Black cohosh is otherwise known as wanzenkraut, squawroot, rattleweed, bugbane, baneberry or black snakeroot. Traditionally, black cohosh is used over centuries to largely treat female reproductive diseases and as treatment for arthritis, snakebite and fatigue. It was widely adopted by natives and later on became a very popular treatment for gynecological diseases.
Mainly the parts utilized are the root and rhizome. It composes various substances such as phenolic acid, triterpene glycosides, resins, fatty acids, tannins and other useful ingredients.
What are the health benefits of Black Cohosh?
Main Action:
Anti-inflammatory
Dopaminergic-reduce symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes. However, it must be accompanied by healthy lifestyle approaches.
Regulates hormones- mainly estrogen
Serotonergic
Other Action:
Antihypertensive
Antispasmodic
Boost immune system
Known Uses:
Dysmenorrhea
Menopause
Premenstrual Syndrome
Other Uses:
Black cohosh has been traditionally used to treat different variety of female reproductive conditions, rheumatism, diarrhea and inflammation. It maintains good flow of menstruation and at times experts would recommend its use for menstrual migraine, ovarian insufficiency, and dysfunction.
Dosage Range:
Many practitioners have used black cohosh long-term without any safety concerns. Black cohosh however, is not recommended if continuously used for more than 6 months.
Decoction or powdered root: 0.3–2 g three times a day.
Tincture: 2–4 ml three times a day.
Fluid extract: 0.3–2 ml three times a day.
Toxicity:
Excessive intake produces nausea, vomiting, visual disturbance and vertigo.
Liver failure
Hepatitis
Adverse Reactions:
Adverse effects upon intake of black cohosh tend to be mild, rare and reversible.
Large doses: tremor, headache, dizziness
GI disturbances
Rashes
Interactions:
Presently unknown
Contraindications and Precautions:
One study was conducted with patient having diagnosed of breast cancer. Results were astonishingly favorable as it inhibit cancer cell multiplication, estrogen proliferation and enhance Tamoxifen, a chemotherapeutic drug’s anti-proliferative action. However, usage must be carefully monitored by health care professional for safety and efficiently.
Pregnancy Use:
It is not recommended in pregnancy though it is often used to facilitate childbirth.
Supplement Reference:
Effective symptoms reliever during menopause. However, one needs to take constantly for about 4-12 weeks to obtain maximum menopausal symptom relief.
Precaution is a must when taking black cohosh as they have been reports of hepatitis and liver failure if taken in long-term and inappropriately.
Black cohosh is often used to treat dysmenorrheal and premenstrual syndrome.
Remember to consult your doctor before you decide to take this herb as treatment and if you are expectant.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any health safety issues?
Consulting a health care professional is as a rule advisable when taking Black cohosh, particularly if used as treatment for cancer and during pregnancy.
What will this herb do to my body?
Black cohosh is very effective as treatment for women experiencing mild to moderate menopausal symptoms. It has also been effective for premenstrual syndrome and preventing dysmenorrhea.
When can I expect full health benefits?
Several studies show that within 4-12 weeks of constant treatment, relief of menopausal symptoms is visibly seen.
Bilberry is otherwise called blaubeeren, dwarf bilberry, European bilberry, huckleberry, hurtleberry, whortleberry and wine berry. Billberies are highly nutritional herbs which were historically valued as foods because of its exceptional tastes and health benefits.
Today, they are still frequently used to make beverages, syrups, pies and jams. The herbal medicines have been utilized in humans to treat diarrhea and hemorrhoids. It is also used to treat mouth and mucous membrane inflammations as they have considerable astringent action.
It became more popular when it was used during World War II by several soldiers. They have noticed significant improved night vision after taking bilberries and have been very interested thereafter with this fruit’s medicinal properties.
The most important part used as main component in herbal supplements is the dried ripe fruit or fresh fruit itself. It mainly contains catechin, tannins, invert sugar, vitamin C, fruits acids, and chromium which play an important role in its pharmacological action. The deep blue pigment color of the fruit is due to its constituent anthocyanosides that increases as the fruit ripens.
