HERBAL REMEDIES

Ammi Visnaga, also known in Egypt as Khella, has been used for many centuries for its beneficial effects on the treatment of certain affections, among others high blood pressure, kidney stones and some others. The reason of the effectiveness of this herb seems to be, following the latest news on the subject, two of the most powerful active constituents found on this herb, namely khellin and visnagin, which seem to be very effective on the treatment of those health disorders. Image left: Ammi visnaga by Dwight Sipler under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).

High cholesterol levels are not only unhealthy but a considerable big risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In order to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease problems at a later stage, sport, supplements and several diets have been recommended, however some of them are not easy to follow while others are not really so effective.

This article will cover certain herbs claimed to be effective to reduce cholesterol levels, the evidence on which those claims can be based upon and if they are truth on simply part of the local traditional legends and folklore about herbal remedies.

ALLIUM SATIVUM

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Genus: Allium
Common name: Garlic

Borage oil contains high quantities of essential unsaturated Omega-6 fatty acids, which are used in many commercial conditioners due to the ability they have to regulate hydration, but have also proven to be effective in the treatment of other illnesses, as atopic dermatitis.

The consumption of B vitamins either as supplements of the regular diet or naturally enhance the effectiveness of antidepressant treatments.

If you are one of those intensely passionates about nature and life, use to visit from time to time herbal shops and have a look to herbal news sites, you may have heard about a very special honey type, the Manuka honey, which prices reaches 2'5 times the prices of other regular honeys available in the market and has been claimed to exert many health benefits and properties. But what makes this honey so special?

Manuka honey gets its name from the tree from which is being produced, the Leptospermum scoparium, Manuka tree, tea tree or simply Leptospermum, a shrub native to New Zealand [7]. Manuka flowers have been used by honey bees in New Zealand to produce one of the most famous and expensive honeys of the world, Manuka honey. The high demand on the market caused by claims that recent scientific studies and clinical trials made on the properties of Manuka honey, ranging from its anti-Helicobacter pylori properties to its antibacterial, anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis, burn healing and skin protecting effects, and even some suggesting it may help to against certain types of cancer, entailed a price increase that may or may not be justified,  let's have a look at that. Image: Manuka flower by John Tann under CC license (CC by 2.0).

LEPTOSPERMUM SCOPARIUM

Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Leptospermum
Common name: Manuka tree, tea tree, Leptospermum, Jelly bush.

Ammi Visnaga, also known in Egypt as Khella, has been used for many centuries for its beneficial effects on the treatment of certain affections, among others high blood pressure, kidney stones and some others. The reason of the effectiveness of this herb seems to be, following the latest news on the subject, two of the most powerful active constituents found on this herb, namely khellin and visnagin, which seem to be very effective on the treatment of those health disorders.

AMMI VISNAGA

Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Ammi
Common name: Toothpickweed, khella, bisnaga.

Improving memory and attention in patients affected by mild cognitive impairment

A recent scientific study on the use of a combination of green tea extract and l-Theanine, demonstrated the beneficial effects that such a cocktail had on the improvement of cognition.

In the study, where a double-blind placebo control was used, patients affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among which 13 were men and 32 women, the volunteers performed different neuropsicological tests and their electroencephalography analyzed.

The use of Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been proven to be effective in some cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Day after day the number of persons affected by breast cancer and prostate cancer increases. In the USA breast cancer is among the most common cancers. In male population prostate cancer is its equivalent in number of occurrences. The study presented in this article shows some hope on the treatment of those two common types of cancer by using pectin, a heteropolysaccharide found in citrus fruits, specially on citrus peels, where the content of pectins can reach up to 30%. Other fruits rich in pectin are carrots, oranges, apples and apricots(2).