Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a perennial herb that grows in meadows throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. The flower is red but can also be shades of purple and pink. The flower head is the part of the plant used in herbal remedies.

Red Clover Benefits

Red clover, it contains compounds known as isoflavones that act as phytoestrogens. These two are precursors of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein, which are found in smaller amounts in red clover and also in soy. On dry matter basis, 100 gr red clover contains tenfold more isoflavones than soy. Also contains natural tocopherol, a form of  vitamin E which some researchers link to reduced risk of heart attack red clover is an ingredient in anti cancer formulas, such as Essiac and Hoxsey.

Cardiovascular

In a study, isoflavone intake improved arterial compliance, an index of the elasticity of large arteries, which is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Red clover contains the blood-thinning substance coumarin. May also have blood thinning properties, which keeps blood clots from forming. A double-blind controlled trial published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”  demonstrated that red clover isoflavones help keep large blood vessels pliable.

Menopausal Symptoms

Some research have shown that red clover contains isoflavones, plant based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in the body. Clinical trials showed that red clover supplementation decreased menopausal symptoms compared to placebo. Scientists at the “Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre” have proven that red clover can be an effective treatment for women who are in the throes of menopause. In a study published, 2002 issue of  ‘Maturitas‘ confirmed the use of red clover as effective in reducing the hot flash symptoms associated with menopause. One study, published in 2005 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”, found that isoflavone supplementation significantly decreased menopausal symptoms. In a 2007 review of the literature, the authors found evidence that women getting between 40 and 80 mg of red clover isoflavones a day experienced relief from hot flashes.

Anti Tumor

Red clover contains genistein, a compound that prohibits the growth of blood vessels into tumors, preventing the growth of the tumor as well. Red clover contains a form of vitamin E known as tocopherol, which is a powerful anticarcinogenic compound. Tocopherol helps to prevent the growth of cancerous tumors and lowers the risk of developing, particularly breast cancer. Some doctors believe that isoflavones increase the risk for a return of estrogen-dependent cancers, while others site evidence that suggests the isoflavones bind to the receptors that cancer cells require to divide and actually prevent or delay the return of cancer.

Prostate Health

Red clover may  block enzymes thought to contribute to prostate cancer in men. In a 2003 report published in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicines“, Dr. Aaron E. Katz stated that “Isoflavone, particularly red clover extract, supplements are likely to be important therapies for promoting prostate health during the watchful-waiting period in patients with BPH.”

In a lab study published in 2010 in ‘International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics,’ experts found that red clover extracts inhibited the growth rate of normal prostate cells. A total of 20 men, were treated with a daily 60 mg dose of  isoflavone extract for a period of one year. Results indicate that the average PSA level was reduced by 33% after the 12 twelve. The approximately prostate volume showed a decrease from 49.3 cm3 to  44.3 cm3 after the 12 months. In a 2009 study of prostate cancer cells, researchers found that treatment with red clover led to a decrease in prostate-specific antigen.

Recent research, show that selenium with vitamin E, zinc and red clover subdue cancer-cell growth or reduce risk overall. The doctors gave 39 men with prostate cancer 400 IU of vitamin E per day, 200 mcg of selenium per day,  these two substances together or a placebo for about one month before scheduled surgery to remove the prostate gland. Examining prostate tissue samples after surgery from men who took selenium and vitamin E, experts found healthier, more normal activity in the gene that contains the code for a tumor-suppressing protein compared to that gene in the tissue of other men.

How to Use Red Clover?

Red clover extract are available as tablets, capsules, or in liquid extract form. Red clover extract; 40 – 160 mg per day (or 28 – 85 mg of red clover isoflavones). According to studies, 80 mg daily were sufficient to reduce menopausal hot flashes. Liquid Extract; (1:1): 1 ml 3 times per day. It can also be applied topically.

Red Clover Side Effects

Red clover should not be taken with oral contraceptives, progesterone, estrogen, compounds, anticoagulants. Consult with your doctor about potential interactions of red clover with medications.

Boswellia serrata is an Ayurvedic plant that contains triterpenoids called boswellic acids. It is native to India and used for centuries by Ayurvedic doctors. The terpenoid portion contains the boswellic acids that have been shown to be the active constituents in boswellia.