What are the health benefits of Billberry?
Main Actions:
The pharmacological effects of bilberry have not been tested with humans, so facts are generally taken inside the laboratory and animal research or mainly based on recognizable information about primary constituents found within the herb.
- Anti-edema
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Astringent
- Hypoglycemic activity
- Improves visual function
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Protects gastrointestinal system
Other Actions:
- Anti-angiogenic
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-platelet
Known Uses:
In Europe, uses of bilberry extracts are more popular and have been investigated in several clinical experiments, mostly in non-English countries. Thus, many research papers have been available in other languages. To provide a more comprehensive description of the evidence easily accessible, secondary sources have been utilized as needed.
- Acute diarrhea
- Mild mouth and throat inflammation
- Hemorrhoids, varicose veins and venous insufficiency
- Ophthalmic conditions, improving night vision, photophobia, light adaptation and avoiding diabetic retinopathy
Pregnancy:
Bilberry was taken by women diagnosed of pregnancy induced hypertension and found significant improve symptoms of itching and burning, edema, leg cramps, pain and heaviness.
Other Uses:
It was anciently used as treatment for hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, GI inflammatory conditions, diabetes, dysentery and inhibits lactation. Externally, its useful benefits include fast wound healing, ulcers and skin infection. Recently, it is used as treatment for venous insufficiency, Raynaud’s disease, peptic ulcers, nose bleed and bleeding gums.
Dosage Range
INTERNAL
- Fluid extract: 6–12 ml/day taken in three divided doses.
- Oral dose forms: provides 50–288 mg of anthocyanins daily.
- Decoction of dried herb: 5–10 gm of crushed, dried fruit in 150 ml of cold water boiled for 10 minutes and strained while hot. For diarrhea: drink the cold decoction several times a day.
- Gargle: Make a 10% decoction using the above preparation.
- Fresh fruit: 20–50 g daily.
EXTERNAL
- 5–10 g crushed dried fruit in 150 ml of cold water, boil for 10 minutes then strained while hot to make a decoction for local application.
Toxicity
High doses of bilberry were administered to rats, showing no adverse effects.
Adverse Reaction
- No adverse effect was known
- Only 4% experienced side-effects related to gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and skin.
Significant Interaction
Actual studies are not currently available, thus interactions are mainly theoretically or based on evidence of pharmacological actions with vague clinical implications.
- Anticoagulant
- Antiplatelet
- Hypoglycemic Agents
- Iron
Contraindications and Precautions
High dosage (more than 170 mg) should be use with caution by individuals having blood disorders.
Pregnancy Use
A study conducted with pregnant women having diagnosed of serious pregnancy-induce hypertension showed no evidence of adverse effects. Bilberry is likely to be safe when consumed in moderate amounts.
Supplement Reference:
- Bilberry extract is a well-known treatment for preventing and treating retinopathy in Western countries. It is however used to treat other eye health problems such as cataract, myopia, glaucoma, photophobia, glare sensitivity, poor light adaptation and night vision.
- Bilberry has an exceptionally amount of polyphenol as an essential ingredient. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent actions make it incredibly magnificent. Laboratory results show an anti-cancer effect.
- Several studies suggest it may lower glucose level, as well as, triglycerides in diabetic patient. It can also prevent peptic ulcer from developing due to stress or NSAIDs. However, in-depth studies should be made to confirm these effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any safety health issues that need to consider?
- You don’t need to worry much as this berry is considered one of the safest herbs. Evidenced based theory explained bilberry reduces blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes and should be carefully monitored during the entire duration. Given at high doses can interact with anti-platelet drugs and warfarin.
What will this health supplement do for me?
- Billbery is mainly used to alleviate symptoms of mild diarrhea and promote good night vision, hemorrhoids, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, peptic ulcer, photophobia and glare sensitivity. It is also used as gargle mouthwash, paint for mild mouth and throat inflammation including pharyngitis and gingivitis.
When can I expect to see full-benefits of this herb?
