Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 Ginkgo biloba: Antioxidant that improves arterial blood flow and enhances cellular metabolism; may prevent degenerative changes in the eye.
• Flavonoids: A group of compounds found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; improves night vision and adaptation to the dark, visual acuity, and capillary integrity to reduce hemorrhage in diabetic retinopathy; found in high concentrations in blueberries and grapes. |
| Iron, vitamin C with flavonoids, and vitamin A may be beneficial. To treat excessive bleeding, use astringent herbs such as partridge berry (squaw vine),yarrow, and lady's mande. Natural progesterone can help restore hormonal balance.
• PMS: A good diet for PMS includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fish, while foods to be avoided include refined sugars, high amounts of protein, dairy products, fats, salt, caffeine, and tobacco. Increasing calcium and magnesium intake to 500 mg two to three times a day alleviates spasmodic and congestive discomfort. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 Masquelier discovered PCOs in pine bark, he originally called them "pycnogenols" as a way of distinguishing PCOs from other types of flavonoids.This term is now outdated from a scientific standpoint, but it remains in use as a trademark owned by a leading extract manufacturer. Pinus maritima is the species of pine found most widely in Europe and is used for the PCO-rich pine bark extracts. Despite their relatively short history in the West, grape seed and pine bark extracts have both risen to the top of the supplement charts in Europe and the United States. |
| The main antioxidant compounds in green tea are its polyphenolic constituents, particularly flavonoids called catechins, which laboratory studies have identified as having the highest antioxidant activity of all tea compounds.26
Tea polyphenols exert their effects in several different ways. First, they may inhibit cytochrome P-450 activation of carcinogens. Cytochrome P-4S0 is a liver enzyme system which generally helps the body eliminate toxins and metabolize drugs, but in some cases can activate carcinogens. |
| Because of their relaxant effect on the smooth muscle tissue of blood vessels, hawthorn flavonoids dilate blood vessels, thereby reducing peripheral arterial resistance and helping to lower blood pressure. In addition, procyanidins in hawthorn inhibit the effects of an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). In the body, ACE is responsible for converting angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a powerful blood vessel constrictor. |
| Major Constituents
Aescin (also spelled escin), a triterpene saponin; flavonoids; tannins; and coumarin glycosides (aesculin and aesculetin)
Safety
Based on the results of clinical trials, this herb can be considered reasonably safe for most adults at recommended therapeutic doses. However, if you have horse chestnut trees in your yard, make sure that children do not eat the seeds, twigs, leaves or any other parts of the plant, because they can be poisonous if ingested in large enough quantities. |
Robyn Landis
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 They include flavonoids, which are compounds linked to dozens of health-protective benefits: They interfere with carcinogenic hormones, fight cell damage from oxidation, strengthen blood vessels, decrease capillary permeability, protect skin integrity, and are antiinflammatory and good for the eyes. P-coumaric acid (see tomatoes) is also found in strawberries.
Flaxseed—Lignans are antioxidant polyphenols, and flaxseed contains lignan precursors. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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| Herbal Medicine: Plant flavonoids such as quercetin are helpful in reducing the inflammatory response. According to David L. Hoffmann, B.Sc, M.N.I.M.H., of Sebastopol, California, past President of the American Herbalists Guild, chamomile and peppermint are beneficial for gas, colic, and for associated diarrhea. He recommends astringents such as bayberry, marshmallow root, or plantain and antispasmodics such as wild yam aid the healing process. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 Other antioxidants include vitamins C and E, the vitamin-like flavonoids, and the mineral selenium.
Several studies have shown that diets rich in vitamins C and E help prevent cataracts. For example, one study showed that taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day can slow the development of cataracts. Which brings me back to my magazine article about catnip. Its leaves, and the leaves of many mint relatives like rosemary, contain generous amounts of vitamins C and E, some of which can be extracted in catnip tea or a mixed mint tea like my Cataractea. |
Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, Assembly of Life Sciences National Research Council
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 They contain, among other substances, flavonoids (Chapters 13 and 15). The dietary presence of vitamin A has often been based on green and yellow vegetable consumption (Chapter 9), although the active agent in those foods may not actually be vitamin A. Peto et al. (1981) suggested that carcinogenesis may be inhibited by g-carotene (the plant constituent that can be converted to vitamin A in the body), rather than by the vitamin itself. |
| In view of the mutagenic activity and widespread distribution of certain flavonoids, particularly quercetin, it is important to determine the carcinogenic potential of these chemicals. At present, the data concerning the carcinogenicity of quercetin are contradictory. Pamukcu et al. (1980) reported that adding 0.1% quercetin to the diet of albino Norwegian rats for 58 weeks resulted in the induction of tumors in the epithelium of the intestine and urinary bladder. However, when Saito et al. |
| Many vegetables contain mutagenic flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, and their glycosides. Furthermore, some substances found in foods can enhance or inhibit the mutagenic activity of other compounds. Mutagens in charred meat and fish are produced during the pyrolysis of proteins that occurs when foods are cooked at very high temperatures. Normal cooking of meat at lower temperatures can also result in the production of mutagens. |
| Comparative mutagenesis of plant flavonoids in microbial systems. Mutat. Res. 58:231-239.
