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Palmitic acid: A fatty acid derived from palm
oil (hence the name) although it is widespread in many other herbs like anise,
allspice, celery coffee and tea. Palmitic acid is also a major component of cows
milk.
Palmitic acid is generally accepted as safe for use in
cosmetics but as it often contains salts and traces of oleic acid and lauric
acids care should be exercised as these are both irritants to some people. Linoleic Acid: One of the Omega 6 fatty acids
one of the two Essential Fatty Acids important for the regulation of cholesterol
and inflammatory processes in the body. Oleic Acid: A Glyceride Lauric Acid: An Essential Fatty Acid These Lipophilic
Compounds inhibit the enzyme that is responsible for the conversion of
testosterone into dihydrotestosterone which is associated with the enlargement
of the prostate gland. Campesterol: A Sterol Stigmasterol: An essential component of cell
membrane. Stigmasterol is a Phytosterol.
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Phytosterols: A Triterpenoid. It is believed
that Phytosterols play a role in the inhibition of tumour growth and control of
cholesterol in the blood.
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Triterpenoid Saponins: A glycoside with
triterpenoid aglycone structures.
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Saponins: Wound healing, anti-scarring. Saponins occur as
glycosides with aglycone structures that are steroidal or terpenoid. Saponins can cause the
destruction of red blood cells if injected causing anaemia or worse. Ingested
saponins are poorly absorbed in the digestive system reducing the risk of
poisoning but care must be taken on dosage as Saponins are mucus membrane
irritants.
Many herbs containing saponins have been identified as
"adaptogens" also referred to as harmony remedies (see: The Root of
being: Ginseng and the Pharmacology of Harmony - Stephen Fulder 1980).
Instead of being purely remedial herbs these adaptogens improves and energizes
vitality and resistance thereby keeping ailments at bay. It is claimed that
these adaptogens can improve mental functions like learning speed, awareness and
alertness as well as help with emotional and intellectual stress. As a tonic
they will also reduce the risk of infections by stimulating the immune system. Saponins are also expectorant, anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, combats cholesterol build up and antifungal. |
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Sitosterol: Sitosterol, a sterol, is very important for the
maintenance of cell membranes.
Sterols: Most sterols play a big part in the makeup of cell
membranes. Sterols are used to make steroidal medication and drugs. Sterols may
interfere with the development of tumours and assist in the regulation of
cholesterol, but this has not been fully established yet. |
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides (Glycans) are polymers that are
made up as sugar chains. Polysaccharides making up the gums and mucilages, occur
in every plant. Polysaccharides are virtually indigestible and therefore
have little or no effect if ingested. Polysaccharides are mostly inert and the
majority are not soluble in water or organic solvents. Most gums will absorb
water to the point where they become a sticky gel.
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Mucilages and Gums (Polysaccharides): Widely
present in the plant kingdom these substances are hydrophilic, being able to
attract and bind with a volume of water that far exceeds the mass of the gum or
mucilage. Apart from their propensity to attract
water, Mucilages and Gums are virtually inert and also almost fully indigestible.
Generally the small amount of digestion that happens extracts very little sugar and no
noteworthy pharmacological effect. Because of
this neutrality and indigestibility their value if ingested is that they are
demulcent - which means that they coat and protect the lining of the gastric
tract, if applied externally they are emollient - which means that they coat and
protect the skin. |
Carotenoids:
Carotenoids is the largest group in the
Tetraterpenes. Carotenoids are responsible for the red to yellow pigmentation in
vegetables and fruit. A number of the over 500 carotenoids are
pro-vitamins and are converted to vitamin A in the digestive process.
Most
carotenoids have been found to have antioxidant properties and help in the
control of free radicals. There is also some that believe that some of the
carotenoids are also active against some cancer cells although this aspect is
still being researched. | 
