Research Snapshot Article Index
SCIENCE SNAPSHOT
Let’s talk about Passionflower for ANXIETY & INSOMNIA
Being a relative to our beloved passionfruit, Passiflora Incarnata is a perennial climbing vine originally from North America. It is well known to Herbalists for its anxiolytic and sedative effects. Several studies have provided compelling evidence of the pharmacological effects of Passiflora extract for anxiety and insomnia. There is strong evidence that it modulates the GABA pathway; GABA being the inhibitory or ‘calming’ neurotransmitter in our Central Nervous System. One Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) examined the effect of Passiflora on anxiety on 60 preoperative patients, which found that anxiety was significantly lower on the Passiflora group compared to the control group. Another RCT found that Passiflora was as effective as oxazepam in anxiety disorders, without the impairment to job performance found in the oxazepam group. Another double-blind RCT found that taking passionflower for 2 weeks significantly improved total sleep time compared to placebo.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.
RESEARCH SNAPSHOT:
St Marys Thistle for decreasing hot flushes Post-Menopause
St Marys Thistle (Silybum marianum) has traditionally used to improve liver and gallbladder conditions. A 2020 randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial of 80 women found that Silybum marianum extract (St Marys Thistle) significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flushes in post-menopausal women after 8 weeks. Improvement was seen within the first month, with the positive effect remaining for around 4 weeks after discontinuation. Hot flushes and night sweats have a mean duration of 4.5 years after menopause. The exact mechanism of why this occurs isn’t fully understood but it believed to involve changes to the hypothalamic thermoregulatory system from a reduction in oestrogen. Research into Silybum major constituent silibinin, has found that it may have an effect on Oestrogen receptor B.
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This information is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments. Herbs can interact with pharmaceutical medications. References available on request.
RESEARCH SNAPSHOT:
Elder for reducing viral recovery time
Elder (sambucus nigra) berry & flowers have a strong tradition for use in common colds and influenza. A Norwegian randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 people showed that the elderberry group had significant improvement in global evaluation scores (symptoms) in Influenza A & B after an average of 3.1 days compared to 7.1 in the placebo group. Similarly another study found that influenza was reduced to 2-4 days compared to the control group 7-8 days, and an in vitro study found that elderberry liquid extract compared favourably to anti-influenza medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and amantadine. A review of several studies also found that elderberry substantially reduces symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Pharmacological studies suggest its antiviral actions are associated with its effect on the production of inflammatory cytokines; an immune signalling mechanism. A 2016 Australian randomised double-blind controlled trial of 312 economy class passengers found that those taking Elderberry 10 days before travel experienced a shorter cold duration by approximately 2 days compared to placebo, with reduced symptom severity. Initial studies have found that elderberry has benefits for heart health by improving blood sugar controls, reducing uric acid (linked to high blood pressure) and reducing cholesterol in liver & aorta.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR YOUR INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED & CORRECTLY DOSED PRESCRIPTION OF ‘PRACTITIONER ONLY’ QUALITY HERBALS.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments. Herbs can interact with pharmaceutical medications. References available on request.
Devils Claw (Harpophytum procumbens) a native to southern Africa, has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory & analgesic properties in muscular and arthritic conditions. A 4 month randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 122 people in year 2000 compared Devils claw with the osteoarthritis medication diacerein, and found that both were equally as effective in reducing pain. Devils claw however had fewer side effects.
This was corroborated in a 2021 RCT of 60 people with painful knee osteoarthritis. Half were randomised to receive Devil’s claw twice daily and the other half were given Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). Both groups experienced a significant reduction in knee pain in the second, fourth and eighth weeks after treatment, establishing Devil’s claw to be as effective as NSAIDs.
A 2021 review of nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis found there is strong clinical evidence of the efficacy of devil’s claw in relieving pain and that “wholeplant extracts appear to possess a far better therapeutic effect than those prepared from isolated parts”.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR YOUR INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED & CORRECTLY DOSED PRESCRIPTION OF ‘PRACTITIONER ONLY’ QUALITY HERBALS.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments. Herbs can interact with pharmaceutical medications. References available on request
Corydalis yanhusuo has been used for around 7,000 years across Asia for pain relief and is known as the ‘morphine’ of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a perennial herb originally found in the rock cliffs and alpine caves of southern China. Being a member of the poppy family, it is traditionally considered to be the second most effective pain reliever after opium.
Current preclinical studies have so far found it to have a significant effect on pain processes in vivo (in living organism). To date several pharmacological studies have identified several pain mechanisms which these compounds influence, as well as reducing the mechanism causing inflammation. Although these reviews have a focus on examining the constituents for pharmaceutical development, they do indicate a basis for the traditional use.
While human trials of the whole plant are so far limited, a 2013 controlled trial found corydalis in combination with another herb angelica significantly decreased pain intensity after a single oral dose. Another 2015 controlled study found that after 12 weeks use, a compound of corydalis rhizome was as efficient as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (diclofenac sodium) in knee osteoarthritis but more tolerable. Corydalis should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR YOUR INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED & CORRECTLY DOSED PRESCRIPTION OF ‘PRACTITIONER ONLY’ QUALITY HERBALS.
This information is intended for educational purposes only. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments. Herbs can interact with pharmaceutical medications. References available on request.