Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals

Monday, 4 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Ma Huang (Herba ephedrae)

Ma Huang is also known as ephedra. The acrid, slightly bitter and warm herb has been used in TCM to promote urination and sweating, and rid of cold, sooth wheezing asthma, etc. as it calms dyspnea, asthma, cough, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and bladder channels.

Ingredients
1. Saponins
2. 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine
3. 1-apha-terpineol,beta-terpineol
4. terpineol-4,–menth-2-en-7-ol
5. 1,3,4 -trimethyl-3-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1carboxaldehyde
6. Flavone
7. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Autonomic activities
In the study to investigste discuss the significance of processing and complex prescription with Herba Ephedrae, the effects of Herba Ephedrae, Honey-fried Herba Ephedrae and Maxingshigan decoction on autonomic activities in mice, indicated that there was interaction between time and groups. There were very significant differences between before ig and all time-points after ig (P < 0.01). 30 minutes after ig,there were significant differences between E and NS,E and ZMH-L,E and MX-L (P < 0.05). 1 h after ig, there were significant differences between MX-M and NS (P < 0.05). 3 h after ig, there were significant differences between MX-M and MH-L (P < 0.05). 30 minutes after ig, both ZMH-L and MX-L could reduce the number of autonomic activity in some extent compare with MH-L. 1 h or 2 h after ig, ZMH-L could reduce the number of autonomic activity in some extent compare with MH-L 4 h after ig, MX-L could reduce the number of autonomic activity in some extent compare with MH-L(1).
2. Sleep latency
In the study to observe the effects of Herba ephedrae, honey-fried Herba ephedrae and Maxingshigan decoction on pentobabital sodium sleep experiment in mice. Compared with high- and low-dose Herba ephedrae groups, Maxinshigan decoction containing equivalent Herba ephedrae significantly increased the sleeping time of the mice (P<0.05). In comparison with NS, the decoction at medium and low doses produced no significant changes in the sleeping time, which, however, was significantly shortened in the other 8 groups (P<0.05). Compared with Herba ephedrae, Maxingshigan decoction and honey-fried Herba ephedrae at equivalent doses showed comparable effects on the sleep latency (P>0.05)(2).

3. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)
In the study to evaluation of the effect of Japanese herbal medicine on the induction of HIV-1 replication in latently infected monocytic cell line, U1, in order to eradicate virus efficiently, suggest that Mao-to and its component, Ephedrea herba, may be good candidates to augment HAART by inducing the expression of latent HIV-1 with the ultimate goal of eliminating persistent viral reservoirs in individuals infected with HIV-1(3).
4. Antianaphylaxis asthma
In the study to explore the regularity of recipe composition by observing inhibitory effects on the genic expression of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, IL-4 and the leukotriene C4 in asthmatic mice with with the Herba Ephedrae decoction (HED), separated compositions (2500 mg x kg(-1), calculated by Herba Ephedrae) and dexamethasone (2 mg x kg(-1)) respectively once daily for seven days, showed that The HED had the remarkable effects of antianaphylaxis asthma and the original formula HED worked best(4).
5. Antitussive effect
In the study to investigate the antitussive effects of intraperitoneal injection of PSE on the cough reflex induced by microinjection of citric acid into the larynx of guinea pigs, on the afferent discharge of the superior laryngeal nerve, PSE suppressed the increases of amplitude and frequency when stimulated by citric acid at laryngeal mucosa. These results demonstrate that PSE possesses an antitussive effect that might be derived from both central and peripheral actions(5).

6. Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI)
researchers at the in the study of the effect of Ma-Xin-Shi-Gan tang (Decoction of Herba Ephedrae, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Radix Glycyrrhizae and Gypsum Fibrosum) on the immune function of the children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI), showed that showed: (1) Before treatment, the blood OKT3+ cell, OKT4+ cell and OKT4+/OKT8+ cell ratio of the ALRTI children were lower, OKT8+ cell was higher than that of the normal group, which indicated lowered function of cell mediated immunity (CMI) in ALRTI children. Furthermore, IgM content in serum of the ALRTI children was significantly higher than that of the normal group, which indicated a hyperhumoral immunity (HI). (2) Blood OKT4+ cell and OKT4+/OKT8+ cell ratio in children after treatment with the Decoction were higher than those before treatment, which suggested the Decoction can regulate the cell ratio of OKT4+ and OKT8+, and relieve the functional inhibition of CMI in ALRTI children, while comparing with the western medicine (WM) group, the blood OKT3+ cell, OKT4+ cell and serum IgG content in the Decoction group after treatment were higher. In the WM group, the serum IgG and IgA contents were lower than those of the normal group, which indicated inhibited function of HI after treatment. (3) In experimental mice, the Decoction can increase the phagocytic index of the macrophage, the spleen index and the level of serum hemolysin. It can also enhance the skin delayed allergic reaction of the mice(6).
7. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Large can toxic reaction fron the central nervous system, leading to headache, restless, insomnia, palpitation, tightness in chest area, tears and nose dripping, uncomfortable, fever, sweating nonstop, upper belly discomfort, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, etc.
2. Do not the herb in case of deficiency
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with related field specialist
4. Etc.

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Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20575419
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20118000
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19043222
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17432150
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16974066
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2268918

Chinese Herbs – Ma Jing Zi (Fructus Viticis)

Ma Jing Zi is also known as vitex fruit. The bitter, acrid and slightly cold herb has been used in TCM as sedative, inhibit pain, antipyretic agent and to treat cold from exterior, wind-heat dizziness, headache migraine headache swollen and painful gum, etc. as it drains and disperses Wind-Heat, eliminates and clears Heat from the head and eyes, etc., by enhancing liver, stomach and bladder channels.

Ingredients
1, Camphene
2. Flavone
3. Pigments
4. Vitexicarpin
5. Rotundifuran
6. Agnuside
7. Artemetin
8. vitamin A
9. Casticin
10. α-Pinene
11. β-sitosterol
12. Vitamin A
13. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Cervical cancer
Casticin, a polymethoxyflavone from Fructus viticis used as an anti-inflammatory agent in Chinese traditional medicine, has been reported to have anti-cancer activity. Dr. Zeng F, and the research team at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China suggested that ROS generation and sustained JNK activation by casticin play a role in casticin-induced apoptosis and raise the possibility that treatment with casticin might be promising as a new therapy against human cervical cancer(1).
2. Anti acute inflammation
In the study to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of casticin of Fructus Viticis, scientists at the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, showed that Casticin has significant anti-inflammatory effect on acute inflammation, which is probably related to the inhibition of the inflammation factors. Casticin is the effective constituent contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect of Fructus Viticis(2).
3. Anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperprolactinemia activities
Other study to investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperprolactinemia activities of substances isolated from Fructus Viticis (the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia), which may be effective in the treatment of pre-menstrual symptoms, using acetic-acid-induced writhing and metoclopramide-dihydrochloride-induced hyperprolactinemia in mice, indicated that the presence of flavonoids such as Casticin in this plant may be responsible for the activity effects. Casticin has potent analgesic and anti-hyperprolactinaemia properties, is likely to be one of the active components of Fructus Viticis, and may have a role in treating PMS (premenstrual syndrom)(3).
4. Analgesic effects
Compounds 1A and 2-4 of new compounds, vitexfolin A (1A), B and C, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin (3), dihydrodehydrodiconiferylalcohol-beta-D- (2′-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl)glucoside (4), and vanilloyl-beta-D-(2′O-p-hydroxybenzoyl)glucoside, together with agnuside (2) and erythro- and threoguaiacylglycerols, showed significant writhing inhibition following oral administration at doses of 15, 50, 25, and 50 mg/kg, respectively. The effect on pressure pain threshold was tested using compounds 1A and 2 at a dose of 50 mg/kg, and only the former produced the analgesia(4).
5. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Use in care in case of headache, blurry vision with blood deficient
2. and heat or in cases of spleen deficiency
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with related field specialist
4. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22427461
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17854563
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17350238
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9579042

