Seabuckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides

Artemisia annua (annual mugwort) is a species that has long been used in traditional Asian medicine, mainly Chinese and Hindu. The species is widespread and known as a medicinal plant not only in Asia but also in Europe, in both Americas, and Australia. The species has become a subject of particular interest due to the 2015 Nobel Prize awarded for detecting the sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin in it and proving its antimalarial activities. The raw materials obtained from this species are Artemisiae annuae folium and Artemisiae annuae herba. The leaves are a raw material in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia. Both raw materials are in the International Pharmacopoeia published by the WHO. The main components of these raw materials are mainly specific sesquiterpene lactones, essential oil, flavonoids, coumarins, and phenolic acids. In traditional Asian medicine, the species is used, for example, in the treatment of jaundice and bacterial dysentery, as an antipyretic agent in malaria and tuberculosis, in the treatment of wounds and haemorrhoids, and in viral, bacterial, and autoimmune diseases. Professional pharmacological studies conducted today have confirmed its known traditional applications and explain previously unknown mechanisms of its biological action and have also found evidence of new directions of biological activity, including, among others, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antitumour, and nephroprotective activities. The species is of growing importance in the cosmetics industry.

Ethnozoological assessment of animals used by Mon traditional medicine vendors at Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar

ABSTRACTGinger (Zingiber officinale) has been used as a spice and medicine for over 200 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is an important plant with several medicinal, and nutritional values used in Asian and Chinese Tradition medicine. Ginger and its general compounds such as Fe, Mg, Ca, vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolic compounds (gingerdiol, gingerol, gingerdione and shogaols), sesquiterpenes, paradols has long been used as an herbal medicine to treat various symptoms including vomiting, pain, cold symptoms and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumour activities, anti-pyretic, anti-platelet, anti-tumourigenic, anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant anti-diabetic, anti-clotting and analgesic properties, cardiotonic, cytotoxic. It has been widely used for arthritis, cramps, sprains, sore throats, rheumatism, muscular aches, pains, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, hypertension, dementia, fever and infectious diseases. Ginger leaves have also been used for food-flavouring and Asian Traditional Medicine especially in China. Ginger oil also used as food-flavouring agent in soft drink, as spices in bakery products, in confectionary items, pickles, sauces and as preservatives. Ginger is available in three forms, namely fresh root ginger, preserved ginger and dried ginger. The pharmacological activities of ginger were mainly attributed to its active phytocompounds 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, zingerone beside other phenolics and flavonoids. Gingerol and shogaol in particular, is known to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In both Traditional Chinese Medicine, and modern China, Ginger is used in about half of all herbal prescriptions. Traditional medicinal plants are often cheaper, locally available and easily consumable raw and as simple medicinal preparations. The obtained findings suggest potential of ginger extract as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Traditional Asian medicine's effects on wildlife conservation cannot be ignored. The endangered musk deer ( Moschus spp.) provides a typical example. ![Figure][1] CREDIT: XIUXIANG MENG The adult male musk deer secretes musk, which is one of the world's most expensive natural medical resources (1 gram is worth US$250). Musk is used broadly in traditional Asian medicine. There are at least 884 traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions and 347 products that use musk in China ([ 1 ][2]). Nearly 1000 kg of musk are consumed per year in traditional Chinese medicine alone ([ 2 ][3]). Because the musk deer has been deemed endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) ([ 3 ][4]), musk extraction from wild musk deer has been forbidden since the 1980s in China. In response, musk deer farming was initiated in the 1950s in China, as well as India, Nepal, and Russia ([ 4 ][5]). Today, more than 95% of the world's population of captive musk deer (about 6000 deer) is kept in about 30 musk deer farms in China ([ 5 ][6]). Sustainable musk extraction has been achieved in these farms, but only 20 kg of musk can be produced from musk deer farming per year ([ 6 ][7]), falling far short of the demand in China, not to mention the even greater demand in global traditional Asian medicine. Given that even sustainable musk deer farms cannot produce enough musk to meet global demand, we should scientifically assess whether the musk used in traditional Asian medicine is effective. If not, musk deer farming should be phased out, and the captive musk deer should be reintegrated into natural habitats according to a scientifically supported plan. If the musk is shown to be medically effective, we should develop a synthetic alternative to natural musk that can both replace natural musk in traditional Asian medicine and protect natural populations of musk deer. 1. [↵][8]1. Z. Jiang , in Advances in Biodiversity Conservation and Research in China VI, Biodiversity Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ed. (China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 2005), pp. 329–348 [in Chinese]. 2. [↵][9]1. R. Parry-Jones, 2. J. Wu , Musk Deer Farming as a Conservation Tool in China (TRAFFIC East Asia, Hong Kong, 2001). 3. [↵][10]1. Y. Zhou 2. et al ., Folia Zool. 53, 129 (2004). [OpenUrl][11][Web of Science][12] 4. [↵][13]1. V. Homes , On the Scent: Conserving Musk Deer—The Uses of Musk and Europe's Role in Its Trade (TRAFFIC Europe, Brussels, 1999). 5. [↵][14]1. X. Meng 2. et al ., Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 24, 1474 (2011). [OpenUrl][15] 6. [↵][16]1. X. Meng 2. et al ., Anim. Sci. 82, 5 (2006). [OpenUrl][17] [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #ref-5 [7]: #ref-6 [8]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [9]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [10]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [11]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DFolia%2BZool.%26rft.volume%253D53%26rft.spage%253D129%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [12]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000223073900002&link_type=ISI [13]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text [14]: #xref-ref-5-1 View reference 5 in text [15]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAsian-Aust.%2BJ.%2BAnim.%2BSci.%26rft.volume%253D24%26rft.spage%253D1474%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [16]: #xref-ref-6-1 View reference 6 in text [17]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAnim.%2BSci.%26rft.volume%253D82%26rft.spage%253D5%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx

Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.) is an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine as well as traditional Asian medicine. The fruit is aromatic and has a strong, pungent and mildly sweet taste. Star anise is one of the many species that contain bioactive compounds as well as a number of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, having antioxidant, preservative and antimicrobial properties. All relevant papers in the English language from researchers of different countries were collected. The keywords of Chinese star anise, anise, traditional Chinese medicine and modern pharmaceutical science were searched in Google Scholar, Scopus, Research Gate and PubMed. Its seeds are good source of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc, and magnesium. The essential oil of Chinese star anise contains anethole which has shown several functional properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and oestrogenic properties. Due to all positive characteristics, such as antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant activities, anticancer and antimicrobial properties, both seeds and essential oils of anise is promising for safe use as super food supplements and raw constituents in the both pharmaceutical and food industries. Anise seed oil contains anethol, estragole, eugenol, pseudisoeugenol, methyl chavicol and anisaldehyde, coumarins, scopoleting, umbelliferon, estrols, terpene hydrocarbons, and polyacetylenes as the major compounds. The plant oil has both pharmacological and clinical effects. The pharmacological effects consist of antimicrobial, hepatopreotective, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, estrogenic, expectorant and insecticidal effects, and clinical effects such as nausea, constipation, menopausal period, virus, diabetes, obesity and sedative action. Combined with a nutritious diet, other traditional Chinese and Asian medicine, Chinese star anise and ansie seed may improve various aspects of health. More clinical studies are necessary to uncover the numerous substances and their effects in ginseng that contribute to public health.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2019, 5(3): 162-179

