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When it comes to bacteria, chaga is most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. However, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae are receptive to its effects. Among fungi, chaga works well against Trichodermaviride — less so against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. (Glamoclija J et al 2015).
Chaga’s anti-inflammatory effect is thought to be linked to the presence of ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, and trametenolic acid (Ma L et al 2013). It also helps regulate blood-sugar levels, apparently thanks to inotodiols and terpenoids (Ying YM et al 2014).
Russian folk medicine has used chaga to treat non-operable breast cancer, oral cancer, cancer of the digestive tact, thyroid cancer, skin cancer, and Hodgkin disease (Pilz D 2004). If the patient’s condition improved, healers couldn’t of course associate it with specific compounds in chaga. Modern scientific methods have allowed researchers to do just that.
Among isolated compounds in chaga, the more important ones include triterpenes, lactones, lanosterols, inotodiols, trametenolic acid, oxalic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenxoic acid, cinnamic, betulin, betulinic acid, phytosterols, beta-D-glucans, etc. (J.Glamoclija et al 2015; Shin Y et al 2000).
Chaga stimulates macophagi and, in tumours, promotes cell death (Staniszewska J et al 2017). A large role in this is attributed to endopolysaccharids in chaga (Mizuno T et al 1996). In animal testing, chaga has increased the presence of T-helper lymphocytes (Leontev M et al 1990) and intensified the production of T-lymphocytes (T-killers) (Shashkina M et al 2006). Lab experiments with ergosterol peroxide have shown it to inhibit the growth of rectal-cancer cells (Kang JH et al 2015).
The apparent ability to suppress cancerous growths and mutation-causing factors is linked to the presence of melanin in chaga. Melanin participates in repairing DNA defects, is an electron acceptor in the respiratory chain, and a radiation protector (Britton B 1986).
Polysaccharides, too, contribute to the anti-cancer mechanism — they directly attack cancer cells. Another contribution is the indirect activation of the immune system by endopolysaccharides (Mizuno T et al 1996).
This kind of a wide effect is connected to the rich composition of the blackcurrant. It has especially high volumes of vitamin C, 100 grams of berries has twice as much C-vitamin as the daily requirement, that is 181 mg. A meta-analysis has shown that the consumption of vitamin C lowers the risk of getting any respiratory illnesses (pneumonia), especially amongst older people. It is especially important now during the period of viruses (Hemilä H, Louhiala P 2013; Hemilä H, Chalker E 2013, Cannell JJ et al 2006).
The blackcurrant has also high concentrations of A, B1, B6 and B5 group vitamins. The seeds of the blackcurrant are rich in vitamin E and they also have relatively high concetrations of saturated fatty acids, especially alfa and gamma linolenic acids (Serrano A et al 2018).
The anthocyanins in berries are considered to be one of the most effective substances to fight illnesses. They are chemical polyphenolic compounds that possess high antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects. They are also considered to have an effect on lowering bloodpressure. Scientific articles have references about anthocyanins helping to enhance sports achievements and fight obesity (Cook MD, Willems MET 2019; Lee YM 2017).
Recent clinical research shows the benefits of the blackcurrant extract for blood vessels and bloodpressure for elderly patients (Okamoto T et al 2020).
Regarding healing properties, rose hips have been linked to having antiinflammatory, antioxydant, antimicrobial and anti-arthritis properties. It is also recommended for people with diabetes and for protecting the cardiovascular system. (Mármol I et al 2017). Over 129 chemical compunds have been found from the rose hip fruit (Ayati Z 2018). Many of those are linked to alleviating different diseases and ailments.
Studies have shown that the healing properties of rose hips are caused by flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins and fatty acids (Shameh S et al 2019, Winther K et al 2016).
Clinical research regarding II type diabetes have shown that consuming water extract from the fruits of the dog rose (rosa canina) has lead to blood sugar decrease and blood cholesterol normalisation (Dabaghian HF 2015). A similar effect has been identified also on diabetes patients when consuming a combination of other herbal extracts, one of the components being rose hip (Mehrzadi S et al 2020). This effect is associated with the oligosaccharides in rose hips (Rahimi M, 2020).
