USES OF CHEWING STICKS MEDICINAL HERBS IN YORUBA HERBAL MEDICINE BY BABALAWO OBANIFA

USES OF CHEWING STICKS medicinal herbs IN YORUBA

Herbal medicine by babalawo obanifa

 in this work Babalawo Obanifa shall examine different medicinal  herbal chewing sticks that is available in Yoruba herbal medicine that can be used as both curative and preventive remedies for Dental and Oral diseases. Most Nigeria herbal chewing sticks apart from it natural ability to clean the teeth and make it white, it also contain some antibacterial and   medicinal properties that can be used to maintain dental and oral hygiene, this work will discuss these dental and oral condition as well as herbal chewing stick available to remedy them in Yoruba herbal medicine .

Toothache(akokoro)

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth that may be caused by:

• Tooth decay
• Abscessed tooth
• Tooth fracture
• A damaged filling
• Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth
• Infected gums

Symptoms of a toothache may include:

• Tooth pain that may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. In some people, pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
• Swelling around the tooth
• Fever or headache
• Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

MEDICINAL CHEWING STICKs FOR toothache

 the following are medicinal herbal chewing sticks in Yoruba herbal medicine that can be used to  prevent and  cure tooth ache. They are  known  as igin orin  (chewing stick). Here are some of the list herbal  chewing sticks  for toothache : 

·       Igi tabi egbo orogbo (  stem or root of  bitter kola with scientific name  Garcinia kola)

·       Igi orin  Ata (Fagara zanthoxyloides)

·       Orin Idi, Idi Odan,Orin  Pupa(Terminalia glaucescens, Terminalia Macroptera)

·       Afunsese(Sorindeia warneckei)

·       Orin Ifon , Afon, Ufon(Olax subscorpiodea,Treculia Africana)

·       Senifiran, Amureju(Sesbania pachycarpa)

·       Ayan, Emi Gbegi(Pseudocedrela kotschyii)

·       Pako Ijebu, Ewuro Odo(Massularia acuminate)

   

                                                                  

THRUSH(Efu)

 According to Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP in his work  Thrush (Oral Candidiasis ) make give succinct explanations of what  thrush  thus:

• Thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) is a medical condition in which a yeast-shaped fungus called Candida albicans overgrows in the mouth and throat.
• Thrush may be triggered to occur by a variety of factors, including illness, pregnancy, medications, smoking, or dentures.
• Thrush in newborns and infants is common and usually not harmful.
• Risk factors for thrush include weakened immune systems, medications, smoking, or stress.
• Signs and symptoms of thrush include
• white patches in the mouth, inner cheeks, throat, palate, and tongue, as well as
• soreness and mouth pain.
• Thrush is usually diagnosed by clinical examination by a physician or dentist.
• Treatment for thrush depends on the severity and the cause and can include simple home remedies, oral medications, or systemic medications.
• The prognosis for mild cases of thrush is good. The outlook for severe cases depends on the underlying cause and the status of the patient's immune system.
• It's possible to prevent thrush in most cases by risk factor modification.

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR THRUSH

·       Orin Idi, Idi Odan,Orin  Pupa(Terminalia glaucescens, Terminalia Macroptera)

·        Igi Ogege         (Jatropha gossypiifolia)

·       Igi tabi egbo orogbo (  stem or root of  bitter kola with scientific name  Garcinia kola)

·       Orin Ayin  tabi orin  Odan(Anogeissus leiocarpus,Dialium Guineese)

Mouth ulcer(Owo Enu)

According to www.healthline.com, Mouth ulcers — also known as canker sores — are normally small, painful lesions that develop in your mouth or at the base of your gums. They can make eating, drinking, and talking uncomfortable. Women, adolescents, and people with a family history of mouth ulcers are at higher risk for developing mouth ulcers.

Mouth ulcers aren’t contagious and usually go away within one to two weeks. However, if you get a canker sore that is large or extremely painful, or if it lasts for a long time without healing, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

What triggers mouth ulcers?

There is no definite cause behind mouth ulcers. However, certain factors and triggers have been identified. These include:

       minor mouth injury from dental work, hard brushing, sports injury, or accidental bite

       toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate

       food sensitivities to acidic foods like strawberries, citrus, and pineapples, and other trigger foods like chocolate and coffee

       lack of essential vitamins, especially B-12, zinc, folate, and iron

       allergic response to mouth bacteria

       dental braces

       hormonal changes during menstruation

       emotional stress or lack of sleep

       bacterial, viral, or fungal infections

Mouth ulcers also can be a sign of conditions that are more serious and require medical treatment, such as:

       celiac disease (a condition in which the body is unable to tolerate gluten)

       inflammatory bowel disease

       diabetes mellitus

       Behcet’s disease (a condition that causes inflammation throughout the body)

       a malfunctioning immune system that causes your body to attack the healthy mouth cells instead of viruses and bacteria

       HIV/AIDs

What symptoms are associated with mouth ulcers?

