Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (Carum carvi), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.The plant is similar in appearance to other members of the carrot family, with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) stems. The main flower stem is 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall, with small white or pink flowers in umbels. Caraway fruits, commonly (erroneously) called seeds, are crescent-shaped ...

carum carvi

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What-is-the-potential-of-herbs-and-spices-for-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-cancer

What is the potential of herbs and spices for the prevention and treatment of cancer

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There is no doubt that nutrition and health are closely related. For generations, people have argued that food provides greater benefits than just energy supply. Faith in the healing properties of food appears in very early writings of people. Hippocrates are often quoted as saying:&nbsp;

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"May food be your medicine and medicine be your food."&nbsp;

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Epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies continue to provide fundamental information about the dynamic relationship between nutrients – defined here as any substance in the diet, resulting in a physiological effect – and health. Today, claims about the ability of foods, including spices, to reduce the risk of disease or improve quality of life continue to captivate our lives and amaze scientists. More in-depth analyses of three types of biomarkers - exposure, effect and sensitivity - are needed to assess the effects of spices in cancer prevention and therapy, as well as an assessment of&nbsp; some other factors such as:

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<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Quantities of specific spices necessary to induce a reaction (effect);</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Interactions of spices with other components of the diet;</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Composition of the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract;</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Environmental exposure;</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Genetic characteristics.</li></ul>Different culinary herbs and spices have the ability to alter several cellular processes that are associated with the risk of cancer and/or tumor behavior of cells. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/us/eng/research/pubmed/Phenolic_antioxidants_from_herbs_and_spices_11237173" target="_blank" data-ref="Phenolic antioxidants from herbs and spices." rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a>&nbsp; The ability of spices to serve as inhibitors of bioactivation of the carcinogen, to reduce the formation of free radicals, to suppress cell division and to promote apoptosis in cancer cells, to suppress microbial growth and to regulate inflammation and immunocompethability, are outlined as plausible mechanisms by which the selected spices can promote health and increased resistance to diseases. Low toxicity and widespread use of spices can make them especially useful by a slight change in diet, which can reduce the risk of several diseases. It has already been documented that adding only approximately 1 gram of herbs per day to the diet can significantly contribute to the total intake of antioxidants (1 mmol).&nbsp; These medicinal plants are also a better source of antioxidants compared to many food products. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/" target="_blank" data-ref="Page not available - NCBI Bookshelf" rel="noopener">[Ref. 2]</a>&nbsp;

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Besides herbs, some spices are also effective antioxidants and can be especially important for reducing oxidative damage due to environmental stress. And stress is always a prerequisite for the development of diseases, and unfortunately our lives are filled with more and more sources of stress. Therefore, it is important to turn to nature to seek harmony in it and to take advantage of the gifts it offers us.

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Next, you can read about these herbs and spices with some of the more impressive biological properties reported in the scientific literature. You will find information about the amount of spices needed to induce a reaction and thus their physiological significance.

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Herbs-and-spices-for-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-cancer

Herbs and spices for the prevention and treatment of cancer

Bahar-(Pimenta-dioica)

Bahar (Pimenta dioica)

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The term "bahar" was introduced in 1600 by the English people, who believed that the herb combines the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Bahar is also called "Jamaican pepper", "kurundu", "pepper myrtle", "pimenta". Ground bahar is not a mixture of spices, as some people believe, but is obtained from the dried unripe fruits of the Pimenta dioica tree.&nbsp;