Scientific research on medicinal plants is increasing day by day. Hippophae rhamnoides L. is a medicinal plant, which belongs to the family of L. Elaeagnaceae, and is consumed as a medicinal and food at the same time. It is a type of plant in the form of a bush with thorny, nitrogen-fixing roots and fruit that grows in cold and arid regions. It is native to and widely found in cold temperate regions of Europe and Asia. The species differ in their phytochemical compositions, depending on the climate and the soil they grow in. Due to its rich chemical composition, it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as herbal medicine, health promoter, and food additive. Hippophae rhamnoides L. plant; It has attracted worldwide attention due to the presence of different types of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and micro and macro elements, including its leaves, fruits, and seeds. Hippophae rhamnoides L. contains phytochemicals besides reducing platelet aggregation, blood pressure, and blood sugar; It has been reported to have a wide range of activities ranging from anticarcinogen, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antihistaminic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, gastroprotective, cardioprotective and radioprotective potential. In addition, it is promising to be used as an alternative support for the treatment of diseases such as skin burns and atopic dermatitis, since it protects and regulates cell metabolism and has a protective effect on skin cells. Hippophae rhamnoides L., which has economic value with the rich components it contains, is used in the medical, food, and cosmetic industries, while at the same time, it is used as a feed additive for animals and to prevent the destruction of the field by flood waters for ecological purposes. Studies on the plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. are important due to the use of a wide spectrum. The aim of this review is to give information about the botanical, medicinal, traditional and current uses of the fruit and plant of Hippophae rhamnoides L.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used as a spice and a medicine for over 200 years in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginger is an important plant with several medicinal and nutritional values used in Asian and Chinese tradition medicine. Ginger and its general compounds such as Fe, Mg, Ca, vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolic compounds (gingerdiol, gingerol, gingerdione and shogaols), sesquiterpenes, paradols has long been used as an herbal medicine to treat various symptoms including vomiting, pain, cold symptoms and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumor activities, anti-pyretic, anti-platelet, anti-tumourigenic, anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant anti-diabetic, anti-clotting and analgesic properties, cardiotonic, cytotoxic. It has been widely used for arthritis, cramps, sprains, sore throats, rheumatism, muscular aches, pains, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, hypertension, dementia, fever and infectious diseases. Ginger leaves have also been used for food flavouring and Asian traditional medicine especially in China. Ginger oil also used as food flavouring agent in soft drink, as spices in bakery products, in confectionary items, pickles, sauces and as a preservatives. Ginger is available in three forms, namely fresh root ginger, preserved ginger and dried ginger. The pharmacological activities of ginger were mainly attributed to its active phytocompounds 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, zingerone beside other phenolics and flavonoids. Gingerol and shogaol in particular, is known to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In both traditional Chinese medicine, and modern China, Ginger is used in about half of all herbal prescriptions. Traditional medicinal plants are often cheaper, locally available and easily consumable raw and as simple medicinal preparations. The obtained findings suggest potential of ginger extract as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

We evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement containing a traditional Asian medicine (TAM) on perceptions of mood, energy, tension, and fatigue in healthy men and women experiencing moderate levels of psychological stress. TAM contains 16 herbal/fruit extracts with historical uses in traditional Asian medicine for improving energy levels and mood (longan, lycium (goji), astragalus, jujube date, gac, cili, hawthorn, seabuckthorn, coriolus, rhodiola, schisandra, tangerine peel, ginger, mangosteen, litchi (lychee) and durian). Previous work has found TAM to reduce fatigue in active subjects following physical stress. We hypothesized that psychologically stressed subjects may benefit from TAM with reduced tension and fatigue. Subjects (N=100, 32 men, 68 women, age = 39 + 11 years) were pre‐screened for moderate levels of psychological stress and randomly assigned to TAM (3oz daily, N=50) or Control (N=50) for 4 weeks. Each subject completed a Profile of Mood States (POMS) survey at baseline and 4‐weeks. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. Following supplementation, TAM had significantly higher scores for Global Mood State (+19%) and Vigor (+47%), and lower scores for Tension (−24%) and Fatigue (−42%) compared to control. These results suggest that TAM consumption is associated with improvements in subjective perceptions of mood, energy, tension, and fatigue.

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon), Asteraceae, is a species that has long been used in traditional Asian medicine, mainly in Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and India. It is known as a spice species in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The raw materials obtained from this species are herb and leaf. The presence of essential oil with a highly variable composition, as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides, determines the medicinal and/or spice properties of the plant. In traditional Asian medicine, this species is used, for example, in the treatment of digestive system diseases, as an analgesic, hypnotic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, and as an effective remedy in the treatment of helminthiasis. Nowadays, A. dracunculus is the subject of professional phytochemical and pharmacological researches. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects known from traditional uses; they have also proved very important new findings regarding its biological activity, such as antioxidant, immunomodulating and anti-tumour activities, as well as hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic effects. A. dracunculus has long-held an established position in the food industry as a spice. And its use is growing in the cosmetics industry. Moreover, it is the subject of biotechnological research focused mainly on the development of micro-propagation protocols.

A conference entitled “Evidence-based Traditional Asian Medicine” (ETAM) was held virtually by the Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE) from March 4th to March 6th, 2021. 
 
 The event sought to answer three key questions regarding the evidence, quality and trust surrounding ETAM practices: 
 
 
 Evidence: Are traditional Asian medicine practices effective in promoting health, addressing disease or improving quality of life? 
 
 
 Quality: Is there sufficient commitment and consensus on the study components required for high-quality clinical research studies in traditional Asian medicine? 
 
