5 Anti-aging Plant Pharmaceuticals

 Last time I introduced 5 impressive anti-aging herbal extracts. I think it is time to tell you some additional botanical extracts that have health beneficial properties.

1.       Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea purpurea, also known as eastern purple coneflower or purple coneflower, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Echinacea of the family Asteraceae. Its cone-shaped flowering heads are usually, but not always, purple in the wild. It is native to eastern North America and present to some extent in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern and Midwest United States.

Its root, rootstalk and part above earth can be made into medicines. It can basically improving immunity. Its root contains plentiful hydroxybenzene and its part above earth contains cichoric acid ((2R,3R)-2,3-bis[[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]oxy]-butanedioic acid, CAS: 70831-56-0) and N-isobutyldodecateTCMLIBaeneamide which is widely used to treat cold and respiratory infection.

2.       Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo , also spelled gingko and also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique species of tree with no close living relatives. The ginkgo is a living fossil, recognisably similar to fossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widely cultivated and was introduced early to human history. It has various uses in traditional medicine and as a food.

Ginkgo is a common herb which could strengthen memory. By moderately expanding blood vessel, preventing blood platelets from polymerizing and boosting blood flow to brain, Ginkgo ingredients, as an potent antioxidant, can keep fat cells from oxidation and help relieve Alzheimer's disease.

Leaves of Ginkgo consist of almost 24% ginkgo biloba flavonal glycoside (kaempferol, isorhamnetin) and 6% sesquiterpene lactone (ginkgolide A,B,C) and other ingredients, such as proanthocyanidins, glucose, rhamnose, kynurenic acid, shikimic acid, etc..

3.       Ginseng

Ginseng is found only in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America and in eastern Asia (mostly Korea, northeastern China (Manchuria), Bhutan, and eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates. Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng known. Ginsengs contain one kind of saponin mixture named ginseng saponin, which includes about 13 kinds of saponins. Ginseng can strengthen immune resistivity, recovery capability and relieve fatigue. Ginseng is regarded as an effective medicine that could adjust immune system, keep from cold, lowering blood sugar and level of cholesterol. In addition, it’s a candidate in cancer treatment.

4.       Green Tea

Green tea is made from the leaves from Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originated in China, but it has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. Green tea has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea has been the traditionally consumed tea. Green tea has become the raw material for extracts which are used in various beverages, health foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetic items.

Green tea has many polyphenol compounds, such as catechol, epicatechin, which are antioxidant and functional in skin cell reproduction. Green tea could inhibit genes that cause mammary cancer, lower the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

5.       Crataegus

Crataegus, commonly called hawthorn, or thornapple, or hawberry, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.

Several species of hawthorn have been used in traditional medicine, and there is considerable interest in testing hawthorn products for evidence-based medicine. The products being tested are often derived from C. monogyna, C laevigata, or related Crataegus species, "collectively known as hawthorn", not necessarily distinguishing between these species, which are very similar in appearance. The dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida are used in naturopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, primarily as a digestive aid. A closely related species, Crataegus cuneata is used in a similar manner. Other species (especially Crataegus laevigata) are used in herbal medicine where the plant is believed to strengthen cardiovascular function.

It’s been reported that fruit of hawthorn has positive effects on treating coronary disease, pharyngitis, insomnia. It may be because it contains C-glycosylflavones, isovitexin, hyperoside.

Next time, I will continuously tell you about 5 more terrific anti-aging herbal extracts.