Herbal Medicine

Traditionally herbs were taken not only as formulas, but woven into daily life as nourishing tonics, infused into food and drink, and applied topically with care. Liquid herbal extracts can bring us back to this rich tradition, offering flexible and creative ways to support wellbeing.

Our new Traditional Herbal Preparations booklet explores how to use your dispensary beyond the standard 5 mL, three-times-daily approach. It’s filled with practical methods, inspiration, and recipes to help you expand your clinical toolkit. A resource you’ll want to keep close and return to whenever you need a fresh spark of herbal creativity.

All direct orders of 6 or more 500mL liquid herbal extracts during the month of April will be sent with a booklet.

Don’t miss this opportunity to:

• Improve compliance
• Enhance patient engagement
• Create value-added products
• Differentiate your practice

Together, we can revive the wisdom of traditional herbal practice and inspire more creative, personalised healing.

Holistic herbal medicine treats each person as an individual, working with the whole plant to heal the whole person. The art of herbal medicine lies in this personalised approach where practitioners choose herbs for the person rather than simply for a particular ailment. Internationally renowned clinical herbalist and ethnobotanist David Winston echoes these sentiments when he says, “we don’t just give herbs to treat symptoms or diseases - we give herbs to people”. However, there is also a modern scientific understanding to this concept of individuality, particularly in the context of health and nutrition, known as “bio-individuality.” i ii

This notion of bio-individuality acknowledges the incredible diversity within our human population and recognises that each person's unique genetic makeup, metabolic processes, microbiome composition and constitutional type influence their response to medicines. Roger J. Williams first proposed this theory in 1956, noting that the variation in chemical composition and enzymatic activities between humans is so large that it's impossible to define a "normal" human. This observation has profound implications for medicine and nutrition, emphasising that interventions should be tailored to the individual. iii iv v vi

Traditional herbal medicine has long recognised that individuals respond differently to the same treatments. As the saying goes, "one man's meat is another man's poison," which explains why treatments that work for one person may not work for another. Consider two patients with osteoarthritis seeking herbal treatment. While both might receive a base formula containing anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric and devil's claw, their individual needs require customisation. The first patient, experiencing fatigue, benefits from the addition of adaptogenic herbs such as reishi. The second patient, struggling with sleep issues, responds better when passion flower is included to support restful sleep. By utilising synergistic herbal combinations, practitioners can create formulations that address multiple aspects of an individual's health, enhancing therapeutic effects while minimising side effects. Regular follow-ups allow for prescription adjustments based on individual responses, ensuring optimal outcomes. vii viii

Conventional medicine has only recently embraced similar principles, evolving from a "one size fits all" approach to precision medicine over the past 30 years. This shift was catalysed by the development of affordable DNA sequencing. The goal of precision medicine is to deliver the "five rights": the right patient, drug, time, dose and route based on individual health characteristics. The integration of advanced technologies like omics, biomarkers, artificial intelligence and digital wearables is revolutionising healthcare through personalised diagnostics and treatments. These technological advances are expected to transform traditional herbal medicine as well. Network pharmacology can provide insights into the relationships between botanical substances and biological systems, while genomic medicine allows for customising treatments according to individual genetic profiles. However, challenges such as data integration and privacy issues remain. ix x

Crafting bespoke liquid herbal formulas honours traditional herbal wisdom while paving the way for the future of precision herbal medicine. The convergence of traditional herbal wisdom with modern scientific understanding creates a powerful framework for addressing health challenges. While conventional medicine has only recently begun to embrace personalisation through technological means, herbal medicine has maintained this principle throughout its long history. As both approaches continue to develop, they may find increasing common ground in their recognition that effective healthcare must honour the unique characteristics of each individual. xi xii xiii

As our understanding of bio-individuality continues to evolve it promises to further enhance the efficacy and safety of herbal treatments through increasingly targeted and personalised care. By recognising and respecting each person's unique biological makeup, practitioners can provide more effective solutions to their patients' unique needs moving beyond the one-size-fits-all approach and embracing the rich complexity of human biochemical individuality.

