Materials of Medicine
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Fucus vesiculosis (Bladderwrack)Botanical Description: Fucus is sea algae. It is brown with a bifurcate thallus that may grow up to a meter long. It has mid ribs and paired air bladders. Part Used: Thalli, fresh or dried Active Constituents: Iodine and other trace minerals, mucilaginous polysaccharides (alginic acid, fucoidin, laminarin), lipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine), polyphenols Medicinal Actions: Metabolic stimulant, nutrient Medicinal Use: Fucus has been eaten as a nutritional sea vegetable for centuries. It is high in minerals, especially iodine. The iodine is taken up by the thyroid and utilized to make T4 and T3. The earliest written treatment for goiter is Fucus. The iodine content is, of course, variable and the availability of the iodine may also be variable. The most common current use is in weight loss products to stimulant thyroid and cellular metabolism. The inclusion of fucus in weight loss formulas is questionable however since not everyone has iodine deficiency and subsequent hypofunction of their thyroid gland. The increased thyroid activity enhances the utilization of fat stores. By supplying iodine, thyroid function is stimulated and thus metabolism increases. An intake of greater than 150 ug of iodine per day presents a danger of inducing and aggravating hyperthyroidism. The other nutritional components in Fucus are also beneficial, especially with mineral deficiencies and impaired absorption of minerals. Fucus also has a reputation in the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis, both used internally and as an external application upon inflamed joints. Contraindications: Hyperthyroidism in excess of 150 ug a day. Toxicity: None known, though there is a theorized toxicity if taken in high dose for extended periods of time. No cases were found. Symptoms would include heart palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, and agitation. Pharmacy: Food: ½ cup three times a week or up to daily Tincture (1:5): 5 ml TID with weekly maximum of 100 ml. Tablets/Capsules: 4 – 6 per day in divided doses Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice Root)Family: Fabaceae Part Used: Root Active Constituents: Bitter, flavonoids and isoflavanoids (chalcones), saponin glycosides (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizinic acid – aglycone is glycyrrhetinic acid), gums, phytoestrogens, resins, volatile oils Medicinal Actions: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, demulcent, expectorant, hepatoprotective, antiviral Medicinal Uses: Normal intestinal flora hydrolyze glycyrrhizin to form glycyrrhetinic acid. Glycyrrhetinic acid has mineralcorticoid activity to a much lesser degree than aldosterone, but binds mineralcorticoid receptors. Glycyrrhetinic acid also inhibits the breakdown of aldosterone in the liver and inhibits 5 beta-reductase (the primary enzyme responsible for breaking down cortisol and aldosterone. DGL is a processed licorice extract (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) that has the glycyrrhizin removed. This eliminates the potential pseudoaldosteronic side effects of Glycyrrhiza. Typically this preparation is used to treat PUD and apthous ulcers due to its anti-inflammatory, demulcent and mucous membrane protective effects. Glycyrrhiza has many uses. One of the most profound effects is extending the half-life of cortisol by blocking 5-beta reductase activity. This cortisol sparing activity helps the body recover from the debilitating after effects of long term stress. Glycyrrhiza helps patients to reduce cortisone intake after long term use and to assist in healing adrenal atrophy due to steroid consumption Licorice is added to many formulas to improve the taste, to enhance the overall effect of the formula and increase the anti-inflammatory action. Internal ulcerations heal more quickly when the patient is given Glycyrrhiza. Its demulcent and anti-inflammatory actions make it useful whenever there is inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes (PUD, pharyngitis, colitis). It stimulates the formation of granulation tissue. Studies show that licorice can slow or stop sepsis in burn victims. It has also exhibited anti-viral action against virus like herpes, poliovirus, some DNA and RNA viruses. The anti-viral action seems to arise from the glycyrrhizic acid compounds in the root. It is used both internally and topically for its anti-viral effect. Many topical salves contain Glycyrrhiza or Melissa to treat HSV. It also has the ability to activate glucuronidation and enhances the effects of the cytochrome P-450 system on xenobiotic detoxification. Glycyrrhiza is also a good expectorant and can soften the flavor of other pungent herbs when added to formulas. It is indicated for use in treatment of patients who have spasmodic, dry, irritated coughs and need expectorant action. It is useful in the treatment of viral illnesses like bronchitis, colds and influenza to enhance the ability of the patient to recover from the illness more quickly. It is also a useful addition to formulas when treating allergies due to the enhancement of adrenal function and mucous membrane integrity. The isoflavone formononetin is a weak phytoestrogen. It can produce an anti-estrogenic effect by competitive binding with the stronger natural estrogens. *It can also inhibit 17 B-hyroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17BHSD) the enzyme responsible for converting androstenedione to testosterone (Sakamoto & Wakabayahsi 1988). This can lead to decreased serum testosterone levels in otherwise healthy men when taken at high doses (500 mg of standardized glycyrrhizin daily.
Chronic ingestion of large doses can increase the reabsorption of sodium and increase excretion of potassium, creating a pseudoaldosteronic effect (HTN, hypokalemia, sodium and water retention). This pseudoaldosterone effect can exacerbate hypertension in patients on a low potassium or high sodium diet and can also cause headache, edema and hypokalemia in long term use. Using Glycyrrhiza in high amount (3 grams a day of whole root or more than 400 mg/d of glycyrrhitinic acid over a long term (more than twelve weeks) requires monitoring of the patient. The elderly are more prone to exhibiting pseudoaldosteronism. Hypertension and renal failure are contraindications. Drug Interactions: There are some sources that state there may be a potential for interaction with cardiac glycosides because of potential loss of potassium. If potassium levels are monitored and maintained, there should be no interaction. Toxicity: None Pharmacy: Decoction: 1 Tbl. Shaved root/cup H2O TID Tincture (1:5): 20 – 60 gtt QD – TID Fluid Extract (1:2, 1:3): 10 – 30 gtt QD – TID Solid Extract (18% glycyrrhetinic acid): 0.25 – 0.50 tsp. QD – TID DGL (deglycyrrhinated licorice): (PUD and apthous ulcers) Scientific Botanicals: ¼ tsp provides 450 mg DGL Tablets: 1 – 3 chewed before meals TID and Hs Powder: 0.25 – 1.0 tsp PO TID and Hs Salves: apply to affected area several times a day (HSV) Licrogel
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