Common Name: Rutin
Synonyms: Rutoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, sophorin

Overview:

Rutin is a bioflavonoid and is found in citrus fruits, noni, apple peel and black tea. The richest source of rutin however is not a fruit or vegetable but a grain, buckwheat.
Rutin is light yellow and is a combination of quercetin and a disaccharide (a type of sugar) rutinose. Rutin is an antioxidant and most of its health enhancing properties can be linked to its ability to scavenge the free radicals. Rutin is essential to the body’s ability to process vitamin C, maintain the strength of the walls of capillaries as well as strengthen the collagen matrix that cements the body together. Rutin also combines with excess iron store in the liver and brain thereby reducing the production of oxygen radicals and cell damage.

A lack of sufficient of rutin in the diet has been associated with pain, weakness and a weakening of the capillaries in the arms and legs. It is often used to treat chronic venous insufficiency (CIV). It does this by improving the flexibility of the venous and improving their tone. It has been shown to reduce the leakage from the small capillaries in the retina, therefore helping to prevent bleeding and blindness. As with other bioflavonoids, rutin works better when given with vitamin C.

Benefits

Studies have shown:

1. In early studies that daily doses of rutin ranging from 200-600mg were beneficial in treating capillary fragility (a condition that leads to easy bruising). Although no studies have been conducted as yet, it has been suggested that rutin supplements may reduce the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage. In a placebo-controlled study a significant reduction of mid-cycle menstrual bleeding was seen in women who took a rutin supplement.
2. In several placebo controlled studies, it was shown that rutin supplementation helps significantly in reducing the venous edema (filling with fluid) that is an early symptom of chronic venous disease of the legs.
3. That in animal studies, rutin’s ability to increase glutathione levels as well as its anti-inflammatory properties where responsible for preventing colitis flare ups and in reducing the tissue damage that is often associated with a flare up. Other studies rutin has shown the ability to protect cells in ethanol induced gastric lesions.
4. That rutin’s iron-chelating abilities keep the iron from binding to hydrogen peroxide and creating a highly reactive free radical. Because of this ability, rutin offers significant protection to liver and brain cells caused by this potent free radical.
5. That taken in conjunction with vitamin C inhibits the breakdown of this vital nutrient thereby increasing vitamin C’s ability to do its job.

Dietary Sources

Good sources of are:

	Buckwheat		Noni
	Apple Peels		Black tea
Citrus fruits

Recommended Dosage:

For venous insufficiency and varicose veins take 500mg taken twice a day
As a nutritional supplement take 500mg once or twice a day.

Tablets come in doses of 50mg, 250mg and 500mg

Contra-indications

Rutin and meats containing nitrates and nitrites (luncheon meats, ham and bacon) should not be eaten together. There is a possibility of forming a compound that has the potential to cause gene mutations and even cancer.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take rutin supplements. There have been no studies of rutin in children. It is recommended that rutin supplements should not be used in children.

There have been a few reports of gastrointestinal upset as well as headaches and a mild tingling in the arms and legs when taking rutin supplements.

Drug interactions

1. Do not take rutin with the quinilone antibiotics. It may inhibit these antibiotics’ ability to do their job of destroying bacteria causing an infection.
2. Rutin and other bioflavonoids tend to reduce blood platelet stickiness in a beneficial way and therefore may reduce the dosage required for blood thinners. Individuals taking blood thinners should consult with their physician prior to starting rutin supplementation.

Web References

1. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/rut_0230.shtml
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutin
3. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21574
4. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/flavonoids/index.html

Printed Reference Material

1. Cesarone MR, Incandela L, DeSanctis MT, Belcaro G, Dugall M, Acerbi G. 2002. Variations in plasma free radicals in patients with venous hypertension with HR (Paroven, Venoruton; 0-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides): a clinical, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2002 Jan; 7 Suppl 1: S25-8.
   