Halvorsen et al. (2002) researched the antiocydant properties of over 40 different agricultural crops, garden crops and wild berries. Rose hips had the biggest concentration of antioxydants. Antixydant properties are particularly associated with fenols and flavonoids contained in rose hips (Jemaa HB et al 2017).
Rose hips are known to have one of the highest vitamin C contrentrations (300-4000 mg/100 g) (Ercisli S, 2007). Vitamin C concentration varies depending on the species. The cinnamon rose (rosa cinnamomea) has been noted having one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C.
The galactolipids in rose hips are attracting a lot of attention and interest lately. They are the compounds belonging to the glycolipid group which have higher bio value than fatty acids. They are responsible for the anti-arthritis properties in rose hips. Research on arthritis patients have shown significant pain reduction effects after consuming rose hip powder (Cohen M 2012).
References
Ayati Z, Amiri MS, Ramezani M, Delshad E, Sahebkar A, Emami SA Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Profile of Rose Hip: A Review. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(35):4101-4124.
Cohen M. Rosehip – an evidence based herbal medicine for inflammation and arthritis. Aust Fam Physician. 2012 Jul;41(7):495-8.
Dabaghian HF, Abdollahifard M, Khalighi Sigarudi F, Taghavi Shirazi M, Shojaee A, Sabet Z, et al. Effects of Rosa canina L. fruit on glycemia and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Med Plant. 2015;14(55):95-104.
Ercisli, S. Chemical composition of fruits in some rose (Rosa spp.) species. Fod chemistry. 2007, 104 (4):1379-1384.
Halvorsen B.L., Holte K, Myhrstad MCW, Barikmo I, Hvattum E, Remberg SF, Wold A.-B, Haffner K, Baugerød H, Frost Andersen L, Moskaug J Ø, Jacobs DR, Blomhof Jr R A Systematic Screening of Total Antioxidants in Dietary Plants. The Journal of Nutrition, 2002, 132 (3), 461–471.
Heinemann W. The ilder Pliny. In: Natural History VII: Books XXIV-XXVII Pearson, 1962: 149.
Jemaa HB, Jemia AB, Khlifi S, Ahmed HB, Slama FB, Benzarti A, Elati J, Aouidet A. Antioxidant activity and a-amylase inhibitory potential of rosa canina L. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jan 13;14(2):1-8.
Mármol I, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Jiménez-Moreno N, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, Rodríguez-Yold M.J. Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 1137.
Mehrzadi S, Mirzaei R, Heydari M, Sasani M, Yaqoobvand B, Huseini HF. Efficacy and Safety of a Traditional Herbal Combination in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Diet Suppl. 2020 Feb 21:1-13.
Rahimi M, Sajadimajd S, Mahdian Z, Hemmati M, Malekkhatabi P, Bahrami G, Mohammadi B, Miraghaee S, Hatami R, Mansouri K, Moahammadi Motlagh HR, Keshavarzi S, Derakhshankhah H Characterization and anti-diabetic effects of the oligosaccharide fraction isolated from Rosa canina in STZ-Induced diabetic rats. Carbohydr Res. 2020 Mar; 489.
Shameh S, Alirezalu A, Hosseini B, Maleki R.J Fruit phytochemical composition and color parameters of 21 accessions of five Rosa species grown in North West Iran. Sci Food Agric. 2019 Oct;99 (13):5740-5751.
Strehlow W, Herzka G. Hildegard of Bingen’s Medicine. Rochester, VT: Bear and Company; 1988:63.
Winther, K., Vinther Hansen, A.S., Campbell-Tofte, J. Bioactive ingredients of rose hips (Rosa canina L.) with special reference to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties: in vitro studies. Botanics: Targets and Therapy, 2016, 6: 11—23.
