Introduction:

Skullcap is a flowering plant long used in traditional medicine. Supplements may provide health benefits, including improved mood, reduced inflammation, and anticancer effects.

Skullcap (sometimes spelled is the common name for Scutellaria, a genus of flowering plants in the mint family. Various parts of skullcaps, such as their roots and leaves, have been used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from diarrhea to chronic pain.

Common uses:

The leaves of American skullcap have been used in traditional herbal medicine as a sedative and to treat conditions like anxiety and convulsions. The plant was prized by Native Americans for its powerful medicinal properties.

May boost mood and reduce anxiety

American skullcap has been shown to boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Has antibacterial and antiviral effects

Studies indicate that it has powerful antiviral and antibacterial effects.

Contains anti-inflammatory and anticancer compounds

Both American and Chinese skullcap contain an array of beneficial plant compounds, including antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory effects and protect your cells from damage caused by molecules called free radicals.

Skullcap has been linked to several other benefits, including:

• Anticonvulsant effects. Orally supplementing with American skullcap has been shown to have anticonvulsant effects in rodents
• Insomnia. Baicalin, a compound found in both American and Chinese skullcap, is used to treat insomnia in traditional medicine practices. However, research is lacking.
• Neurodegenerative disease. Some test-tube studies suggest that American skullcap may have neuroprotective properties, potentially safeguarding against diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
• Heart health. In one animal study, baicalin injections significantly reduced damage associated with an induced heart attack.

Precautions:

• Chinese skullcap is associated with liver damage and even liver failure in some people.
• May cause side effects like irregular heartbeat, tics, anxiety, drowsiness, and mental confusion
• Not recommended in pregnant and lactating mothers.

Conclusion:

Skullcap is a flowering plant long used in traditional medicine. Supplementing with skullcap may provide several health benefits, such as improved mood, reduced inflammation, and anticancer effects. However, human research on skullcap is lacking, and this supplement may cause several adverse side effects.  For this reason, it’s best to consult your healthcare practitioner before using it.

Introduction:

Kava kava comes from the Piper methysticum plant, which is native to islands of the Pacific Ocean. Traditionally, people made a paste from the plant’s root and mixed it with water or coconut milk to create a drink.

Kava kava is an herbal remedy that some people use to relieve stress and anxiety and boost sleep. However, individuals should use it with caution.

Kava kava, or simply kava, has a long history of use in alternative medicine and traditional ceremonies. More recently, it has found a place in some clinical research studies.  People traditionally mix kava kava with water or boil it into a tea, but it can also come as a tablet.

Health benefits of Kava Kava:

Anti-anxiety effects:

The primary use of kava is reducing stress and anxiety. Research suggests that kava could help treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Sleep promoting effects:

Kava kava could help induce sleep due to its anxiolytic effects. For this reason, people also use it as an alternative therapy for sleep disorders.

The other effective herbs are:

• Valerian
• Chamomile
• Wuling

Safety profile of Kava Kava:

Research has suggested that kava kava may cause liver damage. It appears to be hepatoxic, meaning that it can damage liver cells.

Minor side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Rash
• Fever
• Jaundice with abnormal liver enzymes.

In high doses, the long-term use of kava could also cause:

• dry, scaly skin
• yellow skin
• heart problems
• eye problems

How to use Kava Kava:

Traditionally, people make kava kava root into a paste and mix it with water or boil it into a tea. It is also possible to buy premade kava tea from some stores.  The drug can come in liquid form and mix with other drinks such as juice. There are also tablets and capsules of powdered kava kava available.

Is Kava Kava safe in pregnancy?

There has been little research into the effects of kava in women who are pregnant. Until more definitive research is available on its safety, it may be best to avoid using kava during pregnancy.

Conclusion:

Kava kava is an herbal remedy that people use to relieve anxiety and promote sleep. However, researchers are concerned about reports that kava kava can cause serious liver damage.

Several countries have banned products containing this ingredient and it is best to take the advice of your physician before starting this herb.

Introduction:

Jamaican dogwood is a plant. The root bark is used to make medicine.   Despite serious safety concerns, Jamaican dogwood is used for anxiety and fear, for sleep problems (especially sleeplessness due to nervous tension), and as a daytime sedative. It is also used for painful conditions including nerve pain, migraines, and menstrual cramps.

How does it work?

Jamaican dogwood might cause sleepiness, decrease pain and swelling (inflammation), and decrease muscle spasms in internal organs.

Uses and effectiveness:

• Anxiety.
• Fear.
• Nerve pain.
• Migraines.
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
• Abnormal or painful menstruation.
• Other conditions.

Precautions:

Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe and poisonous when taken by mouth for self-medication. Jamaican dogwood is an irritant and can cause numbness, tremors, salivation, and sweating.

Jamaican dogwood is unsafe for anyone to use, but people affected by the following conditions are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects and should avoid use.

Children: Jamaican dogwood is unsafe for children when taken by mouth. They are especially sensitive to the poisons this plant contains. Do not give Jamaican dogwood to children.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is unsafe for pregnant women to take Jamaican dogwood by mouth. It can affect the uterus. It is also unsafe for breast-feeding women to take Jamaican dogwood by mouth because of the poisons it contains.

Surgery: Jamaican dogwood might slow down the central nervous system (CNS), causing sleepiness. There is a concern that it might slow down the CNS too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. It is advisable to stop using Jamaican dogwood at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) Interaction Rating: moderate be cautious with this combination with other allopathic sedatives.  Jamaican dogwood might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Jamaican dogwood along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Conclusion:

The appropriate dose of Jamaican dogwood depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Jamaican dogwood. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Please carefully follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using this product.

