freedom is ubiquitous in spite of any ethical obligations we may be expected to adhere to, and that the individual defines his or herself via one’s decisions. A quasi-motto of existentialism coined by Sartre, ‘existence precedes essence’. In conclusion, Kafka employs the fictional literary elements he constructs to address the very non-fictional, existentialist aspects of society and life. Akin to Dostoyevsky’s Notes from Underground, it can be interpreted as both a rumination and tirade against impersonal communities, restriction of freedom, and the absurdity of life.

Influence of Climate Variability on Marine Ecosystems

Influence of Climate Variability on Marine Ecosystems Large variability in populations of small pelagic fish species have been observed in global oceans (Watanabe 2009). The flexibility in reproductive features of the spawning stock combined with environmental induced fluctuation in survival rate of offspring and overexploitation, can be the major reasons for such large variability in stocks of these species (Ganias 2009) and relation between large scale climate alteration and these fluctuation known as an important scientific and economic concern (Klyashtorin 2001). Hence over the last decades, since about 1980, recognizing the process by which variability in recruitment of small pelagic fish occur, became a main subject for international co-operation and researches (Alheit and Bakun 2009). However providing a reliable correlation between global climate conditions and long-term stock variability has been forgotten till that time (Klyashtorin 2001) and lack of scientific knowledge from the process which govern recruitment was widely ide ntified in the 1980s (and still is) as the important scientific problem which hindering successful management of populations of small pelagic fish (Alheit and Bakun 2009). Main focuses of these co-operation in 1990s has been concentrated on the influence of climate variability on marine ecosystems, mainly on small pelagic species. To improve the understanding from such relations several efforts have been done to correlate regular anchovy and sardine stocks alteration with the global and regional climate indices (Klyashtorin 2001). Synchronous outbursts alteration in populations of these two species, i.e. sardine and anchovy in North and South Hemispheres might shown the signature of same global climatic events in governing of the fish populations and such alteration became the subject of several studies in this case (Lluch-Belda et al. 1989; Lluch-Belda et al. 1992; Kawasaki 1992a, 1992b; Schwartzlose et al. 1999). In study which conducted by Kawasaki (1992a), has been shown that catches of Japanese sardine are related to climate alterations, explained as air and water surface temperature in hemispheric scale. In another study by Kawasaki (1994) concept of cyclic climate alteration has been applied to explain regular alteration in the Japanese sardine catches over previous 350 years. The same dependence to climate change has been suggested also for Californian sardine (Lluch-Belda et al. 1992). Beverton (1990) and Schwartzlose et al. (1999) in case of industrial fishery collapses of the sardine (Sardinops caerulea) fishery in the California current were thought environmental induced effects may play an important role. In another studies which conducted by Bakun (1990, 1996), correlation between the long-term variability of catch of abundant small pelagic fishes and the upwelling index has been investigated. In these studies author showed that the world climate changes come with significant alte ration in the atmospheric movement, direction and acceleration of largest oceanic streams, and upwelling strength. Therefore, regarding to this background, several detailed investigations have been conducted by FAO during the years 1994 to 2001 to investigate the condition and aspect of the world fisheries and tried to make a simulations from applying of new methods to have predictions from dynamics of fish stock. Hence in latest one, which has been conducted by Klyashtorin (2001), long term variability in catches of commercially valuable species and climate alteration has been investigated. The author showd a close correlation between the climate alteration and long-term variability of the main commercial stocks, including the small pelagic species over Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With regard to important of such topics several studies continue to investigate the climate induce effects on commercially important small pelagic species in recent years (e.g. Grà ¶ger et al. 2009; Watanabe 2009; Alheit et al. 2012; Alheit et al. 2014). Rising in the abundance of European anchovy in the North Sea in the late 1980s was connected to the signal and strength of the AMO (Alheit et al. 2012). Also, in another study by Alheit et al. (2014) the dynamics and migrations of small pelagic fish stocks in the eastern North and Central Atlantic in relation to AMO have been investigated. The authors believed that a complex ocean–atmosphere alteration which occurred in the mid-1990s lead to a â€Å"regime shift† in the ecosystems of these area and the small pelagic clupeoid fish stocks have affected by this shift. The autumn-spawning herring (Clupea harengus) stock in the North Sea can be another example of the commercially valuable North Sea herring. More recent evidence from a directional alteration occurrence in recruitment of this species has been reported by Payne et al. (2009) during the 2000s. In this study authors believed that recruitment is affected not only by parental-stock biomass, but it seems that the environmental induced alteration, also, may influence the recruitment of this species in North Sea and changes in such factors could be of equal, or even more important. Hence to understand better the reproductive failures of North Sea herring, Grà ¶ger et al. (2009) also studied large-scale climate proxies in the North Atlantic Ocean, (i.e. NAO and AMO), and their potential influences on stock regeneration of this species. Commercially important pelagic species, European anchovy, which support the main fisheries in the Black sea (Chashchin 