References

i de la Forêt R. Alchemy of Herbs. Hay House:California. 2017 p.11

ii Popham S. Working with the Whole Person. c2014-2025 The School of Evolutionary Herbalism (updated 8 Nov 2023;accessed 24 Feb 2025). Available from https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2023/11/08/working-with-the-whole-person/

iii Patterson AD, Turnbaugh PJ. Microbial determinants of biochemical individuality and their impact on toxicology and pharmacology. Cell Metab. 2014 Nov 4;20(5):761-768. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2014.07.002. Epub 2014 Aug 21. PMID: 25156450; PMCID: PMC4252706.

iv Gilani B, Cassagnol M. Biochemistry, Cytochrome P450. [Updated 2023 Apr 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557698/

v Lorenzo PM, Izquierdo AG, Rodriguez-Carnero G, Fernández-Pombo A, Iglesias A, Carreira MC, Tejera C, Bellido D, Martinez-Olmos MA, Leis R, Casanueva FF, Crujeiras AB. Epigenetic Effects of Healthy Foods and Lifestyle Habits from the Southern European Atlantic Diet Pattern: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr. 2022 Oct 2;13(5):1725-1747. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac038. PMID: 35421213; PMCID: PMC9526853.

vi Zhao Q, Chen Y, Huang W, Zhou H, Zhang W. Drug-microbiota interactions: an emerging priority for precision medicine. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2023 Oct 9;8(1):386. doi: 10.1038/s41392-023-01619-w. PMID: 37806986; PMCID: PMC10560686.

vii Ali H, Ali D, Almutairi BO, Kumar G, Karga GA, Masi C, Sundramurthy VP. Synergistic Effect of Conventional Medicinal Herbs against Different Pharmacological Activity. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Jun 29;2022:7337261. doi: 10.1155/2022/7337261. Retraction in: Biomed Res Int. 2024 Jan 9;2024:9836173. doi: 10.1155/2024/9836173. PMID: 35813228; PMCID: PMC9259343.

viii The safety of complementary medicines. Highlighting Complementary Medicine Research. The National Institute of Complementary Medicine. University of Western Sydney. (accessed 25 Feb 2025). Available from

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/723273/Fact_sheet_safety_of_CM_3.pdf

ix Marques L, Costa B, Pereira M, Silva A, Santos J, Saldanha L, Silva I, Magalhães P, Schmidt S, Vale N. Advancing Precision Medicine: A Review of Innovative In Silico Approaches for Drug Development, Clinical Pharmacology and Personalized Healthcare. Pharmaceutics. 2024 Feb 27;16(3):332. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16030332. PMID: 38543226; PMCID: PMC10975777.

x Babu BK. Revolutionizing Herbal Medicine: The Role of E-health Informatics and Network Pharmacology in Personalized Herbal Therapies. Int J Pharm Investigation [Internet]. 2024 Dec 5;15(1):219–27. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5530/ijpi.20251754

xi Balkrishna A, Sharma N, Srivastava D, Kukreti A, Srivastava S, Arya V. Exploring the Safety, Efficacy, and Bioactivity of Herbal Medicines: Bridging Traditional Wisdom and Modern Science in Healthcare. Future Integrative Medicine. 2024;3(1):35-49. doi: 10.14218/FIM.2023.00086.

xii Ng JY, Cramer H, Lee MS, Moher D. Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine and artificial intelligence: Novel opportunities in healthcare. Integr Med Res. 2024 Mar;13(1):101024. doi: 10.1016/j.imr.2024.101024. Epub 2024 Feb 9. PMID: 38384497; PMCID: PMC10879672.

xiii Cramer H. Artificial Intelligence, Complementary and Integrative Medicine: A Paradigm Shift in Health Care Delivery and Research? J Integr Complement Med. 2023 Mar;29(3):131-133. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0040. PMID: 36920088.

xiv Johnson KB, Wei WQ, Weeraratne D, Frisse ME, Misulis K, Rhee K, Zhao J, Snowdon JL. Precision Medicine, AI, and the Future of Personalized Health Care. Clin Transl Sci. 2021 Jan;14(1):86-93. doi: 10.1111/cts.12884. Epub 2020 Oct 12. PMID: 32961010; PMCID: PMC7877825.

Herbal medicines are increasingly being used in long-term care (LTC) settings, yet there remains a significant gap in understanding how healthcare professionals (HCPs) apply these treatments. A scoping review published in February this year found that while herbal medicines are commonly administered alongside conventional medications, research on their professional use in LTC remains scarce. The study revealed that HCPs, including nurses and physicians, often lack clear guidelines for herbal medicine application, leading to inconsistent practices. Despite some promising findings, such as chamomile for insomnia and ginkgo for cognitive function, many studies produced mixed results. The review highlights the need for further research, standardised protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the safe and effective integration of herbal treatments into elderly care.