Hayatsu, H., S. Arimoto, K. Togawa, and M. Makita. 1981a. Inhibitory effect of the ether extract of human feces on activities of mutagens: Inhibition by oleic and linoleic acids. Mutat. Res. 81:287-293.
Hayatsu, H., K. Inoue, H. Ohta, T. Namba, K. Togawa, T. Hayatsu, M. Makita, and Y. Wataya. 1981b. Inhibition of the mutagenicity of cooked-beef basic fraction by its acidic fraction. Mutat. Res. 91:437-442.
Hirono, I., I. Ueno, S. Hosaka, H. Takanashi, T. Matsushima, T. Sugimura, and S. Natori. 1981. |
| A review of the genetic effects of naturally occurring flavonoids, anthraquinones and related compounds. Mutat. Res. 75:243-277.
Brown, J. P., and P. S. Dietrich. 1979. Mutagenicity of plant flavonols in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome test. Activation of flavonol glycosides by mixed glycosidases from rat cecal bacteria and other sources. Mutat. Res. 66:223-240.
Busk, L., and U. G. Ahlborg. 1980. Retinol (vitamin A) as an inhibitor of the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B^. Toxicol. Lett. 6:243-249.
Clarke, C H., and M. J. Wade. 1975. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
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 In addition, many vegetables and some fruits contain such other known anti-cancer substances as coumarins, flavonoids and beta-carotene, among others.
Studies are again being conducted with the cruciferous vegetables. Several test-tube and animal studies have shown definite anti-cancer effects. More work needs to be done, but, in the meantime, almost all of us can benefit from heeding mother's advice to "eat those vegetables."
There is a picture in a Mexican book on herbs of the damiana plant next to a nude woman. Those familiar with damiana typically think of
Damiana
(Aphrodisiac? |
Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine
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 The strength of its course can be lessened by antiangiogenetic nutrients, such as flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins (found in foods with purple or blue pigments such as cherries, grapes, and plums). These nutrients, as well as most soy products, offer protection by strengthening vascular walls.
The Mechanisms of Metastasis
Cancer cells look different than normal cells or the benign tumor cells of the tissue in which they are found. Usually, the more abnormal the cell appears to be, the more malignant the cancer. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| The beauty of eating citrus fruits, however, is that in addition to vitamin C, they also contain flavonoids. These are substances that also block the release of histamine, in turn curbing allergy symptoms and allergy-related asthma.
V Assorted herbs. I searched my database for anti-asthmatic compounds and came up with quite a few herbs worth mentioning. I found at least six anti-asthmatic substances in tea, fennel and cayenne. Onion, coriander and bell pepper had five. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 It is critical that the diet be rich in whole natural foods, especially raw fruits and vegetables, because they are a rich source of nutrients critical to joint health, including vitamin C, carotenes, and flavonoids.
Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers may want to eliminate foods from the nightshade family such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant, which are thought to aggravate the condition in some but not all people. Some people find that eliminating all dairy products can also help to relieve symptoms. Smokers take note: Tobacco is a member of the nightshade family! |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| It contains substances known as flavonoids, including rutin, that reduce the permeability of the blood vessels, especially the capillaries. I almost always add citrus peel to my fruit juices when I'm blending up a batch. It's worth a try.
VV Onion (Allium cepa). Onion skin is one of our best sources of the compound quercetin. Like rutin, quercetin reportedly decreases capillary fragility. To get the full benefit of the quercetin, you should cook with whole, unpeeled onions whenever possible and discard the skin before serving.
V Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). |
| Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, the researcher who first discovered vitamin C in 1928, was also a champion of flavonoids. He called them vitamin P.
Green Pharmacy for Cataracts
There are a number of herbs that can help prevent cataracts. V\V Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). As far back as World War I, British fliers munched bilberries before missions to sharpen their vision. Bilberry has many botanical relatives, including blueberry, cranberry and huckleberry, and similar chemicals occur in other fruits such as blackberry, raspberry, grape, plum and wild cherry. All have reputations for aiding vision. |
National Women's Health Network
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 Ch dste-Tree Berry (Vitex dgnus-cdstus)
Chaste-tree berry, also called vitex, contains flavonoids (primarily casticin) and iridoids (aucubin and agnuside). Scientists don't yet know what the most active compounds dence for its effectiveness, there are few studies of acceptable scientific caliber.
