For
many Americans, life proceeds at a frenetic pace. Despite
the introduction of such time saving devices as the computer,
microwave, and cell phone, life has not gotten more leisurely.
As a result, many Americans suffer from symptoms of chronic
stress. Anxiety, irritability, and anger lead to symptoms
like headaches, insomnia, heartburn, and ulcers and finally
to chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and cardiovascular
disease. And when we actually do have the down time we need,
we often can't relax and unwind, or sleep enough to rejuvenate
ourselves.
While
prescription sedatives can help, they are often too strong,
have side effects, and over the long term can cause residual
effects, metabolic imbalances and addictions. Even in the
herb world, concerns about kava have heightened the search
for better alternatives. Luckily, there is a wide array of
herbal sedatives that are powerful enough to do the trick,
yet mild enough to be safe and non-habit forming. Rather than
causing imbalances, many of these herbs actually help the
body to feel rested, rejuvenated and renewed.
Western
and European herbalists have a nice toolkit of traditional
herbs that help to calm and relax. Herbs like chamomile, passion
flower, scullcap and valerian have achieved a worthy level
of popularity in the US nutritional supplement market. But
several of the best calming and relaxing herbs, while
in widespread use in China, remain unfamiliar to most western
consumers. Because these herbs have been understood primarily
through the lens of the Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic
system, and because this system is complex and distinct from
our medical paradigm, many of these truly unique, balancing
and efficacious plants have gone unnoticed in the west. We
feel that TCM sedative herbs have vast untapped market potential
in the US, and with the right exposure can be the basis for
some very successful mainstream products.
Mimosa
Tree Bark
In
TCM, the bark of the Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
is called "Collective Happiness Bark" because of
its ability to treat disturbances of the spirit (shen) by
nourishing the heart. The shen is thought to reside in the
heart. Disturbances of the shen caused by improper diet, extreme
emotions, trauma, and stress can lead to irritability, insomnia,
anxiety and heart palpitations. By nourishing the heart, Mimosa
bark helps to calm the spirit. A nourished heart and calm
spirit leaves one at peace. It is especially effective for
bad temper, irritability, insomnia and poor memory due to
pent-up emotions. Because it improves mood, is often used
as a remedy for depression. In addition, the herb alleviates
pain and disspates swelling and is effective for swelling
due to trauma and abscesses. The active constituents are saponins
and tannins. Please call us for more details.
Chinese
Senega Root
Similar
to Mimosa, Chinese Senega Root (Polygala tenuifolia) also
treats disturbances of the shen by nourishing the heart. As
such, it is effective in cases of excessive brooding and pent-up
emotions resulting in anxiety, poor memory, restlessness,
insomnia and even disorientation. Called "Yuan Zhi"
or "profound will" in China, this bitter, acrid
root can also reduce painful swellings, boils and abscesses,
taken either internally or applied topically. Additionally,
there is a body of scientific study on Chinese Senega Root
showing its effects on mucous membranes. It contains triterpenoid
saponins that increase mucosal secretions in the bronchioles,
acting as a lung clearing expectorant. As such, it is commonly
used to treat bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and whooping
cough. Please call us for more details.
Wild
Jujube Seed
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Wild Jujube seed (Ziziphus
jujuba, v. spinosa) is widely used as a sedative
herb for calming the heart and spirit, as well as nourishing
the blood, spleen and liver. The herb has been shown to calm,
relax, reduce stress, conserve energy, and promote sleep.
It's a great herb for those with symptoms of nervous exhaustion,
fatigue, irritability and the inability to sleep. It is also
analgesic. A non-toxic herb, Wild Jujube is not just safe,
but actually beneficial for the liver. For herbal products
manufacturers this herb represents a terrific opportunity
to fill an important niche, one that is currently occupied
by Kava and Valerian. Please call us for more details.
Baikal Skullcap
While Wild Jujube Seed is the true star of Chinese herbal
sedatives, product developers seeking alternatives should
be careful not to overlook Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis),
which contains among the highest levels of naturally occurring
melatonin, and has sedative constituents that bind to benzodiazepine
receptors (Xanax®, Valium®, and Restoril® are
tranquilizers of the benzodiazepine class). The herb is cooling
and hypotensive producing a slowing effect on the central
nervous system, making it great for conditions of hot irritability
and related headache. Please call us for more details.
Biota
Seed
Biota Seed comes from the Arbor Vitae tree (Thuja orientalis
or Biota orientalis) and is another good source of
sedative saponin actives. In TCM, this sweet, pungent, oily
herb enters the heart, liver and kidney meridians, tranquizing
the heart and calming the shen. While frequently used in formulas,
biota seed can also be used singly for insomnia, irritability,
and amnesia. It is also used to treat constipation, by moistening
the intestines and promoting bowel movement. Please call
us for more details.
Schizandra
Another member of the Magnolia family, Schizandra chinensis
is an adaptogenic herb that also has beneficial effects on
sleep. Like Wild Jujube, Schizandra is a great nourishing
herb supporting the liver, lungs and kidneys. As an adaptogen
it improves the body's response to stress. In TCM it is thought
to "quiet the spirit and calm the heart" making
it an exceptional herb for irritability, palpitations, dream-disturbed
sleep, and insomnia. Please call us for more details.
Magnolia Bark
The bark of the Magnolia tree (Magnolia officinalis) which
is popular in Asia as an antibiotic for stomach distention
and for wheezing cough is also a very relaxing herb. It's
main active constituents magnolol and honokiol are known to
have central nervous system muscle relaxation and sedative
effects. In animal studies, an extract of Magnolia caused
spontaneous high amplitude slow waves on the EEG and an elevation
of brain seratonin levels without altering catecholamines
levels. It is often used for digestive disturbances and shortness
of breath that are caused by fear, anxiety and other emotional
distress. Please call us for more details.
Draco's
D-31 Sleep Aid Formula
Available for private label use, Draco's D-31 Sleep Aid Formula
is a clinically tested combination of some of the best calming
and sleep inducing herbs available, harmoniously balanced
for maximum effect and minimum side effects. The formula features
a proprietary blend of sleep herbs, many of which are mentioned
in this article. Incorporating the wisdom of tradition and
Draco's razor edge scientific formulation expertise, this
is a formula that is destined to be a significant part of
America's natural products based fight against insomnia. Draco's
D-31 Sleep Aid Formula is a homogenous Action Synergized
Formula™, combined before extraction to allow the
herbs to inter-react during processing. Please call
us for more details.
Remember!
At Draco, all raw plant materials are carefully selected at
peak potency and certified to be free of pesticides and heavy
metals. The extracts are processed in a state-of-the-art ISO9002,
GMP, and Kosher Certified facility in a closed system using
only pure, clean water as a solvent. The results: high quality,
clean, carrier free, concentrated powdered single extracts
and formulas; available in Full Spectrum Standardized™
and ratio based forms.
©
Copyright 2003, Draco Natural Products, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Draco
Extracts Facts
Mimosa Tree
- Albizia julibrissin
(photo by Matt Humphrey)