IN THIS SECTION, I WILL WRITE THE SCIENTICALLY PROVEN BENEFITS OF HERBS.
10 incredible benefits of Giloy
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy boost the phagocytic activity of macrophages which are the first line of defense in our body and play a crucial role in innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immunity. Also it remarkably augments the production of cytokines, up-regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and enhances antigen specific recall response.
2. Antioxidant
The presence of flavonoids and polyphenols in Tinospora cordifolia attributes to its free radical scavenging activity. Giloy serves as a source of nutraceuticals that alleviate the oxidative stress and helps in prevention and reduction of the chronic degenerative diseases with consequent health benefits.
3. Anti-arthritic
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy helps to reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis by decreasing the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor-α.
4. Anti-osteoporotic
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy stimulates the growth of osteoblasts, increases the differentiation of cells into osteoblastic lineage and also improves the mineralization of bone matrix.
5. Hepatoprotective
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy is an efficient hepatoprotective agent because of its ability to scavenge free ROS, which promotes hepatic regeneration. Giloy also increases the glutathione (GSH) level and support liver to detoxify toxic waste from body.
6. Cardioprotective
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy modulates lipid metabolism via inhibiting glucuronide and cholesterol and also protects hearts against infarction with its antioxidant properties.
7. Neuroprotective
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy possess significant neuroprotective activity, it modulates the antioxidant enzyme system of brain tissue and preserve the dopaminergic neurons. Giloy also enhances cognition (learning and memory) by increasing the synthesis of acetylcholine neurotransmitter.
8. Anti-diabetic
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy works like hypoglycemic agent; it stimulates the production of insulin secretion from the pancreas and helps to lower blood sugar levels. Giloy also improves the long term cellular insulin sensitivity that helps manage diabetes well.
9. Prevent respiratory illness
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy has been preferred traditionally to treat ailments such as bronchitis and chronic cough. Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it pacifies the mucous membrane of the respiratory system thereby making it very effective in respiratory issues like asthma, cough, cold and tonsils.
10. Anti-ageing
Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy is an effective anti-ageing herb. Rich in flavonoids it fight against cell damage and initiate new cell growth. It also nourishes the skin and enhances collagen production to reduce the visible signs of ageing.
The world will never be the same and we have to adopt the fact that we have to learn to live with the virus, as preventive aspect we have to keep our immune strong to protect our self and fight COVID-19 infection. Giloy an Ayurvedic plant is ray of hope for all of us that can help us to keep our immune strong and our body disease free with its incredible benefits.
Milk Thistle: Good for the Liver
Milk thistle is a natural herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s commonly used to detoxify the body and promote liver and gallbladder health.
Also known by its scientific name, Silybum marianum, milk thistle grows mostly in California, although it can be grown in many other warm climates as well.
As an herb that’s considered a “hepatic, galactogogue, demulcent and cholagogue,” milk thistle is considered one of the most common natural supplements for liver disorders in the U.S., thanks to its many health benefits.
Other benefits include promoting healthy digestive function, increasing bile production, decreasing inflammation and soothing the mucous membranes throughout the body.
What Is Milk Thistle?
The milk thistle plant is a popular herb that has actually been used for over 2,000 years. In fact, Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides was the first to describe milk thistle’s healing properties back in the year 40 A.D.
The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and a member of the Asteraceae plant family, which also includes other plants like sunflowers and daisies.
This healing herb gets its name from the milky-white liquid that runs off of the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed. The actual leaves of the plant also have a spotted white pattern that makes them look as if they’ve been dunked in milk. It’s also known as St. Mary’s thistle, holy thistle and silybum.
Milk thistle is commonly used for everything from weight loss to skin health to promoting breast milk production. However, while there are many different potential benefits, it is most well-known for being a natural liver supporter and is sometimes used to help treat liver diseases such as cirrhosis, jaundice and hepatitis, as well as gallbladder problems.
It’s also often used to increase breast milk production, with one study showing that certain extracts in milk thistle could increase daily milk production by up to 86 percent.
