Encyclopedia of Vital Substances

There is a lot to know about this vegetable that can be found in numerous dishes and is well known. The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) was previously known as the love apple, paradise apple or golden apple. However, its current name is derived from the Aztec language, in which the plant is called xītomatl. The plant originally comes from Central and South America, where it was cultivated by the Mayans and other peoples as early as 200 BC. It only came to Europe after the conquest of Central and South America at the beginning of the 16th century. In addition to the most common red variety, there are countless others, from yellow to black. The world of tomatoes is rich in varieties and colors, from the well-known red round ones to unusual varieties such as purple, striped or small berry tomatoes. Breeders are constantly working on developing new varieties that impress not only in terms of taste, but also in terms of disease resistance and yield.  

The tomato consists mainly of water, up to 95%. However, it contains numerous vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, C, E, niacin, healthy secondary plant substances as well as minerals, especially potassium and trace elements. The highest of these is the vitamin C content, which can cover up to 17% of the daily requirement with 100 g of tomato. Many of the substances contained, such as phenols and flavonoids, are known to have many different properties such as antioxidant, antidepressant, blood pressure lowering, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. Lycopene and α-tomatin are also notable components. The former has been observed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity by regulating fat metabolism. The latter has been shown in experiments to be effective against prostate cancer.  

It is therefore obvious that tomato extract may have a positive effect on health. This has led to the development of a special tomato extract called “Fruitflow” that is available on the market and which we also use in our products.  

Several studies examining the tomato extract “Fruitflow” observed a reduced platelet aggregation in humans, which could clog blood vessels. Therefore, current science suggests that with sufficient supplementation, the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis can be reduced, as it reduces the risk of platelet accumulation in the blood vessels.  

Caution  

Although tomatoes offer many health benefits, people with certain allergies or health conditions should exercise caution. In particular, if you have a known allergy to nightshades, histamine intolerance, or reflux disease, it is advisable to consult a doctor  

Literature:  

1. Jacques Lanore: Tables de composition des aliments. Institut scientifique d'hygiène alimentaire, editions, 1985, ISBN 2-86268-055-9.  

1. Elizalde-Romero CA, Montoya-Inzunza LA, Contreras-Angulo LA, Heredia JB, Gutierrez-Grijalva EP. Solanum Fruits: Phytochemicals, Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability, and Their Relationship With Their Health-Promoting Effects. Front Nutr. 2021 Nov 25;8:790582.  

1. Colado-Velázquez JI, Mailloux-Salinas P, Arias-Chávez DJ, Ledesma-Aparicio J, Gómez-Viquez NL, Cano-Europa E, Sarabia GN, Bravo G. Lipidic extract of whole tomato reduces hyperplasia, oxidative stress and inflammation on testosterone-induced BPH in obese rats. Int Urol Nephrol. 2023 Mar;55(3):529-539.  

1. Burton-Freeman, B., & Sesso, HD (2014). Whole food versus supplement: comparing the clinical evidence of tomato intake and lycopene supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 5(5), 457-485.  

1. Bailly C. The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties. Steroids. 2021 Dec;176:108933.  

1. Cámara M, Fernández-Ruiz V, Sánchez-Mata MC, Cámara RM, Domínguez L, Sesso HD. Scientific Evidence of the Beneficial Effects of Tomato Products on Cardiovascular Disease and Platelet Aggregation. Front Nutr. 2022 Mar 15;9:849841.  

1. Chen H, Zhang S, Wang H, Bao L, Wu W, Qi R. Fruitflow inhibits platelet function by suppressing Akt/GSK3β, Syk/PLCγ2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in collagen-stimulated platelets. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2022 Mar 17;22(1):75.  

1. Rehman A, Tyree SM, Fehlbaum S, DunnGalvin G, Panagos CG, Guy B, Patel S, Dinan TG, Duttaroy AK, Duss R, Steinert RE. A water-soluble tomato extract rich in secondary plant metabolites lowers trimethylamine-n-oxide and modulates gut microbiota: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study in overweight and obese adults. J Nutr. 2023 Jan;153(1):96-105.  

