Polygala tenuifolia (yuan zhi; Chinese: 远志) is an herb in the family Polygalaceae which is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

Yuan zhi is used primarily as an expectorant. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called yuan zhi (Chinese: 遠志).

polygala tenuifolia

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Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

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With the development of medicine, our life expectancy has increased considerably within only a few decades. This allows us to spend much more time with our relatives and loved ones, but it is also a prerequisite for age-related diseases.&nbsp; Perhaps one of the most insidious of these is senile dementia, as it alters our personality, mental abilities, and memory.

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The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. It is a neurodegenerative disease, in which plaque builds up in the brain over time, killing certain types of neurons, and causing changes in the transmission of nerve impulses in various important areas of the brain.

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Currently available methods of treating Alzheimer's are not effective enough and have undesirable side effects. Therefore, in this article we will consider the treatment of the disease from the point of view of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) - with the help of herbs and medicinal plants, which have the potential to slow down the development of the disease and are actively studied:

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<ul>
<li>Sage (Salvia officinalis)</li>
<li>Ginkgo biloba</li>
<li>Toothed clubmoss or firmoss (Huperzia serrata)</li>
<li>Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family</li>
<li>Uncaria rhynchophylla - a type of cat's claw (diào gōu téng or fish hook vine)</li>
<li>Yuan zhi (Polygala tenuifolia)</li>
</ul>

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The information was takenf rom the articles "Traditional Chinese medicines and Alzheimer's disease" [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Traditional_Chinese_medicines_and_Alzheimer_s_disease_21791295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>] and "Herbaltherapy: a new pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease" [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Herbal_therapy_a_new_pathway_for_the_treatment_of_Alzheimer_s_disease_21067555" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>].

Sage-(Salvia-officinalis)-and-ursolic-acid

Sage (Salvia officinalis) and ursolic acid

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One of the promising medicinal plants in the fight against Alzheimer's is sage or also known as garden sage, common sage, or culinary sage. The main active substance in the herb leaves is ursolic acid. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found also in the wax layer of apples, in the fruit crusts, as well as in rosemary and thyme.

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According to one clinical trial, sage extract significantly improved the cognitive abilities of patients with mild to moderate&nbsp;Alzheimer's disease between the ages of 65 and 80 years. No adverse side effects were observed.&nbsp;[<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00463.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.3</a>]

Sage-(Salvia-officinalis)-and-ursolic-acid_0_3

Another active substance in sage, which has the potential to improve the condition of patients with dementia is rosmarinic acid, since it destabilizes and inhibits the formation of amyloid filaments. [<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1747-0285.2005.00318.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.4</a>]

Ginkgo-biloba-leaf-extract

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract

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Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, named EGb761, has the potential to have a beneficial effect on patients with various neurodegenerative diseases , including Alzheimer's and dementia, thanks to the flavonoids, terpenes and organic acids contained in it.

Ginkgo-biloba-leaf-extract_1_1

The extract lowers oxidative stress, has anti-inflammatory properties, neutralizes free radicals, improves impaired mitochondrial function, reduces platelet aggregation (against blood clotting). [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Traditional_Chinese_medicines_and_Alzheimer_s_disease_21791295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>] All these properties are important for the treatment of this disease.

Ginkgo-biloba-leaf-extract_1_2

Toothed-clubmoss-or-firmoss-(Huperzia-serrata)

Toothed clubmoss or firmoss (Huperzia serrata)

Toothed-clubmoss-or-firmoss-(Huperzia-serrata)_2_0

The toothed clubmoss is a plant also known as firmoss. It contains the inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase hooperzine A, which is also its active substance.

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According to various studies, hooperzine A has a positive effect in neurodegenerative diseases such as myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Toothed-clubmoss-or-firmoss-(Huperzia-serrata)_2_2

The substance has the property to improve general cognitive functions, overall clinical status, behavioral disorders in Alzheimer's patients, without side effects. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Herbal_therapy_a_new_pathway_for_the_treatment_of_Alzheimer_s_disease_21067555" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]

Toothed-clubmoss-or-firmoss-(Huperzia-serrata)_2_3

Plants-of-theAmaryllidaceae-family

Plants of theAmaryllidaceae family

Plants-of-theAmaryllidaceae-family_3_0

Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are widely used in Traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of conditions - from the bite of a venomous snake, through paralysis to rheumatoid arthritis.

