(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Summary Aloe vera is a perennial plant with yellow flowers and tough fleshy triangular or spear-like leaves that grow in a rosette configuration. Although historical records indicate that aloe may have originated in Egypt or the Middle East, it has been introduced and is naturalized in most…
Indications Anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, tension, and pain syndromes. Mechanism of Action The neurophysiological activities of Piper methysticum are attributed primarily to the lipophilic resinous compounds, known as kavalactones (also known as kava pyrones), found in the root. To date, 18 different kavalactones have been identified; however, approximately 96% of the…
Related Species Origanum syriacum, Origanum compactum, Origanum onites. Indications Fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Mechanism of Action Origanum vulgare has potent antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The composition of the dried leaves of Origanum vulgare (excluding the essential oil component) includes a large amount of triterpene phenolic acids including…
Indications Dysbiosis, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and inflammatory bowel disease. Mechanism of Action Berberine is a compound found in the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids, and is considered the major active component present in several plant species.1 Besides antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects,2 recent studies have shown that berberine and…
Indications Adrenal fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. Mechanism of Action The withanolides, a group of steroidal lactones, are credited with adrenal supportive effects.1 Steroidal compounds in plants are structurally similar to human steroids, and many are noted to have numerous physiological effects. Animal studies suggest that ashwagandha is a γ-aminobutyric acid…
Indications Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)1,2,3 Mechanism of Action Vitex agnus castus fruits contain flavonoid glycosides such as casticin, vitexin, penduletin, orientin, and apigenin; the iridoid compounds aucubin,4 agnuside,5,6 agnucastosides A, B, and C, mussaenosidic acid, and hydroxybenzoylmussaenosidic acid7; and labdane diterpene alkaloids such as vitexlactams A, B, and C8 and…
Indications Menopause, menstrual, and fertility disorders in women. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mastalgia, gynecomastia in men, adolescent acne, amenorrhea, ovarian cysts, hot flashes, menstrual bleeding irregularities.1,2,3 Mechanism of Action Vitex agnus castus fruits contain flavonoid glycosides such as casticin, vitexin, penduletin, orientin, and apigenin; the iridoid compounds aucubin,4 agnuside,5,6 agnucastosides A,…
Indications Hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, cardiac weakness, atherosclerosis, and vascular inflammation. As a vagal nerve tonic, Viscum album may help strengthen weak pulse, slow tachyarrhythmia, or enliven bradycardia. Cardiac enlargement, valvular incompetence, angina, shortness of breath, dyspnea, edema, palpitation with exertion, inability to lie down, and other symptoms of…
Indications Insomnia and possibly nervousness and anxiety. Mechanism of Action Several constituents of Valeriana officinalis have been found to have sedative or anxiolytic properties. These constituents are valerenic acid (VA), 6-methylapigenin (MA), (2S)-hesperidin (HN), and the flavonoid glycoside linarin (LN). VA and MA have been shown to have GABAergic activity.…
Indications Allergic rhinitis, musculoskeletal disease such as osteoarthritis, urinary tract infections and inflammation, kidney stones, anemia, diabetes, thyroid disease, and other endocrine disorders. Also, a source of vitamins A, C, and K; potassium; phosphorus; and calcium. Mechanism of Action Flavonoids in Urtica dioica have demonstrated anti-inflammatory1 and antioxidant effects,2 particularly…
Indications Hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. Also used as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Mechanism of Action Triphala inhibits lipid peroxide and promotes scavenging of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro.1 The precise mechanisms of its antiobesity effects have not yet been elucidated.…
Indications Nutritive and fertility tonic, menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome. Mechanism of Action Legume isoflavones are structurally similar to 17β-estradiol and are natural ligands of α and β estrogen nuclear receptors.1 Genistein, daidzein, and formononetin are three isoflavones that occur in Trifolium, and they are the most studied of all isoflavones.…