There are a variety of milk thistle products available, and the seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant can be consumed either in pill, powder, tincture, extract or tea form.
The seeds can actually be eaten completely raw, too, but usually people prefer to take a milk thistle extract or supplement in order to consume a higher dose and see greater results.
Top 6 Benefits
1. Liver Detoxification and Health
As a liver support and liver aid, milk thistle acts as a powerful liver cleanser by rebuilding liver cells, reducing liver damage and removing toxins from the body that are processed through the liver.
Milk thistle is effective at naturally reversing toxicity in the body, including the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, pesticides in our food supply, heavy metals in our water supply and pollution in the air that we breathe.
The liver is actually our largest internal organ and is responsible for performing a number of essential detoxifying functions. The condition of our blood throughout our whole body is mostly reliant on the health of our liver.
The liver helps remove toxicity and harmful substances from our blood, aids in hormone production, detoxifies the body, releases sugar into the bloodstream in order to give our body steady energy and secretes bile into our small intestine so fat can be absorbed from foods. You can see why liver problems and poor liver function can create so many problems!
Milk thistle has been historically used for a variety of liver diseases, including:
- alcoholic liver disease
- acute and chronic viral hepatitis
- toxin-induced liver diseases
2. May Help Protect Against Cancer
Milk thistle seed is a great source of the antioxidant flavonoid called silymarin, which is actually composed of several other active compounds known as flavolignans.
Silymarin may help reduce the risk for cancer development (including breast cancer) by boosting the immune system, fighting DNA damage and reversing cancerous tumor growth. In addition to blocking breast cancer, test-tube and animal studies show that silmarin may also protect against several other types of cancer as well, including lung cancer and prostate cancer.
In 2007, after reviewing numerous studies involving milk thistle therapeutic treatments, researchers at the University of Minnesota reported:
There is strong preclinical evidence for silymarin’s hepatoprotective and anticarcinogenic effects, including inhibition of cancer cell growth in human prostate, skin, breast, and cervical cells.
About 50 percent to 70 percent of the silymarin molecules present within milk thistle are the type called silybin, also known as silibinin.
This antioxidant stimulates protein synthesis and changes the outside layer of healthy cells, keeping them protected from damage and mutation. It also inhibits toxins from dwelling in the body, helps with cell renewal and counteracts the harmful effects of pollutants, chemicals and heavy metals that can cause free radical damage.
Silymarin acts as a cancer protector by blocking the binding of toxins to the cell membrane receptors, according to researchers at the University Magna Graecia Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine.
3. May Help Lower High Cholesterol
Milk thistle benefits heart health and helps lower high cholesterol levels by reducing inflammation, cleaning the blood and preventing oxidative stress damage within the arteries.
Although more formal research is still needed, preliminary studies show that when silymarin is used in combination with other traditional treatment methods, it can improve levels of total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Something important to keep in mind, however, is that existing studies on possible heart benefits of milk thistle have only been done involving people with diabetes, who tend to have high cholesterol levels.
Therefore, at this time, it’s unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes and if it will be used to naturally lower cholesterol levels in the future.
4. May Help Control or Prevent Diabetes
According to the National Institute of Health, there’s some compelling research that shows that taking silymarin, the main chemical found in milk thistle, along with conventional treatments, can help control symptoms of type 2 diabetes by promoting better blood sugar control.
The valuable antioxidants found in milk thistle have been reported in experimental and clinical studies to help decrease blood sugar levels in people with insulin resistance.
One 2006 study conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at the Institute of Medicinal Plants found that when diabetic patients were given silymarin extract over a four-month period, their fasting blood sugar and insulin levels improved significantly compared to patients receiving a placebo.
This is likely true because the liver is partially responsible for regulating hormones, including the release of insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin is responsible for managing blood sugar levels in the blood, which is especially important for those with diabetes.