The study analysed twelve research papers published between 2014 and 2023, focusing on the professional application of herbal medicine in LTC. Findings showed that herbal treatments are primarily used for four key conditions: cognitive decline, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and insomnia. While some herbal medicines demonstrated positive effects, such as garlic and onion extracts reducing respiratory infections others, like cranberry for urinary tract infections, showed inconsistent efficacy. Fenugreek, used in Alzheimer’s patients, was found to improve memory, quality of life and selective oxidative stress markers, making it a promising candidate for further study. However, the review also noted that the roles of HCPs in administering these treatments were often not clearly defined, raising concerns about proper dosage, interactions with pharmaceuticals and overall patient safety. Furthermore, as polypharmacy becomes increasingly common in older adults, the risk of drug-herb interactions remains a critical issue.

The prevalence of concurrent use of prescription drugs and herbal medicinal products can be up to 88.3 % in the older population. With the rising demand for complementary therapies in elderly care it is crucial to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to safely incorporate herbal medicines into treatment plans. The review calls for more rigorous clinical studies, better training for HCPs and clear regulatory guidelines to optimise the use of herbal medicines in LTC. As the interest in phytotherapy continues to grow, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern medical practice will be essential in delivering safe, effective and holistic care to aging populations.

References

i Walter C, Berger S, Langegger D, Strobl A, Kutschar AP, Pitzer S, Nestler PN. Application and use of herbal medicines by healthcare professionals in long-term care: A scoping review. Geriatr Nurs. 2025 Feb 10;62(Pt B):165-174. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.01.034. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39933306

Buchu is an evergreen, gland-dotted, fragrant shrub that grows up to two metres in height and is naturally distributed in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The plants are extremely aromatic, filling the surrounding area with their scent. The aroma is reminiscent of blackcurrants, though some people detect a mixture of rosemary and peppermint. Buchu is said to be the only plant in the world that genetically produces diosphenol (also called buchu camphor), found in the plant’s essential oil and which is responsible for the characteristic blackcurrant scent and flavour of the plant. The generic name Agathosma means ‘good fragrance’ and, in manufacturing, the essential oil from buchu is used to give a fruit flavour (often blackcurrant) to foods. It is also used as a fragrance in perfumes and colognes. A buchu plant, if properly handled, has a lifespan of up to 100 years. In the wild, the plant is only harvested every second or third year to ensure that there is enough time to regrow and seed. Currently the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, in collaboration with local farmers, has projects in place to monitor harvesting and ensure the protection of pure genetic strains of plants from which to propagate.

The modern use of buchu is as a urinary tract antiseptic and as an anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing the inflammation seen in urinary tract infections and treating infections of the urethra and prostate. Traditionally buchu has been highly prized by the Khoisan (indigenous people of the western region of South Africa) for medicinal and spiritual purposes including for dance rituals, anointment, beautification and as perfume. It has remained one of the most popular herbal medicines in South Africa. The traditional use of buchu encompasses the treatment of kidney and urinary tract infections, the common cold, stomach ailments, rheumatism, gout and fever. Externally it was applied as an antiseptic wash to infected wounds and as a compress to relieve swelling, bruising and sprains.

When early Dutch settlers first came to the Cape in South Africa, they were struck by the pervasive and intoxicating smell of the buchu bush. Initially noted by the early settlers, knowledge and use of buchu spread to Europe and later to the United States. It is even said that a shipment of eight bales of buchu leaves were catalogued as on board the doomed Titanic. Buchu has been in compendiums since 1826 for its diuretic effects and use in the treatment of genitourinary tract infections, however, became obsolete in the 20th century due to the lack of scientific evidence for its efficacy and the advent of antibiotics and synthetic diuretics. Modern research includes mostly laboratory (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) studies which demonstrate a variety of effects including diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial activity. These activities may be attributable to the irritant nature of the volatile oil and the flavonoid components. There is a lack of available human studies to justify the traditional indications.