2. Cesarone MR, Incandela L, DeSanctis MT, Belcaro G, Griffin M, Ippolito E, Acerbi G. 2002. Treatment of edema and increased capillary filtration in venous hypertension with HR (Paroven, Venoruton; 0-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides): a clinical, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized, dose-ranging trial. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2002 Jan; 7 Suppl 1: S21-4.
3. Clement DL. Management of venous edema: insights from an international task force. Angiology. 2000; 51:13-17.
4. Cruz T, Galvez J, Ocete MA, et al. Oral administration of rutoside can ameliorate inflammatory bowel disease in rats. Life Sci. 1998; 62:687-695.
5. Deschner EE, Ruperto JF. Wong GY, Newmark HL. The effect of dietary quercetin and rutin on AOM-induced acute colonic epithelial abnormalities in mice fed a high-fat diet. Nutr Cancer. 1993; 20:199-204.
6. Drewa G, Schachtschabel DO, Palgan K, et al. The influence of rutin on the weight, metastasis and melanin content of B16 melanotic melanoma in C57BL/6 mice. Neoplasma. 1998; 45:266-271.
7. Galvez J, Cruz T, Crespo E, et al. Rutoside as mucosal protective in acetic acid-induced rat colitis. Planta Med. 1997; 63:409-414.
8. Incandela L, Cesarone MR, DeSanctis MT, Belcaro G, Dugall M, Acerbi G. 2002. Treatment of diabetic microangiopathy and edema with HR (Paroven, Venoruton; 0-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides): a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized study. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2002 Jan; 7 Suppl 1: S11-5.
9. Kostyuk VA, Potapovich AI, Speransky SD, Maslova GT. Protective effect of natural flavonoids on rat peritoneal macrophages injury caused by asbestos fiber. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:487-493.
10. Kostyuk VA, Potapovich AI. Antiradical and chelating effects in flavonoid protection against silica-induced cell injury. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1998; 355:43-48.
11. Olthof MR, Hollman PC, Vree TB, Katan MB. Bioavailabilities of quercetin-3-glucoside and quercetin-4'-glucoside do not differ in humans. J Nutr. 2000; 130:1200-1203.
12. Park JB, Levine M. Intracellular accumulation of ascorbic acid is inhibited by flavonoids via blocking of dehydroascorbic acid and ascorbic acid uptakes in HL-60, U937 and Jurkat cells. J Nutr. 2000; 130:1297-1302.
13. Perez Guerrero C, Martin MG, Marhuenda E. Prevention by rutin of gastric lesions induced by ethanol in rats: role of endogenous prostaglandins. Gen Pharmacol. 1994; 25:575-580.
14. Petruzzellis V, Troccoli T, Candiani C, Guarisco R, Lospalluti M, Belcaro G, Dugall M. 2002. Oxerutins (Venoruton): efficacy in chronic venous insufficiency--a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Angiology 2002 May-Jun; 53(3): 257-63.
15. Rueff J, Gaspar J, Laires A. Structural requirements for mutagenicity of flavonoids upon nitrosation. A structure-activity study. Mutagenesis. 1995; 10:325-328.
16. Schmitt A, Savayre R, Delchambre J, Negre-Salvayre A. Prevention by alpha-tocopherol and rutin of glutathione and ATP depletion induced by oxidized LDL in cultured endothelial cells. Br J Pharmacol. 1995; 116:1985-1990.
17. Titapant V, Indrasukhsri B, Lekprasert V, Boonnuch W. 2001. Trihydroxyethylrutosides in the treatment of hemorrhoids of pregnancy: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Med Assoc Thai 2001 Oct; 84(10): 1395-400.
18. Webster RP, Gawde MD, Bhattacharya RK, Protective effect of rutin, a flavonol glycoside, on the carcinogen-induced DNA damage and repair enzymes in rats. Cancer Lett. 1996; 109:185-191.

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Could increase your brain's activity, help target memory loss, and serves as an antioxidant.

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Has been used in Asian medicine for hundreds of years for treating liver and heart problems. Helps red blood cells stay healthy and aids blood flow and cell regeneration.

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Royal is a thick creamy liquid secreted by special glands in the “nurse” bees in a hive. All bee larvae receive royal jelly as their food source for the first three days. Only a larvae designated to become a queen bee is feed exclusively on royal jelly. This special diet allows the queen bee to become sexually mature and able to maintain the population of the hive. Royal jelly is made to feed the queen bee only when a new one is required. Commercial collection of royal jelly requires that hives be kept in movable frames to increase the production of queen bees.

Active ingredients:

Royal jelly is a complex compound and all the components have not been identified. Some of the many health giving substances that have been found so far are:

• Amino acids including the eight essentials amino acids
• Essential fatty acids
• RNA & DNA
• B complex vitamins especially pantothenic acid and B-6
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Acetylcholine
• Antiviral components
• Antibacterial components

Traditional uses:

Royal jelly has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of health problems. Some of its uses are

• To stimulate the appetite
• A tonic for the entire body
• Enhancement of the immune system
• To retard the aging process
• Accelerate the healing process
• Effective in the treatment of parkinsons disease
• Arthritis
• Reproductive and sexual function

Clinical uses:

Clinical studies are reporting strong evidence that some of these uses are valid. Studies have indicated that royal jelly has been shown:

• To lower cholesterol levels
• Shrink tumors in mice
• Help the body fight of bacterial and viral infections
• Reduce the trembling in Parkinson’s disease

Contra-indications:

People who are allergic to bee stings should not take royal jelly. There have been two reports from Australia and Japan of deaths from anaphylactic shock associated with ingestion of royal jelly. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using royal jelly.