The usual dose of black cohosh is 0.3 to 2.0 grams in capsules or infusion three times a day; liquid extract (1:1 increases endometrial cancer risk, and if there are estrogens in black cohosh, they may not be entirely safe. are. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 Substances in fruits and vegetables called "flavonoids" have been shown to activate the DNA repair system. So all the multitiered defenses we have against oxygen-radical damage depend critically on getting adequate protective substances from the diet.
Our antioxidant defense system evolved in a plant-based environment where many antioxidants could be obtained from the food supply. As a result, the genetic machinery to produce vitamin C was lost in humans, but our bodies came to expect a large amount of vitamin C and other plant chemicals in the diet. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| It is also much higher in flavonoids - the antioxidant components shown to help prevent heart disease. These compounds can also inhibit the enzyme (phenolsulfotransferase) which normally breaks down
Table 172.9 Factors involved with histamine-induced headaches
Histamine levels increased by:
• Histamine in alcoholic beverages (particularly red wine)
• Histamine in food
• Histamine-releasing foods
• Food allergy
• Vitamin B6 deficiency
Histamine breakdown inhibited by:
• Vitamin B6 antagonists —alcohol
—drugs
—food additives (e.g. |
| Supplements
• Vitamin A: 20,000 IU three times/day
• Vitamin C: 500 mg three times/day
• Vitamin E: 100 IU three times/day
• Flavonoids: 500 mg three times/day
• Zinc: 20 mg/day
• Glutamine: 500 mg three times/day
• Bismuth subcitrate: 240 mg twice daily before meals.
Botanical medicine
• Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root (DGL): 380-760 mg 20 minutes before meals three times / day.
REFERENCES
1. Berstad K, Berstad A. Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 1993; 28: 561-567
2. Sarker SA, Gyr K. Non-immunological defense mechanisms of the gut. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Chemicals called flavonoids (mostly hyperoside and quercetin) apparently account for the diuretic effect.
If you can find birch leaf tincture, Commission E suggests taking two to three grams (about a teaspoon) several times a day. If you have a birch tree, you can make your own tincture by putting two teaspoons of bark in a cup of vodka and letting it steep for a couple of days.
I prefer a tea made from cherry birch bark, which you can make by adding a handful of bark to a cup or two of boiling water.
V Buchu (Agathosma betulina). |
Josef A. Brinckmann and Michael P. Lindenmaier
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 Ph. Eur., not less than 1.5%, expressed
C00CH3
/r0H
Salicylic acid methyl ester
U
(= Methyl salicylate) as violanthin), including quercitrin, luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside, rutin (= vio-laquercitrin), the C-glucosides vitexin and isovitexin (8-C- and 6-C-glucosyla-pigenin, respectively), vicenin 2 and violanthin (6,8-di-C- and 6-C-rhamno-syl-8-C-glucosylapigenin), orientin and isoorientin (8-C- and 6-C-glucosyllute-olin), scoparin, saponarin and saponare-tin [2, 3]. |
Robyn Landis
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| Research has shown that raw tienchi contains saponins and flavonoids that provide raw materials for synthesis of adrenal and reproductive hormones, and promote nonspecific immunity. It also has a variety of tonic effects on the heart (which we discuss in more detail later). It is a top-notch antibleeding herb, reduces swelling from traumatic injuries, and circulates blood to joints to relieve pain.
The Chinese use these and other tonic herbs in food, as part of their daily diets. Soups are common ways to get the benefits of Chinese herbs while enjoying a tasty meal. |
| Cayenne pepper also contains cartenoids, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and is antiseptic. You can take it in capsule form, which means you won't have to taste it and thus are more likely to be able to get enough in your body to treat the viral infection.
Root vegetables include beets, carrots, and radishes. They can be juiced or eaten raw or cooked; generally, the less cooking, the better. Root vegetables have an affinity for the liver and are especially detoxifying. (They are discussed more fully in Chapter 14, "Herbal Renewal: Cleanse, Detox, Rebuild," pages 325-340. |
| The coumarins and flavonoids are antispasmodic.
Other Relaxant Herbs
A variety of other herbs also have some mild sedative effects, although some are less well known and less studied than herbs like valerian and chamomile. Some are used in combination formulas or teas along with chamomile or valerian. Any of these can be taken as tea with about 1/2 to 1 ounce of the herb daily.
Hops leaf contains volatile oils and acids that convert into isovaleric acid.
Catnip leaf, with a minty flavor, is one of the best very mild relaxants. |
| Murray and Pizzorno in their Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, the flavonoids in this herb can inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds more than 1,000 times the strength of histamines, in a way that is similar to an asthma drug except without toxicity. They are also antioxidant and free-radical scavengers. Work up to 5 to 8 capsules per day as needed.
Nervines (central nervous system relaxants) can be useful for asthmatics. For at least some sufferers of this condition, there appears to be a stress or emotional element. |
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