1996; Daskalov 2003) also has shown significant variability during the last five decades (Gà ¼raslan et al. 2014). According by Niermann (2004) and Oguz (2005) several process including regional climate fluctuation, overexploitation, rising the input of anthropogenic induce nutrient from rivers, and, the ctenophore (comb jelly) M. leidyi and regime shift can be responsible for such variability. Evidence has shown that not only human related activities but also environmental fluctuation can play important role in controlling anchovy production in the Black sea and such hypothesis was investigated several studies (e.g. Niermann et al. 1999; Daskalov 2003; Oguz 2005; Oguz et al. 2006). These studies have been shown strong correlation between local climatic variations such as those derived by the NAO and fluctuations of anchovy population in this Sea. Many anthropogenic induced pressure including pollution (e.g. domestic and industrial run-off, the development of vast oil and gas fields) and uncontrolled fish exploitation, also, altered significantly the Caspian sea environment during the last 3 decades. These alteration that has resulted in poor management can be caused in increasing â€Å"environmental degradation† and damaged in coastlines and trophic base of the Caspian sea (Mamedov 2006). Fisheries sector play an important role in the Caspian sea. Total annually catches for the commercially valuable fish in this sea, for instance beluga, sturgeon, and Caspian roach were around 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes, in the past decades. Such state in fisheries production was not changed till the early 1950s, then, thereafter small pelagic species fisheries has significantly increased in central and southern part of the Caspian sea to atone the decrease in catches of the aforementioned more important fish species. Total catch of kilka species has mainly maintained in level of 300,000 and 400,000 tonnes during the period between 1960 to 1980 (Barannik et al. 2004). During the past three decades kilka species and some other commercial fisheries in the Caspian Sea were suffered from significant decreases. Such decreases has been observed in total catch of the major commercial species of kilka in the Caspian, anchovy kilka, which suffered significantly from alteration (decrease trend). The catch of kilka by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran dropped from 182,700 t in 2000 to 74,700 t in 2001 and maintained really low after this time (Mamedov 2006). Over the period 2000 to 2011 a continuous decline of catches has been observed, the stock dramatically collapsed in 2001 and reached to its historical minimum in 2011. Dramatic collapse in mainly fisheries resource of the Caspian sea and also failure of biodiversity and ecosystem persistence in this sea became a widespread concern in the regional and internationally scales. With regard to the important role of the kilka fisheries as main source of income and protein for Iranian people in coastal area of the Caspian sea, such dramatic collapses might have unfavorable influences on economy and local protein intake (Fazli 2007). Accordingly Bagheri et al. (2004) reported economic losses around US$15 million, from decrease of anchovy kilka catches off Iranian over period of 1998 to 2001. Hence, as elsewhere, sustainable management of small pelagic fish can be vital for the fisheries and the ecosystem health of the Caspian sea. Several studies has been conducted in case of kilka species in the Caspian Sea which according by Mamedov (2006) this studies started in 1940s. The study of kilka species has been followed by others for instance Prikhod’ko (1975), Paritskiy (1989), Mamedov (2006) and Fazli (2007). Many studies has conducted in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. the most of these previous studies were subjected to biological characteristics, ecologic features, distribution and stock assessment of the kilka (e.g. Pourgholam et al. 1996; Fazli and Besharat 1998; Fazli 2007; Karimzadeh 2011; Aliasghari and Parafkandeh Haghighi 2013). However in previous studies several mechanisms have been proposed as reasons of aforementioned fluctuation of the kilka species in the Caspian Sea during the last decade (Mamedov 2006; Daskalov and Mamedov 2007; Fazli 2007; Kideys et al. 2008; Roohi et al. 2010; Fazli 2011). Accordingly the recent study on anchovy kilka by Daskalov and Mamedov (2007) reported several candidate mechanisms which may be responsible for such a decline of the kilka species. In this study authors believed that the major stress factor for the Caspian sea pelagic ecosystem in the past decades was the invasion of the ctenophore (comb jelly) M. leidyi. This invasion and spread of the ctenophore M. leidyi in the Caspian Sea has been introduced as the most possible primary cause of recruitment failure and the stock collapse of this specie, although other factors, including overfishing, climate change and seismic activity suggested as factors may negatively influenced dynamics of this species. Although in previous studies the effect of the climate and environmental variability on kilka species has been mentioned as one of the hypothesis that may be responsible for the fluctuation of the kilka species the detailed information about the role of climate and environmental variability on fluctuations of these commercially important species during the last decades was (still is) not clear. To our knowledge, however, only few long-term studies are currently available in relation to climate and environmental variability in the Caspian Sea (e.g. Nezlin 2005; Lougheed 2006; Moradi 2013; Fendereski et al. 2014) that mainly focused on the dynamics of Chl-a concentration, and also physical and chemical characteristics of the Caspian Sea. Despite the widely used hypothesis of the role of climate changes in fluctuations of small pelagic species there is still no detailed investigation on kilka species in the Caspian Sea during recent years. Hence, in this study the following objectives a nd hypothesis has been defined to illustrate the role of climate driven effects on the fluctuation of these kilka species.