1. Zhang S, Chen H, Li C, Chen B, Gong H, Zhao Y, Qi R. Water-Soluble Tomato Extract Fruit flow alters the phosphoproteomic profile of collagen-stimulated platelets. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Sep 27;12:746107.  

1. O'Kennedy, N., Duss, R., & Duttaroy, A.K. (2021). Dietary Antiplatelets: A New Perspective on the Health Benefits of the Water-Soluble Tomato Concentrate Fruitflow®. Nutrients, 13(7), 2184.  

The skullcaps ( Scutellaria ) are a genus of plants that include over 400 different species found worldwide. The best-known species, however, is the Baikal skullcap ( Scutellaria baicalensis ). This species is found in northern East Asia and thus grows in parts of Siberia, Mongolia, China, Korea and Japan. The herb has upright growing shoots that have rows of beautiful purple flowers, but the root is mainly used. What makes this subspecies so special is that it is the most collected medicinal plant for traditional Chinese medicine. Traditionally, it is used as a medicinal plant in many ways, for infectious diseases, rheumatism, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and pneumonia. Compared to other medicinal plants such as echinacea or ginseng, the Baikal skullcap is characterized by its strong antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.  

In one study, an ingredient in the plant showed an antispasmodic and calming effect, which led to improved sleep in the mice studied. But the herb does not only have an effect on the nervous system.  

The main feature of its medicinal use is its effect on the immune system. Baikal skullcap has anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Many studies also indicate that it has a wide range of antitumor effects. Promising observations have been made, particularly against colon, breast and cervical cancer. Colon and breast cancer are the two most common types of cancer that occur in women. Researchers are therefore particularly interested in studying skullcap.  

The most important ingredients of the plant are wogonin and baicalein, both of which are being studied in more detail in research as they offer potential for new drugs against autoimmune diseases or cancer, for example. Research has even shown that wogonin can trigger cell death in cancer cells, but leave healthy cells untouched.  

What is particularly interesting for women is that components of the plant are believed to help against pregnancy-related diseases such as gestational diabetes and could also be preventative against premature births and miscarriages.  

Possible side effects 

Skullcap roots are generally well tolerated, unless there are intolerances that can lead to stomach problems. In very rare cases and usually in combination with other herbs, liver damage has been observed due to skullcap.  

Literature:  

1. Zhao T, Tang H, Xie L, Zheng Y, Ma Z, Sun Q, Li X. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Lamiaceae): a review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2019 Sep;71(9):1353-1369.  
2. Tuli HS, Bhushan S, Kumar A, Aggarwal P, Sak K, Ramniwas S, Vashishth K, Behl T, Rana R, Haque S, Prieto MA. Autophagy Induction by Scutellaria Flavones in Cancer: Recent Advances. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Feb 15;16(2):302.  
3. Kerjaschki, D., Bago-Horvath, Z., Rudas, M., Sexl, V., Schneckenleithner, C., Wolbank, S., Bartel, G., Krieger, S., Kalt, R., Hantusch, B., Keller, T., Nagy-Bojarszky, K., Huttary, N., Raab, I., Lackner, K., Krautgasser, K., Schachner, H., Kaserer, K., Rezar, S., Madlener, S., … Krupitza, G. (2011). Lipoxygenase mediates invasion of intrametastatic lymphatic vessels and propagates lymph node metastasis of human mammary carcinoma xenografts in mouse. The Journal of clinical investigation, 121(5), 2000-2012.  
4. Baumann, S., Fas, S., Giaisi, M., Müller, W., Merling, A., Gülow, K., Edler, L., Krammer, P., & Li‐Weber, M. (2008). Wogonin preferentially kills malignant lymphocytes and suppresses T-cell tumor growth by inducing PLCgamma1- and Ca2+-dependent apoptosis.. Blood, 111 4, 2354-63 .  
5. Yang X, Zheng S, Wang X, Wang J, Ali Shah SB, Wang Y, Gao R, Xu Z. Advances in pharmacology, biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering of Scutellaria-specialized metabolites. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2022 Dec 29:1-17.  
6. Wang ZL, Wang S, Kuang Y, Hu ZM, Qiao X, Ye M. A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and flavonoid biosynthesis of Scutellaria baicalensis. Pharm Biol. 2018 Dec;56(1):465-484.  
7. Wang J, Chen S, Zhang J, Wu J. Scutellaria baicalensis georgi is a promising candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 16;13:946030.  
8. Yu P, Li J, Luo Y, Sun J, Hu Y, Lin B, Meng X, Xiang L. Mechanistic Role of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in Breast Cancer Therapy. Am J Chin Med 2023;51(2):279-308.  
9. Cai J, Hu Q, He Z, Chen X, Wang J, Yin X, Ma X, Zeng J. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Their Natural Flavonoid Compounds in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: A Review. Molecules. 2023 Jun 29;28(13):5082.  
10. Jang JY, Im E, Kim ND. Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Components from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer: A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 19;24(3):1954. doi: 10.3390/ijms24031954.  
11. "LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury". United States National Library of Medicine. 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548757/ (Accessed on January 23, 2024)  
12. Fang DN, Zheng CW, Ma YL. Effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi root in pregnancy-related diseases: A review. J Integr Med. 2023 Jan;21(1):17-25. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.09.005. Epub 2022 Sep 28.  