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Bahar is said to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anticancer and antitumorigenic properties.&nbsp; <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/096032719601500205" target="_blank" data-ref="Just a moment..." rel="noopener">[ref. 3]</a>&nbsp; It contains numerous potential bioactive agents that can contribute to health promotion, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, catechins and several phenylpropanoids. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/us/eng/research/pubmed/Anticancer_and_antioxidant_tannins_from_Pimenta_dioica_leaves_17913067" target="_blank" data-ref="Anticancer and antioxidant tannins from Pimenta dioica leaves." rel="noopener">[ref. 4]</a> The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of bahar may be associated with eugenol. In this regard, Billing and Sherman reported that bahar is as effective as garlic and onions in suppressing microbial growth. The importance of its antimicrobial properties has recently been underlined by evidence that bahar and eugenol are effective in lowering the virulence of Escherichia coli O157:H7. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/420058" target="_blank" data-ref="Antimicrobial Functions of Spices: Why Some Like it Hot | The Quarterly Review of Biology: Vol 73, No 1" rel="noopener">[Ref. 5]</a>&nbsp;

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The anticancer properties of bahar may also be partly due to its ability to affect the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and thus affect carcinogenic bioactivation. A team of scientists was able to cultivate human cells from liver cancer and human adenocarcinoma cells of the colon and examined the ability of spice extract to activate mechanisms associated with phase I detoxification enzymes. Thus, the activation of transcription factors to connect to the elements of response seems like a plausible mechanism by which the bahar and potentially eugenol have an anticancer effect. &nbsp;<a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0891584906006630" target="_blank" data-ref="Redirecting" rel="noopener">[Ref. 6]</a>&nbsp;

Basil-(Ocimum-basilicum)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) 

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Basil is a culinary herb, most prominently seen in Italian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Although there are many varieties of basil, sweet basil is one of the most prevalent and most commonly studied herbs for its health benefits. Basil was originally found in Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia, but is now widely available around the world. Antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumorogenic, antiviral and antibacterial properties of basil probably stem from various components, including linalool, 1,8-cinol, estragol and eugenol. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239314732_Ocimum_sp_Basil_Botany_Cultivation_Pharmaceutical_Properties_and_Biotechnology" target="_blank" data-ref="Please Wait... | Cloudflare" rel="noopener">[Ref. 7]</a>&nbsp;

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Several studies provide evidence that basil is an antimutagenic spice. They demonstrate that 50 &mu;g/mL basil largely blocks the formation of a DNA adduct caused by 1&prime;-hydroxyestagol in the cell line of the human hepatoma (HepG2), possibly by promoting phase II enzymes and thus conjugation and elimination of this carcinogen. These findings also likely explain the basil's ability to reduce the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P). &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/" target="_blank" data-ref="Page not available - NCBI Bookshelf" rel="noopener">[ref. 8]</a>&nbsp;The anticancer properties of basil may also be related to its ability to influence viral infections, such as hepatitis B.

Kim-(Carum-carvi)

Kim (Carum carvi)

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The kim, also known as "Meridian dill" or "Persian cumin," is found in West Asia, Europe and North Africa. It is believed that the main agents in kim oil are carvon or p-mint-1,8-dien-2-one and lemon or p-mint-1,8-diene, the ancestors of carvon and anetofuran. Scientists studied the effect of kim seed extract on mutagenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in S. typhimurium strains that have a DNA MG deficiency. Their results indicate that the kim does not directly inactivate MNNG and O6-methylguanine-DNA MGMT may be involved in the response. In mouse studies, the number of carcinomas in those who received kim oil was significantly lower than in controls.&nbsp;

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Induction of glutathione-S-transferase from anti-carcinogenic compounds is an important mechanism by which several spices, including cumin, can promote the detoxification of the carcinogen and thereby reduce the risk of cancer. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/us/eng/research/pubmed/Acaricidal_effect_and_chemical_composition_of_essential_oils_extracted_from_Cuminum_cyminum_Pimenta_dioica_and_Ocimum_basilicum_against_the_cattle_tick_Rhipicephalus_Boophilus_microplus_Acari_Ixodidae_20865426" target="_blank" data-ref="Acaricidal effect and chemical composition of essential oils extracted from Cuminum cyminum, Pimenta dioica and Ocimum basilicum against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)." rel="noopener">[Ref. 9]</a>&nbsp;

Cardamom-(Elettaria-cardamomum)