Oreo Cookie and Six Flags Commercials - Nostalgia for Sale :: Media Advertising Essays

Oreo Cookie and Six Flags Commercials - Nostalgia for Sale Many television commercials choose to feature a contrast between youth and maturity as their subject. An â€Å"Oreo Cookie† commercial, for example, features a little girl who is about four years old mimicking her grandfather’s actions in eating a cookie. Another commercial advertises the popular theme park, Six Flags Great Adventure. This commercial, entitled â€Å"The Six Flags Dancing Man,† features an elderly man dancing like an enthusiastic child. This relates to Stephen King’s idea in â€Å"My Creature from the Black Lagoon,† that adults long for and are often reminded of their childhood. Meanwhile, Rita Dove’s essay, â€Å"Loose Ends,† and Marie Winn’s essay, â€Å"Television Addiction,† each presents the great influence television has on life, often because of television’s great aspect of reality. Together, these ideas support the reasoning behind an advertisement’s attempt to sell abstract id eas. By using youth and old age in commercials, advertisers can sell nostalgia as a way of making commercials more memorable. Nabisco, the company that produces Oreo Cookies, has always been known for outstanding commercials. Yet this â€Å"Oreo Cookie† commercial is perhaps the most remarkable. First, she twists the cookie apart and then, this cute little girl with her hair in pigtails proceeds to dunk the cookie in a tall glass of milk, submerging her entire hand. The camera then shifts to show the child’s grandfather eating the cookie in the same manner. This advertisement aims at leading audiences to reminisce of the simple pleasures of their childhood, like enjoying a cookie. While doing so, the advertisers have created a memorable commercial. Also, in â€Å"The Six Flags Dancing Man† commercial, family members are sitting on the front porch of their home, trying to arrange a day to spend at Six Flags Great Adventure. Because of their busy schedules, the attempt seems impossible. Suddenly, a red school bus pulls up and a very old man hobbles off, dressed in a black tuxedo and a red bow tie. Then, upbeat music begins to play and the man begins dancing wildly, inviting the family aboard the bus to go to Six Flags Great Adventure. The family happily joins the old man and the bus pulls away.

Adversity and What We Gain From It :: Personal Narratives Sports Medicine Essays

Adversity and What We Gain From It In all parts of life there are periods of adversity that we must face, the real challenge however, is what and how we gain from conquering those trials. There have been many times that I have been faced with adversity, it has happened in all aspects of my life at one time or another. Whether it is dealing with the ups and downs of hockey or balancing the pressure that comes with an elite hockey schedule and high school, there are always obstacles. Some of these challenges can bring about positive effects that influence the path of one’s life. In one such experience of mine, the amount of adversity was not near as great as the positive out come that came from my experience. It happened when I was thirteen, I suffered a hockey injury that helped me to realize the area I wanted to study and hopefully have career in. The time it took me to rehabilitate my shoulder was a time of great learning for me but it also came with a great deal of adversity. It was an injury that sidelined me for weeks while at the same time pushed me on my way to a new work ethic and a new enthusiasm for learning. When I was in grade seven, I was playing my second year of peewee hockey and playing for my junior high school team as well. The junior high league allowed checking and the peewee league did not. Because of this I was not accustomed to the new aspect of hockey brought on by checking. I was injured in an intense game against our rival junior high, which was filled with plenty of checking. I was on the receiving end of a brutal check from behind which is something not permitted in any league, the player that hit me received a penalty and a game expulsion. I tried to continue playing but it was no use, I was barely able to raise my arm. I ended up in the hospital where the doctor informed me that I had severely dislocated my left shoulder and would have to miss up to three weeks of play. I had never been forced to miss hockey because of an injury before and it was the worst news I had ever heard. The time I missed from hockey was one of the most difficult periods I had been through up t o that point.