- It will actually depend on the indication. Improvements in glare sensitivity, photophobia and night vision have been reported within 2-4 week in some individuals while other preventive effects are most likely to require long-term use. On the other hand, a person having diagnosed peripheral vascular disease may require 30 days of treatment before you could feel or see the result.
Astragalus is otherwise known as Astragali, milk vetch, goat’s horn, green dragon, ogi or Syrian tragacanth. Chinese have been using astralagus’ roots for more than thousands of years and are considered as one of the most essential and popular herbal medicine for a restorative life, promoting health, and strengthening Qi or the life energy. In 1880s, Herbalist in Western countries began using astralagus in different tonics. However, the gummy sap or tragacanth is still used as an antidiarrheal agent, food thickener and as an emulsifier.
It is mainly composed of saponins such as astragalosides, cyclocanthosides, and cycloastragenol and suspected to be one of the major ingredients forming this powerful herb. Phytosterols, polysaccharides, essential oil, amino acid and flavonoids are as well incorporated. Astragalus is available either in oral and injectable forms.
What are the health benefits of Astragalus?
Main Actions
Astragalus has not been tested with humans. However animal test conducted inside the laboratory provide enough proof for its pharmacological actions.
- Boosts immune system
- Improves cardiac function, as well as, blood pressure
- Antioxidant
- Anti-Cancer or anti-tumor effects- can be use as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of some debilitating cancers.
- Digestive effects – strengthen the muscle tone and movement of the intestines
- Anti-inflammatory
- Improved sperm count and motility
- Protect liver function
Other Action
- Menopause
Known Uses:
Astragalus is often tested in combination with other herbal medicines. Thus, it is difficult from these trials to come to a decision the correct role of astragalus as a stand-alone management.
- Viral infection – commonly used as treatment against common colds and influenza
- Viral myocarditis
- Cardiovascular disease, including ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris
- Cancer – enhances effectiveness of chemotherapy, while reducing side-effects.
- Its traditional use belongs to Chinese herbal medicine system. Astragalus is used to vigor, tonify Qi (life energy) and the blood.
- Severe blood loss, sweating, shortness of breath, chronic diarrhea, organ prolapsed, anorexia, fatigue and to enhance recuperation.
- Lowers blood cholesterol level
- Asthma
- Memory deficit
Dosage Range
- Decoction: 8–12 g divided into two doses a day on an empty stomach.
- Dried root: 2–30 g/day.
- Liquid extract with ratio of 1:2 or solid dose equivalent: 4.5–8.5 ml/day.
Toxicity
Animal studies have shown very little incidence of toxicity that tends to occur to individuals with liver and kidney disease.
Adverse Reaction
- No known effects
Significant Interactions
- Immunosuppressant
- Positive Inotropic drugs
- Chemotherapy
Contraindications and Precautions
Astralagus should be avoided during the acute stage of an infection which is according to the principles of TCM.
Pregnancy Use
Safety is still not known. However, studies in animals reported no evidence of fetal damage.
Supplement Reference:
- It appears to be very well tolerated however, necessary precaution is a must.
- Astragalus is widely used as medicine to boost the immune system, reducing the incidence of common cold and influenza.
- Promote healing and reduce stress and fatigue.
- It is widely used to revitalize life and strengthen Qi or life energy and blood.
- Never use astragalus during periods of acute infection.
- It is often utilized in combination with other herbs such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Bupleurum chinense, and Codonopsis pilulosa in clinical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any health safety issues that I need to consider prior to taking this herb?
- In general, astragalus appears to be safe, although it has the ability to interact with other medicines.
What will this herbal supplement do for me?
- Astragalus appears to have many health benefits, such as boosting the immune system, promote good digestion and adequate heart muscle contraction. Early research shows that it plays a great role in treatment of elevated cholesterol level, treatment of asthma, memory deficits and as an adjunct to chemotherapeutic drugs.
When can I see full-benefits of this herb?
- It actually depends on the dosage and current health condition of person taking this drug. However, several studies have shown that satisfying effects can star within the first two weeks of religiously taking the health supplement.
