Scientific Name: Rehmannia Glutinosa
Chinese Foxglove extracts are used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine where it has been considered a panacea for more than 2,000 years, primarily in combination with other herbs. Its dried roots are reputed to “nourish the yin” and remove heat from the blood, and is used as a tonic for the liver.
Clinical trials to support documented uses are lacking, and because the preparation is often used in combination with other agents, it is difficult to attribute any benefits to the plant.
Chinese foxglove's documented historical uses include treatment of anemia, cancer, constipation, diabetes, fatigue, bacterial and fungal infections, hypertension, insomnia, tinnitus, inflammatory conditions, burns, impotence, and osteoporosis.
Traditional Uses of Chinese Foxglove:
- For anti-inflammatory properties
- For antifungal properties
- For diuretic effects
- For vitality
- For menstruation
- For anemia and fatigue
- For blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol
- For circulation
- For urinary tract
- For digestion and constipation
Chinese foxglove contains Vitamins A, B, C, amino acids, cerebroside, dammelittoside, melittoside, rehmaglitin and other substances that have anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. It helps prevent depletion of glycogen for hypoglycemia and helps disperse heat from the body. Its astringent compounds help stop bleeding of ulcers and reduce inflammation of the digestive system. Other compounds work to reduce capillary fragility and help protect the adrendal glands and liver function.
Chinese foxglove looks promising in treating aplastic anemia, mitigating side-effects of chemotherapeutic agents and HIV medications, curing obdurate eczema (dry skin), relieving pain from lung or bone cancer or disc protrusion, and helping ameliorate lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation) and type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). However, presently, there are no high-quality, large randomized, controlled trials supporting the efficacy of Chinese foxglove for any of these indications.
In one study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with Chinese foxglove and experienced good results, including a reduction of joint pain, swelling, and increased joint movement. It also improved the general symptoms of asthma and urticaria.
Chinese foxglove's main active principles are iridoid glycosides. Catalpol was the first of these isolated from the herb, and it appears its main function is to stimulate production of adrenal cortical hormones. These hormones are anti-inflammatory and explain the use of this medicine in treating asthma, skin diseases and arthritis. It is also being evaluated for its potential in treating central nervous system diseases and its effects on aging. Catapol is also used to increase the production of sex hormones.
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