Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts about herbs & botanicals (4):

Astragalus Root Health Benefits

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Astragalus Root Health Benefits
immune health herbs & botanicals degenerative disease smart supplementation

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous)

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Background:

Astragalus comes to us from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is first mentioned in Shen Nung Ben Cao Jing, a 2000- year-old classic as Huang Qi. Huang Qi means “yellow leader,” and astragalus is considered a most important tonic. Traditional uses include lethargy, colds, flu, appetite (lack of), stomach ulcers, and deficiencies of chi (namely, general weakness and fatigue). Other Chinese uses include diabetes, lowering blood pressure, and water retention.

The plant is native to northern China where the 4-7 year old roots are harvested in the spring to make medicine preparations. There are over 2000 types of Astragalus worldwide, but it seems that the Chinese variety has been the most studied. Astragalus gummifera, also known as tragacangth, is an old friend of the pharmaceutical industry, long used as a thickening agent.

Natural Androgen Alternatives

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Natural Androgen Alternatives
herbs & botanicals endocrine health smart supplementation

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences 

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician. 

For better of for worse (depending upon your viewpoint), as of January 2005 androgen or “andro” products are no longer available. For some athletes, this represents a significant loss in their dietary supplement arsenal. After all, whatever else you might say about andro it did have some established benefits: 

  • Some androgens increased testosterone levels

  • Some androgens increased performance

  • Some androgens increased strength

  • Some androgens promoted muscle growth  

So now that andro is gone, what viable alternatives currently exist? Following is a discussion of dietary supplement ingredients that offer similar benefits to those of andro, or perhaps better. 

Aspirin Alternatives: Salicin Containing Herbs

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Aspirin Alternatives: Salicin Containing Herbs
cardiovascular health herbs & botanicals musculoskeletal health

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences 

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

The Willow is a shrub or tree depending on its size (some can grow to 50 feet), native to England, Europe, Asia, and North America. There are 300 species of Willow, White Willow the most famous of them. Native Americans relied on Willow for its analgesic properties.

In 1829, another bright pharmacist, this time a Frenchman named H. Leroux, discovered Willow’s active chemical, salicin. In 1838, pure salicylic acid was synthesized by an Italian chemist, not from Willow but Wintergreen and other plants. Salicin and salicylic acid were widely used through the 19th century for fever, gout, pain, and inflammation. However, as usual, when you isolate chemicals from plants or synthesize them, you almost always increase their toxicity. The farther away you stray from Nature, the more likely you are to do harm. And such was the case. The high doses used routinely led to gastric irritation and vomiting.

The Health Benefits of Aloe

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
The Health Benefits of Aloe
herbs & botanicals skin health smart supplementation digestive health

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis, A. spp.)

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Background:

Aloe Vera is a succulent member of the lily family, originating in Africa, where most of the genus Aloe is indigenous. The name Aloe is from the Arabic alloeh, or Hebrew halal, meaning a shining bitter substance. The inner leaf contains a slimy gel used in medicines and cosmetics. The outer leaf tissue contains the yellow bitter juice which is known as aloe drug or “bitter aloe,” and is used primarily as a laxative. Today, Aloe is commercially grown in the Southwest and Mexico.

Allergies: Natural Relief

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Allergies: Natural Relief
immune health herbs & botanicals smart supplementation

 By Gene Bruno, MS, MH

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Although generally not life-threatening, allergies can ruin a perfectly good day and make you miserable. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance called an antigen which is foreign to the body, but otherwise harmless1 (e.g., pollen from grasses and flowers, etc.). In an allergic individual, the harmless antigen becomes an allergen; a substance that initiates an allergic reaction. The term allergy is of Greek origin and means “abnormal response.”

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health MagCitrate Powder

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health MagCitrate Powder
herbs & botanicals smart supplementation lifestyle digestive health

Quick Overview

MagCitrate Powder provides 300 mg of magnesium in each one teaspoon serving - a convenient delivery system in a great-tasting lemon flavored powder. 

It mixes well in water and is very easy to titrate when higher doses are needed. MagCitrate Powder helps promote bowel relaxation when fiber alone is not enough. This product also supports the ability to fall asleep, and can be taken along with our Inositol powder for a restful night’s sleep.

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health PaleoFiber

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health PaleoFiber
herbs & botanicals diet direction smart supplementation digestive health

Quick Overview

PaleoFiber™ is the ultimate fiber product. It is a comprehensive product that contains 12 different types of fiber and none of the allergenic proteins or harsh, irritating components commonly found in other fiber products on the market. This product was designed with the features of the Paleolithic diet in mind, with which human physiology may be most adapted. PaleoFiber™ could be a useful tool to help support proper weight management, glucose levels, and lipid levels.  

How To Treat Crohn's Disease

Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.
How To Treat Crohn's Disease
immune health herbs & botanicals

Crohn’s Disease is one of two diseases considered to be a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  It is characterized by an inflammation mostly of the ilium, or end of the small intestines. But it can occur anywhere along the digestive tract.   Characterized by intestinal pain, diarrhea and malabsorption of nutrients (Murray, 1996, p. 441).