 
 Trust: How can traditional Asian medicine make use of modern research build public and clinician trust in its practices? 
 
 
 The conference first introduced the evidence-based applications of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) in the realms of diet and nutrition, pain management, and mental health. It then highlighted the crucial need for common and rigorous guidelines by which to evaluate and compare ETAM practices from around the world. Finally, the conference called for building upon Western precision medicine through ETAM methods and integrating practices from each to build a more robust, global and individually tailored approach to health and health care.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing rapidly.The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies 65-80% of the world's health care services as 'traditional medicine' (1).Therefore, from the viewpoint of the population ratio, more people use CAM than modern western medicine.Although much attention has been focused on CAM not only from physicians but also basic medical researchers, scientific evidence for most CAM is still sparse.Emergence of CAM as a new current of medicine depends on whether or not precise scientific evidence can be accumulated.Why has CAM become so popular among 'consumers'?I think that the following factors are responsible:• CAM is easy to understand and familiar • CAM is non-invasive, with few side effects • CAM helps improve quality of life (QOL) or activity of daily life (ADL) • CAM helps one to maintain one's own health • Western modern medicine does not fully correspond to the patients' demands • the trend towards a more holistic medical approach • ballooning medical expenses In this overview, I will describe and discuss the current status of CAM in Japan.The situation in Japan should be of much interest, since Japan is unique as a country in which highly advanced modern Western medicine coexists with traditional Asian medicine. Classification of CAMCAM, as defined by The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the USA, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional Western medicine.NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories, or domains (Table 1).In Japan, part of anti-aging medicine (growth hormone treatment, etc), lifestyle drugs (remedies for alopecia, obesity, impotence, etc) and 'environmental medicine' are considered to be included in CAM treatment.For example, developing a functional food which absorbs dioxins and promotes discharge into facilities, or developing a filter to trap the free radicals of automobile exhaust gas or cigarette smoke, etc, are included in the category of 'environmental medicine'.The CAM domain in Japan also encompasses some forms of advanced medical treatments, which are not yet widely carried out, such as immunotherapy for cancer using tumor specific antigens, etc. In-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET), one of the most advanced medical technologies, was regarded as CAM at the very beginning.Now, however, IVF/ET is widely used in conventional hospitals, so it can be said that some CAM modalities have been taken into conventional medical treatment.So, in Japan CAM has some connotations of 'frontier' medicine.Unlike Western countries, in Japan, part of Kampo medicine (Japanese herbal medicine) and acupuncture are covered by public health insurance.Therefore, Japanese practitioners of Kampo and acupuncture would object to their inclusion in CAM and would rather regard themselves as belonging to the

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elagnaceae) is a deciduous shrub, or small tree (up to 10 m high), whose natural habitat is Southern Siberia (Altay region of Russia), Central Asia and Northern China. Sea buckthorn oil has been used for many centuries in traditional medicine of Tibet, Russia and Central Asia for ulcer treatment. Fruits, leaves and bark of the tree have been used medicinally as well. Beside of that, fruits have been valued for high nutritious and adaptogenic qualities.

The genus Iris in Russia is represented by 41 species, of which 4 species are endemic, 11 are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and 30 have various regional conservation status. The review provides information on the phytochemical compounds, biological activity and medicinal properties of 16 species growing in Russia, and on their use in traditional medicine of different peoples. The analysis of available data shows that studying the component composition, biological activity levels, and medicinal use of Iris L. species requires their correct identification and the knowledge concerning their geographical distribution, ecology, and morphological characteristics. The use of Iris species in traditional medicine is described. The extracts and compounds isolated from the most of the studied species exhibit analgesic, antioxidative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial activity. Some species also have cytotoxic, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-influenza, neuroprotective, antihyperglycemic, antiallergic, antifeedant and other properties. Most of the isolated metabolites were flavonoids, isoflavonoids, anthocyanes, terpenoids, xantgones, quinones, phenolic and fatty acids. In official and traditional medicine in Asia and Europe, the underground and aboveground parts of Iris aphylla, I. lactea, I. pseudacorus, I. ruthenica, I. sanguinea and other species of the genus are used. The article results from the long-term studies of irises in situ and in the collections of two botanical gardens, as well as extensive examination of literature on the component composition and medicinal properties of the studied species.

Asian traditional medicine for erectile dysfunction

Mulberry: A review of bioactive compounds and advanced processing technology