Related: Your Diabetic Diet Plan (A Guide for What to Eat with Diabetes)
5. May Help Prevent Gallstones
The liver is a major digestive organ, which helps process nutrients and toxins that enter our body through foods, water and air.
Because the liver and other digestive organs, like the gallbladder, pancreas, intestines and kidneys, work closely together to improve liver health, milk thistle is also able to help prevent gallstones and kidney stones.
Although research on this topic is limited, because of milk thistle’s ability to increase bile flow, protect against liver conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and promote liver detoxification, it may be useful in the prevention of gallstones.
Gallstones are formed when cholesterol and other matter within your bile bind together. This is problematic because they can become more solid and get lodged in the inner lining of your gallbladder.
6. Has Anti-Aging Effects
Thanks to the antioxidant content of milk thistle, the herb may actually help slow the aging process. This applies to both the surface of your skin and your organs, as antioxidants can protect your body from chronic disease.
Milk thistle’s protective qualities of the skin make it great for reducing visible signs of aging, so consuming milk thistle may be an easy way to prevent skin cancer and skin damage, such as acne, dark spots, wrinkles, lines and discoloration.
Although the research on this topic is limited to mostly animal studies, one trial published in Photochemistry and Photobiology found that silymarin protected the skin of mice from UV-induced oxidative stress and helped reduce inflammation.
The silymarin found in milk thistle can also protect against depletion of glutathione, which is a “master antioxidant” that’s extremely useful at helping prevent disease formation.
Glutathione’s biggest role is to help fight oxidative stress that leads to such diseases as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. It can help prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals.
Milk Thistle Tea
Instead of using a milk thistle supplement, can also try consuming it in tea form to maximize the potential health benefits.
In fact, many companies make milk thistle tea by steeping the leaves and seeds from the plant.
You can also grow your own milk thistle and make homemade tea if you’re up for harvesting the plants. Each small plant head contains about 190 seeds that can be used in various ways.
If you purchase or grow a milk thistle plant, cut off the entire head and hang the plant upside down for about one week to draw out the seeds.
You can then crush the seeds and steep them, along with the leaves, to make tea, eat them raw or dry them into powder form. Keep the seeds and leaves in the freezer to make them last longer and retain their powerful nutrients.
Supplement Dosage
Because milk thistle is categorized as a supplement rather than a drug, it’s not subject to the same oversight and quality control from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that standard drugs are.
The amount of active ingredients can vary widely depending on the different preparation methods used and the brand. Currently, there are several different milk thistle tablets, capsules and softgels available on the market, all of which recommend different doses.
- Although there is no standardized milk thistle dosage at this time, most people do best consuming between 20–300 milligrams daily.
- If you’re taking milk thistle for the liver, the recommended daily intake of milk thistle is 150 milligrams, taken one to three times daily. This is a somewhat high dose that can act as a natural liver detox.
- For ongoing use and liver support, take 50 to 150 milligrams daily.
Look for a high-quality product that’s between 50–150 milligrams of pure milk thistle extract per capsule so you can adjust the amount you are taking depending on your needs.
If you’re wondering what supplement is best, make sure to look for a company that sells a highly potent extract labeled at least 80 percent pure milk thistle extract.
Risks, Side Effects and Interactions
Milk thistle is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with very few cases of side effects reported.
The most common side effects aren’t serious and include gastrointestinal upset, such as a mild laxative effect. When taken within the recommended dose range, however, it is thought to be effective and mostly free of allergic reactions.
Milk thistle may interact with some medications, including allergy medicines, anti-anxiety drugs and blood thinners, among others. If you are taking any medications, speak with your health care provider to prevent any milk thistle interactions before starting supplementation.
It also has estrogenic effects, meaning that it mimics the effects of estrogen in the body. If you have hormone-sensitive conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis or ovarian cancer, you should consult with your doctor before starting supplementation.
Also note that antioxidants like those found in milk thistle have been shown to possibly interfere with the efficacy of some cancer chemotherapy drugs by protecting cancer cells from cell death.