References

Brendler T, Abdel-Tawab M. Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata): Rightfully Forgotten or Underutilized? Front Pharmacol. 2022 Feb 7;13:813142. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.813142. PMID: 35197854; PMCID: PMC8859318.

ii Huisamen B (ed.) Medicinal Effects of Agathosma (Buchu) Extracts AOSIS, Cape Town 2019;xxi-xxi https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2019.BK84.00

iii Skosana B, Aboua G, du Plessis SS. Buchu – The Multi-Purpose Ethnomedicinally Important Specie and Its Benefits in the Reproductive System [Internet]. Antioxidant-Antidiabetic Agents and Human Health. InTech; 2014. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57233

iv Brendler T, Abdel-Tawab M. Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata): Rightfully Forgotten or Underutilized? Front Pharmacol. 2022 Feb 7;13:813142. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.813142. PMID: 35197854; PMCID: PMC8859318.

v LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Buchu. [Updated 2023 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589899/

vi Brendler T, Abdel-Tawab M. Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata): Rightfully Forgotten or Underutilized? Front Pharmacol. 2022 Feb 7;13:813142. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.813142. PMID: 35197854; PMCID: PMC8859318.

Supplementing with astragalus was found to prevent a decline in kidney function 

A 2024 randomised controlled trial found that in patients with type 2 diabetes, stage 2 to 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and macroalbuminuria (also known as proteinuria), taking astragalus for 48 weeks further stabilised kidney function on top of standard care.

Astragalus is a herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries. It has a strong reputation in TCM for providing support for the kidneys. In the clinical practice of TCM astragalus is mainly used to invigorate Qi. Astragalus may support kidney health by improving blood flow and laboratory markers of kidney function, such as measures of protein in the urine.

In this clinical trial 118 patients, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30-90 mL/min/1.73m and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) of 300 to 5000 mg/g were randomly assigned to taking oral astragalus granules (15g of raw herb daily equivalent) or to continue standard care alone, with no placebo, for 48 weeks. Compared to the astragalus group, eGFR declined (worsened) in the control group (−3.9 mL/min/1.73 m2) and there was no difference for UACR. For secondary outcomes, there was a decrease in systolic blood pressure and liver enzymes in the astragalus group compared to the control group.

References

Chan KW, Kwong ASK, Tsui PN, Chan GCW, Choi WF, Yiu WH, Cheung SCY, Wong

MMY, Zhang ZJ, Tan KCB, Lao L, Lai KN, Tang SCW; READY and SCHEMATIC

research group. Add-on astragalus in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A

multi-center, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2024 Jul

25;130:155457. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155457. Epub 2024 Feb 28. PMID:

38810556.

As Valentine’s Day approaches love is in the air but it’s not just about chocolates, roses and messages of affection from secret admirers. At the Herbal Extract Company we are encouraging you to fall in love with your herbal medicine dispensary again, nurturing your practice and rekindling that spark of connection with the potent plant remedies that lie within it.

As practitioners you know that herbal medicine is much more than just a prescription, it is an intimate connection between you, your patients and the plant kingdom. One of the most versatile and effective ways to bring that relationship to life in your dispensary is through liquid herbal extracts. Liquid herbal extracts are the perfect way to showcase the heart of herbal medicine in your dispensary. They are easy to use and offer a host of benefits that make them a go-to remedy for practitioners.

Potent and Powerful

Liquid herbs extract the full therapeutic power of plants, using ethanol to pull out both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds. This means you are providing your patients with a high potency form of herbal medicine that is fast-acting and highly effective. Flexibility of formulation and dosage means a smaller more potent dose can be administered. Liquid herbal extracts have greater absorption because the chemical compounds are already in solution which means there is faster bioavailability.

Pure and Exclusive

Liquid herbal extracts require minimal processing, requiring only a solvent of ethanol and water to be added to the raw material. They contain no additives, such as binders, lubricants, colouring agents or coatings, so the medicine is more likely to mirror the original plant chemistry. These premium products offer a point of difference. They are available exclusively to practitioners while being economical for patients. We encourage you to trust yourself to make the best medicine that will help your patient. Trust the plant’s medicine. Trust nature.

Convenience for Patients and Practitioners

Whether it’s for a busy patient with a packed schedule or a practitioner in need of flexibility, liquid herbal extracts are versatile, easily blended, easy to dose and fast to administer. They can be taken directly or added to water, juice, tea or food. They can be added into other recipes including salves, water-based creams, lotions, mouth washes or syrups.