There are three types of canker sores: minor, major, and herpetiform.

Minor

Minor canker sores are small oval or round ulcers that heal within one to two weeks with no scarring.

Major

Major canker sores are larger and deeper than minor ones. They have irregular edges and can take up to six weeks to heal. Major mouth ulcers can result in long-term scarring.

Herpetiform

Herpetiform canker sores are pinpoint size, occur in clusters of 10 to 100, and often affect adults. This type of mouth ulcer has irregular edges and will often heal without scarring within one to two weeks.

You should see a doctor if you develop any of the following:

       unusually large mouth ulcers

       new mouth ulcers before the old ones heal

       sores that persist more than three weeks

       sores that are painless

       mouth ulcers that extend to the lips

       pain that can’t be controlled with over-the-counter or natural medication

       severe problems eating and drinking

       high fever or diarrhea whenever the canker sores appear

How are mouth ulcers diagnosed?

Your doctor will be able to diagnose mouth ulcers through a visual exam. If you’re having frequent, severe mouth ulcers, you might be tested for other medical conditions.

What are some ways to treat mouth ulcers?

Most mouth ulcers don’t need treatment. However, if you get mouth ulcers often or they’re extremely painful, a number of treatments can decrease pain and healing time. These include:

       using a rinse of saltwater and baking soda

       placing milk of magnesia on the mouth ulcer

       covering mouth ulcers with baking soda paste

       using over-the-counter benzocaine (topical anesthetic) products like Orajel or Anbesol

       applying ice to canker sores

       using a mouth rinse that contains a steroid to reduce pain and swelling

       using topical pastes

       placing damp tea bags on your mouth ulcer

       taking nutritional supplements like folic acid, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and zinc

       trying natural remedies such as chamomile tea, echinacea, myrrh, and licorice root

Tips to prevent mouth ulcers

You can take steps to reduce the occurrence of mouth ulcers. Avoiding foods that irritate your mouth can be helpful. That includes acidic fruits like pineapple, grapefruit, oranges, or lemon, as well as nuts, chips, or anything spicy. Instead, choose whole grains and alkaline (nonacidic) fruits and vegetables. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and take a daily multivitamin.

Try to avoid talking while you’re chewing your food to reduce accidental bites. Reducing stress and maintaining good oral hygiene by using dental floss daily and brushing after meals also may help. Finally, get adequate sleep and rest. This not only will prevent mouth ulcers, but a host of other illnesses as well.

Some people find avoiding soft bristle toothbrushes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate also helps. Your dentist can give you wax to cover dental or orthodontic mouth devices that have sharp edges.

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR mouth ulcer

·       Igi Lapalpa(Jatropha curcas)

·       Igi Ira, Ira odan , Ura(Bridelia ferruginea)

·       Igi tabi egbo orogbo (  stem or root of  bitter kola with scientific name  Garcinia kola)

·       Emi gbegi(Pseudocedrela kotschyii)

Acute ulcerative gingivitis(Jehin Jehin)

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG): This is trench mouth, a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums.

Certain germs (including fusiform bacteria and spirochetes) have been thought to be involved, but the full story behind this long-known disease is still not clear.

This condition is also called Vincent's angina after the French physician Henri Vincent (1862-1950). The word "angina" comes from the Latin "angere" meaning "to choke or throttle."

As with most poorly understood diseases, Vincent's angina goes by many other names including acute membranous gingivitis, fusospirillary gingivitis, fusospirillosis, fusospirochetal gingivitis, necrotizing gingivitis, phagedenic gingivitis, ulcerative gingivitis, Vincent's gingivitis, Vincent's infection, and Vincent's stomatitis.

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR  Acute

ulcerative gingivitis

·       Orin Idi, Idi Odan,Orin  Pupa(Terminalia glaucescens, Terminalia Macroptera)

·       Pako Ijebu, Ewuro Odo(Massularia acuminate)

·       Orin  Ata(Fagara zanthoxyloides)

Tonsilitis(Belubelu)

According to www.healthline.com, Tonsils are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of your throat. They function as a defense mechanism. They help prevent your body from infection. When the tonsils become infected, the condition is called tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis can occur at any age and is a common childhood infection. It is most often diagnosed in children from preschool age through their midteens. Symptoms include a sore throat, swollen tonsils, and fever.

This condition is contagious and can be caused by a variety of common viruses and bacteria, such as Streptococcal bacteria, which causes strep throat. Tonsillitis caused by strep throat can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Tonsillitis is easily diagnosed. Symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days.

Causes

Causes of tonsillitis

Tonsils are your first line of defense against illness. They produce white blood cells to help your body fight infection. The tonsils combat bacteria and viruses that enter your body through your mouth. However, tonsils are also vulnerable to infection from these invaders.

Tonsillitis can be caused by a virus, such as the common cold, or by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), an estimated 15 to 30 percent of tonsillitis cases are due to bacteria. Most often it's strep bacteria.