Finally, keep in mind that, although many holistic practitioners recommend milk thistle for dogs to help promote liver health, it’s best to talk to your vet before starting supplementation to keep your furry friends safe.
Final Thoughts
- What is milk thistle? This powerful plant is native to the Mediterranean, but is used around the world as a natural remedy for a wide variety of different ailments.
- Human, test-tube and animal studies show that it may help promote liver health, protect against cancer, lower cholesterol levels, prevent type 2 diabetes, protect against gallstones and slow signs of aging.
- It can be consumed in tea, tincture, extract, pill or powder form, making it easy to incorporate into your daily diet.
- Dosage recommendations can range, but most advise taking anywhere between 20–300 milligrams daily.
- Although it’s generally safe, you should talk to your doctor before starting supplementation if you are taking any medications or experience side effects like digestive distress.
Health Benefits Of Shilajit: The Miracle-Working Himalayan Remedy
Sourced from the Himalayas, shilajit, mineral pitch, or mumijo is as potent as it is exotic. Made of organic plant material and humus from the earth, this ancient remedy is packed with nutrients, including 84 minerals like copper, iron, and zinc.1 And while the dark, sticky substance may literally be a bitter pill, the results for your health are quite sweet! Courtesy its nutrient richness and healing properties, shilajit has been used to treat all manner of ailment from diabetes to immune system problems and even digestive, urinary, or reproductive health problems.2 Here’s a detailed look at its powerful health benefits.
1. Improves Stamina And Battles Fatigue
Shilajit is considered a rasayana or rejuvenating remedy in ayurveda and siddha medicine, helping revitalize the body, reduce ailments, and improve your quality of life. If you need to improve your stamina or rejuvenate the body, this ayurvedic remedy could be a good option to consider. Fulvic acid, a major component of shilajit, can ease fatigue and weakness and give you the boost you need to overcome these problems. The remedy helps with energy production and improves immunity as well.3
The main bioactive component in shilajit is fulvic acid. It helps transport nutrients to the deep tissues, expels toxins from the body, and boosts blood circulation.4
Animal studies have also found that shilajit can alleviate behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). While the exact causes for CFS are unknown, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in our body is thought to be a trigger. Shilajit may be able to modulate the axis and bring relief to people grappling with CFS. The study also showed that shilajit can help reverse oxidative damage to cell mitochondria seen in CFS. Mitochondria are involved in the production of energy in the body and shilajit may be able to protect their integrity and function.5
2. Boosts Hemoglobin Levels And Iron Absorption
Shilajit may be just what you need if iron deficiency or malabsorption is a problem you face. An animal study found that shilajit given at the dosage of 500 mg/kg had anti-anemic activity, improving hemoglobin levels and red blood cell count and fighting iron-deficiency anemia.6
If you have low hemoglobin levels in the blood, taking shilajit along with amla (Indian gooseberry) and iron could also help. Researchers have found that a dose of 25 mg of purified shilajit with 10 mg of elemental iron and 50 mg of amla can help raise levels of hemoglobin by 1 g/dl or more every week. This is especially useful if you have malabsorption syndrome and your body isn’t able to leverage the iron you’ve been consuming through your diet. It is also an alternative if your system has not been responding to conventional chemical or metal remedies.7
3. Improves Testosterone Levels And Fertility In Men
Shilajit may offer respite to men looking to raise their testosterone levels to boost fertility. As one study revealed, taking a 250 mg dose of the ayurvedic remedy twice a day for 90 days helped significantly increase levels of total testosterone as well as free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone that’s a precursor to testosterone, in healthy volunteers.9 In another study on infertile male patients with total sperm count of under 20 million/ml of semen (oligospermia), taking 100 mg capsules of processed shilajit twice a day helped raise the total sperm count and testosterone levels.10 Shilajit is also considered an aphrodisiac for men, with animal studies confirming its ability to boost sexual drive and performance.11
4. Protects Bones And Joints
Shilajit is also good for your bones and can be used to help fight conditions like osteoporosis.12 Animal studies confirm that it can improve the mechanical strength of bone tissue and bone weight.13 Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it beneficial for those with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Shilajit is said to nourish your joints and can ease inflammation and pain associated with these ailments.14
5. Offers Relief From Pain
Shilajit also works as an analgesic, easing pain and other discomfort associated with inflammatory or chronic illnesses.15 In an animal study, the remedy showed potential in chronic pain management, helping reduce the intensity of pain in the subjects.16 Traditional medicine also uses it as a painkiller for conditions as varied as bone fractures, wounds, headaches, and body pain.