Longevity and Stability

Liquid herbal extracts tend to have a longer shelf life because the ethanol preserves them. This ensures that your dispensary is stocked with high-quality, ready-to-use medicines whenever your patients need them.

Individualised Prescribing for a Unique Formulation

With liquid herbal extracts you have the freedom to mix and match herbs to create personalised formulas, which means you can offer highly specific solutions to your patients’ unique needs. Whether they need help with stress, immunity, digestion or sleep, liquid herbal extracts can be crafted to suit any condition and incorporated into bespoke formulas that provide customised solutions for individual health concerns. Liquid herbs deliver a more authentic representation of the plant and convey much of the herbs’ smell, taste and colour. With liquid herbs your patients get to experience the herb.

Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic love, it is also a time to reflect on the deep, healing bonds you build with your patients. By falling in love with liquid herbal extracts again, you are not only providing a high-quality product you are offering your patients an opportunity to build a lasting, transformative relationship with their health. Let this Valentine’s Day be the perfect time to reconnect with your herbal dispensary, infusing your practice with renewed energy, inspiration and the deep love that herbal medicine offers. Embrace the ritual of healing and rediscover the joy of creating tailor-made, plant-powered medicines that can change lives

Originating in China, and infused there from possibly the first century BC, tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water. It is consumed by more than two-thirds of the world's population. Among all the teas consumed in the world green tea, which is loaded with antioxidants, is the most studied for its health benefits. Accumulating evidence from cellular, animal, clinical and epidemiological studies have linked green tea consumption to various health benefits such as cancer prevention, improving chronic inflammation and degenerative diseases like cardiovascular and liver diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin aging, arthritis and bone fractures. Although some of these health benefits have not been consistently achieved by intervention trials, positive results from some clinical trials have provided direct evidence supporting the protective effect of green tea against, at least, human cancer. i

A new Japanese study, published on January 7, 2025, provides further evidence that green tea may help fight cognitive decline and therefore reduce dementia risk. In this study 8766 seniors who regularly drank green tea (one cup of tea was equivalent to approximately 200 mL) had fewer of the brain lesions that are characteristic of dementia than those who did not drink it. Interestingly this cross-sectional study included coffee consumption and, while it found a significant association between lower cerebral white matter lesions and higher green tea consumption, coffee did not show similar benefits. This is possibly because green tea’s unique composition, such as catechins, might be more effective against white matter lesions than coffee’s compounds, which are mainly chlorogenic acid and caffeine. The researchers said “green tea consumption may contribute to white matter lesion reduction by improving blood pressure. Moreover, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, which negatively affects blood pressure, thus suggesting that green tea may have a more beneficial impact on white matter lesions.” The study had some limitations including that there was no information on how the green tea was brewed, leading to potential variations in the content of bioactive substances. ii

Two other human clinical studies from last year investigated the use of green tea topically. One study, from August 2024, showed that green tea extract ointment has a small effect on the healing process and pain reduction of episiotomy wounds. iii In another study, from March 2024, the use of 3% green tea extract cream improved the appearance of stretch marks on the skin.

References

Dou QP. Tea in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2019 Apr 25;11(4):929. doi:

10.3390/nu11040929. PMID: 31027187; PMCID: PMC6520965.

ii Shibata S, Noguchi-Shinohara M, Shima A, Ozaki T, Usui Y, Taki Y, Uchida K,

Honda T, Hata J, Ohara T, Mikami T, Maeda T, Mimura M, Nakashima K, Iga JI,

Takebayashi M, Ninomiya T, Ono K; Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for

Aging and Dementia (JPSC-AD) study group. Green tea consumption and cerebral

white matter lesions in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. NPJ Sci Food. 2025 Jan 7;9(1):2. doi: 10.1038/s41538-024-00364-w. PMID: 39774601; PMCID: PMC11707279. iii Sayahi M, Jahangirimehr A, Hatami Manesh Z, Mojab F, Nikbina M. The effect of Camellia sinensis ointment on perineal pain and episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2024 Aug 1;19(8):e0305048. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305048. PMID: 39088486; PMCID: PMC11293732. iv Ayuningsih S, Jusuf NK, Putra IB. Efficacy of green tea ( Camellia sinensis Linn) 3% extract cream on improvement of striae distensae. F1000Res. 2024 Mar 21;13:208. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.142199.1. PMID: 38854441; PMCID: PMC11157189.