Drug interactions:

There have been no records of any interactions with royal and any medications.

Printed Reference Material:

1. Cassileth, Barrie R. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.
2. Abou-Hozaifa BM, Badr El-Din NK. Royal jelly, a possible agent to reduce the nicotine-induced atherogenic lipoprotein profile. Saudi Med J 1995; 16: 337–42.
3. Fujii A, Kobayashi S, Kuboyama N. 1990. Augmentation of wound healing by royal jelly (RJ) in streptozoticin-diabetic rats. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1990; 53: 331-337.
4. Shen X, Lu R, He G. 1995. [Effects of lyophilized royal jelly on experimental hyperlipidemia and thrombosis.] [Article in Chinese.] Chung Hua Yu Fang I Hsueh Tsa Chih. 1995; 29:27-29.
5. Szanto E, Gruber D, Sator M, Knogler W, Huber JC. 1994. [Placebo-controlled study of melbrosia in treatment of climacteric symptoms]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1994; 144(7): 130-3. German.
6. Tamura T, Fujii A, Kuboyama N. 1987. [Antitumor effects of royal jelly.] [Article in Japanese.] Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1987; 89: 73-80.
7. Tokunaga KH, Yoshida C, Suzuki KM, Maruyama H, Futamura Y, Araki Y, Mishima S. 2004. Antihypertensive effect of peptides from royal jelly in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Feb; 27(2): 189-92.
8. Vittek J. Effects of royal jelly on serum lipids in experimental animals and humans with atherosclerosis. Experientia. 1995; 51: 927-9

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Rose hips are the edible fruits of the rose plant, especially the Dog Rose. Roses are a woody perennial plant that grows throughout the temperate regions of the world. Most roses grow as an upright shrub or climbing vine. The large blossoms of wild roses have 5 petals. These open pollinated blooms product the largest and most nutritious hips. It is believed that roses are native to Europe and the Middle East. There are records of them being grown in the gardens of the ancient Sumerians as far back as 2600B.C. Early Christians used rose hips to craft the first rosary beads. During World War II the English gathered rose hips from the countryside to use as a source of vitamin C. The German naval blockade prevented oranges from getting in to the country.

Active ingredients:

Nutritional:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• B vitamins
• Vitamin K

• Carotene, malic acid
• Flavonoids
• Fatty and volatile oils
• Tannins
• pectin

• as an immune system enhancer especially for the respiratory system
• to reestablish the beneficial intestinal flora disrupted by antibiotic usage
• to reduce fevers
• as a diuretic
• mild laxative
• menstrual cramps

Clinical uses:

The flavonoids in rose hips are currently being studied for their ability to prevent heart disease and cancer. Rose hips have properties similar to cranberries in preventing and treating urinary tract infections.

Recommended Dosage:

Pediatric

Pediatric dosages are calculated by a child’s body weight. Since adult dosages are calculated using a body weight of 150 lbs to calculate a pediatric dose simply take the child’s weight and divide by 150 lbs. For example, if a child weights 50 lbs and the adult dose for a supplement is 150mg: 50lbs/150lbs=.33 or 1/3 of adult dose so take the 150mg adult dose and divide by 3 to obtain the child’s dose of 50mg.

Adult

• Decoction (a strong tea): boil 2.5tsp of thinly sliced fresh or of the dried rose hips in 8 oz of water for 10 minutes, strain and drink throughout the day.
• Tincture (1:5) in 30% ethanol: take 10-15 drops in water three times a day.
• Rose hip syrup, prepare a strong decoction of fresh rose hips add honey or sugar and simmer in a double boiler until it becomes the consistency of maple syrup.

Contra-indications:

Large does of rose hips have been known to cause diarrhea or allergic reactions such as hives and throat swelling. People who are allergic to roses should not take rose hips. Women who are pregnant or nursing should discuss taking rose hips with their health care practitioner.

