The Magnificent 7 - herbs with antioxidants - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 1999 by Martha Schindler

Antioxidants are essential to good health. In the body, these nutrients counteract the effects of free radicals--unstable molecules created when we're exposed to pollution, cigarette smoke, stress, even excessive sunlight and intensive exercise. Unchecked, free radicals will damage cells, which can lead to heart disease (the No. 1 killer in the United States), cancer (the No. 2 killer) and conditions associated with aging, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Our bodies manufacture some antioxidants, but we don't make nearly enough to compensate for the constant barrage of free radicals that we endure each day, according to Earl Mindell, Ph.D., author of Preventive Alternatives (Keats Publishing, 1998). Eating a vegetarian diet helps tip the scales in our favor; so does taking antioxidant supplements. Antioxidants enhance each other, so it's important to get a good mix. You'll want to include vitamins A, C, E and the minerals selenium and zinc (the best-known antioxidants), but you may also want to add some herbs, which contain other antioxidants that are equally beneficial. Health experts say the following herbs are among the most effective.

Herb          Function                     Dosage(*)

Billberry     Protects arteries and        Capsules: 160 to 480mg. a
(Vaccinium    capillaries and inhibits     day in divided doses.
myrtillus)    blood clotting.              Look for standardized
              Particularly beneficial      extracts containing 36
              for maintaining eye          percent anthocyanosides.
              health.

Garlic        Enhances immune function,    Fresh cloves: 1 or more a
(Allium       destroys cancer cells,       day. Capsules: 2 grams
sativum)      regulates blood pressure     (g) a day of standardized
              and cholesterol levels       extract with food.
              and inhibits blood
              clotting to prevent heart
              disease and stroke.

Ginkgo        Enhances overall             Capsules or tincture:
(Ginkgo       circulation, particularly    120mg. A day. Look for
biloba)       in the brain's small         supplements standardized
              blood vessels. Studies       for ginkgo flavo-
              show it slows the            glycosides.
              development of
              Alzheimer's disease.

Asian         Regulates blood pressure,    Tea: 2 to 3 cups a day.
ginseng       reduces the effects of       Capsules: 250 to 500mg, a
(Panax        physical and emotional       day. Look for capsules
ginseng)      stress on the body,          standardized for
              normalizes all body          ginsenosides.
              functions and promotes
              homeostasis.

Grape seed    Derived from the seeds of    Capsules: 30 to 150mg. a
extract       red and blue grapes.         day in divided doses.
              Protects capillaries,
              improves circulation,
              prevents blood clotting
              and lowers cholesterol
              levels.

Green tea     Prevents skin, lung and      Tea: 2 to 3 cups a day.
(Camellia'    stomach cancers, lowers      Capsules: 250mg. a day.
sinensis)     blood pressure and LDL       Look for extracts
              cholesterol levels to        standardized to contain
              prevent heart disease and    97 percent polyphenols.
              boosts immune function to
              protect against the flu.

Pine bark     Protects capillaries,        Capsules: 30 to 150mg. A
(Pinus spp)   prevents blood clotting,      day in divided doses.
              lowers cholesterol levels.
              Often sold under the
              trade name Pycnogenol[TM].

Herb          Warning

Billberry     None
(Vaccinium
myrtillus)

Garlic        Garlic is a blood-thinner
(Allium       and at high doses may
sativum)      interfere with
              anticoagulant medications.
              Fresh garlic may also
              irritate the lining of
              the gastrointestinal
              tract, which can cause
              nausea, aggravate ulcers
              and contribute to
              heartburn.

Ginkgo        Ginkgo is a vasodilator
(Ginkgo       and blood thinner and may
biloba)       enhance the action of
              other anticoagulant drugs,
              such as acetaminophen,
              warfarin and aspirin.

Asian         Ginseng is an "energizing"
ginseng       herb, which may make some
(Panax        people jittery. May cause
ginseng)      headaches, high blood
              pressure and vaginal
              bleeding in menopausal
              women. Since vitamin C
              interferes with ginseng
              absorption; do not take
              them simultaneously.

Grape seed    None
extract

Green tea     Green tea contains
(Camellia'    caffeine--about
sinensis)     40mg. per cup.
              Decaffeinated tea and
              extracts are available.

Pine bark     May cause allergic
(Pinus spp)   reactions.

(*) Dosages given are recommendations only; check with a health professional before using any herbal supplement, particularly if you are pregnant.