Chinese Herbs – Mei or Lu E Mei (Fructus Armeniaca mume)

Mei or Lu E Mei is also known as Plum. The sour and warm herb has been used in TCM to treat relieving coughs, diarrhea, pain from colic caused by ascaris, alleviates thirst, etc., as it raise Yang, treat yin deficiency, stop bleeding etc., by enhancing the functions of large intestine, liver, lung and spleen channels.
Ingredients
1. Trans-2-hexenal
2. N-hexanol
3. Trans-2-hexen-1-ol
4. Cis-2-hexen-1-ol
5. Linalool
6. Geraniol
7. Trimethyltetrahydronaphthalene drivs
8. Tetradecanoic acid
9. Benzaldehyde
10. Terpinen-4-ol
11. Benzylalcohol
12. Hexandecanoic acid
13. b-sitosterol
14. A-terpineol
15. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Anti bacterial and microbial effects
Twenty traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against four common oral bacteria. TCMs were tested for sensitivity against Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis showed that Fructus armeniaca mume was effective against all four bacteria. Thirteen TCMs demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, including Cortex magnoliae officinalis, Cortex phellodendri, Flos caryophylli, Flos lonicerae japonicae, Fructus armeniaca mume, Fructus forsythiae suspensae, Herba cum radice violae yedoensitis, Herba menthae haplocalycis, Pericarpium granati, Radix et rhizoma rhei, Radix gentianae, Ramulus cinnamomi cassia and Rhizoma cimicifugae(1)
2. Alkaloids
In the study of the alkaloids from Armeniaca mume Sieb, Two alkaloids were separated and their structures were elucidated as 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone and tert-butylurea on the basis of spectral evidence(2)
3. Etc.
Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of internal heat excess such as high fever with infection or cold or flu without sweat)
2. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20418062
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15807243

Chinese Herbs – Mu Li (Concha Ostreae)

Mu Li is also known as oyster shell. The salty, neutral, slightly cold, and non toxic herb has been used in TCM to treat dizziness and blurry vision, swelling in the lymphatic glands, organ prolapse etc., as it Soothes the Liver; controls ascending Yang due to Yin Deficiency, resolves masses, softens masses, preserves Body Fluids, etc., by enhancing the functions of liver and kidney channels.

Ingredients

1. Calcium carbonate

2. Calcium phosphate

3. Calcium sulfate

4. Magnesium

5. Aluminum

6. Silicon,

7. Ferric oxide

8. Etc.

Health Benefits

1. Bone mass

In the examination of the effect of Chinese herb medicine compound on bone lose in rats under 3 weeks simulated weightlessness, and to observe the synergistic action of other ingredients in the compound on calcium, Bone mass of posterior body lose significantly, with mechanical property significantly decrease in rats after 3 weeks simulated weightlessness. Chinese herb medicine compound is effective to prevent the change of bone. Simple calcium supplement can not prevent simulated weightlessness induced bone loss, therefore other ingredients in the compound may perform synergistic action to calcium (Concha Ostreae prepared by acetic acid)(1).

2. Substitute for the herb Os Draconis

In the summarized drug properties of Os Draconis and Ostreae Concha. Dr. Zhang H, and the research team at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine indicated that the source of Os Draconis (Longgu) has been greatly limited along with implementation of the regulation on the protection of fossils from January 1, 2011. Fingding substitute for Os Draconis becomes an urgent problem. The two herbs, Os Draconis and Ostreae Concha were usually compatible application in the clinical treatment since they possess similar chemical components and pharmacological activties. In term of these researches, Ostreae Concha may be substitute candidate for Os Draconis(2).

3. Etc.

Side Effects

1. No not use in case of weakness as a result of Yin or kidney deficiency with no symptoms of heat.

2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without forst consulting with the related field specialist.

