Lignans

Email this page to a friend

Want news about Lignans and more e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts

Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide Thomas Bartram See book keywords and concepts

Constituents: fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, lignans, sesquiterpenes, tannin, mucilage, inulin. Contains iron, sulphur and B-vitamins. Action. One of the most powerful and reliable blood tonics of herbalism. Antibiotic action of the root against staphylococcus. Adaptogen, alterative, anti-fungal, hepatic, lymphatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, hypoglycaemic, orexigenic. bitter. Anti-tumour activity reported (Farnsworth, Kiangsu-429) Uses. Arthritis, gout, rheumatism, boils, styes, seborrhoea, cystitis, anaemia, anorexia nervosa. To lower blood sugar.

Constituents: alkaloids, tannin, volatile oil, resin, lignans. Action. Anti-rheumatic, diuretic, stimulating diaphoretic, powerful blood tonic, carminative. Uses. Aches and pains of rheumatism, gout, chronic skin disorders, kidney complaints, high blood pressure. Infestation, lice, fleas: (oil, external). Preparations. Thrice daily. Tea: quarter of a teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Dose: quarter to half a cup. Powder: 0.5-2g. Oil: external use only. Liquid Extract: 5-30 drops.

A Physician's Guide To Natural Health Products That Work James A. Howenstine, MD See book keywords and concepts

Bruce Barlean suggests vigorous shaking for 20 seconds before pouring to disperse the lignans. Pure fruit could be added such as strawberries or chopped apples, blueberries and pineapple. Use only plain yogurt, not flavored and use twice as much yogurt as you would cottage cheese if you substitute yogurt for cottage cheese. Tofu also works in the same dosage as natural yogurt. There is another way to take flax that should only be used in a desperate situation, as we cannot be sure that it works in cancer cases. If someone is nauseated by the oil, flax seed can be ground with a coffee grinder.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

COMMON USES Within the traditional herbal medicine paradigm, nettle leaves are considered very nutritive and consequently they are often used in situations of convalescence and recuperation.1 They are also used to aid milk production in nursing mothers.1 In addition, nettle is used Family þ Urticaceae Synonyms þ Stinging nettle *:• Urtica þ Common nettle {Urtica dioica L.

The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC See book keywords and concepts

Jung KY, Lee IS, Oh SR, et al. lignans with platelet activating factor antagonist activity from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baill. Phytomedicine 1997;4:229-31. 5. Hancke J, Burgos R, Caceres D, et al. Reduction of serum hepatic transaminases and CPK in sport horses with poor performance treated with a standardized Schizandra chinensis fruit extract. Phytomedicine 1996; 3: 237-40. 6. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 146-52. 7. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West.

These lignans lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), a marker for infective hepatitis and other liver disorders.36 Are There Any Side Effects or Interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions. Checklist for Hepatitis Ranking Nutritional Supplements Herbs Primary Bioflavonoids (p. 271) (silymarin) Licorice (p. 440) (intravenous) Secondary Bioflavonoids (p. 27!) (catechin) Thymus extracts Milk thistle (p. 445) Phyllanthus (p. 452) Other Phosphatidyl choline (p. 307) Vitamin Bl2 (p. 337) Vitamin C (p.

Active Constituents Phyllanthus primarily contains lignans (e.g., phyllan-thine and hypophyllanthine), alkaloids, and bioflavonoids (p. 271) (e.g., quercetin [p. 328]). While it remains unknown as to which of these ingredients has an antiviral effect, research shows that this herb acts primarily on the liver. This action in the liver confirms its historical use as a remedy for jaundice. Phyllanthus blocks DNA polymerase, the enzyme needed for the hepatitis B virus to reproduce.

LEM is also rich in polysaccharides and lignans. Research indicates that lentinan injections may help some people with hepatitis.2 A highly purified intravenous form of lentinan has been employed in Japan to increase survival in those with recurrent stomach cancer (particularly when used in combination with chemotherapy).3 These effects may be due to shiitake's ability to stimulate specific types of white blood cells called T-lymphocytes. Case reports from Japan are also suggestive that lentinan is helpful in treating individuals with HIV (p. 87) infection.