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

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Cardamom refers to herbs of the genus Elettaria (green) and Amomum (black) from the ginger family Zingiberaceae. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/herb/16400" target="_blank" data-ref="Elettaria cardamomum" rel="noopener">[ref. 10]</a> Cardamom is a common ingredient used in Indian cuisine and in different parts of Europe. Extracts of different types of cardamom have been studied for their anticancer and antioxidant action in animals. For example,&nbsp; cardamom has been shown to reduce azoxymethane-induced carcinogenesis of the colon by virtue of its anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions. &nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18260732/" target="_blank" data-ref="Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of GST activity by cardamom and cinnamon during chemically induced colon carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice - PubMed" rel="noopener">[ref. 11]</a>&nbsp;

Cinnamon-(Cinnamomum-verum)

Cinnamon  (Cinnamomum verum)

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Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the bark of an evergreen tree belonging to the Lauraceae family. The main ingredients in cinnamon include cinnamon dehyde, eugenol, terpinene, &alpha;-pinene, carvacrol, linalool, safrol, benzyl benzoate &nbsp;<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/herb/14482" target="_blank" data-ref="Cinnamon" rel="noopener">and coumarin [ref. 12]</a>&nbsp;Cinnamon is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Several studies have examined its antioxidant properties, as it reduces oxidative stress and the marker TBARS, a biomarker for the production of free radicals in rats.&nbsp;

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The ability of cinnamon extracts to inhibit the in vitro growth of Helicobacter Pylori, a recognized risk factor for stomach cancer, lymphoid tissue lymphoma associated with the gastric mucosa, and possibly pancreatic cancer, cause significant interest in the potential use of this spice to suppress human cancers. In this regard, more studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of action and benefits.

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Phytotherapy, or so-called " herbal medicine", as well as the use of spices, can support important mechanisms of counteracting cancer processes. Research in a developing field of medicine, known as integrative oncology, is trying to figure out which additional therapies, including herbal medicines, are safe and effective to combine with conventional cancer treatments. The more effort is made in this direction, the more lives saved there might be. Therefore, let's put out trust in scientists, while informing ourselves about the latest developments in the field and always from trusted sources like Sanat.io. Second part of the topic is coming soon in our blog. Stay tuned!

Herbs and spices for the prevention and treatment of cancer (part one)

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Herbs and spices for the prevention and treatment of cancer (

Бетина Цветкова

Author: Elena Marinova, Master of Pharmacy

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You feel pain and burning in your stomach, or maybe you are constantly bloated? This sounds exactly like an advertisement, but in fact these are symptoms that you should not ignore! Some people have only heard about them on TV, but most of us have encountered them first-person. These symptoms signal gastrointestinal diseases, for which we very often seek help from nature.

What-are-Functional-Gastrointestinal-Disorders

What are Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

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According to a large-scale multinational study, 40% of people worldwide suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders, which are more common in women than in men. <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/worldwide_prevalence_and_burden_of_functional_gastrointestinal_disorders_results_of_rome_foundation_global_study_32294476" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.1]</a> These are a group of diseases that manifest themselves with changing chronic or recurrent symptoms - bloated stomach, pain, reflux, burning.

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Indigestion (dyspepsia) - causes, symptoms and treatment 

7 herbs that relieve indigestion and dyspepsia

Such diseases are gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, constipation, etc. You can read more about them in other articles on our website ( and ).

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Characteristic of these conditions is that structural or biochemical disorders are not observed, the symptoms are often unclear and difficult to locate. Many factors such as stress, genetic predisposition, disorders in the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, altered function of the immune system, can affect clinical manifestation, but still the pathophysiology of these diseases is not fully understood. <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/herbal_therapies_in_functional_gastrointestinal_disorders_a_narrative_review_and_clinical_implication_32754057" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.2]</a>

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It is clear that these diseases deteriorate people's quality of life and require great effort from both doctors and patients.

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Can-You-Manage-This-on-Your-Own?