You come across real licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) more often in everyday life than you might think. Another name for the plant is liquorice. It is found in the sweet of the same name or in teas and medicines. The typical taste of liquorice comes from a sugar contained in the plant, which is fifty times sweeter than ordinary cane sugar.  

The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. It has a long history as a medicinal remedy, dating back to ancient times in Egypt, China and Indian culture. It has traditionally been used to treat a variety of diseases, including lung, liver, circulatory and kidney diseases. It has also been used to increase appetite and for detoxification. Its versatile, effective effects have earned it the name “king of all herbs”.  

Nowadays, liquorice is used for various complaints, such as digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, coughs, and bacterial and viral infections. In 2012, it was even the medicinal plant of the year. In tablet form, it can also help prevent and relieve sore throats. The reasons why liquorice is excellent for coughs are the active ingredients it contains, which promote expectoration, are secretolytic, and are expectorant. Liquorice extracts have also been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have also shown that liquorice relieves symptoms of sore throats after surgery, as well as asthma.  

In addition to treating respiratory diseases, the active ingredients contained in it are also said to have the following properties:  

Atheroprotective:  

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and cholesterol-lowering properties reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, in which the arteries become narrowed and blocked by fatty deposits. Licorice extract can therefore prevent cardiovascular problems.  

Anticancer:  

In studies, active ingredients in licorice have inhibited the growth of various cancer cells such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of the digestive tract. In addition to the inhibition, an increase in the death of cancer cells was also observed.  

Anti-diabetic:  

Licorice extracts can potentially help with diabetes because they lower blood sugar.  

Liver-protective:  

The liver is responsible for many important processes, especially detoxification, and a healthy liver is therefore essential. Liver inflammations caused by toxins or viruses can be treated with an active ingredient in licorice. In Asia, licorice is therefore often used traditionally to treat liver diseases.  

Antibacterial & Antiviral:  

In experiments, extracts from licorice showed an antibacterial effect against gram-positive bacteria. The antiviral effect of the plant is particularly interesting in winter and at present. Studies have found an antiviral effect against herpes and influenza viruses. According to studies, licorice could also be effective against the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and could represent a prophylactic treatment option.  

For healthy stomach function:  

The anti-inflammatory, antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties of licorice help maintain healthy stomach function and prevent stomach ulcers. It can reduce the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane and oxidative tissue damage in certain stomach diseases and improve the healing of the mucous membrane. In India, licorice is therefore used in medicines for a healthy gastrointestinal tract. In Germany and France, the extract is also used in some products, such as teas, to support stomach function.  

Support in wound healing:  

In combination with other herbs, a study found the potential of licorice to promote wound healing.  