Guava Leaves Extract for Skin Infections

Guava Leaves Extract (Component in making soap) treatment for acne [Bathing Soap] Chapter I: Background of the study: Nowadays people are focusing in herbal plants especially those who are common in the environment. One of the example is the guava plant (Psidium guajava Linn). Based on research this plant is good for healing and treating wounds and other skin infections. So in my research I wan't to make a bathing soap out of it, cause I know that it is effective. People, researchers, scientists were focusing to medicinal plants.They want to prove that there are plants that are more effective against diseases especially in skin. This study refers to a plant that can be made into a bathing soap and improves its quality while using this plant (guava leaves). I want people to handle easily in treating their skin disorders. Instead of boiling the leaves, now it’s easy to apply. Boiling takes much time. Statement of the Problem: I stated that Guava leaves extract is good for skin. Based on my research, it has many constituents that is good for skin. It answers the following questions: * Is there any constituents of guave leaves that is good for skin? What are those? * It can really treat skin disorders/ Acne? Hypothesis: * Guava leaves is good treatment for acne. * It has many components or constituents. * Constituents that is good for skin disorders, especially for acnies. Significance of the Study: You can make a bathing soap with guave leaves extract as treatment for acne. This plant is very common to our environment, and aside of its avaibility; it is easy to cultivate. It contains many components for healing skin disorders. Scope and Limitation: The study of guava leaves and getting their extract is often useful.It has the ability to treat, cure, disinfect skin disorders and capable of being a herbal plant for acnes. Definition of Terms Astringent- antiseptic properties Decoction- infusion of fresh leaves used for wound cleaning and skin to prevent infec tion and to facilitate healing. Good for skin disorders. Volatile- a substance that changes into a vapor at a relatively low temperature. Eugenol- oily liquid from doves. (C10H12O2) Cloves- aromatic spice from the dried flower bud of a tropical tree. Tannin- a brownish or yellowish substance found in plants and used in astringents.Saponins- soap from plants; any group of chemical substances extracted from plants that form a soapy lather mixed with water and are used to make soap and detergent. Amydalin- resin used in paints and adhesives. Resin- yellow or brown color and organic substance from plants. Malic Acid- acid from fruit; a colorless crystalline solid found in fruits such as apples. (C4H6O5) Aldehydes- organic compound; a highly reactive organic compound produced by the oxidation of an alcohol and having a CHO group especially the acetaldehyde. Ash- the powdery substance that is left when omething has been burnt. Guava: Scientific Name: Psidium Guajava Chapter II: Review Rel ated Literature: Database File for: GUAVA (Psidium guajava) Main database Common name Botanical name Ethnic uses Conditions Actions PLANTIMAGES Photos WEBRESOURCESGUAVA Product Search Medline Abstracts USDA BARC DB HEAR Info Purdue Info W? TROPICOS DB Ethnobotany DB Phytochem DB GRIN DB USF DB ITIS DB Plants DB Raintree'sRainforestMission Home Page Company Mission Philosophy Plant Harvesting Plant Images Rainforest Products Rainforest Gallery Rainforest Facts Article Section Rainforest LinksOther Links Print Brochure Print Order Form Contact Us Search Site Privacy Policy Conditions of Use Free Service EspanolPortuguesDeutschItaliano Francais Norsk Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Psidium Species: guajava Common names: Guava, goiaba, guayaba, djamboe, djambu, goavier, gouyave, goyave, goyavier, perala, bayawas, dipajaya jambu, petokal, tokal, guave, guavenbaum, guayave, banjiro, goiabeiro, guayabo, guyaba, goeajaaba, guave, goejaba, kuawa, abas, jambu batu, bayabas, pichi, posh, enandi Part Used: Fruit, leaf, bark From The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: GUAVAHERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS Main Actions Other Actions Standard Dosage stops diarrhea depresses CNS Leaves kills bacteria lowers blood pressure Decoction: 1 cup 1-3 kills fungi reduces blood sugar times daily kills yeast constricts blood vessels kills amebas promotes menstruation relieves pain fights free radicals reduces spasms supports heart Called guayaba in Spanish-speaking countries and goiaba in Brazil, guava is a common shade tree or shrub in door-yard gardens in the tropics. It provides shade while the guava fruits are eaten fresh and made into drinks, ice cream, and preserves.In the richness of the Amazon, guava fruits often grow well beyond the size of tennis balls on well-branched trees or shrubs reaching up to 20 m high. Cultivated varieties average about 10 meters in