Can You Manage This on Your Own?

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In most cases, a doctor is consulted, but there are many ways that help relieve unpleasant symptoms and improve the general condition.

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Diet - building and adhering to an appropriate diet is of utmost importance.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sports and physical activity – physical exercises can be both useful and harmful to the gastrointestinal tract. Mild to moderately heavy exercises play a protective role in constipation, colorectal cancer, cholelithiasis (gallstone disease or more simply: gallstones). Very heavy exercise can lead to nausea, vomiting, pain. <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/The_impact_of_physical_exercise_on_the_gastrointestinal_tract_19535976" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [ref. 3]</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stress - stress can unlock or intensify the symptoms that occur with irritable bowel syndrome. This is due to the connection between the central nervous system and the nerves of the intestine.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Herbal treatment - the advantage of herbs is that they have a complex mechanism of action, which allows simultaneous management of symptomatology and removal of the cause of the condition. In addition, fewer side effects are available due to proving their safety over a long period of time.</li>
</ul>

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For some herbs, scientific studies have been carried out to demonstrate their effectiveness in functional gastrointestinal disorders, with the following 9 herbs entering the composition of a plant medicinal product for which preclinical studies and clinical trials have been conducted. The product can not be prepared at home, due to the fact that some of the plants are toxic in larger doses.

Wild-Candytuft-(Iberis-amara)

Wild Candytuft (Iberis amara)  

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Wild candytuft is also called rocket candytuft and bitter candytuft, and has been known since ancient times - the Greek doctor Gallen treated an Iberian patient with the flowers of the plant. In the late Middle Ages, Iberis found use to treat cramps and as an anti-inflammatory agent in the form of tonic drinks and wine.

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The wild candytuft (Iberis amara) has a sweet smell, but a bitter taste, thus its name - in Latin: amarus - "bitter". The genus name (Iberis) is Greek and means "Cresson", but is also associated with the ancient Roman name of Spain - Iberia.

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The plant is common in Europe and especially on the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Contains amines, cucurbitacin, flavonglycosides. A stalk of the plant is used for treatment.&nbsp;In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies have shown that extract from the fresh plant has a tonic effect on the smooth muscles of the stomach and small intestine.

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A dose-dependent anti-ulcer effect has been proven. Toxicological studies show that fresh plant extract has no cytotoxic effect when used in therapeutic doses. <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Iberis_amara_L_bitter_candytuft_profile_of_a_medicinal_plant_12618547" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.4 ]</a>

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Peppermint-(Mentha-piperita)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)  

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Peppermint is a hybrid between two types - water mint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). The leaves of the plant are used. They contain essential oils – mainly menthol, menthon and piperiton.

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Peppermint oil (Oleum menthae) is obtained by water vapor distillation of a wilted aboveground part of the plant and is a colorless or slightly yellowish liquid with a characteristic minty smell. It has antispasmodic, carminative, antiseptic and sedative (calming) effect,&nbsp;thanks to which it is used in gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual pains, skin irritations.

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There is a legend that in the underworld of the River Kokytos a water nymph named Minta lived, which seduced the god Hades. To get revenge, the Queen of the Underworld (Persephone) turned her into a plant that is now known as peppermint.

Lemon-Balm-(Melissa-officinalis)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)  

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Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant. For healing purposes, the leaves – Melissae folium, are used. It contains essential oils (citral, citronellol, geraniol), triterpenes and phenolic acids. It has antispasmodic, carminative, sedative and hypotensive effect.

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In the Middle Ages, monks prepared decoctions and wine from the leaves of the lemon balm mainly as a means of aiding digestion. Due to the numerous healing effects of the lemon balm, it had to be grown by decree of Charlemagne in every monastic garden in Europe. At that time, lemon balm essential oil was called "liquid gold" because of its high price.

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Garden-Angelica-(Angelica-archangelica)

Garden Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

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Garden angelica is also known as wild celery and Norwegian angelica. There is a legend that tells that the plant was brought to Earth by Archangel Raphael, hence the name (Angelica archangelica). For a long time, people thought that it healed everything - a mystical panacea.