Possible side effects 

If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid excessive consumption of liquorice extracts, as liquorice can increase blood pressure. However, this should only be done if you consume more than 50 to 200 g per day for four weeks. In addition, people with heart and kidney problems should also avoid excessive consumption, as liquorice can reduce the potassium concentration in the body.  

In large quantities, licorice can lead to premature births or health problems in the child during pregnancy. Therefore, taking licorice during pregnancy is not recommended.  

Licorice should be used with caution in people with heart failure, kidney disease, or electrolyte imbalances. Long-term or high doses can lead to serious health problems  

Possible interactions  

Licorice may affect the effects of certain medications, including blood pressure medications, diuretics and steroids  

Other applications  

Licorice can be used in various forms, such as tea, tincture or capsules. To make tea, it is recommended to steep dried licorice roots in hot water for about 10 minutes. When using licorice in the kitchen, it can be used as a natural sweetener in desserts or drinks  

Which AgilNature® products contain licorice extract?  

*Nutrient Reference Value = percentage of the reference value according to Annex XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature:  

1. "Licorice root". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. August 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root (Accessed on January 19, 2024)  
2. Kuriyama A, Maeda H. Topical application of licorice for prevention of postoperative sore throat in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Anesth. 2019 May;54:25-32.  
3. Wahab S, Ahmad I, Irfan S, Siddiqua A, Usmani S, Ahmad MP. Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Glycyrrhiza glabra in the Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2022;22(11):1476-1494.  
4. Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, SS, Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, MF, Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, MS, & Amir, M. (2021). Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 2751.  
5. Markina YV, Kirichenko TV, Markin AM, Yudina IY, Starodubova AV, Sobenin IA, Orekhov AN. Atheroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Molecules. 2022 Jul 22;27(15):4697.  
6. Zhang B, Yan M, Zhang W, Ke ZY, Ma LG. Glycyrrhiza glabra suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation through inhibiting the expression of lncRNA, AK027294. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2020 Feb;84(2):314-320.  
7. Lu D, Yang Y, Du Y, Zhang L, Yang Y, Tibenda JJ, Nan Y, Yuan L. The Potential of Glycyrrhiza from "Medicine Food Homology" in the Fight against Digestive System Tumors. Molecules. 2023 Nov 22;28(23):7719.  
8. Elebeedy D, Ghanem A, Aly SH, Ali MA, Faraag AHI, El-Ashrey MK, Salem AM, Hassab MAE, Maksoud AIAE. Synergistic antiviral activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Glycyrrhiza glabra against Herpes Simplex-1 Virus (HSV-1) and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV): experimental and In Silico insights. BMC Microbiol. 2023 Jun 30;23(1):173.  
9. Rizvi ZA, Babele P, Sadhu S, Madan U, Tripathy MR, Goswami S, Mani S, Kumar S, Awasthi A, Dikshit M. Prophylactic treatment of Glycyrrhiza glabra mitigates COVID-19 pathology through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hamster model and NETosis. Front Immunol. 2022 Sep 27;13:945583.  
10. Soleiman-Meigooni S, Hoseini Yekta N, Sheikhan HR, Aminianfar M, Hamidi-Farahani R, Ahmadi M, Asgari A, Kazemi-Galougahi MH, Rahimi R. Efficacy of a standardized herbal formulation from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. as an adjuvant treatment in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled trial. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2022 Oct-Dec;13(4):100670.  
11. Gaur R, Yadav KS, Verma RK, Yadav NP, Bhakuni RS In vivo anti-diabetic activity of derivatives of isoliquiritigenin and liquiritigenin. Phytomedicine. 2014;21:415–422. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2013.10.015  
12. Jafari F, Jafari M, Moghadam AT, Emami SA, Jamialahmadi T, Mohammadpour AH, Sahebkar A. A review of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) effects on metabolic syndrome. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021;1328:385-400.  
13. El-Saber Batiha G, Magdy Beshbishy A, El-Mleeh A, Abdel-Daim MM, Prasad Devkota H. Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae). Biomolecules. 2020 Feb 25;10(3):352.  
14. Leite CDS, Bonafé GA, Carvalho Santos J, Martinez CAR, Ortega MM, Ribeiro ML. The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)-Derived Compounds in Intestinal Disorders. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Apr 8;23(8):4121.  
15. Aly SH, Elissawy AM, Mahmoud AMA, El-Tokhy FS, Mageed SSA, Almahli H, Al-Rashood ST, Binjubair FA, Hassab MAE, Eldehna WM, Singab AEB. Synergistic Effect of Sophora japonica and Glycyrrhiza glabra Flavonoid-Rich Fractions on Wound Healing: In Vivo and Molecular Docking Studies. Molecules. 2023 Mar 27;28(7):2994.  
16. Mamedov, N. A., & Egamberdieva, D. (2019). Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Licorice: A Review. Plant and Human Health, Volume 3: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1  