height and produce lemon-sized fruits. The tree is easily identified by its distinctive thin, smooth, copper-colored bark that flak es off, showing a greenish layer beneath. Guava fruit today is considered minor in terms of commercial world trade but is widely grown in the tropics, enriching the diet of hundreds of millions of people in the tropics of the world.Guava has spread widely throughout the tropics because it thrives in a variety of soils, propagates easily, and bears fruit relatively quickly. The fruits contain numerous seeds that can produce a mature fruit-bearing plant within four years. In the Amazon rainforest guava fruits are much enjoyed by birds and monkeys, which disperse guava seeds in their droppings and cause spontaneous clumps of guava trees to grow throughout the rainforest. TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USESGuava may have been domesticated in Peru several thousand years ago; Peruvian archaeological sites have revealed guava seeds found stored with beans, corn, squash, and other cultivated plants. Guava fruit is still enjoyed as a sweet treat by indigenous peoples throughout the rainforest, a nd the leaves and bark of the guava tree have a long history of medicinal uses that are still employed today. The Tikuna Indians decoct the leaves or bark of guava as a cure for diarrhea.In fact, an infusion or decoction made from the leaves and/or bark has been used by many tribes for diarrhea and dysentery throughout the Amazon, and Indians also employ it for sore throats, vomiting, stomach upsets, for vertigo, and to regulate menstrual periods. Tender leaves are chewed for bleeding gums and bad breath, and it is said to prevent hangovers (if chewed before drinking). Indians throughout the Amazon gargle a leaf decoction for mouth sores, bleeding gums, or use it as a douche for vaginal discharge and to tighten and tone vaginal walls after childbirth.A decoction of the bark and/or leaves or a flower infusion is used topically for wounds, ulcers and skin sores. Flowers are also mashed and applied to painful eye conditions such as sun strain, conjunctivitis or eye injuries. Centuries ago, European adventurers, traders, and missionaries in the Amazon Basin took the much enjoyed and tasty fruits to Africa, Asia, India, and the Pacific tropical regions, so that it is now cultivated throughout the tropical regions of the world. Commercially the fruit is consumed fresh or used in the making of jams, jellies, paste or hardened jam, and juice.Guava leaves are in the Dutch Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of diarrhea, and the leaves are still used for diarrhea in Latin America, Central and West Africa, and Southeast Asia. In Peruvian herbal medicine systems today the plant is employed for diarrhea, gastroenteritis, intestinal worms, gastric disorders, vomiting, coughs, vaginal discharges, menstrual pain and hemorrhages, and edema. In Brazil guava is considered an astringent drying agent and diuretic and is used for the same conditions as in Peru.A decoction is also recommended as a gargle for sore throats, laryngitis and swelling of the mouth, and used externally for ski n ulcers, and vaginal irritation and discharges. PLANT CHEMICALS Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, carotenoids, lectins, vitamins, fiber and fatty acids. Guava fruit is higher in vitamin C than citrus (80 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of fruit) and contains appreciable amounts of vitamin A as well. Guava fruits are also a good source of pectin – a dietary fiber.The leaves of guava are rich in flavonoids, in particular, quercetin. Much of guava's therapeutic activity is attributed to these flavonoids. The flavonoids have demonstrated antibacterial activity. Quercetin is thought to contribute to the anti-diarrhea effect of guava; it is able to relax intestinal smooth muscle and inhibit bowel contractions. In addition, other flavonoids and triterpenes in guava leaves show antispasmodic activity. Guava also has antioxidant properties which is attributed to the polyphenols found in the leaves.Guava's main plant chemicals include: alan ine, alpha-humulene, alpha-hydroxyursolic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, alpha-selinene, amritoside, araban, arabinose, arabopyranosides, arjunolic acid, aromadendrene, ascorbic acid, ascorbigen, asiatic acid, aspartic acid, avicularin, benzaldehyde, butanal, carotenoids, caryophyllene, catechol-tannins, crataegolic acid, D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid, ellagic acid, ethyl octanoate, essential oils, flavonoids, gallic acid, glutamic acid, goreishic acid, guafine, guavacoumaric acid, guaijavarin, guajiverine, guajivolic acid, guajavolide, guavenoic acid, guajavanoic acid, histidine, hyperin, ilelatifol D, isoneriucoumaric acid, isoquercetin, jacoumaric acid, lectins, leucocyanidins, limonene, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, mecocyanin, myricetin, myristic acid, nerolidiol, obtusinin, octanol, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, pectin, polyphenols, psidiolic acid, quercetin, quercitrin, serine, sesquiguavene, tannins, terpenes, and ursolic acid. