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Thursday 31 October 2013

Chinese #Herbs – Xue Lian (Saussurea Involucrata)

Xue Lian is also known as Saussurea Root. The slightly bitter and warm herb has been used in TCM as an anti-aging, anti-fatigue, arresting asthma, anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesicto  and to treat rheumatoid arthritis, impotence, irregular menses, etc., as it disperses Cold,m expels Wind-Damp, tonifies the Yang, stops bleeding, etc. by enhancing the functions of spleen, liver and kidney channels.

Ingredients
1. Alkaloid
2. Flavanone
3. Sterol
4. Amino acids
5. Syringin
6. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects
In the study to compare the pharmacological effects of three species of “Snow Lotus” in experimental inflammation and pain models, and determined the chemical compounds that may correlate with their pharmacological activities,. found that Saussurea laniceps was most effective; Saussurea involucrata exhibited a moderate potency, whereas Saussurea medusa possessed little effect against the experimental edema and pains(1).
2. Anti-hypoxic activity
In the study to screen and identify the anti-hypoxic constituents in the herbs grown in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau of Northwestern China, found that Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip exhibits high anti-hypoxic activity that may be effective in preventing acute mountain sickness, and the active constituents are mainly in the petroleum ether extract(2).
3. Prostate cancer
In the study to identify Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir., a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb, as a potential agent for androgen-independent prostate cancer patients and investigate its biological mechanism as an antineoplastic agent, showed that  S. involucrata as an effective inhibitor of EGFR signaling in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells(3).
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1, Do not use the herb in case of yin deficiency with fever
2. Overdose can cause overly sweating
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
4. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20083181
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21893186
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166659

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