3. Etc.

Chinese Herbs – Mang Xiao or Xuan Ming Fen (Natrium sulfuricum)

Mang Xiao or Xuan Ming Fen (Natrium sulfuricum) is also known as sodium sulfate. The salty, bitter and cold herb has been used in TCM totreat constipation with dark urine, fullness, pain in abdomen, conjunctivitis, boils in mouth and tongue, etc., as it softens what is hard, eliminates Heat, etc., by enhancing the functions of stomach and large intestine channels.

Ingredients
sodium sulfate (Na2SO4 ·10H 2 O)
Health Benefits
1. Bronchopneumonia
In the study to investigate the effect of a combination of calcium gluconate, magnesium sulfuricum, natrium salycilate, analgin, vit. C, vit. B1 and norsulfasol diluted in physiological solution of natrium chloride and 5% glucose, Dr Planski B and the research team showed that the combination was applied intravenously or per os on two groups of calves suffering from bronchopneumonia. It was established that in calves treated with the combination sialic acid is reduced as compared to calves treated only with antibiotics(1).
2. Ischemia-induced brain edema
In the study to examine the effect of Natrii sulfas, a treatment for stroke patients suffering constipation in Oriental medicine, scientists at the College of Oriental Medicine, Sangji University indicated that . Natrii sulfas reduced the excess Bax and HSP72 expressions in ischemic brain, which was statistically significant in the penumbra of the cerebral cortex but not in the caudate putamen. These results suggest Natrii sulfas has a protective effect on ischemia-induced brain edema and improves the physiological symptoms(2).
3. Etc.

Side effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with related field specialist
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/549262
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19507272

Chinese Herbs – Mao Gen or Bai Mao Gen (Rhizonma imperatae cylindricae)

Mao Gen or Bai Mao Gen is also known as rhizome of wooly grass. The sweet and cold herb has been used in TCM to stops bleeding, anti bacteria and anti virus, promotes urination, etc., as it cools blood, stops bleeding; suppresses heat and promotes urination, clears heat from stomach and lung, etc., by enhancing the lung, stomach, small intestine and bladder channels.

Ingredients
1. Glucose
2. Potassium salt
3. Oxalic acid
4. Carotene
5. Vitamins
6. Anemonin
7. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Ferritin
Ferritin is of interest at the structural and functional level not only as storage for iron, a critical element, but also as a means to prevent cell damage produced by oxidative stress. In the confirmation by immunocytochemistry the presence and the subcellular distribution of the ferritin detected by Mösbauer spectroscopy in Imperata cylindrica, a plant which accumulates large amounts of iron, showed that The abundance of immunogold labelling in mitochondria for I. cylindrica was rather low, probably because the study dealt with tissues from old plants. These results further expand the localization of ferritin in cell components other than chloroplasts and mitochondria in plants(1).
2. Combat pathogenic bacteria and reduce the development of antibiotic resistance
The misuse of antibiotics has contributed to widespread development of antimicrobial resistance among clinically significant bacterial species. Alternative approaches other than those using antibiotics are needed in the fight against infectious diseases. Testing for anti-QS activity, 10 TCM herbs were screened using two biomonitor strains, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. Interference with violacein (purple pigment) production in CV026 (exogenously supplied with homoserine lactone signals), and swarming in PA01, both QS-regulated phenomena, was used as indication of anti-QS activity. Eight of the selected TCM (80%) yielded QS inhibitors: Prunus armeniaca, Prunella vulgaris, Nelumbo nucifera, Panax notoginseng (root and flower), Punica granatum, Areca catechu, and Imperata cylindrica. Compounds that interfere with QS are present in TCM herbs and these medicines may be a rich source of compounds to combat pathogenic bacteria and reduce the development of antibiotic resistance(2).
3. Anti cancers
Methanol extracts from thirty-four spices and plants, with related ethnobotanical use were investigated for their in vitro cytotoxicity on the human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2, leukemia CCRF-CEM cells and their multidrug resistant (MDR) subline CEM/ADR5000, and the normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), showed that indicated that, when tested at 20 μg/ml, extracts from Xylopia aethiopica, Echinops giganteus, Imperata cylindrica, Dorstenia psilirus and Piper capense were able to inhibit more that 50% the proliferation of the three tested cancer cells (MiaPaCa-2, CEM/ADR5000 CCRF-CEM). The lowest IC(50) values of 6.86 μg/ml on MiaPaCa-2 and 3.91 μg/ml on CCRF-CEM cells were obtained with X. aethiopica, while the corresponding value of 6.56 μg/ml was obtained with P. capense on CEM/ADR5000 cells. Against leukemia cells, no cross-resistance was observed with I. cylindrica, P. capense and Zinziber officinalis. Extracts from D. psilirus and E. giganteus were able to inhibit angiogenesis by more than 50% in quail embryo(3)
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency or kidney yang deficiency
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with related field specialist
3. Etc.
Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21764425
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21439518
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21291988