Nowadays, many of sea buckthorn’s positive features have been scientifically confirmed. The berries are famous for their high vitamin C content. Curiously, these berries do not contain ascorbinase, which breaks down ascorbate – this is why sea buckthorn is packed with vitamin C. In rough growth conditions, several nutrients, including vitamin C, appear in higher concentrations compared to berries growing in warmer climate. Meaning the berries grown in Estonia are especially salutary (Krejcarova J et al 2015).
The effect of sea buckthorn is mostly tied to improving the efficiency of the organism’s own immune system. A strong immune system provides the body with a universal resistance mechanism to fight off diseases. It is important to note that sea buckthorn has also been inspected to expose any possible side effects but the results are overwhelmingly positive, confirming that there are no unpleasant side effects (Wen P et al 2018).
As for its chemical makeup, sea buckthorn boasts a number of compounds, including carotenoids, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxantin, phytosterols, ergosterol, stigmasterol, lanosterol, amyrins, polyphenols, proantho-cyanidins, flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin and isorhamnetin. In addition, cerebroside, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, cirsiumaldehyde, octacosanoic acid and palmitic acid have been found in sea buckthorn berries (Bal LM et 2011, Michel T et al 2012, Fatima T et al 2012, Yang B et al 2001, Zheng RX et al 2009).
Among bioactive compounds, honey is a source of organic acids (e.g. malic acid and oxalic acid), hormones, enzymes, and essential oils. Science has observed the following health benefits in honey:
Patient studies have shown natural honey to lower C-reactive protein levels — one of the main inflammatory markers in blood (Al-Waili NS 2004).
Honey helps treat inflamed gums, as it suppresses Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria, a key cause of gum inflammation (Eick S et al 2014).
In cell cultures, honey has also been shown to boost the number of T- and B-lymphocytes, antibodies, eosinophils, neutrophils, and monocytes (Timm M et al 2008). This, in turn, boosts the body’s ability to resist disease.
Aloe’s anti-inflammatory effect is thought to stem from the activation of complement mechanism in the immune system, and from boosting the mitogenic activity of lymphocytes (Imanishi KI 1993). Other active anti-inflammatory components in aloe include aloenin, barbaloin, aloe-emodin, beta-sitosterol, and a mixture of straight-chain higher alcohols (Yamamoto MM et al 1991).
In Aloe arborescensis, immunomodulative effects are associated with alkaline-soluble polysaccharides that aid lymphocyte transformation (Nazeam JA et al 2017). Researchers have also observed acemannan to have a considerable immunomodulative effecton oluline (Winters WD et al 1981, Davis RH et al 1981).
An interesting compound in aloe leaves is aloctin A. It has several functions, among them an effect on lymph cells (Imanishi K, 1993).
The antifungal effect of pine buds is mainly explained by the presence of pinosylvin and its monomethyl ether (PMME) (Hovelstad H et al 2006).
The polyphenylpropanoid polysaccharide complex in pine buds is thought to be a factor in stimulating the immune system (Bradley WG et al 2014).
Yarrow has been a staple in folk medicine since prehistoric times. It was mainly used to treat inflammation, wounds, and as a painkiller. Later, healers have turned to yarrow to treat gynaecological and digestive-tract disorders, as well as viral and bacterial inflammations. The long list includes many organ systems and diseases related to them (Fabricant DS et al 2001).
Yarrow oil has an antimicrobial effect on several bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Acinetobacter woffi, and Candida krusei (Tunón H et al 1995, Candan F et al 2003).
For treating inflammations, yarrow contains flavonoids which have an effect on prostaglandins. Another anti-inflammatory compound is azuline. Human trials have shown that orally taking matricin (a compound in yarrow) increased the anti-inflammatory potential in blood (Ramadan et al 2006).
In animal trials, where yarrow was added to food, it improved the body’s immune response (Yakhkeshi S et al 2012). One potential contributor here is achillinin A, a member of the guiaianolide family of componds (Yong L et al 2011).
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