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH The long history of guava's use has led modern-day researchers to study guava extracts. Its traditional use for diarrhea, gastroenteritis and other digestive complaints has been validated in numerous clinical studies. A plant drug has even been developed from guava leaves (standardized to its quercetin content) for the treatment of acute diarrhea. Human clinical trials with the drug indicate its effectiveness in treating diarrhea in adults. Guava leaf extracts and fruit juice has also been clinically studied for infantile diarrhea.In a clinical study with 62 infants with infantile rotaviral enteritis, the recovery rate was 3 days (87. 1%) in those treated with guava, and diarrhea ceased in a shorter time period than controls. It was concluded in the study that guava has â€Å"good curative effect on infantile rotaviral enteritis. † Guava has many different properties that contribute to its antidiarrheal effect: it has been doc umented with pronounced antibacterial, antiamebic and antispasmodic activity. It has also shown to have a tranquilizing effect on intestinal smooth muscle, inhibit chemical processes found in diarrhea and aid in the re-absorption of water in the intestines.In other research, an alcoholic leaf extract was reported to have a morphine-like effect, by inhibiting the gastrointestinal release of chemicals in acute diarrheal disease. This morphine-like effect was thought to be related to the chemical quercetin. In addition, lectin chemicals in guava were shown to bind to E-coli (a common diarrhea-causing organism), preventing its adhesion to the intestinal wall and thus preventing infection (and resulting diarrhea). The effective use of guava in diarrhea, dysentery and gastroenteritis can also be related to guava's documented antibacterial properties. Bark and leaf extracts have shown to have in vitro toxic action against numerous bacteria.In several studies guava showed significant antiba cterial activity against such common diarrhea-causing bacteria as Staphylococcus, Shigella, Salmonella, Bacillus, E. coli, Clostridium, and Pseudomonas. It has also demonstrated antifungal, anti-yeast (candida), anti-amebic, and antimalarial actions. In a recent study with guinea pigs (in 2003) Brazilian researchers reported that guava leaf extracts have numerous effects on the cardiovascular system which might be beneficial in treating irregular heat beat (arrhythmia). Previous research indicated guava leaf provided antioxidant effects beneficial to the heart, heart protective properties, and improved myocardial function.In two randomized human studies, the consumption of guava fruit for 12 weeks was shown to reduce blood pressure by an average 8 points, decrease total cholesterol levels by 9%, decrease triglycerides by almost 8%, and increase â€Å"good† HDL cholesterol by 8%. The effects were attributed to the high potassium and soluble fiber content of the fruit (however 1-2 pounds of fruit was consumed daily by the study subjects to obtain these results! ). In other animal studies guava leaf extracts have evidenced analgesic, sedative, and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity, as well as a cough suppressant actions. The fruit or fruit juice has been documented to lower lood sugar levels in normal and diabetic animals and humans. Most of these studies confirm the plant's many uses in tropical herbal medicine systems. CURRENT PRACTICAL USES Guava, known as the poor man's apple of the tropics, has a long history of traditional use, much of which is being validated by scientific research. It is a wonderful natural remedy for diarrhea – safe enough even for young children. For infants and children under the age of 2, just a cup daily of guava fruit juice is helpful for diarrhea. For older children and adults, a cup once or twice daily of a leaf decoction is the tropical herbal medicine standard. Though not widely available in the U. S . arket, tea-cut and powdered leaves can be obtained from larger health food stores or suppliers of bulk botanicals. Newer in the market are guava leaf extracts that are used in various herbal formulas for a myriad of purposes; from herbal antibiotic and diarrhea formulas to bowel health and weight loss formulas. Toxicity studies with rats and mice, as well as controlled human studies show both the leaf and fruit to be safe and without side effects. GUAVA PLANT SUMMARY Main Preparation Method: decoction Main Actions (in order): antidysenteric, antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart) Main Uses: or dysentery (bacterial and amebic), diarrhea, colic, and infantile rotavirus enteritis as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for