Origin and history

The well-known garlic ( Allium sativum ) belongs to the allium family. The edible tuber has been used in all cuisines around the world for thousands of years, but originally comes from South and Central Asia and Iran. It is an excellent source of sulfur-containing compounds such as alliin, which our body urgently needs for building proteins, for example. Some compounds are only formed when the garlic is cut or heated. These compounds are also the main reason for garlic's pungent smell and taste.  

In addition to its use in cooking, garlic has traditionally been used for health purposes by people in many parts of the world, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Japanese, dubbed the “all-rounder”. This reputation stems from its numerous medicinal uses throughout history. This is where all the superstitions surrounding garlic developed, which say that it can protect against evil such as demons and vampires.  

Garlic is a source of important vitamins such as vitamins C and B6 and contains minerals such as selenium and manganese. Garlic also provides fiber, which is important for healthy digestion  

As it lives up to its name as an all-rounder, garlic is said to have many health-promoting properties in traditional medicine. These include anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, renal protective, antiatherosclerotic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antihypertensive properties. Garlic is also known for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In many cultures it is therefore very popular for colds.  

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were examined in a study where different levels were observed in cyclists after a 40 km ride. It was found that additional garlic intake did not improve performance, but it reduced training-induced inflammatory levels and weakened muscle damage after training.  

However, what is more evident from studies is that garlic may have many heart-protecting and anti-atherosclerotic (which counteracts narrowing of the arteries) properties. For example, through the observed reduction in the total concentration of blood fat, inhibition of platelet aggregation and lowering of blood pressure. These together could reduce the risk of heart disease. However, more detailed research is still needed and benefits for the cardiovascular system are currently the main focus of research regarding garlic supplementation. Benefits are also suspected for diseases such as diabetes, as it has been observed that ingredients in garlic increased the sensitivity of the cells to insulin and triggered a higher insulin release, which leads to an overall reduction in blood sugar.  

Possible side effects  

Garlic is safe for people without an intolerance. In the case of intolerances such as large quantities on an empty stomach, flatulence and gastrointestinal problems can occur. Burns may occur if used on the skin. At higher concentrations, more severe symptoms may occur. Therefore, for older people, the recommended amount of raw garlic is 4g per day.  

Interactions  

Garlic is safe for people without an intolerance. However, it is suspected that garlic ingredients may interact with some medications. Therefore, those affected are advised not to consume garlic in dietary supplements. The risk of bleeding may be increased if taken, so caution should be taken when taking blood thinners such as warfarin/Coumadin at the same time or before surgery. Garlic may also reduce the effectiveness of some HIV medication, saquinavir.  