Plants-of-theAmaryllidaceae-family_3_1

The active substance is galantamine, which according to some studies can improve memory and protect neurons from oxidative stress.

Plants-of-theAmaryllidaceae-family_3_2

One clinical trial confirmed the efficacy and safety of galantamine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Acetylcholinesterase_inhibitors_and_memantine_for_neuroenhancement_in_healthy_individuals_a_systematic_review_20193764" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.5</a>]. The use of galantamine for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's is approved by the State Food and Drug Administration in China and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Plants-of-theAmaryllidaceae-family_3_3

Uncaria-rhynchophylla---a-type-of-cat's-claw

Uncaria rhynchophylla - a type of cat's claw

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Uncaria rhynchophylla is a variety of the better known cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa). It is also called diào gōu téng or fish hook vine. The herb is used to relieve headaches, dizziness, tinnitus and contains a number of active substances from the group of alkaloids.

Uncaria-rhynchophylla---a-type-of-cat's-claw_4_1

There is evidence that its extracts have a significant destabilising and inhibiting effect on the formation of amyloid fibers. This effects is even stronger than that of other herbs used in Traditional Chinese medicine. [<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jnr.20891" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.6</a>]

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Yuan-zhi-(Polygala-tenuifolia)

Yuan zhi (Polygala tenuifolia)

Yuan-zhi-(Polygala-tenuifolia)_5_0

Polygala tenuifolia is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Traditional Chinese medicine and is among the most used to treat memory loss. It has expectorant, antipsychotic, sedative, anti-inflammatory and hypnotic effects.

Yuan-zhi-(Polygala-tenuifolia)_5_1

In the dried root of the herb there is a substance called tenuifolin, which is evidenced to possess the properties necessary to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and to improve poor mental functions. [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Traditional_Chinese_medicines_and_Alzheimer_s_disease_21791295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>]

Yuan-zhi-(Polygala-tenuifolia)_5_2

Yuan-zhi-(Polygala-tenuifolia)_5_3

The potential of these medicinal plants and their extracts, the clinical trials [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04249869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.7</a>], as well as the activity of Chinese scientists in researching the effectiveness of various herbs, give a ray of hope that we will soon find effective and safe treatment and prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and senile dementia.

Q&amp;A

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What types of dementia are there?

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Various diseases and conditions can lead to or be characterized by dementia. These include: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, alcohol-related dementia, Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, HIV-related dementia.

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What is vascular dementia?

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Vascular dementia is a common name for dementia caused by a problem with the blood supply to the brain. There are two main types of vascular dementia: multiinfarct dementia and Binswanger's disease (subcortical vascular dementia). Both types are associated with one or more strokes.

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Multiinfarct dementia is the most common vascular dementia and at the beginning of its development has a more favorable picture than that of Alzheimer's, and the sufferer can keep their personality relatively unchanged for longer. Some of its symptoms are depression, mood swings and epilepsy. Risk factors for the development of vascular dementia are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking.

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How to take care of a dementia sufferer at home?

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Ask a specialist how to talk to the patient, how to make toilet care easier, try to learn how he or she perceives the world. Tips to help the patient have better orientation: keep familiar objects and people around, browse through family photo albums frequently, keep the lights on at night, use reminders, notes, to-do lists or instructions for daily activities while the sufferer is still able to use them, stick to a simple schedule of activities, talk about current events.

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In case of problems with anxiety and sleep, play soothing music, go for short walks regularly, if possible. Learn how to secure your home and think about how to prevent falls, suffocation and injuries. It is necessary to make regular examinations of the patient's vision and hearing.

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If he or she is driving a car, it is important to carefully consider at what stage this will no longer be safe and to approach it carefully when talking about the need to stop.

