Any fingernail or toenail infection whose main cause is fungus is also known as onychomycosis. This type of infection is more prevalent on the toenails compared to the fingernails. Once infected, the nail thickens and becomes discolored. Due to such changes, the nail appears different, most of the time ugly. Sometimes the pain may come from the infected nail.
Who gets it?
It is possible for one to get infected. Such infections are quite common among adults who are 60 years old. Such infections commonly affect those who suffer from diabetes or any circulation disorder. It is not likely for children to get infected with nail fungal infections.
What causes this?
It’s challenging to know how and where you get the infection, but if you wear tight-fitting shoes daily you are prone to it. It’s the same thing when you frequently walk barefoot in damp public places like swimming pools, locker rooms, and other wet-floor areas. Fungus thrives in a warm and moist environment. When your hands or feet are always wet, you are more prone to this infection.
Fungi that belong to the group called dermatophytes are the common cause of nail fungus infections. Yeasts and molds may also cause fungal nail infections.
What are its symptoms?
The following changes are common in nails infected by fungus: thickened and rough nails, nail discoloration, crumbling or brittle nails, nail separation from the nail bed, pain and tenderness, and the occurrence of white and yellow streaks underneath the nail tips.
How is it treated?
Several medications can be used to treat a toenail fungal infection. Your doctor will be able to assist you in choosing the right nail fungus treatment. More often the options include oral antifungals which have to be taken for several weeks or months up to a year. A medicated nail lacquer may also be prescribed. A new type of treatment uses laser light to eliminate the fungus.
1All about the Asian Ginseng
Panax ginseng is one of the different types of ginseng used in herbal medicine. This ginseng plant is cultivated in the boondocks of East Asia. It’s the roots of the plant that are harvested and used as the ginseng found in tea and supplement forms. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, each kind of ginseng has its own set of healing properties. Certain types of panax ginseng are known to have warming properties that help with blood flow.
Ginseng is called by different names which can be confusing. These include the following: Asian Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, and a couple of other names. It is different from American Ginseng and Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero) though.
The word “ginseng” comes from a Chinese term whose meaning is “man root.” This resembles a person’s limbs. The word “panax” has the same origin as the word “panacea” which means “all heal.” When put together, it becomes “all-heal man root.”
All types of ginseng have the same property. They are all adaptogenic, which means that they can all help in coping and adapting to various mental and physical stressors. You may experience having a very stressful day, making you feel exhausted. This may not be the case when you take ginseng during this day.
The active compounds in ginseng are known as ginsenosides. These all have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, along with many others.
As an Antifungal or Antimicrobial
In recent years, ginseng extracts have been seen to possess bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions. Ginseng extracts have also been observed to possess antifungal properties as shown by their ability to inhibit the growth of molds and yeasts. Aside from that, the extracts also have potent antiviral activity against RNA viruses in various cell cultures and animal models.
Panax ginseng has bioactive components that can inhibit the growth of certain pathogens namely Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Propionibacterium acnes as well as fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activities of ginseng are brought about by its ginsenosides, essential oil, panaxytriol, polysaccharides, and proteins.
Other Health Benefits
Panax ginseng is popular for its multiple health benefits which include the following:
Boosts the Immune System
According to extensive research, panax ginseng has exhibited a positive impact in boosting the body’s immune system. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research disclosed that the stems, leaves, and roots of Asian ginseng may help achieve homeostasis and enable the body to resist illnesses. A lot of people are afraid of getting sick, not to mention the complications that come with it. This is crucial, especially for those who have suppressed immune systems. Daily use of a ginseng supplement may reduce your chances of becoming sick.
Weight Loss Management
A 2018 study of Asian ginseng showed that it could help with obesity prevention and improve insulin resistance, which is a major cause of obesity. Ginseng has also been observed to have a positive impact on gut microbiota. This was based on a study done on 10 middle-aged women looking into their gut bacteria for eight weeks of taking Asian ginseng. The study revealed that panax ginseng helped with weight loss and had a positive impact on the women’s gut microbiota.
Helps Address Depression and Anxiety
Persistent stress causes symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is crucial to address the sources of stress and work on reducing them. Asian ginseng has been used to protect the body’s nervous system in general. By ensuring that your nervous system is functioning optimally you can deal with daily stress better, in turn addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
On the other hand, ginseng has been studied for its effects on easing stress which when not treated right may lead to chronic conditions. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal
of Ginseng Research, ginseng possesses anti-depressant properties when consumed regularly.
Supports Cardiovascular Health
A large number of research studies have shown the impact of panax ginseng on overall heart health. A 2016 published study in the Journal of Ginseng showed that ginseng could help in lowering the blood pressure of several hypertensive rats.
Ginseng has been established to be safely added to your daily vitamin regimen according to a 2015 published study in Medicines.