Chinese Herbs – Meng Chong (Tabanus bivittatus)

Meng Chong (Tabanus bivittatus) is also known as Gadfly. The bitter, slightly cold and toxic herb has been used in TCM totreat amenorrhea, tumors of the uterus, ovaries, endometriosis, mammary glands hyperplasia , chronic inflammation of the pelvic area, physical injuries, etc., as it promotes circulation of Blood, breaks up the Blood, eliminates Blood stasis, etc., by enhancing the function of liver channel.

Ingredients
Health Benefits
1. Anticoagulant protein
Tabanus anticoagulant protein (TAP) was isolated from the whole body of the tabanus, Tabanus bivittatus, using three purification steps (ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-60, and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE Sephadex gel), showed that TAP has significant anticoagulant activity on blood coagulation system(1).
2. Infantile pneumonia
In the clarification of the statement of “Infantile pneumonia has been treated successfully with Huayu decoction (HYD) in our department for more than ten years” by the principles of Huoxue Huayu of TCM, the composition of Huayu decoction is as follows: Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Ligusticum wallichii, Spathollobus suberectus, Hirudo nipponica, Tabanus bivittatus, Paeonia suffroticosa, Astragalus membranaceus. Study showed that the results showed that the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutases (ESOD) reduced in the acute stage and returned to normal in convalescence. There was significant statistical difference in activity of ESOD between the patient’s group. In experimental studies, the producing of free radicals was induced by inhaling ozone in mice. It was found that HYD had the effect of scavenging free radicals in these animal models. The action of anti-oxidate of HYD was also detected in vitro. The mechanism of HYD in treating infantile pneumonia might be elucidated in some respects by these clinical and experimental studies(2).
3. Inhibiting proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells
In the study to evaluate the Dahuang Zhechong pill (DHZCP), a famous and classical Chinese herbal prescription, consists of twelve traditional Chinese drugs: Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker., Rheum officinale Baill., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Prunus persica Batsch., Prunus armeniaca L., Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch., Toxicodendron vernicifluum F.A. Barkl., Tabanus bivittatus Mats., Hirudo nipponica Whitman. and Holotrichia diomphalia Bates., and is clinically used to treat hepatic diseases, gynecopathy and atherosclerosis in China, showed that The serum of DHZCP-treated rats not only inhibited endothelin-1 (ET-1) stimulated cell proliferation and PDGF expression in VSMCs, but also promoted apoptosis of the proliferated VSMCs. Meanwhile, the serum of rats containing DHZCP interfered with the cycle of PDGF-stimulated VSMCs, increasing proportion of the cells in G(0)/G(1) phases and decreasing proportion of the cells in S and G(2)/M phases(3).
4. Etc.

Side effects
1. Do not use the herb in cases of heavy bleeding during menses and diarrhea
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with related field specialist
3. Etc.

Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16756088
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8312693
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19527826