Traditional Chinese medicine: 6 herbs for Alzheimer's and dementia

https://d20hztklr4qnvi.cloudfront.net/c661d400-5db1-4ec5-80df-63543a2f816a_middle.jpg

 Traditional Chinese medicine: 6 herbs for Alzheimer's and dementia

Rositsa Tashkova-Kacharova

Adaptation of the text: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

We are mostly used to looking for immunostimulating action in herbs, but there are at least two groups of people who need immunosuppression: those suffering from autoimmune diseases and those who have undergone transplantation.

The most common autoimmune diseases are <a href="/p/17_dostpni_bilki_v_pomoshch_na_stradashchitie_ot_mnozhiestviena_sklieroza_e283f90a_9560_4d6e_9921_d3260c14b70c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">multiple sclerosis</a>, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and <a href="/p/psoriazis_i_psoriatichien_artrit_sshchnost_prichini_i_liechieniie_646d5c4e_2d56_4246_894b_bd4b98ec5d3c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">psoriatic arthritis</a>, <a href="/p/da_spazvamie_li_biezghlutienova_diieta_ako_imamie_khashimoto_9d8c8cda_3bfc_429e_9906_1f14e0d3b605" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Hashimoto's thyroiditis</a>, Graves' disease, <a href="/p/kakvo_ie_boliest_na_kron_i_kak_sie_diaghnostitsira_f1bbb289_7915_4718_983b_21a0ff00feaa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Crohn's disease</a> and ulcerative colitis, lupus, <a href="/p/vsichko_za_diabiet_tip_1_na_iedno_miasto_751da342_2d55_43af_ae7f_1e1c89cd3800" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">type 1</a><a href="/p/vsichko_za_diabiet_tip_1_na_iedno_miasto_751da342_2d55_43af_ae7f_1e1c89cd3800" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">diabetes</a>, vitiligo, <a href="/p/zashcho_kosata_pobieliava_mozhie_li_tova_da_sie_sluchi_za_iedna_noshch_i_naistina_li_striest_ima_vliianiie_04946b5c_b12d_49e6_883e_20c04f1389b8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">alopecia areata</a>.

This article is based on a 2012 publication. (Herbal Medicines for Immunosuppression, authored by Zahra Amirghofran, <a href="https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1),</a>which examines herbs having&nbsp;immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects and may have a protective effect in immune-mediated diseases.

Due to the severe side effects of the most commonly used medications (glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamides), increasing attention has been paid in recent years to substances of plant origin&nbsp;that could replace&nbsp;them.

Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)_0_0

Turmeric is derived from tropical South Asia and very often finds application in folk medicine for the treatment of infections and inflammatory diseases.

Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)_0_1

The main biological effects of turmeric are attributed to the substance curcumin - natural polyphenol with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Curcumin can alter the expression of various transcription factors, cell cycle proteins and kinases - important components of cell life.

Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)_0_2

It has been found that the substance has an influence on lymphocytes and on a series of immunological functions, including humoral and cellular immunity; it also reduces the production of cytokines. [<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Amelioration_of_experimental_autoimmune_encephalomyelitis_by_curcumin_treatment_through_inhibition_of_IL_17_production_19539560" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]

Turmeric-(Curcuma-longa)_0_3

Several clinical studies have shown that curcumin may have potential as a therapeutic agent in inflammatory bowel diseases, pancreatitis, arthritis, and chronic anterior uveitis. [<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Anti_inflammatory_properties_of_curcumin_a_major_constituent_of_Curcuma_longa_a_review_of_preclinical_and_clinical_research_19594223" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.3</a>]

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Thunder-god-vine,-Lei-gong-teng-(Tripterygium-wilfordii-Hook-F)

Thunder god vine, Lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F)

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The plant is bushy and is from the Spindle tree family. It is found in China, Japan, and Korea. The root is mainly used, as the other parts of the plant are very poisonous.

