Quick View: Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are plants and plant parts used in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda.  Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that has been practiced in India for thousands of years. It emphasizes the balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic herbs are thought to promote health and well-being by balancing the body's three doshas, or energies: vata, pitta, and kapha.

Here is a list of popular Ayurvedic herbs:

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): An adaptogenic herb that is used to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and boost energy levels.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A well-known anti-inflammatory herb that is used to treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, pain, and digestive disorders.

Triphala: A blend of three fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki) that is used to improve digestion and elimination.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): An herb that is used to improve memory and cognitive function.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): An herb that is used to improve circulation, wound healing, and cognitive function.

Amla (Emblica officinalis): A fruit that is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. It is used to boost the immune system. 

It is important to note that Ayurvedic herbs are not a regulated medical product in the United States.  This means that the safety and efficacy of these herbs have not been rigorously studied.  It is always best to speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using any Ayurvedic herb.

Recent Research; Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric supplements may help with arthritis pain and inflammation. Here, we are going to review a few articles on this topic:

Vishnu Mittal and colleagues have published an article on herbal interventions in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The article suggests turmeric may be helpful in managing Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. The review highlights turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which might be crucial in alleviating Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. Turmeric may work by modulating inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing inflammation in the joints – a hallmark of Rheumatoid Arthritis. While the evidence is promising, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm how effective and safe turmeric is for Rheumatoid Arthritis. (1)

While, Carla Gasbarri and Guido Angelini focus more on the active ingredients of tumeric. They state that curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric and is often credited with its health benefits.However, turmeric also contains another natural compound called cyclocurcumin. Although they have the same chemical formula, they behave differently. Curcumin can change its structure slightly depending on the environment, while cyclocurcumin can change shape. While curcumin gets most of the attention for its potential health benefits, cyclocurcumin is also interesting to scientists because it may act as an antioxidant, fight enzymes, and even combat viruses. Early research suggests it might be useful for treating degenerative diseases and heart problems. However, despite its potential, cyclocurcumin's use in medicine is limited because it's difficult for the body to absorb. (2)

Tingting Deng and co-workers consider that "Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, cartilage destruction, pannus formation and bone erosion. Various immune cells, including macrophages, are involved in RA pathogenesis." They are looking at curcumin as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to joints. Part of the problem is that immune system cells called macrophages become unbalanced. These macrophages can either be helpful (M2) or harmful (M1) in RA. Curcumin seems to work by tipping the balance towards the helpful M2 macrophages, which might reduce inflammation and joint damage in RA. However, more research is needed to fully understand how effective curcumin might be. (3)

REFERENCE

1. Vishnu Mittal et al, Nature's Pharmacy: Herbal Interventions in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Comprehensive Review, Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2024 Apr 25. doi: 10.2174/0115733971294467240326074155. 

2. Carla Gasbarri et al, Cyclocurcumin as Promising Bioactive Natural Compound: An Overview, Molecules. 2024 Mar 24;29(7):1451.

3. Tingting Deng et al, Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin on macrophage polarization in rheumatoid arthritis,Front Pharmacol. 2024 Feb 28:15:1369337. 

10 Popular Health Supplements

Here is a list of 10 popular supplements with their health benefit claims. 

Vitamin D:  An essential nutrient for bone health and immune function.

Multivitamins: A combination of vitamins and minerals that can help fill nutrient gaps in our diet.

Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps support the immune system and may help reduce the severity and duration of colds.

Probiotics: Live bacteria that can improve gut health and may help with digestion, bloating, and diarrhea.

Magnesium: A mineral that is important for muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and energy production.

Fish Oil: A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health, brain function, and inflammation.

CoQ10: An antioxidant that is involved in energy production in cells. CoQ10 levels decline with age, and some studies suggest that CoQ10 supplements may help improve heart health.

Turmeric: A spice that contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric supplements may help with arthritis pain and inflammation.

Melatonin: A hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin supplements may be helpful for people with insomnia or jet lag.

Elderberry:  A fruit that has been used for centuries to treat colds and flu. However, the evidence for its effectiveness is mixed.

The content of this article is based on multiple research/review articles. For accuracy and details, please check with a doctor. Remember, it is always best to talk to the doctor before starting any new supplements.

5 Health Supplements good for Liver Inflammation

 When it comes to liver health and inflammation, there are several supplements that may offer potential benefits. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, especially if you have existing health conditions. Here are some options:

Milk Thistle (Silymarin): Silybum marianum L. (milk thistle) is a popular herbal remedy known for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Milk Thistle has been used for treating different complications such as jaundice, hepatitis, and cancers. It has also been shown that silymarin, a flavonolignan extract of the plant, demonstrates chemo-preventive effects against cancers. (1)

Turmeric (Curcumin): Turmeric contains curcumin, which has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. It may help reduce liver inflammation and support overall liver health. Pathological progression often develops from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to liver fibrosis (LF) then finally to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 52 studies of animals, curcumin demonstrates a significant improvement in key indicators across the stages of NAFLD, liver fibrosis, and HCC. Researchers then conducted a detailed analysis of common inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, which traverse the entire disease process. (2) 

Zinc: Zinc (Zn) is an essential mineral that plays a role in various bodily functions, including liver health. Some studies suggest that zinc supplementation may help prevent liver damage from infections and toxins.  A study shows the serum Zn and Se levels were significantly associated with serum albumin levels, and inversely associated with the stages of hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, serum Zn levels were inversely correlated with the grades of hepatic steatosis in patients with hepatitis C virus-related CLD, (3)

Licorice Root Extract: Licorice root has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. It may help protect the liver and reduce inflammation. In an animal study, isoliquiritigenin and liquorice roots aqueous extract reduced high-fat diet-induced hyperglycaemia, (4) 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consuming fatty fish or fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation associated with liver conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Omega-3s are also beneficial for overall health.

Remember that individual responses to supplements can vary, and it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your specific situation.

REFERENCE

1. Seyyed Amir Emadi et al, A review of therapeutic potentials of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and its main constituent, silymarin, on cancer, and their related patents, Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2022 Oct;25(10):1166-1176.

2. Yubing Li et al, Protective role of curcumin in disease progression from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis, Front Pharmacol. 2024 Jan 19:15:1343193. 

3. Takashi Himoto et al, Involvement of essential trace elements in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus‑related chronic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Exp Ther Med. 2023 Nov 17;27(1):19.

4. Mohammed Abdo Yahya et al, Liquorice root extract and isoliquiritigenin attenuate high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and damage in rats by regulating AMPK, Arch Physiol Biochem. 2022 Sep 19:1-16.

5. Hao Liu et al, Protectin D1 inhibits TLR4 signaling pathway to alleviate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via upregulating IRAK-M, Free Radic Biol Med. 2024 Jan:210: 42-53.