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Unfortunately, the garden angelica can not be applied to all diseases, but the healing properties of the herb are not few. The root of the plant containing furanocoumarins (angelicin, isobergapten) is used – it has a diuretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory effect and regulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The root extract of the plant has a relaxing effect on the upper part of the stomach and tones the muscles in its lower part, which relieves the symptoms of bloated stomach, pain, heaviness.

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It is important to know that furanocoumarins are toxic - they penetrate the skin, and under the influence of UV light they interact with DNA in the nuclei of epithelial cells, forming strong bonds. That's how the cells die. The result is serious skin inflammation – phytophotodermatitis.

Caraway-(Carum-carvi)

Caraway (Carum carvi)

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The fruits of the plant (Carvi fructus) are used – the fruits are light brown with a characteristic smell, collected before they are fully ripe. They contain essential oils (carvone, limonene, geraniol), flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol), proteins, coumarins. It has antispasmodic, carminative and revulsive (causes redness and warming) action.

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The caraway finds widespread application as a spice. It originates in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. It is officially recognized by the European Scientific Cooperative in Phytotherapy as a means of alleviating stomach complaints and flatulence in children suffering from colic.

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Greater-Celandine-(Chelidonium-majus)

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)  

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Greater celandine has also been known since ancient times. It was known as Devil's Milk because of the milky juice, which contains the active substances. The above-ground part of the plant is used.

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It contains the alkaloids chelidonine, sanguinarine, chelerythrin, berberine, isolated from orange milky juice. The antispasmodic action is due to chelidonine and is stronger than the action of papaverine. Alkaloids are highly poisonous substances! It is interesting that the herb also has an antioxidant effect, and the milky juice is used externally to treat warts.

Chamomile-(Chamomilla-recutita)

Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)

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Chamomile has been a well-known and widely used herb since ancient times. The flowers of the plant are used, which contain essential oils, flavonoids, coumarins. Chamomile oil (Chamomile oleum) is obtained by water vapour distillation and contains sesquiterpenes and polyins, which have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action. Thanks to these properties chamomile finds widespread application.

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It is used in:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">stomach pain and other manifestations of gastrointestinal discomfort - besides its antispasmodic action, chamomile also reduces the production of hydrochloric acid.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">skin irritations - enters the composition of many creams and other dermatic products.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">sore throat and other inflammations of the upper respiratory tract.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">sores and gingivitis - used in the form of mouthwash.</li>
</ul>

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Chamomile is widespread and easily accessible and you can easily prepare chamomile tea at home.

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Milk-Thistle-(Silybum-marianum)

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

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Initially, the milk thistle was found mainly in rocky mountains in the Mediterranean, but later spread throughout the world. According to the legend, the name of the plant is derived from the color of the leaves - it is considered marked by the milk of Virgin Mary.

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Milk thistle was used in antiquity as a vegetable, using all its parts in a raw or boiled state. Due to its delicious fruits and prickly colors, it is called "wild artichokes".

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It is the fruits of the plant that are used later and for healing purposes. It contains flavolignan complex - silymarin, which has hepatoprotective (protects the liver) and antispasmodic action. Due to these healing properties, milk thistle is used in liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis and in problems with the gallbladder.

Liquorice-(Glycyrrhiza-glabra)

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)  

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The name of the plant comes from the fact that its roots have a sweet taste - from Greek: glycos - "sweet", rhiza - "root". The herb was used is Ancient Egypt, where it was believed that pharaohs could prepare a sweet drink "mai sus" in the afterlife. The root of the plant is used. It contains flavonoids (liquidin), to which antispasmodic action is due. Triterpene saponones in drugs determine the expectoaching effect and application in inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, accompanied by a productive cough.

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Nature provides us with many other herbs to help us fight functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, but we should always be careful when using them, especially if it is at home.