Thunder-god-vine,-Lei-gong-teng-(Tripterygium-wilfordii-Hook-F)_1_1

Lei gong teng is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The importance of plant derivatives has been demonstrated by both laboratory and clinical data. [<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Parthenolide_a_sesquiterpene_lactone_expresses_multiple_anti_cancer_and_anti_inflammatory_activities_21603970" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.4</a>]

Thunder-god-vine,-Lei-gong-teng-(Tripterygium-wilfordii-Hook-F)_1_2

The immunosuppressive activity of the herb can also be used in patients with organ transplantation. Hope for this gives a study of its effects in an animal model of kidney transplantation - the substancedemethylzeilasteral (T-96), isolated from this plant, in combination with prednisone has significantly prolonged the survival of rats with transplanted kidneys [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12412711/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.5</a>].

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-sp.)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza  sp.)

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-sp.)_2_0

Herb licorice (liquorice) is used in folk medicine because of its antibacterial, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective action.

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-sp.)_2_1

Positive effects have been observed with the use of substances from the plant in <a href="/p/psoriazis_i_psoriatichien_artrit_sshchnost_prichini_i_liechieniie_646d5c4e_2d56_4246_894b_bd4b98ec5d3c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">psoriasis</a> in combination with milk proteins in the composition of cream [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Chalcones_from_Chinese_liquorice_inhibit_proliferation_of_T_cells_and_production_of_cytokines_11962733" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.6</a>].

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-sp.)_2_2

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis - substance, causes and treatment

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-sp.)_2_3

The root of licorice contains glycyrrhizin, the main metabolite of which is glycyrrhizin acid, which&nbsp;has&nbsp;also shown anti-inflammatory effects in various animal models of diseases.

Danshen-(Salvia-miltiorrhiza)

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Danshen-(Salvia-miltiorrhiza)_3_0

The other names of the herb are red sage, Chinese sage, and tan shen. It is very common in China where it is used to treat hepatitis, brain, and heart disease.

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The plant inhibits the production of gamma-interferon from lymph node cells and can find application in the treatment of immunological diseases.

Danshen-(Salvia-miltiorrhiza)_3_3

The main active substance of danschen is Tanshione IIA (TSN). It reduces the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor-necrotizing factor-alpha (TNF-α), but increases those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Green-tea-(Camelliasinensis)

Green tea (Camelliasinensis)

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Green tea finds many applications in folk medicine - a painkiller, cardiotonic, carminative (gaseous action), central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, and against difficult digestion.

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Polyphenol compounds in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties, and in various experiments, with animal models, they have demonstrated an immunosuppressive effect.

Green-tea-(Camelliasinensis)_4_2

Green tea has alleviated autoimmune symptoms in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis and in a mouse model of Sjogren's syndrome, and in recent years attention has turned to the substance epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) - a component of green tea with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17935769/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.7</a>]

Green-tea-(Camelliasinensis)_4_3

Green tea: 9 unexpected health benefits and how to prepare it

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)_5_0

Feverfew, also called Tanacetum, originates in the Balkan Mountains, but today it is distributed in many places around the&nbsp;world.

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)_5_1

In folk medicine, it is used in rheumatoid arthritis and fever.

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)_5_2

The herb inhibits some inflammatory enzymes and inhibits the excretion of inflammatory mediators nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and TNF-α from macrophages, as well as gamma-interferon and interleukin-4 from mononuclear cells in peripheral blood. [<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Immunochemical_characterization_of_the_functional_constituents_of_Tripterygium_wilfordii_contributing_to_its_anti_inflammatory_property_18047628" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.8</a>]

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)_5_3

It is believed that bioactive compounds in the maiden door can be used as an additional agent in immunotherapy of colorectal cancer.

Feverfew-(Tanacetum-parthenium)_5_4

Barberry-(Berberidaceae)

Barberry (Berberidaceae)

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Pickled milk thistle has a long history in traditional medicine.

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Berbamin is a purified compound from common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and other types of barberry. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and prolongs the life of mice after skin transplantation.