Cat’s claw is a thick woody vine native to Peru, the Amazon rain forest and other tropical areas of South and Central America. Named for its hooked thorns, which resemble the claws of a cat, it can grow up to 98 feet (30 metres) tall. Cat’s claw has been used in traditional and cultural practices in South America for centuries. Indigenous to Peru, the Ashaninka Indians classified it as a 'powerful plant' and used it to restore health. The Ashaninka’s have used the root bark, and the stem bark as well, for generations. To the priests of this tribe cat’s claw is a sacred plant used to eliminate disturbance in the communication between body and spirit. 

Traditionally cat’s claw has been used in Peru in the form of aqueous or alcoholic infusions as an anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis, gastritis and other disturbances of the gastro-intestinal system, treatment of cancer and for different skin disorders. It is also used for diabetes, asthma, diseases of the urinary tract, wounds, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual irregularity and to recover from childbirth, as a tonic to ward off disease and as an abortifacient. 

A randomised clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of cat’s claw in reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy concluded that it is an effective adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most frequent tumour affecting women worldwide. Some of the recommended treatments involve chemotherapy which has toxic effects including leukopenia and neutropenia (similar blood conditions that both involve low white blood cell counts). Forty patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-Stage II, who underwent a treatment regimen known as FAC (Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide), were divided into two groups: the cat’s claw group received chemotherapy plus 300mg of dry cat’s claw extract per day and the cancer group that only received chemotherapy and served as the control experiment. Blood samples were collected before each one of the six chemotherapy cycles and blood counts, immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress were analysed. Cat’s claw reduced the neutropenia (not enough neutrophils - a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the body's immune system) caused by chemotherapy and was also able to restore cellular DNA damage. Cat’s claw stimulates the immune system meaning increased resistance to immunosuppression which can be caused by chemotherapy, stress and malnutrition. Unfortunately the cytotoxic action of chemotherapy is not directed just at cancer cells, and so healthy cells are also damaged. This study demonstrates that cat’s claw can potentially strengthen the body’s innate defences and help improve the quality of life for patients overall.

References

Allen L, Buckner A, Buckner CA, Cano P, Lafrenie RM. Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex

Schult.) DC (Rubiaceae) Sensitizes THP-1 Cells to Radiation-induced Cell Death.

Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Jul-Sep;9(3):221-229. doi: 10.4103/pr.pr_83_16.

Farias I, do Carmo Araújo M, Zimmermann ES, Dalmora SL, Benedetti AL, Alvarez-Silva M, et al. Uncaria tomentosa stimulates the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Sep 1;137(1):856-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.011. Epub 2011 Jul 8.

Keplinger K, Laus G, Wurm M, Dierich MP, Teppner H. Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC.--ethnomedicinal use and new pharmacological, toxicological and botanical results. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Jan;64(1):23-34.

Santos Araújo Mdo C, Farias IL, Gutierres J, Dalmora SL, Flores N, Farias J, de Cruz I, Chiesa J, Morsch VM, Chitolina Schetinger MR. Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:676984. doi: 10.1155/2012/676984. Epub 2012 Jun 28. PMID: 22811748; PMCID: PMC3395261.

Happy New Year and a warm welcome to 2025. We have some exciting news to share about a milestone in our journey. This year we are proudly celebrating 140 years of heritage, tradition and dedication to the healing power of nature. For more than a century, over six consecutive generations, the Herbal Extract Company has grown with demand by embracing science while staying true to traditional herbal medicine and family values. From our humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the herbal medicine industry in Australia our story is one of passion, perseverance and unwavering belief in pure plant power.

We may be called the Herbal Extract Company of Australia but we started in Africa in the late 1880s. The Shume family were originally English but in the late 19th Century they emigrated by ship seeking better health. Our company founder Lyndsay Shume’s family settled in Toowoomba in Australia and his great uncle William Shume went to Durban in South Africa. It was there on a farm in 1885 that William’s wife, Henrietta Shume, used blood purifying wild plants foraged from the veld to treat sick animals. When Henrietta found growths in her breast, and operations failed to manage them, she turned to the plants and the growths disappeared. Henrietta went on to manufacture and supply this herbal remedy to chemist shops and subsequently formed the South African Herbal Association. When Lyndsay’s grandfather Henry Shume received letters, and a small herbal remedy book, written by Henrietta he was inspired to pursue herbalism in Australia.