6. Helps Cope With Stress
Shilajit has adaptogenic properties you can tap into if stress is a constant reality.17 Herbal formulations which combine shilajit with ashwagandha, holy basil, shatavari, and bindii have especially been seen to improve the ability of your body to manage and cope with stress. The adaptogenic properties of these herbs help restore normal physiological functioning which may have been impacted by the stress. And as one animal study found, this potent herbal mixture can be just as effective as well-established and popular restorative and revitalizing remedies like ginseng.
7. Boosts Function Of The Urinary System
Shilajit is a diuretic and has applications for urinary problems in ayurveda – an effect noted in animal tests as well.20 When taken along with lots of fluids like water, shilajit as a diuretic can help flush out stones in the urinary tract. It also helps improve bladder function and strengthen and tone the kidneys.21
8. Fights Microbial Infections
9. Helps Protect The Heart
Shilajit may work as a cardiotonic thanks to its antioxidant benefits. Animal studies confirm its ability to improve heart function and protect it from myocardial injuries.26 Shilajit may also have a favorable impact on blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor in heart problems like atherosclerosis. In one study of healthy volunteers, taking 2 g shilajit for 45 days helped reduce triglyceride levels and improved HDL levels. The antioxidant status of the subjects also improved.27
10. Helps Manage Diabetes
Another area shilajit has garnered attention is in its potential to help those with type 2 diabetes. In one animal study, shilajit helped significantly reduce blood glucose levels and improved the lipid profile of the diabetic test animals. In addition, when shilajit was administered with typical medication for diabetes like metformin, it helped enhance the glucose-lowering ability of the drugs.29 The destruction of beta cells in the pancreas is thought to have a role to play in the development of diabetes.
11. Fights Addiction-Related Withdrawal
If you are fighting an addiction, shilajit could help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. This has especially been seen in the case of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Shilajit also had a positive impact on tolerance and countered dependence on opioids.30 Other animal studies show that it helps reduce alcohol withdrawal anxiety, both on its own as well as with ashwagandha.31
12. May Help Ward Off Alzheimer’s
Shilajit is being explored for its potential to help those at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The ayurvedic remedy is said to improve cognition and may be able to help prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
Fulvic acid in shilajit may be responsible for its potential to protect against dementia. The fulvic acid in this herbal cure may help by blocking tau protein aggregation. A buildup of tau protein is thought to impair brain cells involved in learning and memory and has been noticed in people with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or with cognitive impairment.34 However, longer and more extensive studies are needed to establish if shilajit is a viable treatment or preventive measure.
13. Works As A Remedy For Altitude Sickness
Travel to high altitudes can sometimes affect the body adversely, causing headaches and lethargy. Shilajit helps combat precisely these problems, thanks to the ability to supply energy and nutrients to your tissues. It also stimulates your immune system and helps you better cope with the stress of high altitudes both mentally and physically. It can also boost the ability of your blood to carry oxygen whilst also improving the blood circulation itself, something that’s invaluable if you’re experiencing hypoxia or oxygen deficiency. You could take it as a rejuvenator when you travel to high altitudes, especially if you’re prone to such issues.36[
14. Has Anti-Cancer Benefits
Shilajit may be able to fight tumor growth and can be toxic to cancer cells. This is possibly linked to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating properties.37 It may also offer protection against radiation-induced damage during treatment for cancer. In one animal study, it helped counter the oxidative stress and cell damage associated with radiation and protected the ovaries.
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