Literature:  

1. "Garlic”. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. December 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic (Accessed on January 22, 2024)  
2. El-Saber Batiha G, Magdy Beshbishy A, G Wasef L, Elewa YHA, A Al-Sagan A, Abd El-Hack ME, Taha AE, M Abd-Elhakim Y, Prasad Devkota H. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic ( Allium sativum L.): A Review. Nutrients. 2020 Mar 24;12(3):872.  
3. Sobenin IA, Myasoedova VA, Iltchuk MI, Zhang DW, Orekhov AN. Therapeutic effects of garlic in cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease. Chin J Nat Med. 2019 Oct;17(10):721-728.  
4. Shang A, Cao SY, Xu XY, Gan RY, Tang GY, Corke H, Mavumengwana V, Li HB. Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.). Foods. 2019 Jul 5;8(7):246.  
5. Valls RM, Companys J, Calderón-Pérez L, Salamanca P, Pla-Pagà L, Sandoval-Ramírez BA, Bueno A, Puzo J, Crescenti A, Bas JMD, Caimari A, Salamanca A, Espinel AE, Pedret A, Arola L , Solà R. Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Moderate Hypercholesterolemic Subjects: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Sustained and Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 18;14(3):405.  
6. Varade S, Nadella M, Hirake A, Mungase SB, Ali A, Adela R. Effect of garlic on the components of metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Jan 10;318(Pt B):116960.  
7. Tsao JP, Bernard JR, Tu TH, Hsu HC, Chang CC, Liao SF, Cheng IS. Garlic supplementation attenuates cycling exercise-induced oxidative inflammation but fails to improve time trial performance in healthy adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023 Dec;20(1):2206809.  

Origin and history

The typical yellow-orange powder of turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), which is used as a spice and coloring agent, is well known to many and is related to ginger. The plant is native to India and Southeast Asia. The rootstock is used to obtain the powder. In addition to its typical, slightly spicy taste and its use as a spice, especially in curries, it is also anchored in Asian folk medicine and traditional rituals. In folk medicine it is used to relieve minor digestive problems such as bloating and flatulence.  

Turmeric contains vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin E, minerals such as iron, potassium and manganese, as well as a high concentration of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body  

Researching the health benefits of turmeric is difficult and no clear health-related statements have been made so far. This is because the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is unstable and breaks down quickly. This means that few tests are possible with the active ingredient. In addition, it is one of the substances that leads to false-positive results in many experiments. This means that many studies are not completely trustworthy and many have already been withdrawn.  

Turmeric is thought to be anti-inflammatory, but this requires further study. There is also the assumption that it can have a positive effect on blood sugar and regulation. Turmeric could be helpful in treating diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and even some types of cancer. In addition, its possible role in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's is being investigated  

However, what currently remains undisputed is that turmeric has a digestive effect. This can alleviate or prevent minor symptoms such as flatulence or a feeling of fullness after eating.  

Possible side effects  

In larger quantities, turmeric could be unhealthy during pregnancy and for people with gallstones. Therefore, turmeric should be avoided in these conditions. People taking blood thinning medications or medications to control diabetes should exercise caution when using turmeric as interactions may occur  

In spice quantities, turmeric is considered a safe food. However, since turmeric is an allergen, even small amounts of it can cause side effects in some people.  

Intake  

To reap the full health benefits of turmeric, it is recommended to use it with black pepper and fat (such as oil or ghee) as this improves the absorption of curcumin  

Which AgilNature® products contain turmeric?  

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature:  

1. "Turmeric". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. May 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric (accessed on January 19, 2024)  
2. Turmeric - a plant for all occasions? In: Consumer advice center. December 15, 2021. Retrieved on January 19, 2024  
3. Armin Ebrahimzadeh, Fatemeh Abbasi, Anahita Ebrahimzadeh, Aliyu Tijani Jibril, Alireza Milajerdi: Effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In: Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Volume 61, September 2021, p. 102773.  
4. Armita Mahdavi Gorabi, Mitra Abbasifard, Danyal Imani, Saeed Aslani, Bahman Razi: Effect of curcumin on C‐reactive protein as a biomarker of systemic inflammation: An updated meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. In: Phytotherapy Research. Volume 36, No. 1, January 2022, pp. 85-97.  
5. Pathomwichaiwat, T., Jinatongthai, P., Prommasut, N., Ampornwong, K., Rattanavipanon, W., Nathisuwan, S., & Thakkinstian, A. (2023). Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) supplementation on glucose metabolism in diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome: An umbrella review and updated meta-analysis. PloS one, 18(7), e0288997.  
6. Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. 2017 Oct 22;6(10):92. doi: 10.3390/foods6100092. PMID: 29065496; PMCID: PMC5664031.  