Boswellia Benefits

Boswellia extract has been used traditionally to treat arthritis, ulcerative colitis, asthma, coughs, sores, and to correct disorders of the digestive system. Test tube research shows that boswellic acids inhibit a specific enzyme crucial in producing certain chemicals important in the process of inflammation. Also, extracts of boswellia have been studied as an aid to standard care for malignant glioma . Use of boswellia serrata appears to decrease symptoms, probably by decreasing inflammation in the brain.

Anti-Inflammatory

The most important component is boswellic acid , which was shown in animal studies to be a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with  antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory properties. In a study, involving  Triterpenes in boswellic acid reduce the synthesis of leukotrienes  in intact neutrophils by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes, which mediate inflammation. 175 bedridden patients showed good or excellent improvements, in 67% of cases, in morning stiffness, pain and ability to carry out everyday activities. Boswellia extract, while providing effective in the treatment of different chronic inflammatory conditions, produces none of the common side-effects associated with conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  such as ibuprofen and Voltaren.

Asthma

Asthma is a lung disorder in which spasms and inflammation of the bronchial passages restrict the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Boswellia serrata may reduce the number of asthma attacks. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the use of 300 mg of boswellia serrata 3 times daily led to a positive impact in signs and symptoms of asthma, including a reduction in asthma attacks. Seventy percent of the asthma patients showed improvement in symptoms and lung function and a decrease in allergic blood cells.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Boswellia serrata appears to reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, painful intestinal disorders. Randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind experiment, patients with Crohn’s disease were treated with 2 oral capsules of 400 mg Boswellia serrata or placebo three times daily for 12 months. At the end of the study, found that 59% of the Boswellia-treated and 55% of the placebo-treated patients maintained remission from Crohn’s disease, indicating no statistically significant difference in efficacy between the active and control groups.

Ulcerative colitis  is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. Leukotrienes are believed to play a role in the inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever,ulcerations in the colon, loss of appetite, and mucus in the stool. In one study of 20 patients in which Boswellia, 300 mg 3 times a day, was given for 6 weeks, 14 went into remission, while with sulfasalazine, the remission rate was 4 out of 10.The results of this study indicate that Boswellia serrata  may be as successful in treatment of ulcerative colitis as standard therapy.

Cancer

Boswellic acids induce antiproliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in leukemia cell lines. They exert cytotoxic effects on established human glioblastoma and leukemia cell lines, as well as on primary human meningioma cells. Boswellia serrata have been shown to be both cytotoxic to glioma cells and anti-proliferative in a dose-dependent manner during studies with rats. Boswellic acid has been found to display antitumor activity in cervical, bladder, and other cancer cell lines as well as anti-inflammatory activity. Boswellia serrata may also reduce fluid retention associated with brain tumours. This fluid build-up is associated with the action of certain inflammatory chemicals. Boswellia inhibits the production of these chemicals. In a study, 44 patients who is from cerebral tumors were either given radiotherapy with 4,200 mg per day of boswellia  or a placebo. Sixty percent of those who received the radiotherapy and the boswellia serrata found more than a 75 percent reduction in their cerebral edema. Research results published in the February 2011 issue of Cancer. At the university hospitals of Bochum and Giessen, patients with gliome tumors were administered 3600 mg Boswellia. Within  a few days, many symptoms associated with brain tumors,  were greatly lessened. In a study of  25 patients were administered a  extract of boswellia  for one week and the tumors were then surgically removed. About half the patients had such significant regressions that the tumors had all but disappeared. This study was conducted by neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Winking.

Boswellia Dosage

Extracts are typically standardized to contain 37.5–65% boswellic acids. The dose of boswellia is 300 to 400 mg 3 times a day of an extract standardized to contain 37.5% boswellic acids.

For asthma, 300 milligrams three times  of boswellia extract.

For rheumatoid arthritis, 400 milligrams three times daily of standardized boswellia extract.

For Crohn’s disease, 1,200 milligrams three times daily of standardized boswellia extract.

For ulcerative colitis, 350 milligrams three times daily  of standardized boswellia extract.