The Food Pharmacy: Dramatic New Evidence That Food Is Your Best Medicine Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts

Beans are also rich in compounds called lignans that are anticancer on their own and are converted by colon bacteria into hormonelike substances that some scientists suggest could help fight off both breast and colon cancer. GREAT FOR THE COLON Although it's a subject that only scientists can discuss at conferences with a straight face, it is well established that a greater "fecal output," or large feces, is a sign of health. And such scientists urge you to eat foods that increase the fecal output.

Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide Thomas Bartram See book keywords and concepts

Constituents: terpenes, tannins, lignans, flavonoids, and gingkolide B which is a platelet activating factor (PAF). Action: nutritive, tuberculostatic. A compound (BN 52021) from the tree antagonises bron-chospasm and tends to resolve breathing difficulties. Circulatory stimulant. Increases brain blood flow, Peripheral vasodilator, Energy enhancer. {JAM, Vol 6, No 2) Uses. Respiratory complaints, especially asthma. Inhibits platelet clumping: of value in coronary artery disease. Tinnitus. Intermittent claudication. Raynaud's disease. Thrombosis. Cold hands and feet. Spontaneous bruising.

The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts

The constituents of the seeds, lignans, et cetera, are similar to those of Cannabis sativa. Effects The primary effect of consuming hemp is a mild to profound sense of euphoria accompanied by rich associative and imaginative abilities, a stimulated imagination, and a sense of physical well-being. Very often, the effects of hemp are also perceived as aphrodisiac or erotic (Amendt 1974; Blatter 1992; Cohen 1982; Lewis 1970).75 When cannabis is smoked, these effects are manifested within ten minutes; when eaten or drunk, in forty-five minutes to two hours.

Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide Thomas Bartram See book keywords and concepts

Constituents: sesquiterpene lactones, mucilage, lignans, oil. Action: Febrifuge, anti-haemorrhage, antibiotic, bacteriostatic, bitter, splenic tonic, expectorant, galactagogue, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, carminative. Externally as an antiseptic. Anti-diarrhoeal. Anti-flatulent. Uses. Dyspepsia, loss of appetite, gastro-enteritis, liver and gall-bladder disorders. To increase a mother's milk after pregnancy. Migraine, painful menstruation, sluggish circulation. Combination, with Agrimony (equal parts) for anorexia nervosa. Used in the production of Benedictine.

The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts

The genus Justicia is also known to contain lignans (Ghosal et al. 1979). Effects The plant is sometimes described as hallucinogenic (Daniel 1995, 75). Apart from its mild sedative effects, however, little is known about the psychoactive properties of the plant. There are some reports of hypnotic and sedative effects, which can be attributed to the coumarin the plant contains (Macrae and Towers 1984). Commercial Forms and Regulations The seeds are occasionally available through sources specializing in ethnobotanical plants. Literature See also the entry for snuffs. Daniel, Thomas F.

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Andrew Chevallier See book keywords and concepts

Constituents Safflower contains carthamone, lignans, and a polysaccharide. History & Folklore In 19th-century North American herbal medicine, safflower was used to induce sweating, to promote the onset of a menstrual period, and as a treatment for measles. Medicinal Actions & Uses In Chinese herbal medicine, the flowers are given to stimulate menstruation and to relieve abdominal pain. The flowers are also used to cleanse and heal wounds and sores and to treat measles. In the Anglo-American herbal tradition, the flowers are also given as a treatment for fever and skin rashes.

Volatile oil containing sesquiterpene lactones (artabsin, anabsinthin); thujone; azulenes ¦ Flavonoids ¦ Phenolic acids i lignans key actions ¦ Aromatic bitter Wormwood A perennial reaching 3 ft (1 m), with gray-green stems and feathery leaves, both covered in fine hairs. m -< Fresh leaves Driedaerial parts & Key Preparations & Their Uses Cautions Take only under professional supervision. Take only in small doses, generally for no more than 4-5 weeks at a time. Do not take during pregnancy. J Infusion made from wormwood and other herbs, is used as a digestive remedy.

Up to 30 different lignans have been identified in schisandra, which all contribute to this effect. Research from 1972 onward has reported the beneficial action of schisandra on the liver, and one clinical trial indicated a 76% success rate in treating patients with hepatitis, with no side effects being noted. ¦ Nervous system Schisandra is known to stimulate the nervous system, increasing the speed of reflex nervous responses and improving mental clarity.

