The extract of this herb is silymarin which consists of three flavonoids: silybin (about 75%), silydianin, and silychristine. Silymarin has potent antioxidant, antiphlogistic, antiangiogenic, and antitumor activities. A 92% reduction in UVB-induced murine skin tumors was produced with topical silymarin (44). Topical silybin decreased the formation of pyrimidine dimers and UVB-induced apotosis was enhanced in […]

This herb has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-hormonal effects. The active compounds include volatile oils such as citronellal, glycosides, caffeic acids such as rosmaric acid, triperpene acids including ursolic acid, and flavonoids such as cynaro – side. Lemon balm has one reported case of contact irritation. It is administered as powder, tea, and infusion (22). […]

This herb is approved by German Commission E for CVI, lupus and ulcer therapy. In homeopathy horse chestnut treats hemorrhoids. The mechanisms of action include inhibition of elastase and hyaluronase primarily by aesin, a triterpene saponin which has anti-exudative effects by decreasing capillary permeability, inhibits leukocyte activation, and induces vasoncontriction. The active compounds in seeds […]

The pharmacologic activity of grape seed extract (GS) along with French maritime pinebark (Pinus pinaster) extract primarily resides in the potent antioxidant proanthocyanidins. These are the two richest natural sources and most commercially viable. Other rich natural sources include green and black tea, red wine, red apple, red cabbage, black currant, sangre de drago, bilberry, […]

The efficacy of this herb for human dementia and peripheral occlusive arterial disease therapy are well documented. The mechanisms of action include antioxidant, stimulating fibroblasts, prevent lipid peroxidation, stabilize membranes, reduce neutrophil infiltration, and protect against ischemia. The major active compounds include proanthocyanidins which comprise 8-12%, biflavonoids such as gingkgetin, flavonoids including kaempferol, and trilactonic […]

Matricaria recutita functions as an anti-allergic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant analgesic approved by Commission E for inflammatory mucocutaneous diseases, wound, and burn therapy. The major components of German chamomile include the primary anti-inflammatory agents: alpha-bisabolol, chamazulene, levomenol, and matricine. Other active compounds include bisaboloxides, farnesenes, choline, glycosides, flavonoids such as apigenin, rutin, tannins, hydroxycoumarins such umbelliferone, […]

Homeopathy employs garlic for mucosal inflammation. The biologic activity is primarily due to alkylcysteine sulfoxides, particularly alliins which are converted to allicin then dried resulting in oligosulfides and ajoene. These thiosulfinates are the major active components. Others include fructosans and saponins. Garlic is a proven oral and topical broad spectrum antimicrobial against gram-positive and gram-negatives […]

This medicinal botanical has the largest domestic sales volume. It is among the most useful herbs for dermatologic treatment and prevention of skin diseases. E. angustifolia was originally used by the Sioux Native Americans for the treatment of snake bites and war wounds because if its antiseptic and analgesic properties (2). Echinacea is known to […]

This food stuff is an Asian medicine therapy for inflamed wounds. The active compounds include 50% sugars such as saccharose, 10% fatty oils, leukoanthocyanidins, phytohormones, and piperidine derivatives including pipecolic acid. It has no reported health hazards (3). A placebo-controlled trial with 5% date versus placebo in 10 patients was applied to the eye lid […]