Henry’s son, Archie Shume, carried on the legacy by gathering plants from the Australian bush to treat his own patients. In 1938, just before World War II, Archie's son Lyndsay was born. These were the days when you could not just go and buy herbs from a shop so, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention and Lyndsay began his practical herbal apprenticeship at the age of five picking herbs with his father in the mornings to make herbal medicines. In the 1960s Lyndsay married his wife Helen (nee Smith) and studied by correspondence with the English college National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists (NIMH). Archie died unexpectedly in 1975 and Lyndsay, who was 36 at the time, became overwhelmed with trying to make the herbs for all the hundreds of patients. Lyndsay realised that if he was having difficulties keeping his dispensary full with supplies then his peers were most likely having the same issues. The seed was planted that it would be beneficial to have good quality herbs commercially available for all herbalists. So when the owner of a herbal manufacturing and wholesale business retired in 1988 Lyndsay took the opportunity to realise his dream and bought the business in Sydney. In 1993 we were registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration and while we had always done sensory testing right from the beginning things then became more technical.

Lyndsay is in his 80s now and the day to day running of the business is with his family including his daughters, Annette and Lyndall, and grandson Matt. Lyndsay has stayed in the herbal business all his life and when we asked him why, he said it’s because he sees people constantly being healed with herbs. From Henrietta's initial discovery to Lyndsay's vision for a reliable source of high-quality herbs, the Herbal Extract Company has grown into a leading provider of liquid herbal medicine.

As we reflect on our rich history we are incredibly grateful for your continued trust and partnership and for sharing our passion for natural health. You have been a vital part of our success and we are more committed than ever to providing you with the highest quality, sustainable and efficacious liquid herbal extracts.

Here's to another year of growth, healing and commitment to wellbeing. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025 and beyond.

New Years’ resolutions have been made and detox season has officially begun for those who ate, drank and were merry. So now it’s time to wake up and smell the dandelion root coffee. The humble dandelion, the bane of lawn owners all over the world, is the herbal ally for people who have been overindulging. Dandelion is highly nutritive, full of minerals and health promoting properties. Through its bitter principles dandelion root stimulates the production of bile and liver function. In the words of New Zealand herbalist Richard Whelan “the liver takes an enormous amount of the brunt of the stress of such lifestyles and, whilst of course they still have to address where they are doing harm, dandelion does a tremendous amount to help knit them back together in the meanwhile.

While occasional detox diets are helpful for a reboot, detoxification is something that is needed to support the body every single day, not just a couple of times each year. The body is equipped with detoxification systems that have been evolving and improving over millions of years and most of these are in the liver. The liver carries over 500 functions in the body and is considered the “master filter,” responsible for processing and filtering the blood in addition to helping detoxify chemicals from the body. When living in an environment where air quality, pollutants and water quality are more of a daily challenge, it is vital to ensure that the liver is functioning optimally. 

Adding a simple, daily liver-supportive herbal formula is an easy way to help promote healthy liver function amidst all of the additional challenges it faces when a healthy lifestyle has slipped by the wayside during the silly season. Herbalists celebrate dandelion as a supreme liver tonic as it excels at clearing excess heat (inflammation), clearing stagnation (congestion) and supporting detoxification of metabolic wastes. A simple alterative tonic recommended by herbalist, midwife and medical doctor Aviva Room combines one quarter of a teaspoon of dandelion root liquid extract in equal parts with burdock (Arctium lappa), globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus), sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.) and ginger (Zingiber officinale). Add these to a glass of sparkling water with lemon and drink 1-2 cups daily for a week, or as a digestive aid after meals.

References

Whelan R. Dandelion. c2011 R.J.Whelan Ltd (accessed 25 Nov 2024). Available

from https://rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/dandelion.html

Romm A. Top Ten Foods and Herbs to Support Natural Detoxification. (accessed

26 Nov 2024). Available from https://avivaromm.com/detox-every-day/

Love Your Liver Herbal Tincture. The Herbal Academy (updated 11 May

2021;accessed 26 Nov 2024). Available from

https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/liver-tincture/