Origin and history

The passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) originally comes from South America. As a medicinal plant, it was often used as a sedative by Native Americans and also in Brazilian folk medicine. Christian immigrants in South America gave it the name Passiflora (“Passion”) incarnata (“the incarnate”), based on the biblical ordeal, as they associated the flowers with the various symbols of Christ's Passion. At the beginning of the 17th century, passionflower was also introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant. Today, India, Florida, Italy and Spain are the main growing areas for the plant. Fruits obtained from some species of the plant include passion fruit and passion fruit. It is also known as the “king of fruit juices” because it contains the flavor of 130 different fruits. The fruit of the flower contains many minerals and a particularly high vitamin C content.  

Passionflower is often found in tea blends, but also capsules and tablets with passionflower extract. Even though there are over 530 species worldwide today, only Passiflora incarnata is used in preparations.  

The main use of passion flower extracts is for a relaxing, tension and anxiety-relieving effect. The calming effect can not only be found in folk medicine, there are also enough studies that prove it. Passionflower contains a number of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids such as vitexin and isovitexin, which are known for their antioxidant properties. It also contains harmane alkaloids, which contribute to the calming and anti-anxiety effects. The medicinal plant is therefore used for problems falling asleep or to relax before stressful and nervous situations such as, for some, a visit to the dentist. In a study, sleep was examined after passion flower extract and an improvement in sleep efficiency and waking up was found in the test subjects. It is also often used in phytotherapy against tension and irritability, as well as associated back pain and tension or stomach and intestinal problems, as well as for depressive moods, hysteria or asthma. Based on studies, it is also suspected that it has a positive influence on the symptoms of neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism, but more detailed research is required to make clear statements.  

In terms of other health benefits, the plant contains phenols and flavonoids that are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Possible side effects  

Taking up to 800 mg per day is considered safe. However, it can cause agitation and confusion in some people.  

Pregnant women are advised not to take passionflower as it can cause contractions.  

Passion flower extracts should be taken with caution in certain medical conditions such as liver problems or low blood pressure. Simultaneous intake with sedating medications or alcohol should also be avoided.  

Applications in cosmetics  

Since the substances contained in passionflower are photoprotective with a factor of approximately 15, they are potentially suitable as sunscreen in some cosmetics. The most common use of passionflower and fruits is in skin care products such as face masks, as the extracts protect against collagen and soften the skin.  

Environmental benefit  

In view of environmental protection, the peels of the fruits can adsorb metal ions from wastewater, which can reduce the cost of wastewater treatment in some regions.  

Which AgilNature® products contain passionflower?  

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature:  

1. "Passionflower". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. August 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/passionflower (Accessed on January 19, 2024)  
2. Meneses C, Valdes-Gonzalez M, Garrido-Suárez BB, Garrido G. Systematic review on the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of flower extracts in in vivo pre-clinical studies published from 2010 to 2020. Phytother Res. 2023 May;37(5) :2144-2167.
3. Zhang J, Tao S, Hou G, Zhao F, Meng Q, Tan S. Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, health benefits and future prospects of Passiflora: A review. Food Chem. 2023 Dec 1;428:136825.
4. Janda K, Wojtkowska K, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):3894.
5. Lee J, Jung HY, Lee SI, Choi JH, Kim SG. Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Jan;35(1):29-35.
6. Golsorkhi H, Qorbani M, Sabbaghzadegan S, Dadmehr M. Herbal medicines in the treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An updated systematic review of clinical trials. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2023 Jul-Aug;13(4):338-353.
7. Amini F, Amini-Khoei H, Haratizadeh S, Setayesh M, Basiri M, Raeiszadeh M, Nozari M. Hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata improves the autistic-like behavior and neuronal damage in a valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. J Tradit Complement Med. 2023 Feb 23;13(4):315-324.