White Kyllinga for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Update 17-Dec-2014
New trial using the whole plant complete with roots and rhizomes.
Date: 8-Dec-2014 to 12-Dec-2014
Method: Decoction of a fistful of whole plants complete with roots and rhizomes.
Result: It appeared to be more effective than the earlier trial of infusion of the plant without roots.
I drank 4 cups daily (about 1-litre) of the decoction for 5 days.
I dug out a fistful of the whole plants and carefully washed away the dirt from the roots and rhizomes.
I placed the whole bunch in a stainless steel pot and added about 1.2 litres of freshly drawn filtered water.
The mixture was brought to a gentle boil and left to simmer on low flame for 20-30 minutes.
The decoction was then poured into a glass teapot and I drank 4 cups over the course of the day.
It eased the dull throbbing pain/irritation in my toes/foot somewhat; at least a bit more than my earlier trial using an infusion of the plant (without the roots).
Conclusion: A decoction of the whole White Kyllinga complete with roots and rhizomes appears to be able to provide some relief of my left foot’s dull throbbing pain.
However, as noted in my earlier trial as well, it is not as spectacular as I had hoped.
Disclaimer and caution:
The plant and dosage (a fistful) may not be appropriate for everyone.
This is not a scientific conclusive experiment but merely my first person testimony on its effect on me, for general information only.
You should seek your own physician’s advice and do your own research before attempting this.
Update 4-Dec-2014
The current wet spell gave rise to an abundant growth of the White Kyllinga weed in my garden. That prompted me to look deeper into this plant and to try it again for the persistent deep, dull throbbing rheumatoid arthritis pain in my feet.
To learn the difference between infusion and decoction and How To Make Herbal Tea, click http://www.free2share.com/making-herbal-tea/
To recap, here are the references on the medicinal uses of the White Kyllinga:
- Used for common colds, bronchitis, malaria, arthritis, injuries, digestion, diarrhea, stomach and intestinal problems, dysentry, joint pain and rheumatic problems.
http://earthmedicineinstitute.com/more/library/medicinal-plants/kyllinga-brevifolia-nemoralis/ - The decoction of roots and rhizomes is used as diuretic, refrigerant, demulcent and tonic, and to treat fever and cough, malaria, and to relieve thirst in diabetes. The infusion of stems and leaves is used for headaches, muscle pains and fever.
http://www.stuartxchange.com/Anuang.html
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/177219/0 - The tuber is useful in vitiated conditions of pitta and vata, hyperdipsia, fever, diarrhoea, strangury, stomachalgia cough, bronchitis, hepatopathy, splenopathy, diabetes, dermatitis, fistula and tumours.
http://www.toxicologycentre.com/English/plants/Botanical/palnivasi.html - Fevers and headaches caused by exogenous pathogens, acute bronchitis, whooping cough, malaria, jaundice, dysentery, albiduria, pyocutaneous disease and swelling, skin itching, venomous snake bites, pain in rheumatic joints, injuries from falls.
http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?channelid=1288&lang=en&searchword=herb_id=D01213 - Anti-inflammatory, liver, sprains and contusions
http://www.centerfortraditionalmedicine.org/uploads/2/3/7/5/23750643/medicinal_plants_in_the_south_pacific.pdf - · Colds with fever; when taken internally, has a perspiring (sudorific) effect.
· Whooping cough, bronchitis, swelling pain in the throat.
· Malaria.
· Snake bites, furuncles, sprains: Apply poultice of pounded fresh leaves.
· Skin pruritus: Decoction may be used as an external wash.
· In India, used for dysentery – ten fresh tubers made into paste and consumed with rice; once daily for three days.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/phuonglovejesus2782010/8309419980/ - Treatment of malaria and dengue
http://blog.ongsiwkim.com/en/local-method/kyllinga-brevifolia-rottb/ - Sudorific, refrigerant, demulcent and tonic (decoction of roots); diuretic (decoction of rhizome)
http://www.impgc.com/plantinfo_A.php?id=2362
The problem with the literature and references above is that the preparation method is not clear. I decided to try an infusion of the whole plant, minus the roots.
Here is what I did:
1. I took a handful of the plant and cut off at the base (without roots).
2. Washed the plant thoroughly to remove surface dirt and dust.
3. Stuffed the bundle of washed plants in the strainer of my glass teapot.
4. Lightly boiled a litre of freshly drawn filtered water in a stainless steel kettle.
5. Poured the just boiled water over the plants in the strainer/teapot and cover, including the spout. This is to prevent any beneficial volatile oils from escaping.
6. After 20-30 minutes of steeping, the first cup was ready to drink.
7. I continued to let the remainder steep in the teapot and drank a total of 4 cups over the day.
The flavour is slightly minty and easy to drink.
After a week of this daily ritual, I can report that it did give some relief of the dull pain in my feet although not as spectacular as I had hoped.
Maybe I’ll try the whole plant including the roots next week. In that case, I’ll do a decoction instead of infusion, in order to extract the therapeutic value of the roots.
To learn the difference between infusion and decoction and How To Make Herbal Tea, click http://www.free2share.com/making-herbal-tea/
Original Article
I have tried the Green Papaya + Green Tea remedy and it is documented here. Since I have run out of green papaya (no more fruit on my papaya tree!) I decided to try the White Kyllinga remedy.
The White Kyllinga is a grass-like weed is known as a sedge of the Cyperaceae family. It is quite a tenacious weed that seems to grow in some unlikely places in your garden. It has a 
characteristic three-sided erect stem about 5-10 cm tall with three thin longish grass-like leaves. Atop this crown of three leaves sits the whitish flower ball. It is used to treat commoncolds, bronchitis, malaria, arthritis, joint pains and rheumatism. It is also used as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, stomach and intestinial problems.
I pull a bunch (about 5-6 stems) of the white kyllinga and add to 3 cups of boiling water. Leave on slow boil to reduce to about a single cup. The resulting tea is quite refreshing to drink. So far, it seems to give some relief for the pain in my feet.
(Ref: http://earthmedicineinstitute.com/more/library/medicinal-plants/kyllinga-brevifolia-nemoralis/ )