9 herbs that relieve stomach pain, burning and bloating

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 9 herbs that relieve stomach pain, burning and bloating

Elena Marinova

Text adaptation: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

The Russian state occupies vast territories with diverse climatic conditions and includes many peoples and their culture. This makes especially interesting the study of Russian folk medicine.

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Medicinal plants have been used in the lands that made up modern Russia since ancient times. A study of numerous written sources shows that herbal treatments were applied by the Scythians living in the northern territories along the Black Sea coast between the Dniester and Don rivers (from the 7th century BC to the 1st century AD).

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The Novgorod Chronicles describe the use of "mold from the bathroom" to treat wounds and how it would have prevented the development of an infection even before penicillin was found in the UK seven centuries later.

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In 1581 Tsar Ivan IV (1530-1584) ordered the establishment of the first pharmacy to supply the king's yard, as well as the founding of the Pharmaceutical House, which was responsible for collecting medicinal plants from the Russian lands.

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The collection and use of medicinal plants became particularly widespread during the reign of Peter I (1672-1725), who personally cultivated medicinal herbs in his private garden. &nbsp;

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This article is dedicated to the most common herbal recipes from Russian folk medicine for the treatment of various dermatological diseases. The used medicinal plants are well known and available around the world. The information is taken from the article "Russian traditional medicine in dermatology", published in 2018 in the journal Clinics in Dermatology. [<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X18300439" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

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The authors Prof. Dr. Olisova, Prof. Dr. Snarskaya, Prof. Dr. Smooth and Prof. Dr. Burova are dermatologists with years of experience in Moscow and London.

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Russian herbal recipes for vitiligo

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Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune disease associated with other autoimmune conditions, including <a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/vsichko_za_diabiet_tip_1_na_iedno_miasto_751da342_2d55_43af_ae7f_1e1c89cd3800" target="_blank" rel="noopener">type </a><a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/vsichko_za_diabiet_tip_1_na_iedno_miasto_751da342_2d55_43af_ae7f_1e1c89cd3800" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 diabetes mellitus</a>, alopecia areata, <a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/kakvo_ie_boliest_na_kron_i_kak_sie_diaghnostitsira_f1bbb289_7915_4718_983b_21a0ff00feaa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflammatory bowel disease</a>, <a href="https://www.sanat.io/bul/p/aniemiia_kolko_vida_sshchiestvuvat_kakvo_da_iadiem_kak_da_kombiniramie_khranitie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pernicious anemia</a>, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid diseases.

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It has been found that in patients with vitiligo there are higher levels of antibodies against the thyroid gland.

St.-John's-wort-(Hypericum-perforatum)

1. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

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One of the herbs most commonly used in Russian traditional medicine for the treatment of vitiligo is St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). The plant contains flavonoids, niacin, vitamin C and carotene, protein, calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium and potassium, tannins, anthraquinones, saponins, fats, oils and proteins.

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The most important quality of St. John's wort in the treatment of vitiligo is its photosensitive effect. The herb should be used with caution due to numerous reports of side effects, including activation of cytochrome P450, which can affect the metabolism of many drugs.

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It is also known to affect thyroid function, causing increased levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and should be taken with caution by patients with thyroid disease and those who use medicine to treat it, especially hormones.

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<h4>Recipe #1: Hypericum perforatum in olive oil</h4>

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Preparation: Fill a small glass jar with St. John's wort flowers, leaving 4-5 cm of empty space on top. Add extra virgin olive oil to the jar and place in the sun (not in the shade, but in direct sunlight) for at least 2 weeks, shaking it every day.

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After this period of time, remove the flowers from the mixture and add a new fresh portion of them. Leave the jar in the sun for another 2 weeks.

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This should be repeated 5 to 7 times.

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Since St. John's wort blooms all summer, there should be no problems with the sourcing of raw materials.

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The thus obtained extract of St. John's wort should be red-brown in color, with a creamy consistency.

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