internal and external bacterial, fungal, candidal, and amebic infections to tone, balance, protect and strengthen the heart (and for arrhythmia and some heart diseases) as a cough suppressant, analgesic (pain-reliev er), and febrifuge (reduces fever) for colds, flu, sore throat, etc as a topical remedy for ear and eye infections Properties/Actions Documented by Research: amebicide, analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anticandidal, antidysenteric, antifungal, antimalarial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiulcerous, cardiodepressant, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), central nervous system depressant, cough suppressant, gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric tract), hypotensive (lowers blood ressure), sedative, vasoconstrictor Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, antiseptic, astringent, blood cleanser, digestive stimulant, menstrual stimulant, nervine (balances/calms nerves), vermifuge (expels worms) Cautions: It has a cardiac depressant effect and is contraindicated in some heart conditions. Traditional Preparation: The fruit and juice is freely consumed for its great taste, nutritional benefit and nutrient content, as well as an effective children's diarrhea remedy. The leaves are prepared in a standard decoction and dosages are generally 1 cup 1-3 times daily. Contraindications:Guava has recently demonstrated cardiac depressant activity and should be used with caution by those on heart medications. Guava fruit has shown to lower blood sugar levels and it should be avoided by people with hypoglycemia. Drug Interactions: None reported, however excessive or chronic consumption of guava may potentiate some heart medications. WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES Amazonia for diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, stomachache, vertigo Brazil for anorexia, cholera, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, gastric insufficiency, inflamed mucous membranes, laryngitis, mouth(swelling), skin problems, sore throat, ulcers, vaginal discharge Cuba for colds, dysentery, dyspepsia Ghana coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, toothache Haiti or dysentery, diarrhea, epilepsy, itch, piles, scabies, skin sores, sore t hroat, stomachache, wounds, and as an antiseptic and astringent India for anorexia, cerebral ailments, childbirth, chorea, convulsions, epilepsy, nephritis Malaya for dermatosis, diarrhea, epilepsy, hysteria, menstrual disorders Mexico for deafness, diarrhea, itch, scabies, stomachache, swelling, ulcer, worms, wounds Peru for conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, edema, gout, hemorrhages, gastroenteritis, gastritis, lung problems, PMS, shock, vaginal discharge, vertigo, vomiting, worms Philippines for sores, wounds, and as an astringent Trinidad bacterial infections, blood cleansing, diarrhea, dysenteryElsewhere for anorexia, aches, bacterial infections, boils, bowel disorders, bronchitis, catarrh, cholera, chorea, colds, colic, convulsions, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, edema, epilepsy, fever, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, itch, jaundice, menstrual problems, nausea, nephritis, respiratory problems, rheumatism, scabies, sore throat, spasms, sprains, st omach problems, swelling, tonic, toothache, ulcers, worms, wounds, and as an antiseptic and astringent References/Footnotes: Conde Garcia, E. A. , et al. â€Å"Inotropic effects of extracts of Psidium guajava L. (guava) leaves on the guinea pig atrium. † Braz. J. of Med. & Biol. Res. 2003; 36: 661-668.Suntornsuk, L. , et al. â€Å"Quantitation of vitamin C content in herbal juice using direct titration. † J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2002; 28(5): 849-55. Beckstrom-Sternberg, S. M. , et al. â€Å"The phytochemical database. † (ACEDB version 4. 3-Data version July 1994. ) National Germplasm Resources Laboratory (NGRL), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U. S. Department of Agriculture. Jimenez-Escrig, A. , et al. â€Å"Guava fruit (Psidium guajava L. ) as a new source of antioxidant dietary fiber. † J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001; 49(11): 5489-93. Smith, Nigel J. H. , et al. Tropical Forests and their Crops. London: Cornell University Press. 1992. Arima, H. , et al . Isolation of antimicrobial compounds from guava (Psidium guajava L. ) and their structural elucidation. † Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 2002; 66(8): 1727-30. Morales, M. A. , et al. â€Å"Calcium-antagonist effect of quercetin and its relation with the spasmolytic properties of Psidium guajava L. † Arch. Med. Res. 1994; 25(1): 17-21. Lozoya, X. , et al. â€Å"Quercetin glycosides in Psidium guajava L. leaves and determination of a spasmolytic principle. † Arch. Med. Res. 1994; 25(1): 11-5. Begum, S. , et al. â€Å"Triterpenoids from the leaves of Psidium guajava. † Phytochemistry 2002; 61(4): 399-403. Lozoya, X. , et al. â€Å"Intestinal anti-spasmodic effect of a phytodrug of Psidium guajava olia in the treatment of acute diarrheic disease. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 83(1-2): 19-24. Wei, L. , et al. â€Å"Clinical study on treatment of infantile rotaviral enteritis with Psidium guajava L. † Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2000; 20(12): 8 93-5. Tona, L. , et al. â€Å"Biological screening of traditional preparations from some medicinal plants used as antidiarrhoeal in Kinshasa, Congo. † Phytomedicine 1999; 6(1): 59-66. Lozoya, X. , et al. â€Å"Model of intraluminal perfusion of the guinea pig ileum in vitro in the study of the antidiarrheal properties of the guava (Psidium guajava). † Arch. Invest. Med. (Mex). 1990; 21(2): 155-62. Almeida, C. E. , et al. Analysis of antidiarrhoeic effect of plants used in popular medicine. † Rev. Saude Publica. 1995; 29(6): 428-33. Lin, J. , et al. â€Å"Anti-diarrhoeal evaluation of some medicinal plants used by Zulu traditional healers. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(1): 53-6. Lutterodt, G. D. â€Å"Inhibition of Microlax-induced experimental diarrhea with narcotic-like extracts of Psidium guajava leaf in rats. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1992; 37(2): 151-7. Lutterodt, G. D. â€Å"Inhibition of gastrointestinal release of acetylcholine by quercetin as a possible mode of action of Psidium guajava leaf extracts in the treatment of acute diarrhoeal disease. † J. Ethnopharmcol. 1989; 25(3): 235-47. Coutino-Rodriguez, R. et al, â€Å"Lectins in fruits having gastrointestinal activity: their participation in the hemagglutinating property of Escherichia coli O157:H7. † Arch. Med. Res. 2001; 32(4): 251-7. Abdelrahim, S. I. , et al. â€Å"Antimicrobial activity of Psidium guajava L. † Fitoterapia 2002; 73(7-8): 713-5. Holetz, F. B. , et al. â€Å"Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. † Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 97(7): 1027-31. Caceres, A. , et al. â€Å"Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. 1. Screening of 84 plants against enterobacteria. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1990; 30(1): 55-73. Garcia, S. et al, â€Å"Inhibition of growth, enterotoxin production, and spore formation of Clostridium perfringens by extra cts of medicinal plants. † J. Food Prot. 2002; 65(10): 1667-9. Tona, L. , et al. â€Å"Antiamoebic and spasmolytic activities of extracts from some antidiarrhoeal traditional preparations used in Kinshasa, Congo. † Phytomedicine 2000; 7(1): 31-8. Tona, L. , et al. â€Å"Antiamoebic and phytochemical screening of some Congolese medicinal plants. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 61(1): 57-65. Nundkumar, N. , et al. â€Å"Studies on the antiplasmodial properties of some South African medicinal plants used as antimalarial remedies in Zulu folk medicine. † Methods Find Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 2002; 24(7): 397-401. Yamashiro, S. , et al. Cardioprotective effects of extracts from Psidium guajava L. and Limonium wrigth II, Okinawan medicinal plants, against ischemia-reperfusion injury in perfused rat hearts. † Pharmacology 2003; 67(3): 128-35. Singh, R. B. , et al. â€Å"Can guava fruit intake decrease blood pressure and blood lipids? † J. Hum Hypertens. 1993 ; 7(1): 33-8. Singh, R. B. , et al. â€Å"Effects of guava intake on serum total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and on systemic blood pressure. † Am. J. Cardiol. 1992; 70(15): 1287-91. Shaheen, H. M. , et al. â€Å"Effect of Psidium guajava leaves on some aspects of the central nervous system in mice. † Phytother. Res. 2000; 14(2): 107-11. Lutterodt, G.D. , et al. â€Å"Effects on mice locomotor activity of a narcotic-like principle from Psidium guajava leaves. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1988; 24(2-3): 219-31. Jaiarj, P. , et al. â€Å"Anticough and antimicrobial activities of Psidium guajava Linn. leaf extract. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 67(2): 203-12. Cheng, J. T. , et al. â€Å"Hypoglycemic effect of guava juice in mice and human subjects. † Am. J. Clin. Med. 1983; 11(1-4): 74-6. Roman-Ramos, R. , et al. â€Å"Anti-hyperglycemic effect of some edible plants. † J. Ethnopharmacol. 1995. The above text has been printed from The He aling Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, copyrighted  © 2005 All rights reserved.No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, including websites, without written permission. †  The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained in this plant database file is intended for education, entertainment and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease. Please refer to our Conditions of Use for using this plant database file and web site.  © Copyrighted 1996 to present by Raintree Nutrition, Inc. , Carson City, NV