Viruses are the most common cause of tonsillitis. The Epstein-Barr virus can cause tonsillitis, which can also cause mononucleosis.

Children come into close contact with others at school and play, exposing them to a variety of viruses and bacteria. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the germs that cause tonsillitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tonsillitis

There are several types of tonsillitis, and there are many possible symptoms that include:

       a very sore throat

       difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing

       a scratchy-sounding voice

       bad breath

       fever

       chills

       earaches

       stomachaches

       headaches

       a stiff neck

       jaw and neck tenderness due to swollen lymph nodes

       tonsils that appear red and swollen

       tonsils that have white or yellow spots

In very young children, you may also notice increased irritability, poor appetite, or excessive drooling.

There are two types of tonsillitis:

       recurrent tonsillitis: multiple episodes of acute tonsillitis a year

       chronic tonsillitis: episodes last longer than acute tonsillitis in addition to other symptoms that include:

o    chronic sore throat

o    bad breath, or halitosis

o    tender lymph nodes in the neck

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR  TONSILITIS

·       Igi Ewuro( bitter leave stem with scientific name Vernonia amygdalina)

·       Oganwo(khaya senegalensis)

·       Orin  Ata(Fagara zanthoxyloides)

·       Igi Ogege (Jatropha gossypiifolia)

BLACK TONGUE(Kolobo     )

   According to web med one of the leading online health care website, a black hairy tongue is caused by too much bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth. The bacteria build up on tiny rounded projections called papillae. These lie along the surface of the tongue. Instead of shedding as they normally do, the papillae start to grow and lengthen, creating hair-like projections. They can grow to 15 times their normal length.

Normally, the papillae are pinkish-white. But as they grow, pigments from food, drinks, and possibly the bacteria or yeast themselves get caught in the papillae, dyeing the tongue a color. Most often that color is black, hence the name. But the tongue can also turn brown, yellow, green, or a variety of other colors.

Certain lifestyle habits and conditions can make people more likely to develop black hairy tongue. They include:

• poor oral hygiene
• smoking tobacco
• drinking a lot of coffee or tea
• using antibiotics (which may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth)
• being dehydrated
• taking medications that contain the chemical bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach)
• not producing enough saliva
• regularly using mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol
• getting radiation therapy to the head and neck

Black hairy tongue is more common in men, people who use intravenous drugs, and those who are HIV-positive.

What Are the Symptoms of Black Hairy Tongue?

Other than the appearance of the tongue, most people with black hairy tongue don't have any symptoms or feel any discomfort. The exception is when there is too much growth of the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause a burning sensation on the tongue. This burning sensation is called glossopyrosis.

Some people complain of a tickling feeling in the back of the roof of the mouth, a metallic taste in their mouth, or nausea. In more severe cases, the condition may lead to a gagging feeling. Sometimes, food getting caught inside the extra-long papillae can cause bad breath

How Is Black Hairy Tongue Treated?

Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to treat black hairy tongue. Gently brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Also, brush your tongue. You can use a tongue scraper to make sure you're thoroughly cleaning the area. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your mouth clean.

Other tips include:

•  If you smoke, quit.
• Add more roughage to your diet. Soft foods won't clean off the tongue effectively.

Call your doctor or dentist if the problem doesn't get better on its own. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or an antifungal drug to get rid of the bacteria or yeast. Topical medications, such as tretinoin (Retin-A), are also sometimes prescribed. As a last resort, if the problem doesn't improve, the papillae can be surgically clipped off with a laser or electrosurgery.

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR BLACK tongue

·       Igi Ewuro( bitter leave stem with scientific name Vernonia amygdalina)

·       Igi tabi egbo orogbo (  stem or root of  bitter kola with scientific name  Garcinia kola)

·       Orin  Ata(Fagara zanthoxyloides)

·       Orin Idi, Idi Odan,Orin  Pupa(Terminalia glaucescens, Terminalia Macroptera

·       Pako Ijebu, Ewuro Odo(Massularia acuminate

·       Orin Ayin(Sarcocephalus latifolius)

·       Afunsese, omu;esin(Sorindeia warneckei)

·       Egbesi     (Nauclea warneckei )                      

Periodontitis, gingivitis(Yoro         )

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection involving the gums and sometimes the bone that surrounds a tooth. Gum diseases can affect one tooth or many teeth, and they range from gum irritation (gingivitis) to severe infection (periodontitis).

MEDICINAL HERBAL CHEWING STICK FOR Periodontitis, gingivitis

·       Igi tabi egbo orogbo (  stem or root of  bitter kola with scientific name  Garcinia kola)

·       Orin  Ata(Fagara zanthoxyloides)

Copyright: Babalawo Pele Obasa Obanifa, phone whatsapp contact: +2348166343145, location: Ile Ife Osun state Nigeria.

           

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As regards the article above, all rights reserved, no part of this article may be reproduced or duplicated in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying and recording or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the copyright holder and the author Babalawo Obanifa, doing so is considered unlawful and will attract legal consequences