Introduction:

Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai or female ginseng, is a type of herb belonging to the Apiaceae family of plants. This group of plants also includes parsley, carrots, celery and coriander.

Benefits of Dong Quai:

Strengthens bones:

Osteporosis is a condition characterized by weak, brittle bones and an increased risk of breaks and fractures. Though this condition can affect anyone, older women are the most susceptible. This is especially beneficial to menopausal women who have decreased estrogen levels that further makes to bones weak and osteoporotic.

May Reduce Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can lead to symptoms like frequent urination, trouble concentrating, increased thirst and weight loss.  Studies have found that dong quai has a blood sugar-lowering effect and can help promote normal blood sugar levels and prevents adverse side effects.

Prevents heart disease:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death all over the world. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and is usually caused by the buildup of plaque and cholesterol in the arteries, causing them to become narrow and hardened   Dong quai reduces the cholesterol levels and prevents plaque formation and thus prevents coronary heart disease.

Decreases Inflammation:

In times of injury or infection, our body often initiates an immune response to help fight off foreign organisms. Inflammation is part of this normal immune reaction. However, chronic inflammation is at the root of most diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Some studies have discovered that dong quai possesses powerful properties that can help reduce inflammation and may lower the risk of chronic disease.

Alleviates Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is a natural decline in the amount of hormones produced by the ovaries as women age. It is typical for women in their late 40s and early 50s to experience menopause.  Side effects of menopause can include hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss, changes in mood and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Dong quai has a long history as a natural alternative to help alleviate symptoms of menopause.

May Help Treat Depression

Some studies have found that dong quai could have an anti-depressant effect and may have a positive impact when it comes to your mood.

Side effects and precautions:

Dong quai contains coumarin, one of the main ingredients in blood-thinning medications like Warfarin. If you are taking Warfarin or another blood thinner, taking dong quai may increase your risk of bleeding.

You should also be careful about combining dong quai with other natural blood thinners, such as ginger, gingko or garlic. Taking dong quai along with these compounds could increase your risk of bleeding or bruising.

For those who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, taking dong quai is not advisable and may increase the risk of miscarriage. It should also not be taken by those who are breastfeeding, taking oral birth control pills or using hormone replacement therapy.

Additionally, some people may be allergic or sensitive to dong quai. If you have sensitivity to other plants in the same family such as celery, anise dill or coriander, you should not use dong quai.  Side effects of dong quai are rare, but may include difficulty breathing, bloating, and loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or weakness.

Conclusion:

Dong quai is an herb that has been shown to potentially relieve symptoms of menopause and depression, improve heart health, reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar and keep your bones strong.  Historically, it has also been used to treat anemia, improve skin and hair health and decrease menstrual cramps, although current research on these effects is limited.

Those who are breastfeeding, pregnant, trying to become pregnant or taking any hormonal medications like birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy should avoid dong quai.  However, for those entering menopause and looking for a natural way to relieve symptoms, this powerful herb may be just the solution for you.

Introduction:

Cat’s claw is a plant. Two species of cat’s claw, Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis, are of primary interest for use as medicine.

Cat’s claw is most commonly used for improving symptoms of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  It is also used for various digestive system disorders including swelling and pain of the large intestine, inflammation of the lower bowel (colitis), and inflammation of the lining of the stomach, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, and leaky bowel syndrome.

Uses of Cat’s claw:

Cat’s claw contains chemicals that might stimulate the immune system, kill cancer cells, and fight viruses.

Reducing pain from a kind of arthritis called osteoarthritis.

Taking a specific freeze-dried cat’s claw extract (Uncaria guianensis) by mouth appears to relieve knee pain related to physical activity within one week of treatment, but it does not decrease pain at rest or decrease knee swelling.

Improving symptoms of a kind of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

Taking a specific cat’s claw extract  that contains chemicals called pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids but is free of other chemicals called tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids appears to improve symptoms of RA.

May also be effective for other conditions such as:        

• Human papilloma virus (HPV). .
• Cancer. Early research suggests that 100 mg of cat’s claw extract taken three times daily for at least 8 weeks may help reduce tiredness and improve quality of life in people with terminal solid tumors.
• Arthritis.
• Asthma.
• Birth control.
• Bone pains.
• Chicken pox.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Glioblastoma.
• Gonorrhea.
• Hay fever.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Inflammation of the digestive tract including colitis and diverticulitis.
• Leaky bowel syndrome.
• Mouth or genital herpes.
• Parasites.
• Shingles.
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers.
• Wounds.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate cat’s claw for these uses.

Side Effects of Cat’s claw:

Cat’s claw is possibly safe for most people, when taken by mouth short-term. However, it can cause headache, dizziness, and vomiting in some people.

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is some concern that cat’s claw is possibly unsafe during pregnancy when taken by mouth. Not enough is known about the safety of cat’s claw during breast-feeding. Avoid using cat’s claw if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), or other similar conditions::

Cat’s claw might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using cat’s claw without consulting with your healthcare provider.

Bleeding disorders:

Cat’s claw might slow blood clotting. There is concern that cat’s claw might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Low blood pressure:

Low blood pressure: There is some evidence that cat’s claw might lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already too low, this might be a problem.

Leukemia:

Cat’s claw might worsen this condition. Don’t use it if you have leukemia.

Surgery:

There is a concern that cat’s claw might make blood pressure control difficult during surgery. Stop taking cat’s claw at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Conclusion:

Today, cat’s claw is promoted as a dietary supplement for a variety of health conditions, including viral infections. Cat’s claw is being studied for a number of other possible uses, including HIV, Crohn disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), endometriosis, kidney problems, bladder cancer, and Alzheimer disease. More research is needed before scientists can say whether it is effective.