Drug interactions:

There have been no recorded instances of drug interaction when taking rose hips

Web References:

1. Answers.com
2. Wikipedia

1. Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1997.
2. McIntyre, Anne. The Medicinal Garden. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1997.
3. Medical Economics Company. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, 1998.
4. "Rose Hips." In: Organic Gardening Collection, No. 4 Rodale, Inc., 1999.
5. Daels-Rakotoarison, D. A., B. Gressier, F. Trotin, et al. "Effects of Rosa canina Fruit Extract on Neutrophil Respiratory Burst." Phytotherapy Research 16 (March 2002): 157-161.
6. Szentmihalyi, K., P. Vinkler, B. Lakatos, et al. "Rose Hip (Rosa canina L.) Oil Obtained from Waste Hip Seeds by Different Extraction Methods." Bioresource Technology 82 (April 2002): 195-201.
7. American Herbalists Guild. 1931 Gaddis Road, Canton, GA 30115. (770) 751-6021.
8. American Rose Society. P. O. Box 30000, Shreveport, LA 71130. (318) 938-5402.
9. [Article by: Clare Hanrahan; Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]

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 Overview:

Raspberry is a deciduous shrub that reaches a height of about 3 to 4 feet. It is native to Europe, Asia and North America. It is in leaf from April to November, flowers from June to August with the berries ripening from July to September. Its leaves and fruit are both important in traditional medicine. The leaves of the raspberry are used world wide by traditional medical practitioners for centuries.

Active ingredients: Raspberry leaves contain:

• Flavonoids
• Polypeptides
• Tannins
• Volatile oil
• Vitamin C

• Vitamin C
• Citric acid
• Malic acid
• Pectin
• Fruit sugar

Traditional uses:

Red raspberry leaf’s main use has been in supporting pregnancy and easing labor. Labor and delivery are not its only uses. Uses for Raspberry Leaf:

• Cleanse and detoxify
• Treat diarrhea
• As a diuretic
• Morning sickness
• Skin disorders
• Vascular disorder
• Heart maintenance
• Fever
• Sore throats

Its high Vitamin C content

Sore throats

Reducing fever

As a heart tonic

Clinical uses:

Because of its use in pregnancy and child birth, raspberry leaf has undergone extensive research. This research confirms that raspberry leaf is an effective aid in childbirth. It shortens labor and women who took raspberry leaf also experience fewer deliveries that required intervention such as forceps and vacuum delivery as well as caesarean section. Raspberry leaf has also prove effective:

• to relieve menstrual pain
• as a mild diuretic
• for nutritional support
• blood and skin tonic

Recommended Dosage:

Pediatric

Pediatric dosages are calculated by a child’s body weight. Since adult dosages are calculated using a body weight of 150 lbs to calculate a pediatric dose simply take the child’s weight and divide by 150 lbs. For example, if a child weights 50 lbs and the adult dose for a supplement is 150mg: 50lbs/150lbs=.33 or 1/3 of adult dose so take the 150mg adult dose and divide by 3 to obtain the child’s dose of 50mg.

Adult

• Infusion: pour boiling water over 1.5grams of the the finly chopped leaf, either fresh or dried and steeping for 5 minutes. Then strain and take as needed.
• Tincture (1:5) in 30% ethanol: take 2-4ml three times a day.
• The raspberry itself can be made into a cooling beverage that is good for feverish conditions or made into a syrup and used as a tonic for the heart as well as for its high vitamin C content

Contra-indications:

The leaves and fruit of this plant are generally considered safe.

Drug interactions:

None

Web References:

1. Flora Health
2. iBiblio

1. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
2. 2. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Not so modern (1930's?)
3. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
4. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
6. Parsons M, Simpson M, Ponton T. 1999. Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy. Aust Coll Midwives Inc J 1999 Sep; 12(3): 20-5.
7. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979 Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.
8. Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. 2001. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. J Midwifery Womens Health 2001 Mar-Apr; 46(2): 51-9.
9. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
10. Turner N, and Kuhnlein H. 1991. Traditional plant foods of Canadian indigenous peoples. Nutrition, botany and use. In Food and Nutrition in History and Anthropology Vol. 8. Gordon & Breach Science Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, p. 254-255.
11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 009457920
12. Wang SY and Lin HS. 2000. Antioxidant activity in fruits and leaves of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry varies with cultivar and developmental stage. J Agric Food Chem 2000 Feb; 48(2): 140-6.
13. Wichtl M and NG Bisset (eds). 1994. Raspberry leaf. In Herbal Drugs and Phyto-pharmaceuticals. (English translation by Norman Grainger Bisset). CRC Press, Stuttgart, pp. 434-436.