Key Constituents ¦ lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisin) ¦ Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol) ¦ Volatile oil ¦ Vitamins C and E Key Actions ¦ Tonic ¦ Adaptogenic ¦ Protects liver Parts Used Fruit helps the body to cope with stress. Berries are chewed every day for 100 days as a tonic in China Dried fruit B Key Preparations & Their Uses Caution Large doses can cause heartburn. Decoction (to make, p. 291). For coughs and shortness of breath, decoct 5 g crushed berries with 100 ml water. Divide into 3 doses and drink during a 24-hour period.

Constituents Holy thistle contains lignans, sesquiterpene lactones (including cnicin), volatile oil, polyacetylenes, Holy thistle was a 16th-century remedy for migraine headaches. flavonoids, triterpenes, phytosterols, and tannins. Cnicin is bitter, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic. History & Folklore Holy thistle was esteemed as a medicine in the Middle Ages, and was even thought capable of curing the plague.

Constituents Yew contains a mixture of alkaloids known as taxine, and also diterpenes (including taxol in some varieties), lignans, tannin, and resin. History & Folklore The yew tree was sacred to the Druids, who are believed to have considered it an emblem of immortality. The Druids planted yews in holy sites, a practice that continued with the coming of Yew. longer used in herbal medicine, is currendy under research as a potential anticancer drug. Christianity. Many medieval churchyards contain ancient yews, some thought to be over 1,000 years old.

Intelligent Medicine: A Guide to Optimizing Health and Preventing Illness for the Baby-Boomer Generation Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Phytoestrogens — including isoflavones, phytosterols, saponins, and lignans — are compounds in plants that are capable of exerting mild estrogenic effects. In high levels, they can have significant effects, which may explain the rarity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in cultures consuming a plant-based diet. Phytoestrogens are found in soy, fennel, celery, parsley, clovers, sprouts, flaxseed, nuts, and seeds. There is an over-the-counter phytoestrogen called genistein, which is an isoflavone derived from soy. Phytoestrogens from the soy plant are also used in estrogen creams.

Breast Cancer? Breath Health! The Wise Woman Way Susun S. Weed See book keywords and concepts

SESAME OIL (Sesamum indicum), fresh tahini, and sesame seeds are rich in antioxidants, lignans, and phenols which inhibit the formation of cancer. ONION [Allium cepa) Like her sister garlic, onion can prevent as well as reverse cellular changes that initiate cancer. Onions are rich in selenium and allyl sulfides. In laboratory tests, onion extracts inhibited proliferation of some cancer cells and killed others. ORANGE PEEL {Citrus species) All citrus fruits (e.g.

So do the lignans in beans. if Of laboratory animals with advanced breast cancer who ate the seaweed kelp, 95 percent lived longer than expected. 25b Breast cancert • According to Neal Barnard, M.D., a woman with metastatic breast cancer increases her risk of dying by 40 percent for every extra 1,000 grams of fat included in her diet per month.2 The best fats for women with cancer—from strictly organic sources, please—are flax seed oil, olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish. Step 4.

The seeds are high in protein, and rich in lignans and protease inhibitors. APPLES (Malus communis) The chlorogenic and caffeic acids found abundantly in apples block formation of cancers and help prevent recurrences in women dancing with cancer. Raw and cooked apples, fresh-pressed apple cider, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar are particularly good ways to get the anti-cancer benefits of apples. APRICOTS/APRICOT PITS (Armeniaca vulgaris) Apricots, especially when dried, are an exceptional source of anti-cancer carotenes.

The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts

Cannabichromene (CBC) has sedative effects and promotes the analgesic effects of THC (Grotenhermen and Karus 1995, 7). The lignans contained in the seeds suppress allergies. The official, state-sanctioned and -supported psychiatry is dominated by the strangest notions and preconceptions about the long-term effects of frequent or chronic Cannabis use; for example, it is hypothesized that hemp is a "gateway drug" and that it contributes to a so-called amotivational syndrome (Taschner 1981). These "psychiatric symptoms" are pure invention and have no empirical basis (cf. Hess 1996).

