What Is The Function Of Herbal Supplements?

Herbal Supplements: Classification by Primary Functions

Herbal Supplements are widely used for their natural bioactive compounds and safety profiles in supporting various health concerns. Below is a categorized list of representative plants, their active ingredients, and evidence-based effects.

1. Immune Support

Echinacea

• Active Compounds: Alkamides, polysaccharides, cichoric acid.

• Effects: Shortens duration of common cold by stimulating immune cell activity (e.g., increased phagocytosis).

Astragalus

• Active Compounds: Astragalosides, flavonoids.

• Effects: Enhances resistance to infections via modulating T-cell function (traditional Chinese medicine).

Ginseng

• Active Compounds: Ginsenosides.

• Effects: Adaptogenic properties improve immune response and reduce fatigue.

Cordyceps

• Active Compounds: Cordycepin, polysaccharides.

• Effects: Boosts macrophage activity and oxygen utilization.

Polygonatum

• Active Compounds: Steroidal saponins.

• Effects: Used to tonify Qi and strengthen immunity.

2. Anti-Inflammatory & Joint Health

Turmeric

• Active Compound: Curcumin (NF-κB pathway inhibitor).

• Effects: Reduces inflammation comparable to ibuprofen (without gastric risks); bioavailability increases 20x with piperine.

Mulberry Leaf

• Active Compounds: Flavonoids, DNJ (1-deoxynojirimycin).

• Effects: Anti-arthritic and anti-glycation properties.

Boswellia

• Active Compounds: Boswellic acids.

• Effects: Inhibits 5-LOX enzyme, alleviating osteoarthritis pain

3. Digestive Health

Peppermint Oil

• Active Compound: Menthol.

• Effects: Relaxes intestinal smooth muscles, reducing IBS symptoms (FDA-recognized).

Aloe Vera

• Active Compounds: Acemannan (polysaccharide), anthraquinones.

• Effects: Soothes heartburn and promotes gut motility (caution with long-term laxative use).

Hawthorn

• Active Compounds: Vitexin, oligomeric procyanidins.

• Effects: Improves digestion and gastric blood flow.

Senna

• Active Compounds: Sennosides.

• Effects: Stimulant laxative for short-term constipation relief.

4. Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health

Red Yeast Rice

• Active Compound: Monacolin K (natural statin).

• Effects: Lowers total cholesterol by 15-25% by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2017).

Mulberry Leaf

• Active Compound: DNJ.

• Effects: Inhibits α-glucosidase, reducing postprandial glucose spikes (approved in Japan as a functional food).

White Kidney Bean

• Active Compound: Phaseolamin (α-amylase inhibitor).

• Effects: Blocks starch digestion, lowering post-meal glucose by ~40%.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

• Active Compounds: Gypenosides (saponins)

• Effects: Reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL; exhibits adaptogenic properties similar to ginseng (Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016)

Turmeric

• Active Compound: Curcuminoids (especially curcumin)

• Effects: Improves endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability; reduces arterial plaque formation (American Journal of Cardiology, 2012).

Rutin

• Active Compound: Flavonoid glycoside

• Effects: Strengthens capillaries, reduces edema in chronic venous insufficiency; potent antioxidant that protects LDL from oxidation.

Tartary Buckwheat

• Active Compounds: Rutin, quercetin, D-chiro-inositol

• Effects: Improves insulin sensitivity and reduces postprandial blood sugar spikes (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2018).

Dandelion

• Active Compounds: Taraxasterol, inulin

• Effects: Diuretic properties help reduce blood pressure; inulin acts as a prebiotic for gut health.

5. Weight Management

Kudzu Flower

• Active Compounds: Isoflavones (daidzein, puerarin)

• Effects: Reduces alcohol absorption and cravings; may inhibit fat accumulation (Phytotherapy Research, 2015).

Lotus Leaf

• Active Compounds: Nuciferine, flavonoids

• Effects: Inhibits pancreatic lipase, reducing fat absorption by ~30% in animal studies (Obesity Research, 2013).

Garcinia Cambogia

• Active Compound: Hydroxycitric acid (HCA)

• Effects: Suppresses ATP-citrate lyase, potentially reducing fat storage; modest short-term weight loss (Journal of Obesity, 2011).

6. Sleep Support

Eleuthero

• Active Compounds: Eleutherosides

• Effects: Adaptogen that improves sleep quality in chronic fatigue by regulating cortisol (Phytomedicine, 2020).

Ziziphus Spinosa

• Active Compounds: Jujubosides, spinosin

• Effects: Binds to GABA receptors, increasing non-REM sleep time by 40% in insomnia models (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2019).

Valerian

• Active Compounds: Valerenic acid, isovaleramide

• Effects: Enhances GABAergic activity, reducing sleep latency by 15-20 minutes (Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2020).

7. Neuroprotection & Mood

St. John's Wort

• Active Compounds: Hyperforin, hypericin

• Effects: Inhibits serotonin reuptake (comparable to SSRIs for mild depression); induces CYP3A4/P-gp (avoid with 50+ medications).

Ashwagandha

• Active Compounds: Withanolides

• Effects: Reduces cortisol by 27.9% and perceived stress scores by 44% in chronic stress (Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2012).

8. Women's Health

Black Cohosh

• Active Compounds: Triterpene glycosides

• Effects: Binds to serotonin receptors, reducing hot flash frequency by 26% (NAMS 2020 guidelines).

Evening Primrose Oil

• Active Compound: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

• Effects: Reduces breast pain (mastalgia) and PMS irritability by modulating prostaglandins (British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology).

9. Liver Protection

Milk Thistle

• Active Compound: Silymarin (flavonolignans)

• Effects: Increases glutathione by 35% in liver cells; improves ALT/AST in NAFLD (World Journal of Hepatology, 2017).

Reishi Mushroom

• Active Compounds: Triterpenes (ganoderic acids), polysaccharides

• Effects: Upregulates CYP450 enzymes for detoxification; reduces liver fibrosis markers (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard).

10. Antioxidant

Grape Seed

• Active Compounds: Proanthocyanidins (95% oligomers)

• Effects: ORAC value 100,000+ μTE/g; protects collagen from glycation (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology).

Blueberry

• Active Compounds: Anthocyanins (malvidin, delphinidin)

• Effects: Crosses blood-brain barrier, improving neuronal signaling in aging (Annals of Neurology, 2012).