Agnus Castus

Trials have demonstrated that vitex can relieve many symptoms of PMS, especially breast tenderness, constipation, fluid retention, headaches and mood changes. One study demonstrated that it is as effective for women taking oral contraceptives.⁴³

Studies have shown the benefit of vitex for normalising irregularites of the length of menstrual cycle, for breast pain and acne. However, these have been carried out with plant extracts.⁴⁴

Bilberry

In World War 2 RAF pilots noticed that their night vision seemed to improve after consuming bilberries or bilberry conserves. Studies have indicated that, at sufficiently high dose, bilberry can improve visual acuity and light adaptation. The effects may be more pronounced in those with impaired visual acuity. Bilberry anthocyanins have also been shown to improve glaucoma in one small study. Bilberry has also been demonstrated to reduce permeability and tendency to haemorrhage in patients with retinopathy caused by diabetes, hypertension, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration or anti-coagulant use.¹

Clinical trials support the use of bilberry for haemorrhoids, varicose veins and venous insufficiency, according to the same authors.

Black Cohosh

Most clinical research has been carried out with a product known as Remifemin, which is standardised to contain triterpene glycosides (0.8-1.2 mg/tablet). These studies found that black cohosh is a suitable alternative to HRT, improving symptoms of hot flushes, vaginal thinning and drying, night sweats, sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression. It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of excesive sweating in women on tamoxifen therapy. Used in combination with soy isoflavones and Angelica sinensis it has been shown to been effective in reducing the incidence of migrane associated with menstruation.²

The evidence for other actions has only been demonstrated by animals studies or pharmacological extrapolation

Dandelion

Dandelion leaf has been shown to have a diuretic effect comparable to that of frusemide, without causing potassium loss.³

Commission E also approves dandelion leaf for disturbances in bile flow, loss of appetite and dyspepsia.⁴

Devils' Claw

Devils' Claw has been demonstrated to give significant benefit for people with various arthritic complaints, and non-specific back pain, often requiring less analgesia.⁵

It is Commision E approved for dyspepsia and loss of appetite.⁶

Echinacea

Whole herb extracts (juice and tincture ) have been shown to act as immunostimulants and immunomodulants on non-specific cellular immunity.⁷

Echinacea has been shown to activate macrophages and phagocytosis.⁸

A review of clinical trials showed that Echinacea is valuable as an acute treatment for upper respiratory infections.⁹

Its use for boils and wound healing has only been clinically trialled by topical application.

Garlic

Numerous trials have been conducted on whole garlic preparations which support many of its therapeutic applications:

Antioxidant¹⁰
Antithrombotic, inhibitor of platelet aggregation¹¹
Stimulator of fibrinolysis¹²
Reduction of serum cholesterol¹³
Reduction of high blood pressure levels (numerous clinical trials have shown benefit)¹⁴

Immune-enhancing and anti-microbial activity

Garlic has demonstrated antibacterial activity against E.coli, Staph. aureus, Mycobacteruim tuberculosis, Proteus spp., Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori including antibiotic resistant strains; antifungal activity against Candida albicans; antiparasitic activity against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia; antiviral activity. However, some of this research is on isolated compounds, the exception being work on H. pylori.¹⁵

Reduction of atherosclerosis - it reduces ateriosclerotic plaque size and induces regression in plaque spread.¹⁶

A randomised trial showed that garlic powder was significantly more effective at increasing walking distance for subjects with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. A minimum of 4 weeks treatment is needed to show this effect.¹⁷

Ginger

Motion sickness; reduces symptoms of vomiting, cold sweats, nausea and vertigo.¹⁸

Studies on the effectiveness of ginger in post operative nausea have given variable results.¹⁹

Ginger was found to be effective in chemotherapy-induced nausea.²⁰

Ginger has been shown to demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staph aureus, Strep pyogenes, Strep pneumoniae, Haemophilus. Various constituents have also demonstrated antimicrobial activity.²¹

Log-term use of ginger can reduce pain and swelling in musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and muscular discomfort.²²

Morning sickness can be relieved by ginger.

Commission E approved for the treatment of dyspepsia.²³

Ginseng

Red ginseng powder lowers total cholesterol and triglcerides in patients with hyperlipidaemia.²⁴

A 5 year prospective study of 4634 patients over 40 shown a reduction in the relative risk of cancer by nearly 50%.²⁵

Immune modulation - ginseng enhances natural killer cell function in healthy subjects and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or AIDS.²⁶

Red ginseng powder has also been shown to restore immunity after chemotherapy and reduce the recurrence of stage III gastric cancer.²⁷

Korean ginseng has been shown to improve the ability to achieve and maintain erections in patients, even with severe erectile dysfunction.²⁸

Ginseng can also relieve symptoms of menopause, particularly fatigue, insomnia and depression.²⁹

It improves the quality of memory and associated secondary memory.³⁰

It has also been shown that ginseng improves attention and speed of performing memory tasks³¹, and the mood whilst performing these tasks.³²

Hawthorn

A review of 13 studies suggests that hawthorn can improve exercise tolerance, anaerobic threshold and ejection fraction in patients with congestive heart failure.³³

In combination with motherwort, hawthorn has been shown to reduce cholesterol. Although research on other applications has been conducted on animal tissues and isolated human tissues, there is supporting evidence from empiral use that hawthorn is effective in the other areas outlined in the manual.³⁴

Kelp

There is evidence to suggest that kelp may be helpful in obesity resulting from iodine deficiency, thyroid conditions resulting from iodine deficiency and various rheumatic and arthritic conditions.³⁵

Milk Thistle

Most research has been conducted using standardised extracts, silymarin or silybin. There are trials supporting it's use for chronic alcoholic liver damage, hepatitis, cirrhosis and iron overload damage. Also Amanita phalloides poisoning and various chemical poisons. One clinical trial supports it's use for reducing total cholesterol and HDL- cholesterol levels. It has also demonstrated a nephroprotective effect against paracetomol damage in vitro with isolated kidney cells.³⁶

Silymarin has also been shown to reduce biliary cholesrterol concentration and bile saturation index in gallstone and cholecystectomized patients.³⁷

An anti-tumour action has been demonstrated in vitro with human ovarian and breast cancer cells.

Nettle Root

Has been demonstrated to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, increasing urine flow, and reducing urine retention. It may also reduce prostate size, frequency and nocturia.³⁸

Red Clover Flowers

All research on red clover has been carried out on isolated constituents. Research indicates that several of the isoflavones act as phytooestrogens, acting as agonists or antagonists of oestrogen receptors, depending on endogenous levels of oestrogen. The isoflavones may help reduce the risk of cancer, including breast cancer, reduce prostatic hyperplasia and reduce the risk of neoplastic transformation.. Several trials have shown that red clover isoflavones reduced hot flushes, but the effects are small. However, red clover has been shown to reduce blood pressure in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Large doses can also prevent and improve osteoporosis.³⁹

Red Yeast Rice

This contains a natural source of lovastatin, and other statins and therefore inhibits HGM-CoAreductase, the enzyme that makes cholesterol in the liver, lowering cholesterol levels.⁴⁵

Saw Palmetto

Most studies are with isolated liposterolic extracts. It has been shown to improve urinary scores, syptoms and flow measures, with an effect similar to finasteride, and comparing well with alpha andrenoreceptor antagonists. It also may reduce prostate size. One study has also shown a benefit for androgenetic alopecia.⁴⁰

Valerian

There are many studies showing positive results for the use of valerian for insomnia. It has been shown to improve sleep structure and does not impair performance the following morning.⁴¹

Low dose valerian has also been shown to reduce anxiety without causing sedation.⁴²

General References