The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds contain hormone-balancing and cancer-protecting lignans. EDIBLE GOOD HEALTH There are many sources of dietary fiber, but, as you can see from Table 4, there is a wide variability in the content of fiber in servings of different foods. To get a good mix of soluble and insoluble fiber in your daily diet, here are some foods to consider. FIBER SUPPLEMENTS Many people benefit from taking fiber supplements.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Natural phenolics include: flavonoids (antho-cyanidins, catechins, flavanones, flavones, flavonols and isoflavones); tannins (ellagic acid, gallic acid); phenyl iso-propenoids (such as caffeic acid, coumaric acids, ferulic acid); lignans; and other substances, including catechol, resveratrol (grape skins), rosmarinic acid (rosemary) and others. Substantial amounts of ingested quercetin are absorbed by the GI tract in humans.112 Quercetin and kaempferol are among the most abundant flavonoids in the diet.

Aromatic acids (phenolic and non-phenolic) (anti-inflammatory activity) j Neutral (80%) (hypocholesterolemic activity) Ketonic (12%) Guggulsterones C21 and C27 steroids \^(hypocholesterolemic activity)^ Non-ketonic (88%) Diterpenes, lignans fatty acid alcohols . Figure 78.1 Chemical segregation of gum guggulu. o Figure 78.2 E-Guggulsterone. These compounds are considered the major active components of gum guggul and its extracts.

Natural flavonoids and lignans are potent cyto-static agents against human leukemic HL-60 cells. Life Sci 1994; 55: 1061-1069 39. Nairn M, Gestetner B, Zilkah S et al. Soybean isoflavones. Characterization, determination, and antifungal activity. J Agric Food Chem 1974; 22: 806-810 40. Jha HC, von Recklinghausen G, Zilliken F. Inhibition of in vitro microsomal lipid peroxidation by isoflavonoids. Biochem Pharmacol 1985; 34: 1367-1369 41. Wei H, Wei L, Frenkel K et al. Inhibition of tumor promoter-induced hydrogen peroxide formation in vitro and in vivo by genistein.

Determination of lignans and isoflavonoids in human female plasma following dietary supplementation. J Endocrinol 1994; 142: 251-259 11. Fukutake M, Takahashi M, Ishida K et al. Quantification of genistein and genistin in soybeans and soybean products. Food Chem Toxicol 1996; 34: 457-461 12. Anthony MS, Clarkson TB, Hughes CL et al. Soybean isoflavones improve cardiovascular risk factors without affecting the reproductive system of peripubertal rhesus monkeys. J Nutr 1996; 126: 43-50 13. Messina M, Barnes S. The role of soy products in reducing risk of cancer.

Urinary excretion of lignans and isoflavonoid phytoestrogens in Japanese men and women consuming a traditional Japanese diet. Am J Clin Nutr 1991; 54: 1093-1100 68. Hagmann W. Cell proliferation status, cytokine action and protein tyrosine phosphorylation modulate leukotriene biosynthesis in a basophil leukaemia and a mastocytoma cell line. Biochem J 1994; 299: 467-472 69. Okura A, Arakawa H, Oka H et al. Effect of genistein on topoisomerase activity and on the growth of [Val 12]Ha-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Cornmun 1988; 157: 183-189 70.

page 11 of 12 | Next ->

FAIR USE NOTICE: The research quoted here is provided under the protection of Fair Use provisions and published by the 501(c)3 non-profit Consumer Wellness Center for the purposes of public comment and education. Authors / publishers may submit books for consideration of inclusion here.

TERMS OF USE: Read full terms of use. Citations of text from NaturalPedia must include: 1) Full credit to the original author and book title. 2) Secondary credit to the Natural News Naturalpedia as a research resource and a link to www.NaturalNews.com/np/index.html

This unique compilation of research is copyright (c) 2008 by the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center.

ABOUT THE CREATOR OF NATURALPEDIA: Mike Adams, the creator of this NaturalNews Naturalpedia, is the editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's top natural health news site, creator of the Honest Food Guide (www.HonestFoodGuide.org), a free downloadable consumer food guide based on natural health principles, author of Grocery Warning, The 7 Laws of Nutrition, Natural Health Solutions, and many other books available at www.TruthPublishing.com, creator of the earth-friendly EcoLEDs company (www.EcoLEDs.com) that manufactures energy-efficient LED lighting products, founder of Arial Software (www.ArialSoftware.com), a permission e-mail technology company, creator of the CounterThink Cartoon series (www.NaturalNews.com/index-cartoons.html) and author of over 1,500 articles, interviews, special reports and reference guides available at www.NaturalNews.com. Adams' personal philosophy and health statistics are available at www.HealthRanger.org.