Boswellia Side Effects

Side effects from  are rare. Side effects of boswellic acids include abdominal discomfort nausea, epigastric pain, hyperacidity and diarrhea. Unlike pharmaceutical corticosteroids which inhibit leukotriene synthesis,  boswellia exhibit no significant side effects or toxicity. In clinical trials of pharmaceutical grade standardized boswellia serrata extract, no serious side effects have been reported.

Schisandra chinensis a small red fruit from a large bush that is native to China. The schizandra fruit tastes a bit salty, bitter, sweet, hot, and sour. Because of the mixture of tastes, the Chinese named the fruit wu wei zi which means five taste fruit. Schisandra contains a wide variety of biologically active compounds, which, working in syntony, create its medicinal effects.

Schizandra Benefits

Schizandra has been used to increase the body’s resistance to stress, increase stamina, stimulate the immune system, and decrease fatigue. Active ingredients including lignans, vitamins and phytonutrients in Schisandra chinensis provide a normalizing effect on the body. As documented by the Health Sciences Institute, schizandra raises the body’s amount of the enzyme glutathione. Enhanced glutathione production enabling healthy cell growth, balance and energy production.

Adaptogenic

Schizandra demonstrates significant adaptogenic activity. Research in the late 1940s by Russian scientists confirmed that schizandra berries is an adaptogen. By bringing a balance or a homeostatis to the organs the use of Schizandra is responsible for a harmonious condition to spread in the body. Schizandra may help to reduce fatigue, improve endurance, improve work performance, and build strength. Schizandra is promoted for its stimulating effects on the nervous system without being excitatory like amphetamine or caffeine. In Russia it has been used for increasing attention, concentration, coordination, endurance, and strength. Schizandra, a remedy that reduces the effect of stress on the body by reducing the production of stress hormones from the adrenal glands. A recent study concluded that Schizandra may be a useful herb to help reverse depression, particularly that due to adrenal exhaustion.

Antioxidant

Schizandra protects against free radical damage. Increases the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Provide powerful antioxidant protection,  from free radicals and other toxins in the environment that may cause cellular damage. Recent studies have shown that it is a potent antioxidant that exerts a beneficial effect on the mitochondria—the powerhouse within every cell.

Liver

Schizandra has been shown to strengthen and protect the liver. Laboratory studies have demonstrated its ability to make the enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which deactivates several kinds of toxic free radicals that attack the outer membranes of liver cells. It protects liver cells from oxidative damage and raises the capacity of liver to deal with drugs and their harmful metabolites during first pass metabolism. Schizandra uses its fat soluble compounds found in the core of its seed to protect the liver from toxins. In 1986, Chinese researchers reported more than 5,000 cases of various types of hepatitis have been treated with Schizandra  preparations, resulting in the reduction of elevated liver enzymes. Lignans have been found to lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), a marker for infective hepatitis and other liver disorders. According to researchers, elevated SGPT values returned to normal in 75 percent of patients treated after 20 days of taking an unspecified Schizandra preparation. Japanese scientists have shown that two Schizandra lignans have powerful hepato-protective effects, even against compounds as toxic as carbon tetrachloride.

Brain

Schizandra is  brain tonic that helps in increasing the brain capacity. Researchers at the Department of Pharmacology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, found that two lignans in schizandra inhibit the swelling and disintegration of brain mitochondria, reducing the possibility of brain damage from stroke and aging. A study published in 2009 in of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy found that schisandra helped improve energy metabolism in the brain after clinically induced cerebral ischemia.

Aphrodisiac

For both men and women, schizandra is considered an aphrodisiac. Schizandra affects men by stimulating semen production, boosting libido, extending erection time and preventing premature ejaculation.  Many women claim increased genital warmth and sensation after using Schizandra for a period of time.

Schizandra Dosage

Take  300-900 mg of standardized extract or 1-6 grams of Schizandra berries 2 times a day. The tincture of Schizandra is also available, take in the amount of 2-4 ml thrice daily. Tea: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the bark and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes.

Schizandra Side Effects

Schizandra is generally safe in recommended doses. But may cause appetite loss and mild stomach upset. Schizandra in larger amounts should be avoided by persons with peptic ulcers or epilepsy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Schizandra, as it may induce uterine muscle contractions.