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Archive for the ‘Cards of the Plants’ Category
Turmeric (Curcuma longa).
FAMILY: Zingiberaceae.
HABITAT: from Asia, particularly India and Pakistan.
Parts Used: rhizome rhizomes primary and secondary elongated oval.
Pharmaceutical preparations RECOMMEND dry extract in curcumin min. 4% (the German Commission E), whose daily dose is 8-10 mg. / kg, divided in two doses, preferably between meals.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: is a plant rich in starch, which account for 45-55% of its weight. It contains a good amount of essential oil rich in monocyclic sesquiterpenes. Colors are present in the drug curcuminoids, the main of which is curcumin. E ‘was also identified a peptide called turmerina.
PROPERTY ‘Therapeutic anti-inflammatory action: An assessment of existing scientific studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and safe use of turmeric. There are numerous studies in the laboratory and in animals confirm that a valid anti-inflammatory and antioxidant turmeric. Some studies done in humans suggest that high doses of turmeric, up to 2500 mg per day, with no obvious side effects. These studies indicate that turmeric is seriously hindering the production of several molecules involved in inflammation and therefore reduces inflammation.
Protective action on the liver and the digestive tract: The protective effect on the liver extract of turmeric has been studied in rats receiving the liver to certain toxic substances such as alcohol or carbon tetrachloride. This extract has been shown to significantly reduce the increased levels of bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol caused by these substances, both when administered for 2 weeks before both of them and even more when given for 2 weeks in advance of these substances and then concurrently with them. Other studies show that curcumin inhibits the deposition of collagen in the liver, which depends mainly to hepatic stellate cells. These studies indicate that curcumin inhibits collagen synthesis by hepatic stellate cells, allowing them to be useful to prevent the degeneration of the liver fibrosis.
Some clinical studies have investigated the effect of an extract of turmeric in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. They had to take by mouth 1 or 2 capsules of turmeric extract for 2 months. They measured the intensity of symptoms using validated scales specific, the index of quality of life and effectiveness of the remedy according to the patients. After treatment the improvement of symptoms was 41% in those taking only 1 capsule of turmeric extract and 57% in those who took 2. In particular, the abdominal pain was reduced 22 and 25% in both cases, an improvement of the quality of life of approximately 36% in patients treated with 2 capsules of extract. Approximately two thirds of the patients judged their treatment as effective, without manifesting side effects.
Side effects: Curcumin may cause skin irritation with redness and itching after sun exposure. E ’should therefore expose only a part of the body in the sun to see if this effect occurs before putting yourself completely.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: None known.
Drug interactions: A study in rats suggests that curcumin may be useful to increase the blood levels of sulfasalazine, a drug used in inflammatory bowel disease.
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).
FAMILY: Ranunculaceae.
HABITAT: Typical areas partly sunny and humid North American continent. It ‘a perennial herb size high, up to about 2m in full bloom.
Parts Used: rhizome with the roots, to be collected in autumn.
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS RECOMMENDED: dry and sprayed min titrated to 2.5% triterpene glycosides as demonstrated in the scientific literature, whose daily dose is 60 to 90 mg., In two doses, preferably between meals.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: contains triterpene glycosides, in particular acteina and 27-desossiacteina. Then there are the flavonoids, isoferulico acid and a good percentage of tannins.
PROPERTY ‘Therapeutic anti-inflammatory action: this plant has anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic, particularly in patients suffering from arthritis, muscle pains and neuralgia resulting from rheumatic facts, and seems quite active even against headache, particularly in the Origin muscolotensiva.
Endocrine action: the action of this plant is best known as autonomic disorders of menopause, particularly hot flushes. In fact numerous works controlled trials show that the Cimicifuga greatly reduces autonomic disturbances of menopausal women, especially hot flushes. It also relieves pain common in many women in the vicinity of the menstrual cycle. The explanation of the effect of Cimicifuga extract on menopausal neurovegetative disorders lies in its ability to enhance the effects of antidepressant and psychostimulant dopamine in the brain and reduce the secretion of prolactin by the pituitary gland.
There have been 6 controlled clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Cimicifuga autonomic disorders of menopause. In total it was 1166 women. It was found that approximately 80% of these women had a significant reduction in symptoms, especially hot flushes, and about half noted a nearly complete disappearance of disturbi.Il 93% of the women involved has not denounced the appearance of side effects. Only 7% of patients were reported gastrointestinal symptoms, promptly regressed after discontinuation of therapy.
SIDE EFFECTS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: This plant seems to have no significant side effects, even for treatments at relatively high doses and for periods of time long enough. Conservatively not be used during pregnancy and lactation.