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Details about the mechanisms of action of these herbs read in the original article [<a href="https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/336/336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a> - will download the article in PDF].

Other-plants

Other plants

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Other plants have also demonstrated immunosuppressive action in various studies. These include:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%8A%D0%BD/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/14382-189237/herb-herbal_use/235-6-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Garlic</a> (Allium sativum);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/astragalus%20trimestris/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/14688-189237/herb-herbal_use/74--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Astragalus</a> (Astragalus membranaceus); </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%81/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/14726-189237/herb-herbal_use/150-2-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Green chiretta</a> (Andrographis paniculata);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/%D1%81%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D1%83%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B0/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/15676-189237/herb-herbal_use/20--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sickle-leaved hare's-ear</a> (Bupleurum falcatum);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%20%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B8%D1%84%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B0/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/15514-189237/herb-herbal_use/18--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yuan zhi</a>&nbsp;(Polygala tenuifolia);</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/Clerodendron%20trichotomum/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/-189237/-herbal_use/4--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clerodendron trichotomum</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/artemisia%20vestita/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/77302-189237/herb-herbal_use/4--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artemisia vestita</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/salvia%20mirzayanii/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/19349-189237/herb-herbal_use/4--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salvia mirzayanii</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/dracocephalum%20kotschyi/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/170611-189237/herb-herbal_use/4--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dracocephalum kotschyi</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/Zizyphus%20lotus/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/-189237/-herbal_use/6--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zizyphus lotus</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Medicinal_plants_as_immunosuppressive_agents_in_traditional_Iranian_medicine_20574119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stachys obtusicrena</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Haussknechtia_elymatica_a_plant_with_immunomodulatory_effects_17652840" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haussknechtia elymatica</a>;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/relation/periploca%20sepium/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%BE/16975-189237/herb-herbal_use/3--" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Periploca sepium</a>.</li>
</ul>

Other-plants_7_2

Why omega-3 fatty acids are healthy and what they are used for

Other-plants_7_3

Future studies will confirm the place of these and other herbs in the therapy of autoimmune diseases and for maintaining the quality of life of transplanted patients.

Q&amp;A_8_0

What causes autoimmune disease?

Q&amp;A_8_1

Scientists do not yet know the exact causes of autoimmune disease, but suggest that the process may be triggered by a viral or bacterial infection, under the influence of certain drugs, toxic substances or genetic predisposition. These factors can confuse the immune system and make it begin to recognize its own cells as hostile.

Q&amp;A_8_2

What are the symotoms of autoimmune disease?

Q&amp;A_8_3

There are over 80 autoimmune diseases or conditions. Despite the different types of autoimmune diseases, many of them have similar symptoms. Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:

Q&amp;A_8_4

<ul>
<li>Fatigue,</li>
<li>Pain and swelling in the joints,</li>
<li>Skin problems,</li>
<li>Abdominal pain or problems with digestion,</li>
<li>Recurrent fever,</li>
<li>Swollen glands.</li>
</ul>

Q&amp;A_8_5

What type of transplantations are there?

Q&amp;A_8_6

Autotransplantation - with tissue, taken from the same patient that it would be transplanted to.

Q&amp;A_8_7

Allograft and allotransplantation - transplantation of tissue or organ from one person to another - the most common case of transplantation.

Q&amp;A_8_8

Xenograft and xenotransplantation - transplantation of a tissue or organ from one species to another, for example from an animal to a human.

Q&amp;A_8_9

Domino transplants - an example of such a case are patients with cystic fibrosis (a type of lung disease), but a healthy heart; in transplantation, it is easier to transplant both the lung and heart from a deceased donor and for the recipient to give their heart to another patient in need of a heart transplant.

Q&amp;A_8_10

ABO-incompatible transplants - usually in young children up to 12-24 months of age, while the immune system is not yet fully developed and the risk of rejecting an otherwise incompatible transplant is much lower.

polygala tenuifolia

Traditional Chinese medicine: 6 herbs for Alzheimer's and dementia

Herbs for autoimmune disease sufferers and transplant patients