Indications Goiter (may be administered both topically and internally), sluggish metabolic function, detoxification (especially the thyroid gland), promote movement of sluggish body fluids including saliva, lymph, bile, and digestive secretions. Mechanism of Action Iris contains iridin, an isoflavone. Iridin is the 7-glycoside of irigenin that can be isolated from several…
Indications Asthma, bronchitis and chronic cough, respiratory infections and congestion. Mechanism of Action The main constituents of Hyssopus officinalis L. include polyphenolic compounds and essential oils generally known to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Essential oils can also act as expectorants and antispasmodics. They are aromatic and generally impart the…
Indications Insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. Mechanism of Action The pharmacological activity of Humulus is principally due to resin (lupulin) from the dried, female-flowering parts (strobiles). It is believed that the constituents in Humulus resin contribute to increasing levels of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter of the…
Indications Diabetes (type 1 and 2), hypoglycemia, and obesity. Mechanism of Action Numerous active phytoconstituents including a group of triterpene saponins1,2 known as gymnemic acids,3 gymnemasaponins, and the polypeptide gurmarin4 have been identified in Gymnema and credited with various antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and beta cell–regenerative effects. Gymnemic acids are a class…
Indications Elevated testosterone and prolactin, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mechanism of Action Researchers report that Glycyrrhiza helps normalize elevated testosterone by several mechanisms including reducing the synthesis of testosterone1 and blocking the dehydrogenase enzymes2,3 that help synthesize it4,5; blocking 5α-reductase enzymes that convert testosterone to the more active…
Indications Adrenal-related fatigue and hypotension. Mechanism of Action Glycyrrhiza contains steroidal saponins credited with many of the supportive effects on the adrenal glands and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Many adaptogenic plants possess steroidal saponins shown to exert immunomodulating and anabolic activities.1 As a general group of plant steroid-like compounds, saponins have…
Indications Goiter and thyroid disease (including hypo- and hyperthyroid states), obesity, and cancer. Mechanism of Action Fucus has a high halide mineral content, including iodine, which has good bioavailability,1 and selenium, which is of central importance in regulation of the thyroid gland.2 The presence of iodine and specific selenoproteins implicated…
Indications For managing pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Provides relaxation, mild sedation, or both while treating a variety of disease states. Nonaddictive, safe, gentle, nonnarcotic pain relief. Mechanism of Action Some books have reported Eschscholzia to contain trace amounts of morphine, but there are no published studies attesting to the veracity.…
Indications Fatigue, poor stamina, and stress intolerance. Used for adrenal support, nervous and mood disorders such as depression, mental fatigue, and poor concentration and is a traditional remedy to improve immune function in both chronic and acute infections. Mechanism of Action Much of medicinal actions of Eleutherococcus are credited to…
Indications Liver and gallbladder disorders, including infective hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver enlargement, and gallbladder disease. Mechanism of Action Medicinally active compounds in Eclipta species include coumestans, alkaloids, thiopenes, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, and triterpene saponins and their glycosides.1 Wedelolactone is one coumestan credited with diverse pharmacological activities,2 including reducing liver inflammation via…
Indications Cynara scolymus is used for hyperlipidemia, dyspepsia, nausea, alcohol-induced hangover, liver dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and gallstone prevention. It is also used orally as a diuretic and choleretic to promote bile production. Because bile plays an important role in lipid and cholesterol processing, choleretic agents are often used in…
Indications Pain and inflammation. Turmeric is used for many disorders involving pain and inflammation including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), acute injuries to the muscles and joints, headaches, and fibromyalgia. See Curcuma monograph 2 for jaundice, hepatitis, and other liver and gallbladder conditions. Mechanism of Action Curcumin, a bright yellow flavonoid…
