What Is Corydalis?

Corydalis encompasses over 470 types of plants that grow in the plains of Northern China, Japan, and Siberia. In this article, we’ll focus on Chinese corydalis.

Chinese corydalis is a small plant with thin leaves and pink flowers. This plant belongs to the poppy family and is closely related to the opium (red) poppy. It mostly grows in the mountain regions of Zhejiang, an Eastern Chinese province, where people call it Yan hu suo [R].

Some herbalists claim corydalis is the second most effective pain reliever, right behind opium. Unlike opium, corydalis does not seem to cause severe side effects or lead to addiction. But beware: the evidence to back up its use is limited and it is not safe during pregnancy [R].

Snapshot

Proponents:

• Natural pain reliever
• May reduce gut discomfort
• May promote relaxation
• May protect the heart
• May help with substance abuse

Skeptics:

• Limited clinical research
• Unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• May be toxic in large amounts
• May interact with certain drugs

Traditional Uses

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), corydalis is said to invigorate the blood and move Qi (“life energy”). It is a key ingredient in many TCM formulas for reducing pain and discomfort from the following conditions [R]:

• Menstrual cramps
• Stomach pain and abdominal issues
• Hernia soreness
• Traumatic injuries and nerve damage

According to TCM, corydalis is blended with other botanicals for enhanced benefits [R, R, R].

Active Compounds

What makes corydalis plant a popular traditional remedy for pain? The answer lies in corydalis roots. The roots abound in a variety of medicinal alkaloids, such as [R, R, R, R]:

• THP: Tetrahydropalmatine
• L-THP: L-Tetrahydropalmatine
• DHCB: Dehydrocorybulbine
• DHC: Dehydrocorydaline
• Berberine

The most concentrated ones – THP, L-THP, DHC, and DHCB – act on the brain to provide pain relief

The post Corydalis for Pain Relief + Dosage, Side Effects & Reviews appeared first on SelfHacked.

What is Rooibos?

Over 300 years ago, the indigenous people of South Africa’s Western Cape were collecting wild growing shrubs and using it to make tea. After cutting, fermenting, and sun-drying the plant, they brewed it into a deep-red, sweet-tasting drink. People named it rooibos, which means the “red bush” in Afrikaans [R].

Rooibos tea is made from the stem and leaves of Aspalathus linearis shrub. Native only to South Africa, rooibos is made of over 200 varieties that carry green needle-shaped leaves and bloom small yellow flowers [R].

While first cultivated as a crop in the 1930s, rooibos is now exported to over 31 countries around the globe [R].

Throughout generations, the natives of South Africa have used red rooibos for insomnia, anxiety, allergies, asthma, colic in infants, and lack of appetite [R, R].

In recent years, the naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea has become a favorite among tea-lovers worldwide. Its pleasant taste coupled with its health benefits triggered a surge in its popularity and a huge export boom. You can now find it in almost any store or cafe.

Snapshot

Proponents:

• High in antioxidants
• May support heart health
• Helps lower blood sugar
• Low in antinutrients
• Improves skin health
• Caffeine-free

Skeptics:

• Few human studies
• High doses might be toxic to the liver
• May be contaminated with bacteria
• Possible drug interactions

Taste & Varieties

To make tea, rooibos leaves and stems are first harvested throughout the summer months. The next step is to either ferment or dry it, which will create two distinct types of rooibos tea [R].

Fermented Tea

The tea produced from fermented rooibos leaves is called red tea. During fermentation, green leaves turn a deep red color. Fermentation gives the tea a strong sweet and fruity taste with a rich, nutty-like smell.

Unfermented Tea

Tea from dried, unfermented rooibos leaves is green in color. It has an earthy, herbal-like taste, similar to green tea but not as astringent.

Both varieties are naturally caffeine-free. This makes rooibos a great choice for people who want to

The post 5 Rooibos Tea Benefits + Side Effects & How to Use appeared first on SelfHacked.

What Is Glucuronolactone?

Glucuronolactone is a normal product of glucose breakdown in the liver. All connective tissues contain it, as well as many plant gums. The amounts found in food and those produced in the body, though, are negligible compared to the dosage in energy drinks and supplements [R].

Glucuronolactone is an ingredient in certain energy and sports drinks, such as Red Bull. As a supplement, it’s available in the powder/capsule form.

It is advertised as a supplement to enhance athletic performance, detoxify the liver, and reduce mental fatigue. However, clinical research about the specific effects of this compound is scant.

Snapshot

PROs

• Naturally occurring substance
• No reported side effects and toxicity
• Might have heart- and liver-protecting benefits
• May improve cholesterol levels
• Might aid in cancer prevention

CONS:

• Combined with potentially harmful ingredients into energy drinks
• Lack of clinical trials
• Very few animal studies
• Animal studies only examined its breakdown products

What Does Glucuronolactone Do?

Glucuronolactone converts to glucuronic acid in the body. This conversion occurs back and forth; there are equal amounts of each molecule in the body [R].

Glucuronic acid is involved in detox and the breakdown of glucose, as part of a specific pathway crucial for creating fatty acids, amino acids, and DNA components (known as the Pentose Phosphate Pathway) [R].

Upon glucuronolactone ingestion, glucuronic acid levels (in both blood and urine) will rapidly increase [R].

Glucuronic acid plays a key role in a detox pathway known as glucuronidation. It binds to chemical and environmental toxins, pharmaceutical drugs, and cancer-causing molecules. By joining with glucuronic acid, these toxins become [R, R, R]:

• More soluble
• Transported faster in the body
• Less toxic
• Eliminated through urine or feces

Beta-Glucuronidase

Another product of glucuronolactone breakdown is called D-glucaro-1,4-lactone. About 25% of glucuronolactone is quickly converted to it. This compound is a potent inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme dominantly produced by your gut bacteria. Various

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